I had not realised that he could be so closely connected with intrigues of such importance as this, or that independant native princes were likely to look upon him as a possible Emir of Afghanistan.

I had nothing to say, and I determined to keep to the part I was brought to perform, which was that of a witness, and nothing more.

If my advice were asked, I would speak boldly for Shere Ali's liberation and protest against the poor man being bought and sold in this way.

This train of thought reminded me of Isaacs' words when we left Miss Westonhaugh that morning.

"It is not often," he had said, "that you see such jewels bought and sold." No, indeed! "You see," said Isaacs, as we neared our destination, "Baithopoor is in my power, body and soul, for a word from me would expose him to the British Government as 'harbouring traitors,' as they would express it.
On the other hand, the fact that you, the third party, are a journalist, and could at a moment's notice give publicity to the whole thing, will be an additional safeguard.