From now on , day by day , he will lose his manners if he is kept at tricks . Drop the rein on his back and let go , ' said the horse-dealer . ` We need him . ' ` But he is so young , Mahbub -- not more than sixteen -- is he ? ' ` When I was fifteen , I had shot my man and begot my man , Sahib . ' ` You impenitent old heathen ! ' Creighton turned to Lurgan . The black beard nodded assent to the wisdom of the Afghan 's dyed scarlet . ' I should have used him long ago , ' said Lurgan . ` The younger the better . That is why I always have my really valuable jewels watched by a child . You sent him to me to try . I tried him in every way : he is the only boy I could not make to see things . ' ` In the crystal -- in the ink-pool ? ' demanded Mahbub . ` No . Under my hand , as I told you . That has never happened before . It means that he is strong enough -- but you think it skittles , Colonel Creighton -- to make anyone do anything he wants . And that is three years ago .
I have taught him a good deal since , Colonel XXXXX .
Afghan Creighton Lurgan Mahbub Sahib anything day horse-dealer ink-pool jewels