me.'

'Why?'

Hurree Babu snapped his fingers with irritation. 'Of course I shall
affeeliate myself to their camp in supernumerary capacity as perhaps
interpreter, or person mentally impotent and hungree, or some such
thing. And then I must pick up what I can, I suppose. That is as easy
for me as playing Mister Doctor to the old lady. Onlee--onlee--you
see, Mister O'Hara, I am unfortunately Asiatic, which is serious
detriment in some respects. And all-so I am Bengali--a fearful man.'

'God made the Hare and the Bengali. What shame?' said Kim, quoting
the proverb.

'It was process of Evolution, I think, from Primal Necessity, but the
fact remains in all the cui bono. I am, oh, awfully fearful!--I
remember once they wanted to cut off my head on the road to Lhassa.
(No, I have never reached to Lhassa.) I sat down and cried, Mister
O'Hara, anticipating Chinese tortures. I do not suppose these two
gentlemen will torture me, but I like to provide for possible
contingency with European assistance in emergency.' He coughed and
spat out the cardamoms. 'It is purely unoffeecial indent, to which you
can say "No, Babu". If you have no pressing engagement with your old
man--perhaps you might divert him; perhaps I can seduce his fancies--I
should like you to keep in Departmental touch with me till I find those
sporting coves. I have great opeenion of you since I met my friend at
Delhi. And also I will embody your name in my offeecial report when
matter is finally adjudicated. It will be a great feather in your cap.
That is why I come really.'

'Humph! The end of the tale, I think, is true; but what of the
fore-part?'

'About the Five Kings? Oah! there is ever so much truth in it. A
lots more than you would suppose,' said Hurree earnestly. 'You
come--eh? I go from here straight into the Doon. It is verree verdant
and painted meads. I shall go to Mussoorie to good old Munsoorie
Pahar, as the gentlemen and ladies say. Then by Rampur into Chini.
That is the only way they can come. I do not like waiting in the cold,
but we must wait for them. I want to walk with them to Simla. You see,
one Russian is a Frenchman, and I know my French pretty well. I have
friends in Chandernagore.'

'He would certainly rejoice to see the Hills again,' said Kim
meditatively. 'All his speech these ten days past has been of little
else. If we go together--'

'Oah! We can be quite strangers on the road, if your lama pre