Hindustani intrigue: information from the British Agent: offer of assistance: measures for protection: further intrigue. The “Royal manner.” The two factions: Habibullah: Mahomed Omer. The question of succession. Return to the City House and English Society: the cold of Kabul. The naked beggar boy. The old Kabul bridge. The question of “bleeding.” Disbanding of a Shiah regiment. Amîr’s advice to his sons. Improvement in Amîr’s health. The Hindustani again: Sabbath. The Afghan noble as workshop superintendent. New Year sports. The grand stand: the crowd: refreshments. Horse-racing: collisions. Tent pegging and its dangers. Lemon slicing. Displays of horsemanship. Amîr’s absence from the sports. The Naû Rôz levee. Salaam to the Sultana. Amîr in the Salaam Khana: reception of the Maleks and merchants: presents. The Princes standing before the Amîr. Reception of the English engineers: the “White-beard:” his age: the Amîr’s surprise. CHAPTER XXVI. A KABUL SPRING Spring clothing: a grateful Afghan. Poison bowls. A haunted house: the skeleton in the garden. Increase of patients. Called to the Palace: Amîr’s costume. Troubles of a Ruler: Secretary in disgrace. Amîr’s plans for the future. Geologists in the service. Occidental v. Oriental. Mercantile commissions. The Armenian’s leave. The locusts. Prince Mahomed Omer and his Lâla. The Palace gardens. A military Durbar. Amîr’s thoughtfulness. A portrait. Amîr’s opinion of his people: education of his soldiers. The arrest: murder of the prisoner: the Amîr’s decision. Ramazàn. Rising of the river. The Íd Festival. The Physician’s plans: the Amîr’s comment. Prince Habibullah’s portrait: Prince Nasrullah’s portrait: his remark. CHAPTER XXVII. ON LEAVE The last Durbar: the Amîr’s remark: a wedding present. The journey down. An awful day: “difficult hot.” Exhaustion. The work of the locusts. The breeding establishment: a study in colour. An illegal march. Simla. The Despatch. Dinners and dances. The study of character. The Armenian in London. Return to India. CHAPTER XXVIII. THE WELCOME TO KABUL Pathan rifle thieves. Dacca. The midnight alarm: the melée. “Bally rascals.” The next morning. The terror of the Amîr’s name. Running postmen. Kabul post. Armenian’s opinion of London. Changes in the English “staff.” Visitors: letters. Lady doctor’s application. Salaam to the Amîr. His Highness’s welcome. The military Durbar. Presents. The new British Agent. Visit to the Sultana. Salaam to Prince Habibullah. Another visit to the Amîr: his appreciation of scenic effect. His answer to the lady doctor’s application. CHAPTER XXIX. THE CHOLERA