"Thanks," replied Polwhele, and then he added with mock gravity; "two of the golden rules of my simple domestic economy are, a cheroot and glass of stiff brandy-pawnee before switching the mosquito curtains and turning in; and a cup of cold tea, with a wet towel about my temples before morning parade; or at least, such used to be my custom, before we came to this Arctic and Afghan, rather than Orient region." "And considering late hours immoral, you always come into quarters _early_ in the morning." "A third golden rule--precisely so, old fellow," replied the other as he assumed his sword and forage-cap. He was about to go, when Waller's servant, a soldier in livery, appeared to announce that a native wished "to speak with the Sahibs Waller and Polwhele on particular business." "Now, what can the nigger want?" asked Polwhele; "a Parsee money-lender perhaps--have you been flying kites, Bob?" "Show him in, Brooklands," said Waller; "he is no less a personage than Taj Mohammed Khan. He expressed a wish to see us yesterday, when I met him near the gate of the Shah Bagh;* so remain for a few minutes, Jack." * Royal Garden. "Khan--is he a chief?" asked Denzil. "Not at all," replied Waller; "it is used as Esquire with us--a title given in England to every fellow who wears a black coat; so everybody is a Khan (_i.e._ noble) in Cabul. The world of snobbery reproduces itself everywhere; and here he comes stroking his long beard with an air of solemn satisfaction," he added, as an Afghan gentleman of tall and imposing appearance, was ushered into the apartment, making low salams as he advanced. CHAPTER III. THE WARNING. The Afghan who entered was tall and muscular, but spare in person and was a very good representation of his active, bold and warlike race. His features were keen and sharp; his nose thin and aquiline; his eyes, black, glittering and piercing; but his complexion was scarcely darker than that of an ordinary Spaniard or French Catalan. The scalp of his head was shaved; but this peculiarity of the Soonies--an orthodox Mohammedan sect in opposition to the Persians who are followers of Ali--was concealed by his head-dress, a _loonghee_, or cloth worn turbanwise, of a bright blue check with a red border and drooping gold fringe.