The Mavericks were incurable practical jokers ; and it occurred to the Englishman that silence was best till he had made complete inquiry . ` Why , it 's a boy ! ' he said , as he drew his prize under the light of the tent-pole lantern , then shaking him severely cried : ` What were you doing ? You 're a thief . Choor ? Mallum ? ' His Hindustani was very limited , and the ruffled and disgusted Kim intended to keep to the character laid down for him . As he recovered his breath he was inventing a beautifully plausible tale of his relations to some scullion , and at the same time keeping a keen eye on and a little under the Chaplain 's left arm-pit . The chance came ; he ducked for the doorway , but a long arm shot out and clutched at his neck , snapping the amulet-string and closing on the amulet . ` Give it me . O , give it me . Is it lost ? Give me the papers . ' The words were in English -- the tinny , saw-cut English of the native-bred , and the Chaplain jumped . ' A scapular , ' said he , opening his hand . ` No , some sort of heathen charm . Why -- why , do you speak English ? Little boys who steal are beaten . You know that ? ' ' I do not -- I did not steal . '
XXXXX danced in agony like a terrier at a lifted stick .
Chaplain Choor English Englishman Hindustani Kim Mallum Mavericks amulet-string scullion