A jug of tea was handed him.
“Anything else you wish from us now?” we inquired of the Tibetan, who, while pretending to sip the tea, was counting the number of my men, was trying to see how many rifles we had, and was taking in everything all round with his ferreting eyes. But although he was a splendid actor, his infirmities, I had detected at once, were all put on for the occasion.
“Can I be allowed to prowl around your camp and see what I can pick up—anything you have thrown away?”
“Yes, certainly; but mind you do not pick more than you expect.”
A Tibetan Spy in the Disguise of a Beggar approaching the Author’s Camp
The man crawled about camp—I ordered my men to pretend not to notice him—while I observed him closely, all the time pretending to be busy writing. By means of a small looking-glass I could watch his movements even when he was behind me. The fellow was examining all my baggage carefully, and especially our rifles which lay about. Having persuaded himself that none of us were looking at him, he raised the flap of my tent and had a good look inside. When he [[177]]had finished his inspection he came to bid me good-bye.
“Have you had all you want, do you think?” I asked him.
“Yes, indeed. He was grateful. He now wanted to go.”
“Before you go, I want to give you a remembrance to teach you that when you accept people’s hospitality you should not practise treachery.”