far otherwise, and whether
they be jumalee [well-affected] or jullalee [terrible] they love not
Kafirs.'

'Then you think I had better go?' said Hurree Babu, half rising. 'They
are, of course, dematerialized phenomena. Spencer says.'

Huneefa's crisis passed, as these things must, in a paroxysm of
howling, with a touch of froth at the lips. She lay spent and
motionless beside Kim, and the crazy voices ceased.

'Wah! That work is done. May the boy be better for it; and Huneefa is
surely a mistress of dawut. Help haul her aside, Babu. Do not be
afraid.'

'How am I to fear the absolutely non-existent?' said Hurree Babu,
talking English to reassure himself. It is an awful thing still to
dread the magic that you contemptuously investigate--to collect
folk-lore for the Royal Society with a lively belief in all Powers of
Darkness.

Mahbub chuckled. He had been out with Hurree on the Road ere now. 'Let
us finish the colouring,' said he. 'The boy is well protected if--if
the Lords of the Air have ears to hear. I am a Sufi [free-thinker],
but when one can get blind-sides of a woman, a stallion, or a devil,
why go round to invite a kick? Set him upon the way, Babu, and see
that old Red Hat does not lead him beyond our reach. I must get back
to my horses.'

'All raight,' said Hurree Babu. 'He is at present curious spectacle.'

About third cockcrow, Kim woke after a sleep of thousands of years.
Huneefa, in her corner, snored heavily, but Mahbub was gone.

'I hope you were not frightened,' said an oily voice at his elbow. 'I
superintended entire operation, which was most interesting from
ethnological point of view. It was high-class dawut.'

'Huh!' said Kim, recognizing Hurree Babu, who smiled ingratiatingly.

'And also I had honour to bring down from Lurgan your present costume.
I am not in the habit offeecially of carrying such gauds to
subordinates, but'--he giggled--'your case is noted as exceptional on
the books. I hope Mr Lurgan will note my action.'

Kim yawned and stretched himself. It was good to turn and twist within
loose clothes once again.

'What is this?' He looked curiously at the heavy duffle-stuff loaded
with the scents of the far North.

'Oho! That is inconspicuous dress of chela attached to service of
lamaistic lama. Complete in every particular,' said Hurree Babu,
rolling into the balcony to clean his teeth at a goglet. 'I am of
opeenion it is not your old gentleman's preci