Preface
in Asia was an interest in Arabic grammar—a statement
rarely accepted in that candid spirit in which I offered it to
unconvinced enquirers.
I came to the conclusion that some more ascetic reason
than mere enjoyment should be found if one wishes to travel
in peace: to do things for fun smacks of levity, immorality
almost, in our utilitarian world. And though personally I
think the world is wrong, and I know in my heart of hearts
that it is a most excellent reason to do tilings merely because
one likes the doing of them, I would advise all those who
wish to see unwrinkled brows in passport offices to start out
ready labelled as entomologists, anthropologists, or whatever
other -ology they think suitable and propitious.
But as this book is intended for die Public, and is therefore
necessarily truthful, I must admit that for my own part I
travelled single-rnindedly for fun. I learned my scanty
Arabic for fim, and a little Persian—and then went for
the same reason to look for the Assassin castles and the
Luristan bronzes in the manner here related. And here I
would like to thank the much-tried, frequently accused, and
not unreasonably perplexed officials who came across me, for
much indulgence, not always unmixed with disapproval, but
invariably kind.
I have given events and impressions as they occurred, as
accurately as I could. This I am particularly anxious to say
in regard to the Treasure Hunt in Luristan, which might
otherwise be suspected of fantasy by readers unacquainted
with lands so sensational: the only alteration made there is
to disguise the situation of the treasure map and cave.
I have many to remember who were good to me in my
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