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The Parable of the Three Horses

Once there lived a lord who had three horses. One was as white as snow. The second an earthly brown. The third a moonless night. The white horse was well fed and grew strong and sturdy while the other two grew weak through years of neglect.

One day the lord had to travel to a distant land.He said to himself, "I am a just man. I shall equally divide the burden on my three horses so that none can complain of any injustice."

He was about to load the horses when the lady of the house came out. She said, "Are you going to put equal burden on them? Can't you see that the white horse is strong while the others are weak? Give them weights that each can carry. Now that would be justice."

The lord thought for a moment and found that his wife was right. So he put the heavier load on the white horse and lighter ones on the other two.

On seeing this, the white horse said,"What injustice is this! Why must I suffer more because you two are weak? Why must I shoulder this additional burden?"

The brown horse said, "O brother, don't you see? You are strong, while we are weak. It is only justice that our weights be lighter than yours."

As they argued about this, they heard a thud from behind them. The black horse had collapsed. From under the heap, she said,"O White brother! Why do you complain now? Where was your justice all these years? Did you ever worry about our unequal treatment? Had you shared your food with us, we too would have been strong now and shared your burden."

"She is right! Where was your justice all these years?" asked the brown horse.

The black horse laughed. "O Brown brother! You think you are any better? We both suffered under our master and you very well knew I was weaker than you. Yet you feigned yourself to be weaker than you really are and did not think once of the additional wait your sister would have to bear."

Seeing the black horse on the ground, the lord rushed to her side. "This horse is weaker than I thought." So saying, he lightened her burden further and she was able to stand up again.

The other two horses said,"Indeed our master is a kind and just man."

"Is it so?"

"Has he not lightened your burden? Shouldn't you be grateful to him."

"Even now he has not realised his mistake. He thinks we are weak by birth and treats us with pity. All he does is lighten our burden and doesn't spare a thought about nurturing us back to health. Had he done so, it would have not only helped us but would also have benefited him."

Magic Tree’s Privacy Policy

This privacy policy governs your use of the software application Magic Tree (“Application”) for mobile devices that was created by Amith Shaju. The Application is an infinite catcher game.

Information Collection and Use

Please note that the scope of this Policy is limited to information collected or received by the Application through your use of the Service.  The Application is not responsible for the actions of third party people or companies, the content of their sites, the use of information you provide to them, or any products or services they may offer.  Any link to those sites does not constitute our sponsorship of, or affiliation with, those people or companies.

Children’s Privacy - Special Note to Parents

We value your children’s privacy.

It is important that you understand that the Application uses Apple’s Game Center to allow players who are 13 years old or older to have fun by exchanging their gameplay events with other players over the age of 13.  .  The Application relies on the age restrictions from Game Center to make sure only players over the age of 13 can share information.  It is up to you to make sure your child is of the required age to be using a social network.

Automatically Collected Information

In addition, the Application may collect certain information automatically, including, but not limited to, the type of mobile device you use, your mobile devices unique device ID, the IP address of your mobile device, your mobile operating system, the type of mobile Internet browsers you use, and information about the way you use the Application.

Opt-Out Options

You can stop all collection of information by the Application easily by uninstalling the Application. You may use the standard uninstall processes as may be available as part of your mobile device.

Changes

This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time for any reason. We will notify you of any changes to our Privacy Policy by posting the new Privacy Policy here. You are advised to consult this Privacy Policy regularly for any changes, as continued use is deemed approval of all changes.

Magic Tree - Catch Them All!

Legend has it that there once was a tree which bore every fruit the world has ever known. If you could catch all the fruits falling from this tree, then it would bear the Elixir fruit, the fruit of immortality. So are you up for the challenge?

Catch all the fruits that fall from the Magic tree. Save your fruits from harms way and join the quest for immortality. But beware! This might be an endless quest!

"Magic Tree - Catch 'em all" is an infinity catch game where the player must catch all the falling fruits and avoid obstacles that come on the way. The game makes use of motion sensor to control the movement of the basket.

             Magic Tree - Catch Them All!         

Give your valuable feedback in the comment section below.

Sine City

Sine City is an infinite run game where we help a ball named City to cross the Sine waves. Remember, City can only pass through waves that match its wavelength (color). By striking the wrong wave, we are condemning poor City to its doom.

While each tap will help us fight Gravity and reach to the top, we will need all the help we can get from Gravity to take us back to where we came from. So join City on this wonderful ride! To infinity and beyond!!

Please let us know of your queries or suggestions in the comments section.

Its Tabularius!!

Got a gang? Often hangout together? We know how hard it can be to keep track of the amount you and your friends owe each other. Do not fear, Tabularius is here. Just enter the amounts you owe your friends and vise versa. Tabularius will do the rest. It keeps a tab on your accounts and informs you whether you are on debt or credit. What’s more, you can directly pass this info to your friends through various in built features. So why wait? Download the app. It may not be hilarious but its Tabularius!

Well, thats the description of my first app on the App Store and it gives me great pleasure to read it. Its a very simple app which does just what it says. You can note down the sums that you owe to your friends or those that are owed to you and then inform them of the same. 

Feel free to download Tabularius from the App Store. Its not a great app but do share your thoughts about it and what all new features you would like to see in it.

The Rise of The Hotspurs

When the transfer window closed this season, there was much criticism directed at the manager. Many believed that Pochetino hadn't done enough to push Levy to bring in the players he needed. There had been no additions to the roles of striker and central defensive midfield- two areas that Spurs were found lacking.

There was no back up for Kane and the fact that our central defensive midfielder was actually a centre back didn't ooze confidence. Many were also critical of the pre season tours, complaining that our players hadn't got enough rest. The critics went to "I told you so" mode when Kane failed to find the net in the opening games.

But now after 14 games and a 13 match unbeaten streak, even his greatest critics are applauding Mauricio Pochettino. The change he has brought to the team is incredible. He has cut out the dead wood and removed the poisonous weeds. He tilled the ground and sowed fresh seeds. No wonder he is reaping the dividends.

Some might say that Lady Luck has favoured him. After all Kane was able to maintain his form and fitness. Well, that was not what most of us thought when Kane was facing a goal drought in the beginning of the season. But Pochettino kept faith in his striker and the forward shone because of it.

It is to Spurs' credit that they have been able to maintain their unbeaten run even after a string of injuries to crucial players. Chadli, Bentaleb and Pritchard are still recovering whereas Eriksen, Dembele, Mason, Lamela and Son have all had their share of injury woes.

Spurs owe most of their success this season to the transfer window. Pochettino remoulded the team to his liking by "not buying for the sake of buying". With the help of Vertonghen, he was able to add Alderweireld to the team and we all know how crucial that signing has been. The Belgian duo have formed a formidable pairing and have been a brick wall in central defence.

The addition of Wimmer and Trippier has given Pochettino more options at the back while Son and Njie have strengthened the midfield and also proved to be effective covers for Kane.

But our best buy was undoubtedly Dele Alli from MKDons in the January window. The teenager was the catch of the season and has stunned everyone with his brilliant performance. He has shown skill and maturity surpassing his years and will surely go a long way.

The rebranding of Dier as a central defensive midfielder has now been hailed as Mauricio's masterstroke. Clearly the decision has put opponent teams in Dier-stress. He has mixed aggression and defence very well and exelled in his new role. The fact that he is yet to reach his peak is heartening.

While these have been factors of Spurs' success, the most important factor is the team spirit. Finally we have a Tottenham "Team". Its no longer about a Bale or a Modric. The Spurs are finally a team. "One for all, all for one" is the new motto in the Spurs dressing room. The work ethic has been brilliant and the team morale is in cloud nine. The transformations of Dembele and Lamela "from boys to men" have been remarkable. Add to it the clinical precision of Eriksen, the creativity of Mason and the penetrative runs of Walker and Rose and we have a deadly attack.

Lloris, who has not lost a league match this season, has lead from the front( or from the back as some might say). He has pulled off spectacular match winning saves this season and has played his part to perfection.

And with Pochettino giving chances to academy youths like Carroll, Winks and Onomah, we surely have a bright young future ahead of us.

COYS

HAIL MARY, FULL OF GRACE!!

The Catholic Church is often viewed as a patriarchal establishment by those outside the Faith. With an all male clergy and an equally male Trinity, who can blame them for thinking so. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit! What other proof do you need of male domination?

It may then come as a surprise to many that among Christians, the Catholic Church is often criticised for its matriarchal nature or more specifically for its Marian worship. Why do Catholics adore, love and respect the Holy Virgin so much? After all she is just a woman. It is written no where in the scriptures that she is a goddess or that she is divine. Then why recite rosaries in the name of a mere mortal?

First of all, let us not confuse Marian devotion with Marian worship. No where in the Scriptures is Saint Mary depicted as a goddess and no where in Catholic doctrine is she considered one. Well, that is pretty clear isn't it? After all does a god have to be declared a saint? That would be a clear demotion and an insult.

So what's the root reason for all this Marian devotion? Why is she considered Holy? What is her importance in Christianity? Let us analyse this one by one.

1.What is Mary's importance in Christianity?

Well, without Mary there is no Christianity. She is its centre. We believe in the Trinity, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and it was through Mary that the Trinity was first revealed to the world. She was the Daughter of the Father, the Mother of the Son and the Body unto which the Holy Spirit came. In fact, she is the reference point through which we define the Undefinable.

The angel said to her,'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you;therefore the child to be born will be holy;he will be called the Son of God.      
(Luke 1.35)

2.But why should she be considered divine or holy?

Jesus gives us the answer. "No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit;for each tree is known by its own fruit.Figs are not gathered from thorns,nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush."(Luke 6.43:44)

If the fruit was divine, could the tree be less divine? Can a holy fruit come from an unholy tree?

3.But why ask Mary to offer our prayers to her Son?

Mary is "the favoured one". The one who has found favour with God. The Lord is with her. The events of Cana is an eye opener. When help was first asked, Jesus declined, saying the time had not come. Yet the Lord saw his mother's special interest and so put aside his reservations and performed a miracle.

Jesus gave his mother to his beloved disciple. Are we not his beloved disciples? Then is it wrong to share our sorrows with our mother? Is it wrong to love, admire and respect our mother? Is it wrong to ask her to join in our prayers?












  

The HurriKane is Here!! - A Tottenham Fan Song

The HurriKane is here
And so is Sonshine
Let the whole Lane hear
Our team is divine

With the safe hands of Lloris
We will catch all glories

And Vorm showing promise

We have no worries

The HurriKane is here
And so is Sonshine
Let the whole Lane hear
Our team is divine
The pair of Jan and Toby
Make clean sheet a hobby
Along with Davy and Danny
The defence looks dandy

The HurriKane is here
And so is Sonshine
Let the whole Lane hear
Our team is divine

Once Mason leads the way
Alli shall hold sway
Enter Lamela in the foray
And as one we shall play

The HurriKane is here
And so is Sonshine
Let the whole Lane hear
Our team is divine

When the Walker runs
The linesman can't see
And when the Christian guns
Goal it shall be.

The HurriKane is here
And so is Sonshine
Let the whole Lane hear
Our team is divine

Fazio, Tom and Trippier
Nabil, Njie and Wimmer
Fans couldn't be happier
When Spurs score the winner.

The HurriKane is here
And so is Sonshine
Let the whole Lane hear
Our team is divine

Mousa, Towny, Winks
Connect all the links
Dier's closed the chinks
Poch will break the jinx

The HurriKane is here
And so is Sonshine
Let the whole Lane hear
Our team is divine

The Transfer Window

The "Meet the Transferkars" ad pretty much captures the scenario when people want to watch different programs at the same time. The fight that ensues can give WWE a run for its money. But the P.G (paying guest) scenario is far worse than the family scenario.

In case of families like the Transferkars  some sort of adjustments can be made. After all, tastes do differ and so do timings. The chance of your favourite soap opera or tv series clashing with a wrestling or football match is a rare possibility. It is a possibility nevertheless. But a little bit of emotional drama from your part ought to get the job done :P  

Its a different battlefield when you are in a P.G. Take my case for instance. I live in a 2 BHK room with 5 roommates and one TV. Fortunately, we are all from the same state and speak the same language, so on most days we reach a mutual understanding regarding the program. I do wonder what it would have been like, if all my roommates spoke different tongues. In a multi-lingual nation like ours, this is very much the scenario. Put a Malayalee, a Tamilian, a Kannadiga, a Marathi, a Bengali and a Punjabi in a room and give them a remote. It would take a Chanakya to make them reach a consensus.

Anyways, getting back to my story. So on normal days, we pretty much watch the same programs. But it is the weekends that brings all agreements to an end. So you may ask what happens in the weekends. EPL happens. For those who don't know what EPL is, well this post is not meant for them :P So don't even bother to continue.

As I was saying, all of us are fans of Barclays Premier League. Among us we have three Red Devils and one each of Reds, Blues and Spurs. Spurs?? What's that you might ask. Well, I am the Spurs fan (Maybe the only one :P). So I am not answering that question. To know how I became one, you may check my previous post.

Now coming to the weekends, its a busy schedule. There are 16 teams and 8 matches over 2 days and there are only 2 channels that telecast the match - Stars Sports 2 & 4. Here's when Tata Sky's Transfer feature comes into play. When two matches are telecast at the same time, there is an obvious fight for the remote. And as you rightly guessed, Spurs end up second best :(

Then the only resort is to watch the match on Hotstar. Here again the slow internet speed and the fast paced game combines to ensure a poor user experience. Thanks to Tata Sky's new feature, I will now be able to record the match and watch it on my own leisure in my iPad mini (which I hope to get courtesy indiBlogger :P). 

But for a better user experience, i would like to see some enhancements added to the Transfer feature.  An increase in resolution would always be welcome. Also I should be able to start watching the game before the recording is complete. Waiting for 2 hours is too difficult. And there's always the possibility that someone would shout out the results. 

How I became a Spurs fan...

First things first. When I say Spurs, I am not talking about the American basketball team San Antonio Spurs but the lesser known English football team Tottenham Hotspurs. I hope I haven't offended any fellow Spurs fans by calling our beloved team 'lesser known', but in India and especially in my state, that is pretty much the case.

 When I tell someone that I support Tottenham in the English Premier League, people stare at me in bewilderment and ask,"Are you crazy?". So I have finally decided to clarify how I ended up being a Spurs fan.

All of this began  in good humor at about this time last year. Most of my friends are die hard fans of the top clubs of England namely Reds, Blues, Red Devils and Gunners. EPL was the trending topic in our group. So I too decided to support a team for fun. Call it peer pressure.

So I offered my fan support to the highest bidder and as expected their were no takers. No one wanted a plastic fan :( . So I decided to find a club of my own. My first choice was the Toons because I liked the movie goal :P. But somehow I opted for spurs. Maybe it was the buzz created by the Bale transfer or the fact that they were always on the verge of breaking into the top four. Anyways, that's how I became a Tottenham plastic fan. And normally I would have left the club by the end of the season but something happened in between. Somewhere mid season, I believe I have made the transition from plastic fan to fan. There is still a long way to go to be a die hard fan but lets concentrate on the reasons for being a fan.


The primary reason is of course our boss, Mauricio Pochettino. The Argentine has changed the face of the team by putting faith in youth and homegrown talent. His tactics seemed to have paid dividend last season with Tottenham reaching the final of Capital One Cup and  finishing fifth in the season. The victories against Chelsea and arsenal were especially sweet :). This season too the team seems to be heading in the right direction with the defensive loose ends tied up and most of the dead wood cut out. Though we still badly miss a defensive midfielder.

Anyways even with "Prince" Harry, "Victor" Hugo and Christian we are still the Underdogs. And for some strange reason, I enjoy that feeling.

To dare is to do....

 

HOLY WARS – THE BIG BLASPHEMY

Holy Wars and Blasphemy Law. Two deadly weapons wielded time and again by devious minds to settle political scores. Who can blame them? What better fuel to ignite the minds of the faithful than the love for their God? What better reason for them to take arms than to defend their Lord?

From Jesus Christ to Joan of Arc to Asia Bibi, the casualties of the blasphemy law are long and never ending. The Holy Wars are not far behind either. Whether it is a crusade or a jihad or one with any other fancy name, the story is same. Brain washed innocents end up killing more innocents on the commands of God’s real enemies.

In fact, what the so called fanatics, who shamelessly cry for the blood of non-believers, seem to miss is that there is no greater blasphemy than a holy war. War, for one, is never holy. Let alone a war in the name of defending one’s God. Does the Almighty require mortal arms to save Him from worldly threats? Is He that weak? Do they have no faith in His strength? If so, it would be worthwhile to ponder who the non-believer is.

The episode of Gethsemane sends out a clear message to all who seek to defend their Lord. For when Jesus was betrayed by Judas, Peter drew his sword to defend the Lord. Jesus replies, “Put your sword back into its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?”

Rather than faith, it is the lack of it that spurs men to violent ways. As the wise Gamaliel once remarked about the Apostles who were spreading a new religion among the Israelites, “So in the present case, I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone; because if this plan or this undertaking is of human origin, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them – in that case you may even be found fighting against God!”

A narrow mind is a sign of a shallow faith. All religions speak of tolerance and love. The best way to defend your faith is by being a living saint than a dead stain. 

GANGS OF OLD CAMP : WALKTHROUGH

The game can be divided into three parts .

First Part

The first part ( demo part ) from the beginning to the bar fight scene is fairly linear. It is mainly used to familiarize yourself with the use of skills and the mission.

Second Part

The second part (from joining the gang to end of the mutiny) has two main paths and five or six sub branches. The MC can choose either side with the leader or the rebel.

Taking sides with the rebel:

1. You can make a pact with the rebel at the first instance.
2. You can join the rebel when the leader turns against you.
3. You can join the rebel by killing the leader's daughter.

Taking sides with the leader's daughter:

This has two main paths.
1. With romantic interest as Sophie.
2. With romantic interest as the leader's daughter.

Third Part

The third part ( from formation of Apex to confrontation with the Lone Wolf)

This part which leads to the conclusion is also quite linear but is divided into three parts depending on the climax.

1. You can walk away with the money or kill Derek.
2. You can confront the Chief and try to find out why you were made to go undercover.
3. You can confront the Lone Wolf (for this you will have to guess his/her identity - first name in BLOCK letters)

P.S: Try to get your respect up to 70 by the time you stop the rebellion.

Gangs of Old Camp : Tips, Passwords and Answers

“ Gangs of Old Camp” is my first RPG and is an experiment of sorts. A part of the story is hidden from you and this you will have to find on your own. Here I would like to share a few tips to help you in your quest.

Milestones
These are markers. According to the choices you make, the story path changes. The milestones in the game reveal whether you have truly completed the game or not.

Skill Selection

The special course should be chosen with an eye on your previous choices.

Combat Scenes

The Combat Scenes may be a bit difficult to master but once you get the hang of it, it’s a piece of cake. Mainly there are four actions. You can strike your opponent in the head or stomach. You can evade his attacks by dodging or ducking. The opponent also performs these actions in random.

If your “intelligence” is greater than 25, you will be able to predict your opponent’s move. As your “strength” increases so does the damage inflicted by your blows.

In the game, there are four combat scenes. Only one is compulsory. Others can be bypassed in different ways.

Lock System

To open locks you will have to unscramble the words that are shown to you.

Phone system
You can call anyone (who has given you there no. ). Five phone nos. are available in the game.

Password

It has something to do with Felix. It is also a legend known for "hair". Also if you pay attention to the pronunciation, you will be able to connect it with Felix.

Lone Wolf

If you get his/her name right the killer will reveal his/her identity otherwise he/she will escape.

Romance Tip

If you are “respect”able maybe you will get a date. Respect is half charm, half personality. If it is more than 70, you get a date.



The answers and passwords are given in the comment section.

You can find the game in the following links

https://itunes.apple.com/IN/app/id912544343?mt=8

http://www.amazon.com.au/Hosted-Games-Gangs-Old-Camp/dp/B00ND8QEF6

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.hostedgames.gangsofoldcamp

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/gangs-of-old-camp/fcnbkbofbhlachigmgngmgoclpilajfd

BOOK REVIEW: BARTIMAEUS TRILOGY

Rating           : 4.5/5

Genre            : YA/Fantasy

Author           : Jonathan Stroud

Other works  : The Ring of Solomon

Synopsis        :

It tells the tale of the demon (or djinni) Bartimaeus and his complex relationship with his master Nathanial a.k.a John Mandrake. Set in London during the days of ‘the Empire and the rebellion in America’, the trilogy has three main protagonists- Bartimaeus(the djinni), his master Nathanial(the magician) and Kitty Jones(the commoner). The djinni’s quest for freedom, the magician’s thirst for power and the commoner’s fight against oppression results in a tale filled with magic, humor and action.

Plus Points    :  The wit of Bartimaeus, the diplomacy of Nathanial and the courage of Kitty Jones. Also do not forget to read Bartimaeus’ remarks given at the bottom of each page.

Remark: There are stories that can only be enjoyed by reading them. This is definitely one of them.

Who should read this: Anyone who loves suspense, action, magic, humor, philosophy, alternate history and so on.

  

EPILOGUE

THE HAUNT OF BASKERVILLES

Forgive me for rushing the last few chapters. But I had no other option, as I was facing a deadline, literally. Some of you may believe that this was merely a cooked up story to disgrace Mr. Holmes, after all I am not what you may call a credible witness. Though I have no solid evidence to support my claims, I would like you to ask yourself what a woman like Beryl was doing reading an article on free trade from the inner pages of the Times.

Now getting back to that deadline of mine. In a cruel twist of fate, I fell critically ill just before the day of the hanging. I did not know whether to laugh or cry when I so the worried faces of the authorities as they tried to save me.  They wanted to save me, so that they could hang me! Oh! The irony! But all their attempts failed and I fell to eternal sleep or so they thought.

I don’t know how long I lay dead, for in death one loses track of time. When I finally opened my eyes, I was sure that I had made it to hell, for it was the smiling face of James Moriarty that greeted me.

How did I escape? How was Jim still alive? That, my friends, is a tale for another day!

CHAPTER 13: ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL

THE HAUNT OF BASKERVILLES

CHAPTER 13

We beat a hasty retreat from Merripit Hall and were lucky to escape undetected. Our client, Rodger, was not so fortunate. He did manage to flee unseen but his decision to take refuge in the deadly moor only resulted in a fatal end. Beryl was found bound and gagged to a post. Evidently she had developed feelings for Sir Henry and turned against her husband at the very last moment. As for Sir Henry, the events of the night were far more than he could stomach. The man who returned to Baskerville Hall that night was a pale shadow of his true self. No mention of Sherlock could be found in the papers and as far as the outside world was considered Inspector Lestrade had solved another sensational case.

But the man who was worst affected by the events of the night was my poor friend, Jim. He was shattered when he saw his well laid plans come crashing to the ground. He even refused to speak to me! The next day, I found a note in his room stating that he would be out of town for a few days. It so happens that when people live in fantasies like the ‘perfect crime’, they easily fall into depression when things go amiss. Right then, what Jim needed was a breath of fresh air and some time alone.

***

It was Christmas Eve. 1885. The whole of London was in a merry mood. Yet I sat on my chair feeling gloomy. It had been two months since I last heard of Jim and I feared the worst. Had I failed my dear friend? Should I have tried to find him? I did not know. All I knew was that I had lost a brother. How can it be a ‘merry’ Christmas, if you did not spend it with your family? There would be no presents, no cakes. And what good was Christmas without hope?  Quite appropriately, I went to sleep reading Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

The next morning, when I woke I was surprised to find a present waiting for me in the living room. I opened it to find a strange air gun. After all these years, Santa finally remembered!

“Merry Christmas, Seb!” said a familiar voice.

I turned around to find James Moriarty on the sofa.

“Where have you been?”

“America. Europe. Quite a few places.”

“So you were on a pleasure trip, while I sat here worrying all day about you?”

“Not exactly. I always mix business with pleasure.”

So saying he gave me a big bundle of note.

“What’s this?”

“Your share.”

“My share?”

“For your part in the Baskerville incident.”

“I am your partner, Jim. Not your hired help. You owe me nothing.”

“Oh! You are mistaken. This is not from me. Its from our client.”

I froze on hearing those words. I had seen such things happen before. When people cannot accept the harsh realities of the world they live in, they make up their own stories to overcome their sorrow. Jim needed a wake up call or he would be lost forever.

“Jim, snap out of it. Our client is dead. Though they never found Rodger’s body, there is no way he could have made it out of that death pit. He was swallowed by the Grimpen Mire and there he will remain until Judgement Day.”

There was pin drop silence in the room. Nobody spoke for a minute. Jim gave me a long cold stare. Then he burst into laughter, a most unnerving one at that.

“I am sorry, Seb. I forgot. I should have remembered! How foolish of me! You were not there! For Heaven’s sake, I should have told it to you a long time ago.”

I stood there clueless. Not understanding a word of what he said.

“Seb, you were at the wedding!”

“What are you talking about?”

“Do you know my ‘One Rule’?”

“The one you made up just to turn down Rodger? Yes. One job per client. What about it?”

“That’s it, Seb! One job per client! Rodger was never our client in this case! Beryl was! Or should I say Mrs. Baskerville was! And the job was not to kill Sir Henry but to kill Rodger.”

It took a moment for the truth to register in my mind. The perfect crime! The one that went unnoticed! Nobody cares what happens to an antagonist! Nobody remembers! But I still couldn’t understand why Beryl would want her husband dead, let alone pay such a hefty sum of money for it.

“Why did she want him dead?”

“Well, to be frank, when she arrived at our apartments she didn’t. All she wanted was to help her husband. But once I broke the news of the affair with Mrs. Lyons and promised Beryl a rosy future, she was only more than willing to comply.”

“So you killed him and took his wife!” I said with growing contempt. “I presume this pleasure trip was your honeymoon.”

“By Joves, no! Beryl was only my client.”

“So what’s all this about?”

“Before I tell you that, I have a question for you. Do you know what happened to Sir Henry?”

“The last I heard of him, he was embarking on a long voyage with Dr. Mortimer, probably to America. They said it was for his nerves.”

“Would it amuse you to know that the doc didn’t make it to the docks of America?”

“What?”

“My sources tell me that the good doctor had a glass too many on his very first day. The next day, a lifeboat was found missing along with a passenger.”

“Atleast, you didn’t kill him.”

“Why would I? He was an innocent man!”

“So, why did you put Mortimer out of the way?”

“I thought he would be a thorn in heaven. After all, we should give the lovers some privacy.”

Then it hit me.

“Beryl was on that ship!” I exclaimed.

“Now you see it!”

“Jim, you idiot! What makes you think Henry would fall for the woman who tried to kill him? No man would make such a mistake twice!”

“My friend, as far as Henry is considered she was a puppet in Stapleton’s hands. Besides she had been warning him from the day he set foot on English soil. She even turned against her evil husband to save him. Now she is a lonely widow. Don’t you think he will take pity on her?”

“Pity, perhaps. But he will never love her.”

“You underestimate the power of love, Seb. You ought to read the Bible more often.”

“The Bible? What has the Bible got to do with this.”

“The greatest crimes are done with a kiss!”

EPILOGUE

CHAPTER 12: WHEN THINGS WENT AWRY

THE HAUNT OF BASKERVILLES

CHAPTER 12

Since Lucifer had already bonded with Jim, it became imperative that he accompanied Lucifer on his second trip to the Great Grimpen Mire. This time I missed out on all the action, as I had some pressing matters to attend to in London. Jim, though, kept me up to date on the daily happenings in the shire and I was thrilled when I was finally asked to join him at Merripit House for the final showdown.

But I think I am getting way ahead of myself. So let me start by listing out the three major events that took place in my absence. First major incident of not was his meeting with our adversaries Dr. Watson and the famous Sherlock Holmes himself. Second was the outburst of Stapleton and the third, which was a direct consequence of the second, was the backfiring of our backup plan.

Before I go deep into the details, I would like to reveal the cover which Jim used during his stay in Merripit House. ‘The perfect guise’ was what Jim called it. It so happened that the Stapletons had brought a manservant, Anthony along with them when they set sail from the New World. This man had contracted pneumonia and died a few months after their arrival in London. With a bit of makeup, Jim became Anthony and since the Stapletons didn’t have many visitors, it was assumed that there would be no hiccups.

Imagine his bewilderment, when he found that his very first visitor was none other than Dr. Watson, Holmes right hand man! Watson, who did not possess the same talents of observation as his acclaimed friend, walked right past him without a second glance. Jim later learned from Stapleton that Holmes had stayed back in London to finish some important task. But a few days later, Jim discovered the true colors of Holmes when he came across the great detective in the Grimpen Mire. Jim beat a hasty retreat, mumbling an excuse and praying that Holmes didn’t see through his guise. Here his time in India came in handy, as the tan suggested that he came from the tropicals.

The next incident of note was Stapleton’s outburst. It must be stated here that Jim had accepted the case only after procuring a promise from Stapleton that he would not interfere with the plan. The plan was simple. Beryl would be used as the bait to lure Sir Henry to his death. In no way was Rodger to intervene on their romance until Jim gave the signal. But as is the case with most men, while they do not feel the slightest guilt when they chase after other women, they easily get enraged when his wife showed the slightest affection for another man. We couldn’t exactly blame Rodger for his predicament but it would have been better if he had kept his cool and not hurt our plans by barging in on Sir Henry and Beryl.

The third incident was a direct result of the second. Though Jim tried to beat some sense into the head of our client, the man would not listen. He set Lucifer upon Henry on the first chance he got but Lady Luck was kind to Sir Henry. The victim was to be Seldon, our own backup plan! He had the misfortune of wearing Sir Henry’s old clothes, which the Barrymores had given him. This sudden turn of tide meant we had to execute our plan as fast as possible and so I was summoned to Merripit House to take part in the events of that fatal night.

***

That night will always be etched in my memory. It was the night when for the first and the last time in my life I doubted the predicament of my friend and partner in crime James Moriarty.

It was the night when we would murder Sir Henry Baskerville. The trap was set and the ball already in motion. Sir Henry was dining in Merripit House. Jim and I waited outside to witness the crime that we had hatched. After all, there is no greater reward than to see your creation with your own eyes.

We waited for Sir Henry. I was reminded of my time as a shikari in the jungles of Hindusthan. I would tie a goat to a tree and wait for the tiger to pounce on the bait. One shot. That was all that was required to put an end to the man eater. But tonight I would have to content myself by watching the act. I was not to play an active role or so I thought.

It was then that I so the wagonette stop at the gates of Merripit House. Three men got out of it.

“Ah! Our friends have arrived for the party!” remarked Moriarty with a smile.

“Shouldn’t we warn, Rodger?’

“Of course not. Why worry the old fellow unnecessarily? I assure you, Seb, everything shall go according to my plan."

I watched with baited breath as the three men passed our hiding place and went to the House. They stopped two hundred yards before the House. Then one of them, whom I later learned was Dr. Watson, went to survey the house. All this time Moriarty waited in silence not making a move. Then suddenly, I saw why he was not worried. The fog was setting in. Holmes and party had to withdraw due to the advancing fog. In another five minutes, Mr. Henry would be completely under the mercy of the hound. That was when I felt something cold in my hand. Moriarty pushed a pistol in my hand and whispered a command into my ears. I was shell shocked.

“But that will ruin everything. What about the effort we put in to create the myth? Besides, Holmes will know of our presence.” I said in protest.

“Just do as I say. Shoot when Holmes shoots. That will conceal our presence.”

“But what about the extra bullet?”

“One of them is bound to miss.”

“How can you be sure?”

“Ever heard of probability and statistics?”

“This is not a lecture class, professo-“

Our argument was cut short by the sound of gunfire which was followed by a howl of pain from the poor creature. The time for arguments had passed. I was to decide the fate of this crime. I aimed my pistol at the target’s head. The hound had pounced on Sir Henry. In another moment it will bury its fangs into his neck. Holmes was too far to interfere. Our plan could succeed. No one would know of our presence. But my army training got the better of me. In the army, we did as our superior ordered us. No questions were asked. My finger pulled the trigger even before I realized. The bullet hit the hound on the head. The noise merging with the gunfire that Holmes unleashed upon the dead creature. Now you may think that by losing my aim, I had unwittingly saved the life of the man we intended to kill. But the truth was far from it. My aim was accurate. I had hit my target. Moriarty wanted the hound dead.

But why did he want the hound dead? Why did he ruin his own plot?