Because then I shall indent for him . ' ` That is what he must learn at Lucknow . ' ` Then order him to be jolly-dam ' - quick . Good-night , Lurgan . ' The Babu swung out with the gait of a bogged cow . When they were telling over the day 's list of visitors , Lurgan Sahib asked Kim who he thought the man might be . ` God knows ! ' said Kim cheerily . The tone might almost have deceived Mahbub Ali , but it failed entirely with the healer of sick pearls . ` That is true . God , He knows ; but I wish to know what you think . ' Kim glanced sideways at his companion , whose eye had a way of compelling truth . ` I -- I think he will want me when I come from the school , but ' -- confidentially , as Lurgan Sahib nodded approval -- ' I do not understand how he can wear many dresses and talk many tongues . ' ` Thou wilt understand many things later . He is a writer of tales for a certain Colonel . His honour is great only in Simla , and it is noticeable that he has no name , but only a number and a letter -- that is a custom among us . ' ` And is there a price upon his head too -- as upon Mah -- all the others ? ' ` Not yet ; but if a boy rose up who is now sitting here and went -- look , the door is open ! -- as far as a certain house with a red-painted veranda , behind that which was the old theatre in the Lower Bazar , and whispered through the shutters : `` Hurree Chunder Mookerjee bore the bad news of last month '' , that boy might take away a belt full of rupees . ' ` How many ? '
said XXXXX promptly .
Ali Babu Bazar Kim Lucknow Lurgan Mah Mookerjee Sahib Simla