Kims disguise is uncovered

[Note: I wrote this after getting back from a wedding. I was drunk.]

Kim carried the papers that brought war to India all the way to Umballa. When he hid in the bushes and delivered the papers to the sahib, by throwing them at his feet, Colonel Chreighton, he was secret, unknown, undistinguishable except by the sound of his voice. Then he travelled, met his father's old regiment and then he prophesied war to an unbelieving crowd. But he was proven right. This made him, a Hindi sahib and the lost-but-found son of a veteran, fascinating.

But he met Colonel Chreighton face-to-face through the vicar who lectured to him at the barracks, where he was first held after his capture by the regiment. And Colonel Chreigton took him to Lucknow, to a school. They talked a lot on the 24 hour journey, in Urdu, and Kipling reveals the Colonel has an interest in kim, and believes in his potential.

'… but thou are not yet tried.'

    'Not when I brought thee' – Kim actually dared to use the tum of equals – 'a white stallion's pedigree that night?'

    'Much is gained by forgetting, little brother.'

The Colonel knew. Kim has, for the first time, had his disguise lifted. Only to one man, but to a very powerful man who could lift Kim up, or dash him down.