He had entered without fear, just as now he stood, without fear, drawn up against the wall.
There was, indeed, a smile upon his face.

Then he reached out his hand.
Ahmed Ismail, who still stood afraid lest any of his family should have been disturbed, suddenly felt a light touch, like a caress, upon his face, and then before he could so much as turn his head, five strong lean fingers gripped him by the throat and tightened.
"Ahmed, I have enemies in Chiltistan," said Shere Ali, between a whisper and a laugh.

"The son of Abdulla Mohammed, for instance," and he loosened his grip a little upon Ahmed's throat, but held him still with a straight arm.

Ahmed did not struggle.

He whispered in reply: "I am not of your Highness's enemies.