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less than magisterial dignity ordered him out of the room. Kabyavisarad had to submit, but he remained close to the door, so that he could see and hear what was transpiring in the magistrate's room, which for the time being was converted into a chamber of justice.

I entered the room as a prisoner, charged with breaking the law—no unique experience for me, as I had been in the same position some years ago, in a higher court and amid more digni- fied surroundings. My other two friends accompanied me into the room without objection and took their seats on the chairs that they found there. I was about to follow their example and had laid my hand on a dilapidated rattan chair, intending to take my seat when the magistrate shouted out, 'You are a prisoner. You cannot take your seat. You must stand.' I said in reply, 'I have not come here to be insulted by you in your house. I expect to be treated with courtesy and consideration.'

Mr. Emerson was angry. He forthwith drew up contempt pro- ceedings against me, and asked me to plead. Of course, I pleaded not guilty and I prayed for time for my defence. There was sitting with the magistrate, while all this was going on, a European gentle- man who, I afterwards learnt, was Mr. Lees, then Magistrate of Noakhali. He asked me to apologize and end the matter. I said, 'What have I to apologize for? I have done nothing for which I feel I ought to express my regret.' I was fined two hundred rupees for contempt.

The police case was then taken up. Mr. Kemp gave his evidence. He was, I think, the only witness in the case. I was charged with being a member of a procession which had not taken out a licence, and with uttering a cry forbidden by competent authority. I pleaded not guilty and prayed for time to cross-examine Mr. Kemp and produce witnesses. The prayer was rejected. I was again fined two hundred rupees. I had no money with me. Mr. Kemp, who throughout treated me with great courtesy, accompanied me for the realization of the fine.

The fine being paid, I returned to the Conference, which was then sitting. As I entered, accompained by my friends, we wit- nessed a unique scene, the whole audience rising to a man, shouting Bande-Mataram at the top of their voices. For several minutes the proceedings were suspended, and were resumed on our taking our seats on the platform. But the Conference was in no mood to address itself to the business on the agenda. The events of the day were too