Shere Ali advanced to meet him.
"Huzoor, huzoor," said the man, bending low, and he raised Shere Ali's hand and pressed his forehead upon it, in sign of loyalty.
"You wish to speak to me ?" said Shere Ali.
"If your Highness will deign to follow.

I am Ahmed Ismail.

Your Highness has heard of me, no doubt." Shere Ali did not so much as smile, nor did he deny the statement.

He nodded gravely.

After all, vanity was not the prerogative of his people alone in all the world.
"Yes," he said, "I will follow." Ahmed Ismail crossed the road once more out of the lights into the shadows, and walked on, keeping close to the lines of houses.