Meanwhile Chanji had been in South India, visiting Baba's lovers in Madras, Bijapur and elsewhere. Returning after a week on 7 December, Chanji relayed the report of the trip and said that the Madras lovers ardently wished to invite Baba for his next birthday celebration. Baba indicated he would think about it.
Some galvanized tin sheets from Baba's cabin over the underground crypt on Meherabad Hill had been stolen recently. Baba sent for Satya Mang, the reformed thief, and asked him about it. He denied that he had committed this theft.
“”Baba countered, "If you have not stolen these items, then one of your associates has surely done so. Find out and bring him to me."
Satya Mang departed and called a meeting of his former gang members, but no one admitted to having perpetrated the crime. So Satya Mang said, "Meher Baba says that the thief is among us and his words are always true."
Hearing this, one of the men, named Fakira, cried out, "If that is so, then you yourself are the thief!"
When Fakira addressed his former leader in this manner, Satya Mang boldly replied, "All right. First, we will both go to Meher Baba. Then we will go to the dhuni and, taking its ash in our mouths, we will repeat these words: 'May he who is the thief die within eight days!' "
Fakira agreed to do this and both acted accordingly. After doing so, Fakira died within the week and later it was learned that he was indeed the thief. This greatly impressed Satya Mang's former gang members and put a stop to their criminal tendencies, much to the relief of the local populace.
Satya Mang came to Meherabad on the 7th and narrated what had transpired. Baba made arrangements for Satya Mang to be given a monthly stipend and made him promise to come to Meherabad once a month. Baba also informed him that he would be called for work after six months and urged him to be ready.
Rustom and Freiny were summoned to Meherabad and arrived on 8 December 1933, as did Sarosh. Discussions were still going on about Rustom's film studio plans.
On the 10th, Chhagan was given nightwatch duty, along with Jamadar. Masaji and Kaka were to sleep near Baba's underground crypt-room in place of Chhagan. That night, Baba warned everyone about staying healthy:
“”"Dry weather in Meherabad, although very good for consumption, is very bad for colds and chills, as the chest is affected at once; and pneumonia attacks too quickly for any symptoms to manifest or a remedy to be administered. The best remedy for prevention of this is to protect the chest against a chill. Starting today, I order that everyone must put on an undershirt immediately after sunset every evening and keep it on throughout the night until after sunrise when it is warmer."
