Go , sit among my Baltis , ' said Mahbub Ali , and the lama drifted off , soothed by the promise . ` Is he not quite mad ? ' said Kim , coming forward to the light again . ` Why should I lie to thee , Hajji ? ' Mahbub puffed his hookah in silence . Then he began , almost whispering : ` Umballa is on the road to Benares -- if indeed ye two go there . ' ` Tck ! Tck ! I tell thee he does not know how to lie -- as we two know . ' ` And if thou wilt carry a message for me as far as Umballa , I will give thee money . It concerns a horse -- a white stallion which I have sold to an officer upon the last time I returned from the Passes . But then -- stand nearer and hold up hands as begging -- the pedigree of the white stallion was not fully established , and that officer , who is now at Umballa , bade me make it clear . ' -LRB- Mahbub here described the horse and the appearance of the officer . -RRB- ` So the message to that officer will be : `` The pedigree of the white stallion is fully established . '' By this will he know that thou comest from me . He will then say `` What proof hast thou ? '' and thou wilt answer : `` Mahbub Ali has given me the proof . '' ' ` And all for the sake of a white stallion , ' said Kim , with a giggle , his eyes aflame . ` That pedigree I will give thee now -- in my own fashion and some hard words as well . ' A shadow passed behind Kim , and a feeding camel .
Mahbub XXXXX raised his voice .
Ali Baltis Benares Hajji Kim Mahbub Tck Umballa hookah lama