` Tell him where it is , and I give half an anna . ' The reed pen scratched busily . ` He can not mistake . ' The man lifted his head . ` Who watches us across the street ? ' Kim looked up hurriedly and saw Colonel Creighton in tennis-flannels . ` Oh , that is some Sahib who knows the fat priest in the barracks . He is beckoning me . ' ` What dost thou ? ' said the Colonel , when Kim trotted up . ` I -- I am not running away . I send a letter to my Holy One at Benares . ' ' I had not thought of that . Hast thou said that I take thee to Lucknow ? ' ` Nay , I have not . Read the letter , if there be a doubt . ' ` Then why hast thou left out my name in writing to that Holy One ? ' The Colonel smiled a queer smile . Kim took his courage in both hands . ` It was said once to me that it is inexpedient to write the names of strangers concerned in any matter , because by the naming of names many good plans are brought to confusion . '
` Thou hast been well taught , ' the Colonel replied , and XXXXX flushed . '
Benares Colonel Kim Lucknow Sahib hast left name priest tennis-flannels