Robin raised his head, and saw with surprise that he was not alone.
A high cap added to the Persian's appearance of lofty stature. His dress was rich, but of less gaudy colours than Persians usually affect, and a silver-hilted sword, a sign of rank, hung by the Amir's side. To Robin's surprise, he was addressed in his own tongue, which the stranger spoke with tolerable correctness, though slowly and with Oriental accent.
"You are an Englishman," said the Amir; "how came you hither?" The voice of Ali was low and rich.
Robin rose to his feet to reply. "I and my party were seized by Bedouins yesterday," he said. "She," glancing at the body, "fell ill, so was left behind."
"And you?"
"Of course I stayed to help her."
"A mother has claims," said Ali in a low tone of voice; "no doubt the lady is your mother?"
Robin shook his head in reply.
"Then a near relation?"
"No; a few weeks ago I did not know that there was such a being in the world."