at Kandahar, the news of his victory was
known in Bombay, a thousand miles away, as soon as it had happened,
whereas the Government, possessing semaphores and the telegraph, had to
wait many days for the news.[1] How did that occur? Can you or any one
explain it?

[Footnote 1: This is incontestably historical fact. See Lord Robert's
book, _Forty-one Years in India_.]

"If I were to go forth and tell how it happened, the men who profit by
the telegraphs and the deep-sea cables, would desire to kill me.

"There is only one country in the world where such things can be
successfully explained, and that is India; but not even in India until
India is free. When the millions of India once grasp the fact of
freedom, they will forget superstition and understand. Then they will
claim their powers and use them. Then the world will see, and wonder.
And presently the world, too, will understand.

"Therefore, India must be free. These three hundred and fifty million
people who speak one hundred and forty-seven languages must be set free
to work out their own destiny.

"But there is only one way of doing that. The world, and India with it,
is held in the grip of delusion. And what is delusion? Nothing but
opinions. Therefore it is opinions that hold India in subjection, and
opinions must be changed. A beginning must be made where opinions are
least hidebound and are therefore easiest to change. That means America.

"Therefore you two _sahibs_ are chosen--one who knows and loves India;
one who knows and loves America. The duty laid on you is absolute. There
can be no flinching from it. You are to go to America and convince
Americans that India should be free to work out her own destiny.

"Therefore follow, and see what you shall see."

He rose, exactly as he had sat down, without apparent muscular effort.
It was as if a hand had taken him by the scalp and lifted him, except
that I noticed his feet were pressed so hard against the floor that the
blood left them, so that I think the secret of the trick was perfect
muscular control, although how to attain that is another matter.

The Princess Yasmini made no offer to come with us, but lounged among
the cushions reveling in mischievous enjoyment. Whatever the Gray
Mahatma's real motive, there was no possible doubt about hers; she was
looking forward to a tangible, material profit.

The Gray Mahatma led the way through the door by which we had entered,
stalking along in his saff