The Padre went indoors for cheroots . Creighton heard Kim say bitterly : ` Trust a Brahmin before a snake , and a snake before an harlot , and an harlot before a Pathan , Mahbub Ali . ' ` That is all one . ' The great red beard wagged solemnly . ` Children should not see a carpet on the loom till the pattern is made plain . Believe me , Friend of all the World , I do thee great service . They will not make a soldier of thee . ' ` You crafty old sinner ! ' thought Creighton . ` But you 're not far wrong . That boy must n't be wasted if he is as advertised . ' ` Excuse me half a minute , ' cried the Padre from within , ` but I 'm gettin ' the documents in the case . ' ` If through me the favour of this bold and wise Colonel Sahib comes to thee , and thou art raised to honour , what thanks wilt thou give Mahbub Ali when thou art a man ? ' ` Nay , nay ! I begged thee to let me take the Road again , where I should have been safe ; and thou hast sold me back to the English . What will they give thee for blood-money ? ' ' A cheerful young demon ! ' The Colonel bit his cigar , and turned politely to Father Victor . ` What are the letters that the fat priest is waving before the Colonel ? Stand behind the stallion as though looking at my bridle ! '
said Mahbub XXXXX . '
Ali Kim Padre Pathan Sahib World blood-money cheroots harlot minute