But while he stood his eyes roamed inquisitively about the room.
"All this is strange to you, Rahat Mian," said Ralston.

"How long is it since you left your house in the Khyber Pass ?" "Five years, your Highness," said Rahat Mian, quietly, as though there were nothing very strange in so long a confinement within his doors.
"Have you never crossed your threshold for five years ?" asked Ralston.
"No, your Highness.

I should not have stepped back over it again, had I been so foolish.

Before, yes.

There was a deep trench dug between my house and the road, and I used to crawl along the trench when no-one was about.