"
"You have not proceeded far, brother. How do you come to be
unacquainted with our presence in England?"
"I cannot say."
"What work has been allotted to you?"
"None."
"Never?"
"Never."
"More and more strange," murmured the Hindu, watching Nicol Brinn
through the gold-rimmed spectacles which he wore. "I have only
known one other case. Such cases are dangerous, brother."
"No blame attaches to me," replied Nicol Brinn.
"I have not said so," returned Rama Dass. "But in the Seventh
Kama all brothers must work. A thousand lives are as nothing so
the Fire lives. We had thought our information perfect, but only
by accident did we learn of your existence."
"Indeed," murmured Nicol Brinn, coldly.
Not even this smiling Hindu gentleman, whose smile concealed so
much, could read any meaning in those lack-lustre eyes, nor
detect any emotion in that high, cool voice.
"A document was found, and in this it was recorded that you bore
upon your arm the sign of the Seventh Kama."
"'Tis Fire that moves the grains of dust," murmured Nicol Brinn,
tonelessly, "which one day make a mountain for the gods."
Rama Dass stood up at once and repeated his strange gesture of
salutation, which Nicol Brinn returned ceremoniously; and resumed
his seat at the table.
"You are advanced beyond your grade, brother," he said. "You are
worthy the next step. Do you wish to take it?"
"Every little drop swells the ocean," returned Nicol Brinn.
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