"They sound like a formidable if quarrelsome people, sir. Yet I rather liked Batoor, the Pashtun I worked with."
"I respect them beyond all other peoples I have ever met, Windrush, except perhaps the Sikhs. They have no mercy to the loser, offer hospitality to any traveller, follow blood feuds to the death, and keep their code. If you have a Pashtun for a friend, you have a friend for life, or until he decides otherwise." Hook finished his brandy, looked at the decanter, shook his head in sorrow, and pushed it away. "Now, you will be wondering what all this has to do with you."
"I am, sir."
"Open that first case." Hook indicated the brass-bound case that sat on the floor.
The padlock was already open. The case contained a dozen Enfield rifles.
"Enfields, sir."
"Exactly what we don"t
