He never overlooked a chance of doing it.
"Staff-Captain Ali Mirza is not here.

What should a Madman want with him ?" "He is not very mad--only stupid.

He carries a message for the captain." "But the captain is not here.

He has not been here." "He will come." "How should a deaf-and-dumb man deliver a message ?" "It is in writing." "Very well.

He may leave the writing with me.