CHAPTER XXIII.
THE DINNER AT GALETTI'S "I Have heard of you so much," Mr.Marker said, "and it was a lucky chance which brought me to Bardur to meet you." They had taken their cigars out to the verandah, and were drinking the strong Persian coffee, with a prospect before them of twinkling town lights, and a mountain line of rock and snow.

Their host had put on evening clothes and wore a braided dinner-jacket which gave the faintest touch of the foreigner to his appearance.

At dinner he had talked well of a score of things.

He had answered George's questions on sport with the readiness of an expert; he had told a dozen good stories, and in an easy, pleasant way he had gossiped of books and places, people and politics.

His knowledge struck both men as uncanny.