But while taking the flask up the hill, Lahu would hide in a gully and drink half the contents, and then, recapping the flask, he would take the rest to Baba.
At the time, Baba never asked why the flask was only half-filled, but now that he was out of seclusion, he inquired of Mehera, "I was fasting for months on only half a flask of coffee — when I had clearly told you to send a full flask each day."
Mehera was taken aback and said, "But Baba, I filled the flask myself. It was always full." Naja and Khorshed confirmed this.
Later, Baba called Lahu and asked him to explain the mystery. The boy honestly admitted his mischief, and because he told the truth, Baba forgave him.
Baba smiled and remarked, "I was having Lahu's prasad every day."
Baba then returned to the dhuni and sat there quite still for about fifteen minutes.
He remarked cryptically, "The dhuni has just passed word to me that we should all continue our routine and go on with the work as before."
This was understood in reference to his earlier comments that he would be closing the school.
Baba was pulled up the hill in the rickshaw and retired again to his underground crypt. The four men staying in the Sadhak Ashram were ordered to end their seclusion, but Baba's fast of two cups of coffee per day continued.
For the next five days, according to Baba's orders, both the demolition and construction work went on. From his recent comments near the dhuni that the routine would continue, the mandali felt certain that the school would not be closed. All the other activities went on as before and there was no slackening in the children's education or in other matters. As soon as Baidul and Raosaheb arrived in Bombay on the 26th, they sent a promising telegram about bringing Ali back, but Baba still appeared very unhappy over his absence.
For most of the next day, Baba remained inside the underground cabin, moving in a restless state up and down between the upper portion of the room and the crypt. He would sit in the cabin for a while, then he would descend the stairs to the crypt, remaining there for only a few minutes, and again he would come up. These strange movements were repeated time and time again throughout the day.