EX-KING OF AFGHANISTAN

He went to the Rolls-Royce works at Derby, and was
so pleased by the interest of the workpeople that he
did conjuring tricks for their amusement. He was apt
and clever. He was beginning to find the humour that
lurks only a little way beneath the dignity of every
Englishman. He showed humour and skill at his new
parlour tricks. He was finding his feet among English
crowds, so strange at first. Only once was he late for
an appointment. The careful guidance of Sir Francis
Humphrys saved him from many a pitfall. And it was
his old boyishness and good spirits that unfortunately
kept him ten minutes late for a meeting with the Duke
of York.

So the weeks passed pleasantly enough until the 16th
of March, when a scare story brightened the front pages
of the newspapers. It was to the effect that trouble had
broken out in Kabul. The rumour was promptly and
indignantly denied. It is doubtful whether Amanullah
gave the rumour much thought. He was by now ob-
sessed by one idea only, and that was to see as much
of the English as he could. He was enjoying himself
thoroughly. He had, he felt certain, made a great im-
pression on the English. Troubles in his own country
could wait. If there were unappreciative Afghans who
did not realise the benefit of their King's visits to the
theatres and cathedrals of England, then they must
conceal their unpatriotic sentiments.

He must have realised that the day of reckoning
would come. Finances already indicated its imminence.
The troops were in arrears with their pay. Much of the
ready money collected for the trip was due to be repaid.
Credit was good, but the huge orders booked with Euro-
pean firms would prove a severe drain on future receipts.
Very little had been paid for. The importunate were
told that it was slightly impertinent to ask for a

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