In fact, no one ever remembered seeing this mast's face. Whenever food was brought for Arab Shah, it would be slipped under the sack. For years he had seated in the same position on the pavement, and the local people said he never lay down. Baba contacted him at night and handed him sweets to eat — under the cloth. Early the next morning, Baba went back to contact Arab Shah and handed him hot tea under the cloth.
Baba and the mandali spent the night at the railway station, as they were to leave early the following morning. Here a memorable incident took place. Baba and the men would always carry their bedding rolls with them, and at the station they spread them out on the ground at the end of the stone platform. One of the mandali was to keep awake on nightwatch, but that night the sentry must have been feeling drowsy, because all of a sudden Baba started shaking Eruch awake.
Eruch awoke, startled. "What's the matter?" Baba pointed to a man sleeping beside them. The man had slipped under their blanket and was effectively using it to hide himself. Eruch shook him and asked, "Who are you?" But as soon as Eruch touched him, the man jumped up and ran away. When he did, the police were heard loudly blowing their whistles and chasing after him. The man was a thief and had slipped in between them seeking to disappear from the police.
Unknowingly, the thief had sought God's protection — and even if he was later caught, he had already had Baba's shelter!
Baba left for Baroda on the morning of Wednesday, 29 October 1947, and another amusing incident occurred on the train. Baba, Baidul, Eruch and Gustadji found themselves in a small third-class compartment which was empty. Everyone was pleased at this lucky turn of events, as whenever possible Baba preferred to have the compartment to himself so that he could relax and express himself uninhibitedly through gestures, without being concerned about drawing attention to himself. But unfortunately, just as the train pulled out of the station, a Congress leader stepped in.
Baba was not at all pleased to have a stranger in their midst and motioned to Eruch to get rid of him. Eruch pleaded, "Sir, the next halt is only ten or fifteen minutes away. When it comes will you please oblige us by finding a seat in another compartment?