When Baily's leave ended, he received new orders to be ready to proceed to Egypt aboard a hospital ship. Since his application for transfer to land duties had been approved, this new development shocked him, and he immediately went to the officer-in-charge to check the records. The officer canceled his appointment to Egypt. He then ordered Baily to leave on the next ship for Zanzibar within 24 hours. This time Baily did not try to have the order changed.
When Merwanji was informed of Baily's transfer, he remarked, "I would never have liked going to a place like Africa." So, Merwanji persuaded Baily to try to get his orders changed. Although it seemed unlikely, Baily met with the officer concerned and after much persuasion, his pleas were successful. Someone else was appointed to go to Africa in his place, and he was then ordered on the next ship to Aden.
Baily was informed that the ship's sailing date had not been finalized and that he would have to wait in Bombay. Merwanji again remarked, "See if you can get that order canceled." Baily tried but failed.
Merwanji was unhappy about Baily's leaving India. He said, "Come with me and meet Babajan. Take her darshan before going to Aden." This did not appeal to Baily and he resisted, but Merwan insisted he come.
Later, Baily wrote about his encounter: I took Babajan to be nothing short of a sorceress. I did not believe in her in the least and bore contempt for her. She looked like a mad beggar. I disliked it that Merwan was calling himself "her disciple" ... When Merwan used to visit Babajan, I used to tease and make fun of him — and here he was advising me to have Babajan's darshan! I did not like the idea of seeing her and I was irritated by Merwan's insistence. In spite of that, I could not displease him, so I consented and had to approach the ancient woman. My only request was that I would not like to meet her in broad daylight, but in the evening after sunset. In those days, Babajan had nowhere to stay except underneath a large old neem tree near Char Bawdi. She was seated leaning against the trunk in a manner as if she were eagerly awaiting my arrival. Only two other persons were standing nearby, praying with folded hands. Merwan had told me to first put my head on her feet, but I refused, proudly saying, "I will bow only to Him [God] wherever He may be. Except for Him, neither my body nor my mind will I lower to anyone else!" I sensed that Merwan was grieved by my expression of arrogance, but showed no reaction and gave me permission to act as I liked before her. I went to Babajan alone. The instant Babajan saw me, I raised my right hand in salutation to her saying, "Salaam, Babajan." "Welcome my son, welcome," she mumbled in an almost inaudible, sweet and humble voice. "Come and sit near me ... Who are you? ... From where do you come?" Merwan had anticipated such a question and told me to tell her, "I am your khaksar khadim [humble servant], and your son has sent me." To this she replied: "Except God, who else is my son? Well, if you have come from God Himself, I will inform Him that my son has met me! ... Anything else?" Without understanding what she meant, except her last words, I explained that I was in the navy and was about to proceed to Aden, and would she permit me to do so and give me her blessings.