Simla, although I should say it is a hundred
times as large as yours, and although we have an enormous dynamo to
give the energy as against your box of batteries."

The Germans, who were clustered all about their chief, kept straight
faces, but their eyes popped round and their mouths grew stiff with
the effort to suppress emotion.

"This, Your Highness, is the last new invention," said the German
chief.

"Then my engineers shall look at it," said the amir, "for we wish to
keep abreast of the inventions. As you remarked just now, we are a
little shut off from the world. We must not let slip such
opportunities for education." And then and there he made his
engineers go forward to inspect everything, he scarce concealing his
merriment; and the Germans stood aside, looking like thieves caught
in the act while the workings were disclosed of such a wireless
apparatus as might serve to teach beginners.

"It might serve perhaps between one village and the next, while the
batteries persisted," they said, reporting to the amir presently.
The amir laughed, but I thought he looked puzzled-perplexed, rather
than displeased. He turned to Ranjoor Singh:

"And you are a liar, too?" he asked.

"Nay, Your Royal Highness, I speak truth," said Ranjoor Singh,
saluting him in military manner.

"Then what do you wish?" asked the amir. "Do you wish to be
interned, seeing this is neutral soil on which you trespass?"

"Nay, Your Royal Highness," answered Ranjoor Singh, with a curt
laugh, "we have had enough of prison camps."

"Then what shall be done with you?" the amir asked. "Here are men
from both sides, and how shall I be neutral?"

The German chief stepped forward and saluted.

"Your Royal Highness, we desire to be interned," he said. But the
amir glowered savagely.

"Peace!" said he. "I asked you nothing, one string of lies was
enough! I asked thee a question," he said, turning again to Ranjoor
Singh.

"Since Your Royal Highness asks," said Ranjoor Singh, "it would be a
neutral act to let us each leave your dominions by whichever road we
will!"

The amir laughed and turned to his attendants, who laughed with him.

"That is good," said he. "So let it be. It is an order!"

So it came about, sahib, that the Germans and ourselves were ordered
hotfoot out of the amir's country. But whereas there was only one
way the Germans could go, viz, back into Persia, there to help
themselves as best they could, the road Ranjoor Sing