trade in
Burma?"

"Is it cocaine? To be sure! It's playing the mischief in Rangoon and
all over the country."

"I want you to lend a hand in stopping it; if we could only discover
the headquarters of the trade, it would be worth a thousand rubies."

"I have a sort of notion I could put me finger on a man that runs the
concern; ever since he come into Burma he has been pushing the world
before him and doing a great business. From my position, being part
native, part British, part civilian, and more or less a priest of the
country and clever at languages, I've learnt a few things I was never
intinded to know."

"Then I expect you have picked up some facts about cocaine smuggling?"

"That's true, though I never let it soak into me mind; but from this
out I promise ye I'll meditate upon it."

"If you can help the police to burst up this abominable traffic you
will deserve to go to the highest heaven in the Buddhist faith."

"I'll do my best; I can say no fairer. I'm sorry ye won't take the
ruby,"--turning it over regretfully. "Maybe your young lady would
fancy it? It would look fine in a ring!"

"But I have no young lady, Mung Baw."

"Is that so?" He paused as if to consider the truth of this statement,
cleared his throat and went on: "The other day, when I was down by the
lake, I saw a young fellow, the very spit of yourself, riding alongside
of a mighty pretty girl on a good-looking bay thoroughbred?"

Here he again paused, apparently awaiting a reply, but none being
forthcoming, resumed:

"And now, before I go, I want to give ye what ye can't refuse or
return--and that's a wise word. It was not entirely the ruby stone as
brought me here--it was some loose talk."

"Loose talk, Mung Baw, and you a Buddhist priest! I'm astonished!"

"Yes, talk straight out of Fraser Street, my son. Many of our priests
are holy saints; altogether too good to live; with no thought whatever
of the world--given over entirely to prayer and self-denial, blameless
and without one wicked thought; but there does be others that is
totally different. 'Tis the same in a regiment--good soldiers and
blackguards. Some of the _pongyes_, when the prayers is done, spend
all their days gossiping, chewing betel nut and raking through
bazaar--_mud_!" Then suddenly he leant forward and stared at his
companion as if he were searching for something in his face, as he
asked: "Do you happen to know a girl called 'Ma Chit'?"

Shafto mo