Who is the thief?

It was a tastefully built house , yet modest in its appearance. The proud owners Mr. Radheshyam and Mrs. Rukmini and were into their seventies. The mistress of the house had all household activities under control and was running the day to day affairs. Their children were in different countries, but kept close touch with their parents. Eldest daughter Radhika ,was married and lived in US. Eldest Son Gopal, was in Dubai running his own business. Third and last child, Raghu was in Australia working for a big business house. They would visit the parents frequently and kept a tab on what was happening with them. All the servants knew them well and would look forward to their visits as they would get them gifts.

The house was big, with two bedrooms, a library, Drawing and living area, a library, Dining and Kitchen on the ground floor. There were four bedrooms on the first floor. There was a small garden in the front and back. It was built when all the three children were in school and was bustling with activity and life as long as they were there. There were four helpers in the house including a driver. Driver Sudhakar, cook Hari, Maid Radhika and handyman Jagan. These four had been working for more than ten years now and were like part of the family. All the four had free access to the house could move freely to any part of the house. Jagan and Sudhakar lived in the, outhouse. Others came from outside.

Though everything looked normal, it was not. All the workers were going about with their duties as usual, but were silent and sombre. Mrs. Rukmini was very serious and thoughtful. All this was triggered by an incidence that took place the evening before. Master of the house Mr Radheshyam had left his ring near the dressing table, and it was not to be found. It was a gift to him from his in-laws and more than 50 years old and considered antique piece. It was Navaratna ring with very fine gems and a diamond. Its value in rupees would be close to few lakh rupees, and its sentimental value was much more. More than money this incidence was an ugly expose’ of the vulnerability of the old couple and also vulnerability of domestic helpers to the lure of valuables. This happened in spite of the old couple having taken a good care of them. That pained the old couple to no end.

The entire evening was spent in looking for the ring everywhere, in the process the entire house was sifted. It was impossible to find it , thought Rukmini, when it had been stolen by someone and hidden safely. The whole night, she was thinking and finally came up with a plan after discussing with her husband. Both of them did not want to bring in the police. They both sat in their office cum library after breakfast and summoned the four domestic helpers.” It is very unfortunate that one of you had succumbed to temptation and took away the ring. If some money was needed, we could have helped you as we always did. What happened was very unfortunate and raises doubts on trust worthiness of all four of you because of one person’s misdeed. We don’t want police in this house. Rather I request who ever took away the ring to please place it in this box quietly and it will not be known to any one of us as to who the thief was. The ring is very dear to us and we have many memories associated with it and it means a lot to us. I request that person to simply place the ring in this box We will all meet again after dinner and by then I expect to find the ring in this box.” So saying, she placed a 5 inches x5 inches antique jewellery box on the table and both master and mistress of the house left the room , while the servants were speechless and still trying to absorb Mrs. Rukmini’s words.

Everyone was filled with suspense as to weather the ring will be returned or not and who could be the culprit. That was the reason why the entire atmosphere was tensed and charged and the usual lively banter between the domestic helpers was missing. They were all going through their activities mechanically, waiting for night to set in. The day was passing very slowly. After noon giving way to evening and then to night. Everyone assembled in the study after dinner and were anxiously waiting for the master and mistress of the house. The couple joined the group. To everyone’s surprise Mrs Rukmini went to the place where the jewelry box was placed and slowly and deliberately wore a pair of gloves and then, without touching the surface of the box as much as possible , she opened it. To everyone’s joy and surprise, the ring was in the box. Then suddenly they saw that Jagan fell at the feel of the mistress and voluntarily confessed to the theft. He had committed the theft impulsively and upon given an opportunity he returned it. But he did not realized that he was leaving his finger prints generously on the box, while placing. He had understood this, the moment he saw Mrs. Rukmini wearing the gloves.

He immediately knew that he walked into the trap set by Mrs. Rukmini and now there was no going back. If she wanted, she could hand him over to the police. Certainly there was no place for him in this house, that Jagan knew, for sure.