ved uneasily in his creaking wicker chair; after a moment's
hesitation he replied:

"Yes, I know her."

"Don't let her put the 'Comether' on you! These Burmese dolls have a
wonderful way with them. She's a gabby little monkey, and they say she
has chucked Bernard and taken a terrible fancy to you! I would be main
sorry to see you mixed up with one of these young devils--for I know
you are a straight-living gentleman."

"There is not the smallest chance of my being what you call 'mixed up'
with any young devil," said Shafto in a sulky voice. "As for Ma
Chit--she is not the sort you suppose."

"Oh, may be not," rejoined the _pongye_ in a dubious tone. "Still, I
know Burma--lock, stock and barrel, and a sight better nor you. Av
course, I never spake to a woman and give them all a wide berth--but I
cannot keep me ears shut. Listen to me, sir. These young torments
have no scruple. Ma Chit is dead set on you, and that's the pure
truth. Now, there's one thing I ask and beg--never take or smoke a
cigarette she might offer."

"Not likely! I only smoke Egyptians, or a pipe. But tell me--why am I
to refuse Ma Chit's cigarettes?"

"The reason is this, and a good one--these black scorpions employ what
they call 'love charms.' Oh yes, laugh, laugh, laugh away! But one of
these charms would soon make you laugh the wrong side of your mouth.
They are deadly, let me tell you; a cigarette loaded with a certain
drug has been the ruin of more than one fine young fellow. I
disremember the name of the stuff--it begins with an 'M,' and is surely
made in hell itself, for it drives a man stark mad. Once he smokes it
he falls into a pit and is lost for ever, body and soul."

"Come, I say, isn't this a bit too thick, Mung Baw?"

"Well, you ask the doctors. There's a good few cases of lunacy and
suicide in this country--all caused by a love charm; so when Ma Chit
sidles up, showing her teeth, and offers you a smoke--you will know
what to do. Now," concluded the visitor, scrambling to his feet, "I
must be on the move. I am stopping for a while at the big Pongye
Kyoung, near the Turtle Tank, and if you should happen to be riding
round that way, we might have a talk on this cocaine business. If I am
to go into it, neck and crop, I can't be coming about here--as it would
excite suspicion."

"All right then; I'll turn up and you will report progress; but how am
I to spot you among the crowd of priests?"

"Easy enough!" r