EX-KING OF AFGHANISTAN

doubt to seize the throne ! For was he not right, this
leader of the hillmen, when he promised victory in a
few hours, riches for all, and a restoration of free religion
for the righteous Afghan 1 And they lined the streets
and cheered when he rode by, the conqueror, on his
lean mountain pony, swaggering and swashbuckling,
revelling in the terrible physical ugliness that marked
him from his fellows.

What if he was the son of a water-carrier 1 What if
he was unclean in the sight of God 1 He was a fighter,
and he had expelled an impious King.

But he did not march to the Palace and demand the
body of the five-day King. He did not give to the
people the second-best vengeance that they could wreak
on the family of their hated ruler. There were no
Royal executions in the streets, and the more blood-
thirsty, who had been licking their lips in anticipation
of seeing yet another crucifixion, were dismayed when
he turned aside and had conference with the leading
men in his small but efficient war council.

And during that day the second prospective victim
of the Afghan mob flitted from Kabul.

The great bombing 'plane, this time with the British
circles on its wings, landed near the British Legation.
There was little time to lose, for Bacha Sachao would
have difficulty in preventing his hordes from pouncing
on the body of their prey.

Seven men, seven women, and eight children stole
out of the Palace. They were hustled into the machine.
There were none to see them go. And the engines
roared as the 'plane lifted and set its nose to the south.

But if he let him escape, Bacha Sachao did not
intend to allow Inayatullah far out of his sight. He
was in a position to make terms after conceding to him
the right to flee from the throne.

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