Evidently some messenger had come in with news from the Tirah valley.

He knew, by this time, how many there were in the house, and was satisfied that they were all there.
He at once made his way down to the floor below; feeling confident that, for the moment, he would not be disturbed.

Hanging against the wall were several men's dresses and clothes.

He hastily took down sufficient for a disguise.

They were summer clothes--for the Afridis, when leaving to act against our troops in the mountains, wear sheepskin garments.