Table of Contents
Alias Jimmy Valentine
O Henry
A guard came to the prison shoe-shop, where Jimmy Valentine was assiduously stitching uppers, and escorted him to the front office. There the warden handed Jimmy his pardon, which had been signed that morning by the governor. Jimmy took it in a tired kind of way. He had served nearly ten months of a four year sentence. He had expected to stay only about three months, at the longest. When a man with as many friends on the outside as Jimmy Valentine had is received in the stir it is hardly worth while to cut his hair.
Ek guard jail ke jootay banane wali dukaan par aya, jahan Jimmy Valentine mehnat se jooton ke uppers sil raha tha, aur usay woha se office le gaya. Wahan par warden ne Jimmy ko uski maafi ka kaaghaz diya, jo subah governor ne sign kiya tha. Jimmy ne usay thakawat bhare andaaz mein liya. Usne chaar saal ki saza mein se lagbhag das mahine kaat liye thay. Usne umeed ki thi ke woh zyada se zyada teen mahine ruka rahega. Jab koi aadmi Jimmy Valentine jaise bahar itne doston ke saath andar aaye, toh uske baalon ko baaka karna mushkil hota hai.
“Now, Valentine,” said the warden, “you’ll go out in the morning. Brace up, and make a man of yourself. You’re not a bad fellow at heart. Stop cracking safes, and live straight.”
“Ab Valentine,” warden ne kaha, “tum subah nikal jaoge. Himmat karo, aur ek achha insaan bano. Tum dil se buray nahi ho. Taale todna chhod do aur seedhi zindagi jeeyo.”
“Me?” said Jimmy, in surprise. “Why, I never cracked a safe in my life.”
“Main?” Jimmy ne hairani se kaha. “Aray, maine kabhi apni zindagi mein taala nahi toda.”
“Oh, no,” laughed the warden. “Of course not. Let’s see, now. How was it you happened to get sent up on that Springfield job? Was it because you wouldn’t prove an alibi for fear of compromising somebody in extremely high-toned society? Or was it simply a case of a mean old jury that had it in for you? It’s always one or the other with you innocent victims.”
“Oh, bilkul nahi,” warden ne hans kar kaha. “Bilkul nahi. Chalo dekhte hain, tum Springfield wale case mein kyun phansay the? Kya yeh is liye tha ke tumne apni safai pesh karne se mana kar diya tha kyunki tumhe kisi high-society ke bande ko phasa nahi sakte the? Ya yeh bas ek purane jury ka mamla tha jo tumhare khilaf thi? Tum jaise masoom logon ke saath yeh hamesha hota hai.”
“Me?” said Jimmy, still blankly virtuous. “Why, warden, I never was in Springfield in my life!”
“Main?” Jimmy ne ab bhi masoomiyat dikhatay hue kaha. “Aray warden, main toh apni zindagi mein kabhi Springfield nahi gaya!”
“Take him back, Cronin!” said the warden, “and fix him up with outgoing clothes. Unlock him at seven in the morning, and let him come to the bull-pen. Better think over my advice, Valentine.”
“Wapis le jao isay, Cronin!” warden ne kaha, “aur isay bahar jane walay kapray pehna do. Isay subah 7 baje khol dena, aur usay bull-pen mein bhej dena. Meri salah/baat par sochna Valentine.”
At a quarter past seven on the next morning Jimmy stood in the warden’s outer office. He had on a suit of the villainously fitting, ready-made clothes and a pair of the stiff, squeaky shoes that the state furnishes to its discharged compulsory guests. The clerk handed him a railroad ticket and the five-dollar bill with which the law expected him to rehabilitate himself into good citizenship and prosperity. The warden gave him a cigar, and shook hands. Valentine, 9762, was chronicled on the books, “Pardoned by Governor,” and Mr. James Valentine walked out into the sunshine.
Agli subah saade 7 baj kar pandrah minute par Jimmy warden ke bahar wale office mein khada tha. Usne ek bohot hi ghatiya fitting wala, ready-made suit pehna hua tha aur aik joora joote jo riyasat/raajy apne retired zaruri mehmaanon ko deti hai, pehn rakha tha. Clerk ne usay railway ka ticket diya aur 5 dollar ka note diya jisse qanoon umeed karta tha ke wo apni nayi zindagi shuru karega. Warden ne usay ek cigar diya, aur haath milaya. Valentine, 9762, ko kitaabon mein likha gaya “Governor ne maaf kiya,” aur Mr. James Valentine ne dhoop mein bahar kadam rakha.
Disregarding the song of the birds, the waving green trees, and the smell of the flowers, Jimmy headed straight for a restaurant. There he tasted the first sweet joys of liberty in the shape of a broiled chicken and a bottle of white wine followed by a cigar a grade better than the one the warden had given him. From there he proceeded leisurely to the depot. He tossed a quarter into the hat of a blind man sitting by the door, and boarded his train.
Chidiyon ki cheekh-pukar, hare bhare pedon ki lehrati shaakhain, aur phoolon ki khushboo ko nazar andaz karte hue, Jimmy seedha ek restaurant ki taraf chala gaya. Wahan usne azaadi ki pehli mithas broiled murghi aur aik bottle safed sharaab ki surat mein mehsoos ki, jo ek achi cigar ke saath khatam hui jo warden ne usay di thi. Uske baad, wo aaraam se station ki taraf chala gaya. Usne aik andhay aadmi ke topi mein aik quarter dala jo darwazay ke paas baitha tha, aur apni train mein sawar ho gaya.
Three hours set him down in a little town near the state line. He went to the cafe of one Mike Dolan and shook hands with Mike, who was alone behind the bar.
Teen ghantay baad wo aik choti si basti mein utra jo riyasat/raajy ki sarhad ke paas thi. Wo aik Mike Dolan ke cafe mein gaya aur Mike se haath milaya, jo akela tha baar ke peechay.
“Sorry we couldn’t make it sooner, Jimmy, me boy,” said Mike. “But we had that protest from Springfield to buck against, and the governor nearly balked. Feeling all right?”
“Afsoos hai ke hum ye kaam pehle nahi kar paye, Jimmy mere yaar,” Mike ne kaha. “Lekin Springfield ki protest ka saamna karna pada, aur governor ne muskil se haan ki. Sab theek hai?”
“Fine,” said Jimmy. “Got my key?”
“Zabardast,” Jimmy ne kaha. “Meri chaabi hai?”
He got his key and went upstairs, unlocking the door of a room at the rear. Everything was just as he had left it. There on the floor was still Ben Price’s collar-button that had been torn from that eminent detective’s shirt-band when they had overpowered Jimmy to arrest him. Pulling out from the wall a folding- bed, Jimmy slid back a panel in the wall and dragged out a dust-covered suitcase. He opened this and gazed fondly at the finest set of burglar’s tools in the East. It was a complete set, made of specially tempered steel, the latest designs in drills, punches, braces and bits, jimmies, clamps, and augers, with two or three novelties, invented by Jimmy himself, in which he took pride. Over nine hundred dollars they had cost him to have made at, a place where they make such things for the profession.
Usne apni chaabi li aur upar gaya, peeche wale kamray ka darwaza khola. Sab kuch waisa hi tha jaisa usne chhora tha. Farsh par Ben Price ka collar-button ab bhi pada tha, jo us mashhoor detective ke shirt-band se us waqt gira tha jab unhone Jimmy ko arrest karne ke liye pakda tha. Jimmy ne diwar ke paas se aik folding-bed ko hataya, aur ek panel ko peechay ki taraf se khisakaya aur dhool se bhara hua suitcase nikaala. Usne isay khola aur East ke sabse acchi burglars tools ke set ko pyar se dekha. Yeh poora set tha, jo specially tempered steel se bana tha, jisme drills, punches, braces aur bits, jimmies, clamps, aur augers ke latest designs thay, aur do ya teen naye inventions jo Jimmy ne khud banaye thay, jis par usay fakhar/garv tha. Yeh sab usay banwane mai 900 dollar se zyada mein paday thay, ek aise jagah se jahan aise tools professionals ke liye banaye jatay hain.
In half an hour Jimmy went down stairs and through the cafe. He was now dressed in tasteful and well-fitting clothes, and carried his dusted and cleaned suitcase in his hand. “Got anything on?” asked Mike Dolan, genially. “Me?” said Jimmy, in a puzzled tone. “I don’t understand. I’m representing the New York Amalgamated Short Snap Biscuit Cracker and Frazzled Wheat Company.” This statement delighted Mike to such an extent that Jimmy had to take a seltzer-and-milk on the spot. He never touched “hard” drinks.
Adhe ghante ke baad Jimmy neeche utra aur cafe se guzra. Ab wo ek acha aur fit kapray pehne hue tha, aur apna saf-suthra suitcase haath mein liye hue tha. “Kuch kaam chal raha hai?” Mike Dolan ne dosti se poocha. “Main?” Jimmy ne hairat mein kaha. “Mujhe samajh nahi aya. Main New York Amalgamated Short Snap Biscuit Cracker aur Frazzled Wheat Company ka representative hoon.” Ye baat Mike ko itni pasand ayi ke Jimmy ko wahan par ek seltzer aur doodh lena para. Usne kabhi “hard” drinks nahi peeti thi.
A week after the release of Valentine, 9762, there was a neat job of safeburglary done in Richmond, Indiana, with no clue to the author. A scant eight hundred dollars was all that was secured. Two weeks after that a patented, improved, burglar- proof safe in Logansport was opened like a cheese to the tune of fifteen hundred dollars, currency; securities and silver untouched. That began to interest the rogue- catchers. Then an old-fashioned bank-safe in Jefferson City became active and threw out of its crater an eruption of bank-notes amounting to five thousand dollars. The losses were now high enough to bring the matter up into Ben Price’s class of work. By comparing notes, a remarkable similarity in the methods of the burglaries was noticed. Ben Price investigated the scenes of the robberies, and was heard to remark:
Valentine 9762 ki release ke aik haftay baad Richmond, Indiana mein aik safe ko bahut he saafai se todhne ka kaam kiya gaya, jisme kisi ko bhi koi clue nahi mila. Bas 800 dollar ka maal mil saka. Do haftay baad, Logansport mein aik patented, improved, burglar-proof safe ko cheese ki tarah khola gaya aur 1500 dollar cash le liya gaya; securities aur chandi ko hath tak nahi lagaya gaya. Ab ye kaam rogue-catchers ke liye dilchaspi ka sabab ban gaya. Phir Jefferson City mein aik purana bank-safe ko khola gaya aur uske crater se 5000 dollar ke bank-notes bahar aaye. Ab nuksan itna zyada tha ke ye mamla Ben Price ki category mein aagaya. Muqadmon ka muqabla karke, in burglaries ke tareeqon mein aik ajeeb mushabihat payi gayi. Ben Price ne in robberies ki jagah ka jaiza liya, aur suna gaya ke woh keh raha tha:
“That’s Dandy Jim Valentine’s autograph. He’s resumed business. Look at that combination knob–jerked out as easy as pulling up a radish in wet weather. He’s got the only clamps that can do it. And look how clean those tumblers were punched out! Jimmy never has to drill but one hole.
“Ye Dandy Jim Valentine ka autograaph hai. Usne phir se kaam shuru kar diya. Us combination knob ko dekho–aise nikal diya jaise geele mausam mein mooli nikalte hain. Uske paas akelay wo clamps hain jo ye kar sakte hain. Aur dekho kitne safai se tumblers ko punch kiya gaya hai! Jimmy ko kabhi ek hole se zyada drill karne ki zaroorat nahi padti.”
Yes, I guess I want Mr. Valentine. He’ll do his bit next time without any short- time or clemency foolishness.” Ben Price knew Jimmy’s habits. He had learned them while working on the Springfield case. Long jumps, quick get-aways, no confederates, and a taste for good society-these ways had helped Mr. Valentine to become noted as a successful dodger of retribution. It was given out that Ben Price had taken up the trail of the elusive cracksman, and other people with burglar-proof safes felt more at ease.
“Haan, mujhe Mr. Valentine chahiye. Agli dafa wo apna kaam bina kisi chhoti saza ya reham ke chalakiyon ke karega,” Ben Price ko Jimmy ke aadatain maloom thi. Usne Springfield ke case par kaam karte waqt yeh seekha tha. Lambay safar, jaldi se farar hona, koi saathi nahi, aur acchi society ka shauq—yeh sab tareeqay Mr. Valentine ko ek kamiyab chor bananay mein madadgar sabit hue thay. Yeh khabar phail gayi thi ke Ben Price ne us musalsal chor ka peecha karna shuru kar diya hai, aur jin logon ke paas burglar-proof safes thay, wo zyada pursukoon mehsoos karne lage.
One afternoon Jimmy Valentine and his suitcase climbed out of the mail-hack in Elmore, a little town five miles off the railroad down in the black-jack country of Arkansas. Jimmy, looking like an athletic young senior just home from college, went down the board side-walk toward the hotel. A young lady crossed the street, passed him at the corner and entered a door over which was the sign, “The Elmore Bank.” Jimmy Valentine looked into her eyes, forgot what he was, and became another man. She lowered her eyes and coloured slightly. Young men of Jimmy’s style and looks were scarce in Elmore.
Ek dupahar Jimmy Valentine apna suitcase uthaye mail-hack se utar kar Elmore aya, jo aik chota sa shehar tha jo railway se paanch mil door, Arkansas ke black-jack ilaqe mein tha. Jimmy, jo bilkul aik athletic naujawaan senior lag raha tha jo abhi college se ghar aya ho, board wali side-walk se hotay hue hotel ki taraf chala gaya. Ek khubsurat larki sadak paar karti uske samne se guzri aur “The Elmore Bank” ke board ke neeche se guzri. Jimmy Valentine ne uski aankhon mein dekha, apni asal haqiqat bhool gaya, aur aik naya insaan ban gaya. Us larki ne apni aankhein neeche kar li aur thoda sa sharma gayi. Elmore mein Jimmy jaise naujawaan bohot kam milte thay.
Jimmy collared a boy that was loafing on the steps of the bank as if he were one of the stockholders, and began to ask him questions about the town, feeding him dimes at intervals. By and by the young lady came out, looking royally unconscious of the young man with the suitcase, and went her way.
Jimmy ne aik ladke ko jo bank ke steps par bilkul aik stockholder ki tarah betha tha, collar se pakda aur us se shehar ke bare mein sawalat karne laga, beech beech mein usay dime diye. Kuch der baad woh larki bahar ayi, bilkul apne aap se be-khabar lagti hui, aur apni raah par chal di.
“Isn’t that young lady Polly Simpson?” asked Jimmy, with specious guile. “Naw,” said the boy. “She’s Annabel Adams. Her pa owns this bank. Why’d you come to Elmore for? Is that a gold watch-chain? I’m going to get a bulldog. Got any more dimes?”
“Kya yeh larki Polly Simpson nahi hai?” Jimmy ne dhoka denay wale andaaz mein poocha. “Nahi,” ladka bola. “Yeh Annabel Adams hai. Uska baap is bank ka malik hai. Tum Elmore kyun aaye ho? Kya yeh gold ki watch-chain hai? Main aik bulldog lene wala hoon. Kya tumhare paas aur dimes hain?”
Jimmy went to the Planters’ Hotel, registered as Ralph D. Spencer, and engaged a room. He leaned on the desk and declared his platform to the clerk. He said he had come to Elmore to look for a location to go into business. How was the shoe business, now, in the town? He had thought of the shoe business, Was there an opening? The clerk was impressed by the clothes and manner of Jimmy. He, himself, was something of a pattern of fashion to the thinly gilded youth of Elmore, but he now perceived his shortcomings. While trying to figure out Jimmy’s manner of tying his four-in- hand he cordially gave information. Yes, there ought to be a good opening in the shoe line. There wasn’t an exclusive shoe-store in the place. The dry-goods and general stores handled them. Business in all lines was fairly good. Hoped Mr. Spencer would decide to locate in Elmore. He would find it a pleasant town to live in, and the people very sociable.
Jimmy Planters’ Hotel gaya, wahan Ralph D. Spencer ke naam se register kiya, aur aik kamra liya. Usne counter par jhuk kar clerk se baat ki. Usne kaha ke wo Elmore mein dhanda karne ke liye jagah dhoond raha hai. Shehar mein shoe business kaisa chal raha hai? Usne shoe business karne ka socha tha. Kya yahan koi mauka hai? Clerk Jimmy ke kapdon aur rawaiye se mutasir hua. Wo khud bhi Elmore ke naujawano ke liye aik fashion ka model tha, magar ab usay apni kamiyaan nazar ayi. Jimmy ke four-in-hand tie karne ka tareeqa samajhne ki koshish karte hue, usne poori chust rawaiye ke saath maloomat di. Haan, shoe business ke liye acha mauka hona chahiye. Yahan koi exclusive shoe-store nahi tha. Yahan ke dry-goods aur general stores yeh kaam sambhalte thay. Sabhi dhando mein kaarobaar theek hi tha. Umeed hai Mr. Spencer Elmore mein qayaam karenge. Unhein yeh shehar rehne ke liye bohot acha lagega, aur log bohot milansaar hain.
Mr. Spencer thought he would stop over in the town a few days and look over the situation. No, the clerk needn’t call the boy. He would carry up his suitcase, himself; it was rather heavy. Mr. Ralph Spencer, the phoenix that arose from Jimmy Valentine’s ashes -ashes left by the flame of a sudden and alterative attack of love- remained in Elmore, and prospered. He opened a shoe-store and secured a good run of trade. Socially he was also a success, and made many friends. And he accomplished the wish of his heart. He met Miss Annabel Adams, and became more and more captivated by her charms. At the end of a year the situation of Mr. Ralph Spencer was this: he had won the respect of the community, his shoe-store was flourishing, and he and Annabel were engaged to be married in two weeks. Mr. Adams, the typical, plodding, country banker, approved of Spencer. Annabel’s pride in him almost equalled her affection. He was as much at home in the family of Mr. Adams and that of Annabel’s married sister as if he were already a member.
Mr. Spencer ne socha ke wo shehar mein kuch din ruk kar halat ka jaiza lega. Nahi, clerk ko ladke ko bulane ki zarurat nahi thi. Wo apna suitcase khud le jaayega; yeh thoda bhaari tha. Mr. Ralph Spencer, jo Jimmy Valentine ki raakh se phir zinda hua tha—wo raakh jo ek achanak aur mu’asir ishq ke jhonke se bani thi—Elmore mein reh gaya, aur taraqqi ki. Usne aik shoe-store khola aur acha kaarobaar hasil kiya. Mu’ashirati tor par bhi wo kamiyab raha, aur bohot se dost banaye. Aur usne apne dil ki tamanna poori ki. Usne Miss Annabel Adams se mulaqat ki, aur uski charm mein aur zyada grift mein aa gaya. Ek saal ke baad Mr. Ralph Spencer ki yeh haalat thi: usne community ka ihtaram hasil kar liya tha, uska shoe-store khub phal phool raha tha, aur uski aur Annabel ki do haftay mein shaadi hone wali thi. Mr. Adams, jo aik mehnati aur dehati banker tha, Spencer se mutmain tha. Annabel ka fakhar us par lagbhag uske pyar ke barabar tha. Wo Mr. Adams ke ghar mein aur Annabel ki shadi shuda behan ke ghar mein bhi aise ghul mil gaya tha jaise wo pehle se hi ghar ka fard ho.
One day Jimmy sat down in his room and wrote this letter, which he mailed to the safe address of one of his old friends in St. Louis:Dear Old Pal:I want you to be at Sullivan’s place, in Little Rock, next Wednesday night, at nine o’clock. I want you to wind up some little matters for me. And, also, I want to make you a present of my kit of tools. I know you’ll be glad to get them-you couldn’t duplicate the lot for a thousand dollars. Say, Billy, I’ve quit the old business-a year ago. I’ve got a nice store. I’m making an honest living, and I’m going to marry the finest girl on earth two weeks from now. It’s the only life, Billy-the straight one. I wouldn’t touch a dollar of another man’s money now for a million. After I get married I’m going to sell out and go West, where there won’t be so much danger of having old scores brought up against me. I tell you, Billy, she’s an angel. She believes in me; and I wouldn’t do another crooked thing for the whole world. Be sure to be at Sully’s, for I must see you. I’ll bring along the tools with me. Your old friend, Jimmy.
Ek din Jimmy apne kamre mein baitha aur yeh khat likha, jo usne St. Louis mein apne aik purane dost ke safe address par bheja: “Pyare purane dost: Main chahta hoon ke tum agle budh raat ko Sullivan’s ke jagah, Little Rock mein, nau baje milo. Main chahta hoon ke tum meri kuch choti choti baton ka intizam karo. Aur, saath hi, main tumhe apne tools ka set dena chahta hoon. Mujhe maloom hai ke tumhe yeh set mil kar khushi hogi—tum is set ko hazaar dollars mein bhi duplicate nahi kar sakte. Suno, Billy, maine purana kaam ek saal pehle chhor diya tha. Mere paas aik achi dukaan hai. Main imaandari se rozi kama raha hoon, aur main duniya ki sabse behtareen larki se do haftay mein shaadi kar raha hoon. Yeh hi zindagi hai, Billy—seedha raasta. Ab main kisi aur aadmi ka ek dollar bhi nahi loonga, chahe mujhe ek million milein. Jab meri shaadi ho jaayegi, toh main sab kuch bech kar West chala jaaonga, jahan purani baton ke samnay aane ka khatra kam hoga. Main tumhe bata raha hoon, Billy, wo aik farishta hai. Wo mujh par bharosa karti hai; aur main ab puri duniya ke liye koi bhi ghalat kaam nahi karunga. Zaroor Sully’s par milna, kyunki mujhe tumse milna zaroori hai. Main apne tools bhi saath le aunga. Tumhara purana dost, Jimmy.”
On the Monday night after Jimmy wrote this letter, Ben Price jogged unobtrusively into Elmore in a livery buggy. He lounged about town in his quiet way until he found out what he wanted to know. From the drug-store across the street from Spencer’s shoe-store he got a good look at Ralph D. Spencer. “Going to marry the banker’s daughter are you, Jimmy?” said Ben to himself, softly. “Well, I don’t know!” The next morning Jimmy took breakfast at the Adamses. He was going to Little Rock that day to order his wedding-suit and buy something nice for Annabel. That would be the first time he had left town since he came to Elmore. It had been more than a year now since those last professional “jobs,” and he thought he could safely venture out. After breakfast quite a family party went downtown together–Mr. Adams, Annabel, Jimmy, and Annabel’s married sister with her two little girls, aged five and nine. They came by the hotel where Jimmy still boarded, and he ran up to his room and brought along his suitcase. Then they went on to the bank. There stood Jimmy’s horse and buggy and Dolph Gibson, who was going to drive him over to the railroad station. All went inside the high, carved oak railings into the banking- room-Jimmy included, for Mr. Adams’s future son-in-law was welcome anywhere.
Us khat ko likhne ke agle Monday raat, Ben Price aik livery buggy mein chupke se Elmore aaya. Wo shehar mein aaraam se phirta raha jab tak usay jo maloomat chahiye thi, wo na mil gayi. Spencer ke shoe-store ke samne se usne drug-store se achi tarah Ralph D. Spencer ko dekha. “Banker ki beti se shaadi kar rahe ho, Jimmy?” Ben ne apne aap se dheere se kaha. “Dekhte hain!” Agli subah Jimmy ne Adams ke ghar nashta kiya. Us din wo Little Rock jaane wala tha taake apna shaadi ka suit order kare aur Annabel ke liye kuch acha khareed sake. Yeh pehli martaba tha ke wo shehar se bahar ja raha tha jab se wo Elmore aya tha. Ab ek saal se zyada guzar chuka tha un aakhri “professional” kaamon se, aur usne socha ke ab wo bina kisi khauf ke bahar nikal sakta hai. Nashta karne ke baad, ek family party shehar ki taraf chali gayi—Mr. Adams, Annabel, Jimmy, aur Annabel ki shadi shuda behan apni do choti bachiyon ke saath, jo 5 aur 9 saal ki thin. Wo hotel ke paas aaye jahan Jimmy ab bhi rehta tha, aur wo apne kamre mein gaya aur apna suitcase le kar aya. Phir wo bank ki taraf chal diye. Wahan Jimmy ka ghora aur buggy khare thay aur Dolph Gibson, jo usay railway station tak le kar jaane wala tha, wahin tha. Sabhi andar chale gaye bank ke oonche, naqashiyon wale oak ke railings ke andar—Jimmy bhi, kyunki Mr. Adams ke mustaqbil ke damad ka har jagah khushi se swaagat kiya jata tha.
The clerks were pleased to be greeted by the good-looking, agreeable young man who was going to marry Miss Annabel. Jimmy set his suitcase down. Annabel, whose heart was bubbling with happiness and lively youth, put on Jimmy’s hat, and picked up the suitcase. “Wouldn’t I make a nice drummer?” said Annabel. “My! Ralph, how heavy it is? Feels like it was full of gold bricks.” “Lot of nickel-plated shoe-horns in there,” said Jimmy, coolly, “that I’m going to return. Thought I’d save express charges by taking them up. I’m getting awfully economical.” The Elmore Bank had just put in a new safe and vault. Mr. Adams was very proud of it, and insisted on an inspection by every one. The vault was a small one, but it had a new, patented door. It fastened with three solid steel bolts thrown simultaneously with a single handle, and had a time-lock. Mr. Adams beamingly explained its workings to Mr. Spencer, who showed a courteous but not too intelligent interest. The two children, May and Agatha, were delighted by the shining metal and funny clock and knobs. While they were thus engaged Ben Price sauntered in and leaned on his elbow, looking casually inside between the railings. He told the teller that he didn’t want anything; he was just waiting for a man he knew.
Clerks khush thay ke wo achi shakal wala, dostana naujawan jo Miss Annabel se shaadi karne wala tha, unse mulaqat karne aya tha. Jimmy ne apna suitcase neeche rakha. Annabel, jo khushi aur zindagi se bhari hui thi, ne Jimmy ka topi pehna, aur suitcase uthaya. “Kya main ek achi salesman nahi ban sakti?” Annabel ne kaha. “Wah! Ralph, yeh kitna bhaari hai? Aisa lagta hai jaise ismein gold bricks bhari hui hain.” “Wahan sirf nickel-plated shoe-horns hain,” Jimmy ne coolly kaha, “jo main wapas karne ja raha hoon. Socha ke express charges bacha loon. Main ab bohot kanjoos hota ja raha hoon.” Elmore Bank ne abhi naya safe aur vault lagwaya tha. Mr. Adams us par bohot fakhar mehsoos kar rahe thay, aur sabhi se iska inspection karwana zaroori samajhte thay. Vault chhota tha, magar uska naya, patented door tha. Yeh aik single handle se ek saath teen solid steel bolts se band hota tha, aur ismein aik time-lock tha. Mr. Adams ne iske working ke bare mein Mr. Spencer ko tafseel se bataya, jise ek modabbir magar zyada dilchaspi na lene wali shanakht dikhayi. Dono bachiyan, May aur Agatha, is chamakdar metal aur funny clock aur knobs ko dekh kar bohot khush thi. Jab wo sab ismein masroof thay, Ben Price dheere se andar aya aur apni elbow ko railings ke beech mein daal kar casually andar dekhta raha. Usne teller se kaha ke usay kuch nahi chahiye, wo bas ek aadmi ka intezar kar raha hai jo wo jaanta hai.
Suddenly there was a scream or two from the women, and a commotion. Unperceived by the elders, May, the nine-year-old girl, in a spirit of play, had shut Agatha in the vault. She had then shot the bolts and turned the knob of the combination as she had seen Mr. Adams do. The old banker sprang to the handle and tugged at it for a moment. “The door can’t be opened,” he groaned. “The clock hasn’t been wound nor the combination set.” Agatha’s mother screamed again, hysterically. “Hush!” said Mr. Adams, raising his trembling hand. “All be quite for a moment. Agatha!” he called as loudly as he could. “Listen to me.” During the following silence they could just hear the faint sound of the child wildly shrieking in the dark vault in a panic of terror. “My precious darling!” wailed the mother. “She will die of fright! Open the door! Oh, break it open! Can’t you men do something?” “There isn’t a man nearer than Little Rock who can open that door,” said Mr. Adams, in a shaky voice. “My God! Spencer, what shall we do? That child–she can’t stand it long in there. There isn’t enough air, and, besides, she’ll go into convulsions from fright.”
Achanak, wahan auraton ki cheekhein suni gayi, aur aik hangama barpa hua. Buzurgon ke nazar se bach kar, May, jo 9 saal ki thi, ne masti mein, Agatha ko vault mein band kar diya. Usne bolts ko band kar diya aur knob ko ghumaya jaise usne Mr. Adams ko karte dekha tha. Purana banker handle par jhatka marne laga magar faida nahi hua. “Darwaza khul nahi sakta,” usne karahte hue kaha. “Clock ko winding nahi ki gayi aur combination set nahi hua.” Agatha ki maa phir se panic mein cheekhne lagi. “Chup!” Mr. Adams ne apna kaanpta hua haath uthate hue kaha. “Sab log aik minute ke liye khamosh ho jao. Agatha!” usne jitna zor se bol sakta tha, bola. “Meri baat suno.” Aane wali khamoshi mein unhein sirf bachchi ke faint cheekhne ki awaaz sunai di jo dar ke mare andheri vault mein panic mein thi. “Meri qeemti bachchi!” maa ne cheekha. “Wo dar ke mare mar jayegi! Darwaza kholo! Oh, usay tod do! Kya tum log kuch nahi kar sakte?” “Koi aadmi Little Rock se kareeb nahi jo yeh darwaza khol sake,” Mr. Adams ne aik shaky voice mein kaha. “Mera Khuda! Spencer, ab hum kya karein? Woh bachchi—wo wahan zyada der tak nahi reh sakti. Wahan hawa kaafi nahi hai, aur, iske alawa, wo dar ke mare be-hoshi mein chali jayegi.”
Agatha’s mother, frantic now, beat the door of the vault with her hands. Somebody wildly suggested dynamite. Annabel turned to Jimmy, her large eyes full of anguish, but not yet despairing. To a woman nothing seems quite impossible to the powers of the man she worships. “Can’t you do something, Ralph–try, won’t you?” He looked at her with a queer, soft smile on his lips and in his keen eyes. “Annabel,” he said, “give me that rose you are wearing, will you?” Hardly believing that she heard him alright, she unpinned the bud from the bosom of her dress, and placed it in his hand. Jimmy stuffed it into his vest-pocket, threw off his coat and pulled up his shirtsleeves. With that act Ralph D. Spencer passed away and Jimmy Valentine took his place.
Agatha ki maa, jo ab pareshan ho chuki thi, apne haathon se vault ke darwaze par zor se maar rahi thi. Kisi ne paagalpan mein dynamite ka mashwara diya. Annabel ne Jimmy ki taraf dekha, uski badi aankhen dard se bharin hui thin, lekin ab tak ummed chhod nahi thi. Ek aurat ko lagta hai ke uske chahne wale mard mein koi bhi kaam namumkin nahi hai. “Kya tum kuch kar sakte ho, Ralph – koshish karo, karoge na?” Usne uski taraf ajeeb, narmi se muskurate hue dekha aur uski aankhon mein ek tez chamak thi. “Annabel,” usne kaha, “mujhe woh gulaab do jo tumne pehna hai, dogi?” Annabel ko mushkil se yakeen aya ke usne yeh suna. Usne apne kapdon se phool ko unpin kiya aur uske haath mein de diya. Jimmy ne us gulaab ko apni waistcoat ke pocket mein rakh liya, apni coat utaar di aur apne shirt ke sleeves ko oopar chadha liya. Is harkat ke saath Ralph D. Spencer ka wajood khatam ho gaya aur Jimmy Valentine wapas aa gaya.
“Get away from the door, all of you,” he commanded, shortly. He set his suitcase on the table, and opened it out flat. From that time on he seemed to be unconscious of the presence of any one else. He laid out the shining, queer implements swiftly and orderly, whistling softly to himself as he always did when at work. In a deep silence and immovable, the others watched him as if under a spell. In a minute Jimmy’s pet drill was biting smoothly into the steel door. In ten minutes-breaking his own burglarious record- he threw back the bolts and opened the door. Agatha, almost collapsed, but safe, was gathered into her mother’s arms. Jimmy Valentine put on his coat, and walked outside the railings towards the front door.
“Darwaze se door ho jao, sab log,” usne ek chhoti si hukm ki awaz mein kaha. Usne apna suitcase table par rakha aur usay khol kar seedha flat kar diya. Ab us waqt se woh aise laga jaise wo doosre logon ke wajood ko bhool gaya ho. Usne chamakdaar aur ajeeb ozaar ko tezi aur tareeke se nikaala, aur halka se apne aap se seeti bajate hue kaam karne laga, jaise woh hamesha kaam karte hue karta tha. Geheri khamoshi mein, doosre log usay dekhta rahe jaise ke jaadu mein aa gaye ho. Ek minute mein Jimmy ka favourite drill aaram se steel door mein suraakh banane laga. Das minute mein – apna purana record todte hue – usne bolts ko pichhe khiska diya aur darwaza khol diya. Agatha jo lagbhag girne wali thi lekin mehfooz thi, apni maa ke baahon mein aa gayi. Jimmy Valentine ne apni coat pehni aur railings ke paas se hote hue bahar ki taraf chal diya.
As he went he thought he heard a far-away voice that he once knew call “Ralph!” But he never hesitated. At the door a big man stood somewhat in his way. “Hello, Ben!” said Jimmy, still with his strange smile. “Got around at last, have you? Well, let’s go. I don’t know that it makes much difference, now.” And then Ben Price acted rather strangely. “Guess you’re mistaken, Mr. Spencer,” he said. “Don’t believe I recognize you. Your buggy’s waiting for you, ain’t it?” And Ben Price turned and strolled down the street.
Jate waqt usne socha ke usay koi door se awaz de raha tha, jo pehle se jani-pehchani thi, “Ralph!” lekin usne kabhi ruk kar nahi dekha. Darwaze par ek bada aadmi khada tha jo thoda uske raste mein aa raha tha. “Hello, Ben!” Jimmy ne kaha, apni ajeeb muskurahat ke saath. “Aakhir aa hi gaye, hain na? Chalo, chalte hain. Ab toh iski zyada parwaah bhi nahi hai.” Aur phir Ben Price ne ajeeb tareeke se react kiya. “Lagta hai aap galat hai, Mr. Spencer,” usne kaha. “Mujhe nahi lagta ke main aapko pehchanta hoon. Aapka buggy intezaar kar raha hai, hai na?” Aur Ben Price ne mud kar sadak par dheere dheere chalna shuru kiya.
Moral
The moral of the story is that love and compassion can inspire personal transformation and lead to redemption.
Is kahani ka sabak/shiksha yeh hai ke mohabbat aur reham/daya insaan ko tabdeeli/badalne aur nijat/mukti ki raah/rasta dikhane mein madad kar sakte hain.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning in Urdu | Meaning in Hindi | Meaning in Bengali |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guard | محافظ (Muhafiz) | रक्षक (Rakshak) | প্রহরী (Pohori) |
| Prison | جیل (Jail) | जेल (Jel) | জেলখানা (Jelkhana) |
| Shoe-shop | جوتے کی دکان (Jootay Ki Dukaan) | जूतों की दुकान (Jooton Ki Dukaan) | জুতার দোকান (Jutar Dokan) |
| Assiduously | محنت سے (Mehnat Se) | मेहनत से (Mehnat Se) | নিষ্ঠার সাথে (Nistha’r Sathe) |
| Stitching | سلائی کرنا (Silai Karna) | सिलाई करना (Silai Karna) | সেলাই করা (Selai Kora) |
| Escort | ہمراہی کرنا (Humraahi Karna) | साथ ले जाना (Saath Le Jana) | সহযাত্রী করা (Shohojatri Kora) |
| Front Office | اگلا دفتر (Agla Daftar) | फ्रंट ऑफिस (Front Office) | সামনে অফিস (Shamne Office) |
| Warden | وارڈن (Warden) | जेलर (Jailor) | কারারক্ষক (Kararakshok) |
| Pardon | معافی (Maafi) | माफी (Maafi) | ক্ষমা (Khoma) |
| Governor | گورنر (Governor) | राज्यपाल (Rajyapal) | গভর্নর (Governor) |
| Tired | تھکا ہوا (Thaka Hua) | थका हुआ (Thaka Hua) | ক্লান্ত (Klanto) |
| Sentence | سزا (Saza) | सज़ा (Saza) | শাস্তি (Shasti) |
| Expected | امید کرنا (Umeed Karna) | उम्मीद करना (Ummeed Karna) | প্রত্যাশা করা (Protyasha Kora) |
| Stir | ہلچل (Halchal) | हलचल (Halchal) | গোলযোগ (Golojog) |
| Brace up | حوصلہ رکھو (Hosla Rakho) | हिम्मत रखो (Himmat Rakho) | সাহস রাখো (Shahosh Rakho) |
| Fellow | ساتھی (Saathi) | साथी (Saathi) | সঙ্গী (Shongi) |
| Crack (safe) | توڑنا (Torna) | तोड़ना (Todna) | ভাঙা (Bhanga) |
| Alibi | دلیل (Daleel) | बहाना (Bahna) | অজুহাত (Ojuhat) |
| Society | معاشرہ (Muashra) | समाज (Samaj) | সমাজ (Shomaj) |
| Compulsory | لازمی (Laazmi) | अनिवार्य (Anivarya) | বাধ্যতামূলক (Badjyotamulok) |
| Discharged | آزاد کرنا (Azad Karna) | मुक्त करना (Mukt Karna) | মুক্ত করা (Mukt Kora) |
| Prosperity | خوشحالی (Khushhali) | समृद्धि (Samriddhi) | সমৃদ্ধি (Shomriddhi) |
| Rehabilitate | بحالی (Bahaali) | पुनर्वास (Punarvas) | পুনর্বাসন (Punorbashon) |
| Cigar | سگار (Cigar) | सिगार (Cigar) | সিগার (Cigar) |
| Sunshine | دھوپ (Dhoop) | धूप (Dhoop) | রোদ (Roud) |
| Liberty | آزادی (Azadi) | स्वतंत्रता (Swatantrata) | স্বাধীনতা (Shadhinota) |
| Broiled Chicken | بھنا ہوا مرغ (Bhana Hua Murgh) | भूना हुआ मुर्गा (Bhuna Hua Murga) | ভাজা মুরগি (Bhaja Murgi) |
| Depot | اسٹیشن (Station) | डिपो (Depot) | স্টেশন (Station) |
| Quarter | سکہ/چوتھائی (Sikka/Chothaayi) | सिक्का/चौथाई (Sikka/Chauthai) | পয়সা/চতুর্থাংশ (Poysha/Choturthangsho) |
| Blind | اندھا (Andha) | अंधा (Andha) | অন্ধ (Ondho) |
| Cafe | کیفے (Cafe) | कैफे (Cafe) | ক্যাফে (Cafe) |
| Protest | احتجاج (Ehtejaaj) | विरोध (Virodh) | প্রতিবাদ (Protibad) |
| Balk | رکنا (Rukna) | रुकना (Rukna) | বাধা দেওয়া (Baddha Deoa) |
| Eminent | مشہور (Mashhoor) | प्रसिद्ध (Prasiddh) | বিখ্যাত (Bikhyato) |
| Detective | جاسوس (Jasoos) | जासूस (Jasoos) | গোয়েন্দা (Goenda) |
| Folding Bed | تہہ کیا ہوا بستر (Teh Kiya Hua Bistar) | फोल्डिंग बेड (Folding Bed) | ভাঁজ করা বিছানা (Bhaj Kora Bichhana) |
| Suitcase | سوٹ کیس (Suitcase) | सूटकेस (Suitcase) | সুটকেস (Suitcase) |
| Burglar’s Tools | چوری کے اوزار (Chori Ke Auzar) | चोर के औज़ार (Chor Ke Auzar) | চোরের সরঞ্জাম (Chorer Shoronjam) |
| Steel | فولاد (Folaad) | स्टील (Steel) | স্টিল (Steel) |
| Punches | چھدرا (Chhidra) | पंच (Punch) | পাঞ্চ (Punch) |
| Clamps | پکڑنے کا اوزار (Pakarne Ka Auzar) | क्लैम्प (Clamp) | ক্ল্যাম্প (Clamp) |
| Novelty | نیاپن (Nayapan) | नवीनता (Naveenata) | নতুনত্ব (Notunoto) |
| Seltzer | سیلٹزر پانی (Seltzer Pani) | सोडा पानी (Soda Pani) | সেল্টজার পানি (Seltzer Pani) |
| Rogue-catchers | چور پکڑنے والے (Chor Pakarne Wale) | चोर पकड़ने वाले (Chor Pakadne Wale) | চোর ধরার লোক (Chor Dhara Lok) |
| Safe-burglary | سیف توڑنے کا کام (Safe Todne Ka Kaam) | तिजोरी चोरी का काम (Tijori Chori Ka Kaam) | সেফ-চুরির কাজ (Safe Churir Kaj) |
| Currency | کرنسی (Currency) | मुद्रा (Mudra) | মুদ্রা (Mudra) |
| Eruption | آتش فشاں (Aatish Fashaan) | विस्फोट (Visfot) | অগ্ন্যুৎপাত (Agnyutpat) |
| Tumblers | تالا کے حصے (Tala Ke Hisse) | ताले के भाग (Tale Ke Bhag) | তালার অংশ (Talar Onsho) |
| Autograph | دستخط (Dastakhat) | हस्ताक्षर (Hastakshar) | স্বাক্ষর (Swakkhar) |
| I guess | میرا خیال ہے (Mera Khayal Hai) | मुझे लगता है (Mujhe Lagta Hai) | আমি মনে করি (Ami Mone Kori) |
| Clemency | معافی (Maafi) | दया (Daya) | ক্ষমা (Khoma) |
| Foolishness | بے وقوفی (Be-Wafoofi) | मूर्खता (Moorkhta) | বোকামি (Bokami) |
| Habits | عادتیں (Aadatein) | आदतें (Aadatein) | অভ্যাস (Ovhash) |
| Learned | سیکھا (Seekha) | सीखा (Seekha) | শিখেছে (Shikhache) |
| Retribution | سزا (Saza) | प्रतिशोध (Pratishodh) | প্রতিশোধ (Protishodh) |
| Elusive | فرار ہونے والا (Faraar Hone Wala) | कठिनता से पकड़ने वाला (Kathin Pakadne Wala) | অধরা (Odhora) |
| Cracksman | سیف توڑنے والا (Safe Todne Wala) | तिजोरी तोड़ने वाला (Tijori Todne Wala) | তালা ভাঙা চোর (Tala Bhanga Chor) |
| Burglar-proof | چوری سے محفوظ (Chori Se Mehfooz) | चोर-प्रूफ (Chor-Proof) | চুরি প্রতিরোধী (Churi Protirudhi) |
| Mail-hack | ڈاک کی گاڑی (Daak Ki Gaari) | डाक वाहन (Dak Vahan) | মেইল গাড়ি (Mail Gari) |
| Athletic | مضبوط جسم والا (Mazboot Jism Wala) | एथलेटिक (Athletic) | ক্রীড়াবিদ (Krirabid) |
| Senior | سینئر (Senior) | वरिष्ठ (Varishth) | সিনিয়র (Senior) |
| Side-walk | فٹ پاتھ (Footpath) | फुटपाथ (Footpath) | ফুটপাত (Footpath) |
| Hotel | ہوٹل (Hotel) | होटल (Hotel) | হোটেল (Hotel) |
| Loafing | سست رہنا (Sust Rehna) | इधर-उधर घूमना (Idhar-Udhar Ghoomna) | অলসভাবে ঘুরে বেড়ানো (Oloshbhabe Ghure Berano) |
| Stockholders | حصہ دار (Hissa Daar) | शेयरधारक (Sheerdharak) | শেয়ারহোল্ডার (Sheyarholder) |
| Specious | بناوٹی (Banawati) | झूठा (Jhutha) | মিথ্যা (Mithya) |
| Gold watch-chain | سونے کی زنجیر (Sone Ki Zanjeer) | सोने की घड़ी-चेन (Sone Ki Ghadi-Chain) | সোনার চেন (Sonar Chen) |
| Planters' Hotel | پلانٹرز ہوٹل (Planters Hotel) | प्लांटर्स होटल (Planters Hotel) | প্ল্যান্টার্স হোটেল (Planters Hotel) |
| Gilded youth | خوشحال جوانی (Khushhal Jawani) | धनी युवा (Dhanee Yuva) | স্বর্ণময় যুবা (Shornomoy Yuba) |
| Shortcomings | خامیاں (Khamiyan) | कमियां (Kamiyaan) | ত্রুটি (Truti) |
| Fashion | فیشن (Fashion) | फैशन (Fashion) | ফ্যাশন (Fashion) |
| Cordially | دوستانہ انداز میں (Dostana Andaaz Mein) | गर्मजोशी से (Garmjoshi Se) | আন্তরিকতার সঙ্গে (Antoriktatar Shonge) |
| Exclusive | مخصوص (Makhsoos) | अनन्य (Ananya) | একচেটিয়া (Ekechhotia) |
| Decision | فیصلہ (Faisla) | निर्णय (Nirnay) | সিদ্ধান্ত (Shiddhanto) |
| Situation | صورتحال (Soorat-e-Haal) | स्थिति (Sthiti) | অবস্থা (Obostha) |
| Phoenix | پنچھی (Panchi) | पंछी (Panchi) | পাখি (Pakhi) |
| Arise | ابھرنا (Ubhra) | उठना (Uthna) | উত্থান (Utthan) |
| Ashes | راکھ (Raakh) | राख (Raakh) | ছাই (Chhai) |
| Sudden | اچانک (Achanak) | अचानक (Achanak) | হঠাৎ (Hotath) |
| Alterative | بدلنے والا (Badalne Wala) | परिवर्तनकारी (Parivartankari) | পরিবর্তনশীল (Pôrbôrtônsheel) |
| Prosper | کامیاب ہونا (Kamyab Hona) | फलना-फूलना (Phalna-Phoolna) | সমৃদ্ধি লাভ করা (Shomriddhi Labh Kora) |
| Captivated | گرویدہ (Garoowida) | मोहित (Mohit) | মুগ্ধ (Mugdho) |
| Engaged | منگنی (Mangni) | सगाई (Sagaai) | বাগদান (Bagdan) |
| Pride | فخر (Fakhar) | गर्व (Garv) | গর্ব (Gorbo) |
| Affection | محبت (Mohabbat) | स्नेह (Sneh) | স্নেহ (Sneh) |
| Plodding | محنتی (Mehnati) | मेहनती (Mehnati) | পরিশ্রমী (Porishromi) |
| Typical | عام (Aam) | सामान्य (Samanay) | সাধারণ (Shadharon) |
| Kit of tools | اوزار کا سیٹ (Ozaar Ka Set) | औजार का सेट (Ozaar Ka Set) | সরঞ্জামের সেট (Shoronjam-er Set) |
| Honest | ایماندار (Emaandar) | ईमानदार (Imaandar) | সৎ (Sot) |
| Score | پرانا حساب (Purana Hisaab) | पुराना हिसाब (Purana Hisaab) | পুরানো হিসাব (Purano Hishab) |
| Crooked | ٹیڑھا (Terha) | टेढ़ा (Tedha) | বাঁকা (Banka) |
| Livery buggy | کرایے کی بگھی (Karaye Ki Baghi) | किराए की बग्घी (Kiraaye Ki Baghi) | ভাড়ার গাড়ি (Bharar Gari) |
| Unobtrusively | خاموشی سے (Khamoshi Se) | बिना किसी ध्यान के (Bina Kisi Dhyan Ke) | চুপিসারে (Chupisare) |
| Quietly | خاموشی سے (Khamoshi Se) | चुपचाप (Chupchap) | শান্তভাবে (Shantobhabe) |
| Venture | جرات کرنا (Jurrat Karna) | हिम्मत करना (Himmat Karna) | সাহস করা (Shahosh Kora) |
| Boarding | رہائش (Rehaish) | ठहरना (Thehrna) | আবাসন (Abason) |
| Vault | تجوری (Tijori) | तिजोरी (Tijori) | ভল্ট (Vault) |
| Inspection | جانچ (Janch) | निरीक्षण (Nirikshan) | নিরীক্ষা (Niriksha) |
| Simultaneously | ایک ساتھ (Ek Saath) | एक साथ (Ek Saath) | একযোগে (Ekyoge) |
| Courteous | شائستہ (Shaista) | विनम्र (Vinarm) | বিনীত (Binito) |
| Sauntered | چلنا (Chalna) | धीरे चलना (Dheere Chalna) | ধীরে হেঁটে যাওয়া (Dhire Hete Jaoya) |
| Casual | معمولی (Mamooli) | साधारण (Sadharan) | নৈমিত্তিক (Noimittik) |
| Teller | کیشیئر (Cashier) | कैशियर (Cashier) | ক্যাশিয়ার (Cashier) |
| Commotion | شور (Shor) | हलचल (Halchal) | গোলযোগ (Goljoj) |
| Perceived | محسوس کرنا (Mehsoos Karna) | महसूस करना (Mehsoos Karna) | উপলব্ধি করা (Upolobdhi Kora) |
| Panic | دہشت (Dehshat) | घबराहट (Ghabrahat) | আতঙ্ক (Atongko) |
| Faint | مدھم (Madhum) | मद्धिम (Maddhim) | মৃদু (Mridu) |
| Terror | خوف (Khawf) | आतंक (Atank) | ভীতি (Bhiti) |
| Groaned | کراہنا (Karahna) | कराहना (Karahna) | কষ্টে আওয়াজ তোলা (Koshto-e Awaj Tola) |
| Convulsions | جھٹکے (Jhatke) | मरोड़ (Maror) | খিঁচুনি (Khichuni) |
| Frantic | دیوانی (Deewani), بہت پریشان (Bohat Pareshan) | पागल, घबराई हुई (Pagal, Ghabrai Hui) | উন্মাদ, আতঙ্কিত (Unmad, Atongkito) |
| Beat | مارنا (Maarna), پیٹنا (Peetna) | पीटना (Peetna), मारना (Maarna) | মারধর করা (Maradhar Kora) |
| Vault | تجوری (Tijori), سیف (Safe) | तिजोरी (Tijori), सुरक्षित कक्ष (Surakshit Kaksh) | ভল্ট, সুরক্ষিত ঘর (Vault, Shurakkhito Ghor) |
| Wildly | شدت سے (Shiddat Se), پاگل پن سے (Paagal Pan Se) | पागलपन में (Paagalpan Mein) | উন্মত্তভাবে (Unmotto Bhabe) |
| Dynamite | ڈائنامائیٹ (Dynamite) | डायनामाइट (Dynamite) | ডিনামাইট (Dynamite) |
| Anguish | تکلیف (Takleef), اذیت (Aziyat) | पीड़ा (Peeda), कष्ट (Kasht) | যন্ত্রণা (Jontroona), কষ্ট (Koshto) |
| Despairing | ناامید (Na-umeed), مایوس (Mayous) | निराश (Niraash), मायूस (Mayus) | হতাশ (Hotash) |
| Worships | پوجتی ہے (Poojti Hai), عقیدت رکھتی ہے (Aqeedat Rakhti Hai) | पूजती है (Poojti Hai) | পূজা করে (Pujo Kore), শ্রদ্ধা করে (Shraddha Kore) |
| Queer | عجیب (Ajeeb), انوکھا (Anokha) | अजीब (Ajeeb), विचित्र (Vichitra) | অদ্ভুত (Odbhoot) |
| Keen | تیز (Tez), چالاک (Chalaak) | तेज (Tez), पैनी (Paini) | তীক্ষ্ণ (Tikshno) |
| Unpinned | کھولا (Khola), نکالا (Nikaala) | पिन हटाना (Pin Hatana) | পিন খুলে ফেলা (Pin Khule Fela) |
| Bosom | سینہ (Seena), دل (Dil) | ह्रदय (Hriday), छाती (Chhati) | বক্ষ (Bokkhô), বুক (Buk) |
| Stuffed | بھر دیا (Bhar Diya), ڈال دیا (Daal Diya) | भर दिया (Bhar Diya), डाल दिया (Daal Diya) | ভরানো (Bhorano), ঢুকিয়ে দেওয়া (Dhukie Dewa) |
| Vest-pocket | بنیان کی جیب (Banyan Ki Jaib) | बनियान की जेब (Baniyan Ki Jeb) | ভেস্টের পকেট (Vester Pocket) |
| Commanded | حکم دیا (Hukum Diya) | आदेश दिया (Aadesh Diya) | নির্দেশ দিল (Nirdesh Dil) |
| Suitcase | سوٹ کیس (Suitcase) | सूटकेस (Suitcase) | সুটকেস (Suitcase) |
| Whistling | سیٹی بجانا (Seeti Bajana) | सीटी बजाना (Seeti Bajana) | সিটি বাজানো (Siti Bajano) |
| Implements | اوزار (Ozaar), آلات (Alaat) | औजार (Auzar), उपकरण (Upkaran) | সরঞ্জাম (Shoronjom) |
| Drill | سوراخ کرنے والا اوزار (Suraakh Karne Wala Auzar) | ड्रिल (Drill) | ড্রিল (Drill) |
| Steel | اسٹیل (Steel) | स्टील (Steel) | ইস্পাত (Ispat) |
| Bolts | بولٹ (Bolt), تالے (Tale) | बोल्ट (Bolt), ताले (Tale) | বোল্ট (Bolt), তালা (Tala) |
| Collapsed | گر جانا (Gir Jana), ڈھے جانا (Dhaye Jana) | गिर जाना (Gir Jana) | লুটিয়ে পড়া (Lutiye Pora) |
| Railings | جالی (Jaali), باڑھ (Baadh) | रेलिंग (Railing), जाली (Jaali) | রেলিং (Railing), জালি (Jali) |
| Hesitated | جھجکنا (Jhijakna) | हिचकिचाना (Hichkichana) | দ্বিধাগ্রস্ত হওয়া (Dwidha-Groshto Howa) |
| Buggy | بگھی (Baghi), گاڑی (Gaadi) | बग्गी (Baggi), गाड़ी (Gaadi) | গাড়ি (Gari), বগি (Buggy) |
| Strolled | گھومنا (Ghoomna), چلنا (Chalna) | टहलना (Tehlna), घूमना (Ghoomna) | ঘুরে বেড়ানো (Ghure Berano) |
FAQ
Jimmy’s suitcase held a complete set of high-quality burglar tools. These were made of strong, specially crafted steel. The suitcase included drills, punches, braces, clamps, and other devices, all used for breaking safes effectively.
After being released, Jimmy celebrated his freedom by enjoying a hearty meal at a restaurant, starting with broiled chicken and a bottle of wine. He relaxed, savoring the food, and smoked a good cigar. Later, he tossed a coin to a blind man before boarding his train.
Inside the jail, the Warden told Jimmy he would be released the next morning. He advised Jimmy to leave his criminal ways and live honestly. The Warden believed Jimmy had potential for a better life if he stopped breaking safes. Jimmy pretended innocence, denying he was ever a safecracker, but the Warden dismissed it, amused.
Jimmy did not immediately follow the Warden’s advice after release. He initially returned to his life of crime, using his tools to break into safes and steal. However, meeting Annabel and falling in love gradually changed him, making him want to live honestly.
Ben Price was a well-known detective skilled at tracking down criminals, including Jimmy.
At the story’s end, Price pretended not to recognize Jimmy, despite knowing he was a reformed safecracker. Price saw Jimmy risk his freedom to save Agatha, a child locked in a vault. Realizing Jimmy had changed and intended to live honestly, Price allowed him to continue his new life, unpunished.
