The Argosy, Vol. 64

This is Chapter XIX of Sydney C. Grier's serial "Peace with Honour," a novel set in Ethiopia concerning an English diplomatic mission. Stratford, temporarily commanding the mission after the envoy's illness, encounters Abd-ur-Rahim, Governor of the fortress Bir-ul-Malik, who insists on offering hospitality to the party—ostensibly following orders from the capital to assist the English Queen's mission. Stratford suspects ulterior motives: Abd-ur-Rahim refused to share food with them before inviting them to the fort, and Stratford glimpses hidden armed men behind the rocks. Stratford persuades his more aggressive companion Dick that cooperation is wiser than violence, especially given the party includes women and a sick chief. The group accepts the invitation and is escorted to the citadel, where Abd-ur-Rahim assigns them quarters in the governor's palace—a placement that concerns Stratford as it complicates escape routes.