se releegion, but rather
sub-variant of same. I have contributed rejected notes To Whom It May
Concern: Asiatic Quarterly Review on these subjects. Now it is
curious that the old gentleman himself is totally devoid of
releegiosity. He is not a dam' particular.'

'Do you know him?'

Hurree Babu held up his hand to show he was engaged in the prescribed
rites that accompany tooth-cleaning and such things among decently bred
Bengalis. Then he recited in English an Arya-Somaj prayer of a
theistical nature, and stuffed his mouth with pan and betel.

'Oah yes. I have met him several times at Benares, and also at Buddh
Gaya, to interrogate him on releegious points and devil-worship. He is
pure agnostic--same as me.'

Huneefa stirred in her sleep, and Hurree Babu jumped nervously to the
copper incense-burner, all black and discoloured in morning-light,
rubbed a finger in the accumulated lamp-black, and drew it diagonally
across his face.

'Who has died in thy house?' asked Kim in the vernacular.

'None. But she may have the Evil Eye--that sorceress,' the Babu
replied.

'What dost thou do now, then?'

'I will set thee on thy way to Benares, if thou goest thither, and tell
thee what must be known by Us.'

'I go. At what hour runs the te-rain?' He rose to his feet, looked
round the desolate chamber and at the yellow-wax face of Huneefa as the
low sun stole across the floor. 'Is there money to be paid that witch?'

'No. She has charmed thee against all devils and all dangers in the
name of her devils. It was Mahbub's desire.' In English: 'He is
highly obsolete, I think, to indulge in such supersteetion. Why, it is
all ventriloquy. Belly-speak--eh?'

Kim snapped his fingers mechanically to avert whatever evil--Mahbub, he
knew, meditated none--might have crept in through Huneefa's
ministrations; and Hurree giggled once more. But as he crossed the
room he was careful not to step in Huneefa's blotched, squat shadow on
the boards. Witches--when their time is on them--can lay hold of the
heels of a man's soul if he does that.

'Now you must well listen,' said the Babu when they were in the fresh
air. 'Part of these ceremonies which we witnessed they include supply
of effeecient amulet to those of our Department. If you feel in your
neck you will find one small silver amulet, verree cheap. That is ours.
Do you understand?'

'Oah yes, hawa-dilli [a heart-lifter],' said Kim, feeling at his neck.

'Hun