Why did a mysterious fakir appear before Appasaheb, and why did Appasaheb react with suspicion?

According to Chapter 33, the appearance of the fakir before Appasaheb was no mere coincidence; it is presented as a manifestation of Sai Baba himself. The text poses a rhetorical question: "why would Baba come in Fakir form? If it weren't a pretext for Dakshina, what flavor would come to the story?" This suggests Baba took on this form specifically to test Appasaheb and give him an opportunity to fulfill his vow of giving ten Rupees. Appasaheb's suspicion arose because he perceived the fakir as some stranger, failing to recognize the divine play at hand, which ultimately led to his hesitation.