EX-KING OF AFGHANISTAN

Amanullah himself had not been idle. Bombastic
and hopeful bulletins had been issued among the
tribesmen around Kandahar.

46 Help me to throw out this usurper ! " he had
appealed. " Afghans cannot be governed by the son
of a water-carrier. This is a brigand that presumes to
the throne. He is unclean in the sight of Allah. Do
not forget that by Royal Decree I have already rescinded
all the orders to which you objected.55

But it was no good. Might was right again in
Afghanistan, as it has always been. Bacha Sachao was
ruling, with the rifle and the torturing brand, in Kabul,
and there would be few who would venture to resist the
savagery of his men. He still lived on his reputation
as the Robin Hood of the hills. He emphasised his
right, as a man of the hills, to rule. He laid stress on
his primitiveness, and bade his men forget the heretical
lessons of the Western world which had been brought
for them into Kabul.

The true nature of Inayatullah showed itself in
Peshawar. Waiting for arrangements to be made for
his special train, he sat gloomily in a room in the small
local hotel. He shunned sightseers, and covered his
face when he was forced to leave the shelter of the room.
At the last minute he expressed the wish to stay in
India. He had had enough kingship. He was tired of
intrigue. Being a King had nearly cost him his life.
He was happy in peace and comfort. Such things as
ruling and the " divine right of kings " were not for
a man of his build and temperament.

But the agreement must be kept. Safe passage had
been given him only on condition that he returned to
Afghanistan and joined his brother at Kandahar. The
British authorities meant to see that he was kept to
his word. The amazing contract, between Great

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