'If through me the favour of this bold and wise Colonel Sahib comes
to thee, and thou art raised to honour, what thanks wilt thou give
Mahbub Ali when thou art a man?'

'Nay, nay! I begged thee to let me take the Road again, where I
should have been safe; and thou hast sold me back to the English.
What will they give thee for blood-money?'

'A cheerful young demon!' The Colonel bit his cigar, and turned
politely to Father Victor.

'What are the letters that the fat priest is waving before the
Colonel? Stand behind the stallion as though looking at my bridle!'
said Mahbub Ali.

'A letter from my lama which he wrote from Jagadhir Road, saying
that he will pay three hundred rupees by the year for my
schooling.'

'Oho! Is old Red Hat of that sort? At which school?'

'God knows. I think in Nucklao.'

'Yes. There is a big school there for the sons of Sahibs - and
half-Sahibs. I have seen it when I sell horses there. So the lama
also loved the Friend of all the World?'

'Ay; and he did not tell lies, or return me to captivity.'