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AMANULLAH

But the Russian was following his Government's
policy. For some reason, it was not thought advisable
that Amanullah's crazy reforms should be heard by
unsympathetic ears or read by eyes which might see
the humour of the fantastic situation. I had the news
to myself, when four days later that story went to
London from a telegraph office no less than seven
hundred miles further south.

I left the Russian still more convinced that there was
little of interest in the day for European consumption.
He did not know that I was already drafting in my
head the first story that would reach England of Aman-
ullah's determined step towards disaster. I had already
decided to predict his downfall and ignominious failure.
For uppermost in my mind was the thought of that
lonely mullah on the peak overlooking the valley of
fantasy.

Pierri and I made our way back to Paghman and the
hotel.

" What next ? " he asked. " What further diversion
can the new Government offer for our entertainment ? "

It was then that I learnt the thrilling news that, in
addition to novel constitutions and military displays,
there would be lit in Afghanistan that night the flame
of the drama. The capital was to have its first Euro-
pean play.

Into the hotel there came a small and weary company
of mummers. They filed disconsolately from a dusty
motor lorry that had stopped at the porch. There were
four men and three women. They wore the unhappy
look of artistes on tour, and did they but know it, they
had surely arrived at the rock bottom of the actor's
descent into oblivion.

But they were to make history. They were to be
responsible for the first theatrical performance ever given

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