umaon._

_Commissionership of Kumaon._
_Dated December_ 7, 1897.

MY DEAR LANDOR,

Karak Sing reports that 2 guns (1 damaged), 1 revolver, 1
signet-ring, cash 68/12/-, cartridges (gun) 110, ditto revolver
37, cleaning-rods 2, gun-case 1, leather straps, 1
butterfly-catcher, &c., have been handed to him by the Jong Pen
of Taklakot, and he has requested Deputy Commissioner's orders.

I am glad to hear your things are coming on. I hope you are
getting stronger.

With our kindest regards,
Yours very sincerely,
E.E. GRIGG.

[NOTE BY THE AUTHOR.--_This letter, as will be seen from the date,
reached me after the bulk of the book had gone to press_.]

A PRIVATE LETTER FROM J. LARKIN, ESQ., WHO, DEPUTED BY THE GOVERNMENT,
PROCEEDED TO THE FRONTIER TO MAKE AN INQUIRY INTO MY CASE.

ALMORA, _August_ 10, 1898.

MY DEAR LANDOR,

Yours of the 21st ult. I am glad to hear that your book on your
experiences in Tibet is nearly finished. I wish you may have
every success with it, as it is only what you deserve after your
trials and hardships in that difficult land of the
ultra-conservative Lamas. I am not aware that the Indian papers
are attacking you. However, they apparently do not get reliable
information if they dispute the fact of your having entered
Tibet. We who were in some way connected with your rescue and
return have not been "interviewed," or we would give the
authentic account of the affair.

I was on a few days' leave at Naini Tal when I heard of your
capture, tortures and expulsion from Tibet. I was deputed by the
Government to proceed at once to the borders and make an inquiry
into the affair. I set off at once, and I met you at Askot, where
you were being looked after by the Rajbar. What a change in your
appearance! When I saw you standing among some of the Askot
natives I could with difficulty identify you. You were bronzed
and weather-beaten to such an extent that you were not
distinguishable from the natives. I do not think you can blame me
for not recognising you readily. Your forehead, nose and the part
of your face below your eyes were scarred, and helped to alter
your appearance very greatly. You did surprise me when