The World of Courtesans c9.88

c9.88

From Vimardaka Apaharavarman learnt everything worth knowing about all the wealthy citizens of the city. Then one black night he concealed himself in a black cloak, and girded with a sharp sword, he provided himself with a varied kit containing a trowel, scissors, tweezers, dummy, magic powder, trick lamp, measuring-tape, hook, cord, a dark lantern, a bee-basket and other tools. His first victim was a miserly capitalist whom he robbed by the simple method of breaking the wall of his house. While returning from his mission he met in the dark street a young girl wearing gleaming gems. He discovered that she was the daughter of the merchant Kuberadatta. This man refused to give his daughter in marriage to a certain Dhanamitra, a wealthy youth, who had been reduced to poverty because of his kind gifts to others. The father wanted the girl to marry one Arthapati that very morning. She went on relating her story and suddenly they were set upon by a party of policemen. He pretended that he had been bitten by a cobra and they both escaped. Apaharavarman then conducted her to her lover Dhanamitra and advised him not to flee the city with his beloved but to remain there.