But this autumn I heard that the Sultan of the Maldive Islands intended to make the pilgrimage.

He was a friend of mine.
I waited for him at Suez, and he reluctantly consented to take me." "So you went to Mecca," exclaimed Ralston.
"Yes; I have just come from Mecca.

As I told you, I only landed at Calcutta last night." Ralston was silent for a few moments.
"I think you may be able to help me," he said at length.

"There's a man here in Calcutta," and Ralston related what he knew of the history of Shere Ali, dwelling less upon the unhappiness and isolation of the Prince than upon the political consequences of his isolation.
"He has come to grief in Chiltistan," he continued.

"He won't marry--there may be a reason for that.