Next he asked “What route did you take in entering Tibet?”
“By way of Mānasarovara,” answered I.
At this he evinced signs of suppressed excitement, and asked quickly: “And what was the route you took in reaching Mānasarovara?”
“Sir,” I replied, “I cannot answer that question, except in the presence of the King.”
“Why?”
“Because I do not wish to bring trouble on innocent parties.”
The other officers then took turns in catechising me as to the manners and customs, national characteristics, and military organisation of Tibet and of Japan. I heard them say in Nepālese that I must be an emissary of the Japanese Government.
Presently we were told to proceed to the court of audience, whither the rest of the assembly were now hurrying. I proceeded as far as a portal, where I observed a large number of the provincial dignitaries of Nepāl (as I subsequently found them to be) salāaming in the most respectful manner. I also noticed one man in the crowd who appeared greatly astonished to see me there: he was the chief of the district of Tukje, in whose house I stayed when on my way to Tibet, and when I went to him in no better capacity than a begging Chinese Lama.
The Prime-Minister King had finished examining the horses sent in as a tribute and sat down on a sofa, and I advanced to his presence. He asked me:
“What can I do for you now?”