“I’m not surprised,” he rejoined; “I’ve heard more than once of these white _pongyes_. I dare say the chap will be as good as his word and will look you up; I foresee an interesting interview.” In about three weeks Roscoe’s prediction was verified. Returning home late one evening Shafto was struck by the unusually impressive appearance and gestures of the fat Madrassi butler who, beckoning him aside with an air of alarming mystery, informed him that “someone was in his room waiting to see his honour.” “In my room,” he repeated indignantly. “Why the mischief did you put him in there? Couldn’t he sit in the veranda, like other people?” “No, saar, he refused; he would not.” Shafto flung open the door of his apartment with a gesture of annoyance and, to his profound amazement, discovered the _pongye_ seated in easy comfort upon his bed. He was surrounded by an odd medicinal aromatic atmosphere, his sandals, begging-bowl and umbrella were carefully disposed beside him and he appeared to be thoroughly at home. “I thought I’d give ye a call, sorr, before I went up country. I’m off to Mandalay to-morrow on a pilgrimage.” “Oh, are you?” said Shafto, taking a seat and feeling at a complete loss what he was to say and how he was to handle this novel situation. “I thought,” resumed the _pongye_, “that I’d like to offer ye an explanation of the way I happened to be in that ’ere accident.” “Yes,” assented his host; “I suppose this,” pointing to his yellow gown with his stick, “is a fancy dress, for, of course, you are not a real _pongye_?” “Troth, I am so,” he rejoined with indignant emphasis; “I’ve been properly initiated—I know Burmese and the Pali language, and can intone a chant with anyone.” “All the same, you’re an Irishman and your speech bewrayeth you. I wonder you are not kicked out.” “Is it kick me out? No fear! For besides being well respected and well liked, I’m a magician.” “Oh, come, that’s all rot!” exclaimed Shafto impatiently. “’Tis not,” he rejoined in a vigorously defensive tone; “and ’tis little ye know. This is a queer country; the people are terribly superstitious and weak in themselves, on account of _nats_ and bad spirits.” “Oh, that I can believe,” replied Shafto; “your pals in the _gharry_ could tell you something about bad spirits.” “Wait now and I’ll explain,” said the _pongye_, with an intimate gesture of his great bony hand. “Sometimes I’ve a sort of ache to be mixing up with European soldiers—even if it’s only for a couple of hours.” After a pause he added in a thoughtful tone, “For ye see I was wance a soldier meself.” “What!”