‘And hereupon the old man added an expression of his never-ceasing regret that he had not availed himself of his opportunity when in Thibet of endeavouring to persuade Mr. Homi to exercise his wonderful power upon him, either by transporting him wholly from the Yahoo regions, or, possibly, by transmuting him into a less hateful form. “I have never ceased to mourn over my stupidity in this respect,” he said, “and, were I only able for it, I should gladly repeat my visit to Thibet. But I am far too old to venture on the fatigues of such a journey. As for you, however, the case is quite different; you are an active and energetic man; and should you think it worth your while to try what might be done in your behalf in the way I have suggested, I will gladly give you a letter which will enable you to pass without hindrance from the Brotherhood to the head-quarters of Mr. Homi.” I thanked him very much for his offer, and asked him to let me think the matter over till next day, when I should give him my answer. ‘The more I reflected on my friend’s kind offer the better was I pleased with the prospect of the journey. Inasmuch as life had become well-nigh intolerable, I cared but little for fatigue and danger. My time also was wholly at my own disposal. So next morning I told the Parsee that I gladly accepted his proposal; and he, without any delay, not only wrote the promised letter of introduction, but also drew up for my use an itinerary of the most convenient road from Bombay to Eastern Thibet, containing notices of the towns, distances, and various peculiarities of the countries through which it was necessary to pass.’ [At this point the memoranda assume a very fragmentary form. This I have observed to be always the case when the doctor was actually engaged in travelling. When stationed for a time in some fixed locality he wrote out his observations pretty fully; but whenever he was moving about, mere hints are available for the guidance of the editor. His journey was evidently very long and arduous, and it certainly occupied several months. In its course many obstacles were plainly put in his way by the natives of the different territories which he had to traverse; and the annoyance thence arising greatly ruffled his temper, and seems to have increased to an almost incredible extent his abhorrence of the human race. At last his indomitable energy and perseverance were successful. He reached the mysterious Thibetian region; and, having exhibited the old Parsee’s letter, he was permitted by the Brotherhood to pass to the residence of their chief. Koot Homi received the doctor in a very friendly manner, and even declined to inspect his letter of introduction, assuring him that the chief of the occult Brotherhood had no need to do so. Van Varken seems to have resided with the chief for about five months, and was evidently admitted to great intimacy with the whole of the Brotherhood.