"Most certainly it is."
"Your own countrymen told me so." At this there was a roar of laughter, in which the Khan joined.
The durbar-room of Kelát reminded me of an English court of justice. When the Khan laughed his courtiers did, and vice versâ. After an interval of more snuff-taking and whispering, the Khan drew forth and examined my watch. Taking this for a polite hint that the interview had lasted long enough, I rose to go, but was at once thrust back into my chair by Azim. "You are not to go," said the Wazir. "The Khan is much interested by you."
"Dhuleep Singh is in Russia, is he not?" then asked the Khan.
"Yes."
"What does Russia pay him a year?"
"I do not know."
"More than England did?"
"I do not know."
"You English never do know anything," muttered the Khan, impatiently; adding, "Do you know the Czar of Russia?"