"A precaution against robbers?" Monty asked, and I did not hear what
the German answered.

Rustum Khan laughed and drew me aside.

"Every German in these parts has a guard to protect him from his
own men, sahib! For a while on my journey westward I had charge
of a camp of recruited laborers. Therefore I know."

The German was immensely anxious to know all about us and our intentions.
He told us his name was Hans von Quedlinburg, plainly expecting us
to be impressed.

"I can direct you to good quarters, where you can rest comfortably
at every stage, if you will tell me your direction," he said.

But we did not tell him. Later, while we ate a meal, he came and
questioned our Turks very closely; but since they were in ignorance
they did not tell him either.

"Why do you travel with Armenian servants?" he asked us finally before
we moved away.

"We like 'em," said Monty.

"They'll only get you in trouble. We've dismissed all Armenian laborers
from the railway works. Not trustworthy, you know. Our agents are
out recruiting Moslems."

"What's the matter with Armenians?"