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exaggerated emphasis as if he was reciting a nursery rhyme, ‘is it grows in the East and the East is the place to be.’ His uncle leaned back in his chair and crossed his large pudgy hands under his chin, while beaming angelically across at his nephew.
    ‘For the last twenty years, the world has been shrinking, dear boy. We have made Europe our playground and penetrated the very frozen wastes of the Poles. We are taming America, Africa and the Antipodes and driving adventures into hiding. But in the East, there is a great game afoot. The East has always drawn Layards and it is in the East that Layard talents can blossom.
    ‘That is why, dear boy, if you must insist on following the law, then it must be in the East – and not as some petty solicitor, but as a barrister.’
    ‘I am not sure that I am yet qualified to consider the Bar, uncle.’
    ‘That may be so, dear boy, which is the reason why I have taken it upon myself to arrange your appointment. There is a position waiting for you as a barrister in Ceylon.’ His uncle paused and gazed archly at his nephew, who was quite speechless.
    ‘No need to thank me, dear boy. I had to do something to get you out of the clutches of Austen. Besides,’ Layard fancied that his uncle blushed ever so slightly, ‘I felt some obligation to Sara to do right by you.
    ‘There is a young man named Mitford who is also travelling to the East and in whom the Society has also recognised some faint worth. I suggest that you take the opportunity to travel overland together rather than by sea as this will give you the occasion to exorcise some of your more adolescent notions of adventure. While you are at it, there may be one or two small services that you might do to the Society; maps that need updating, relics that might bear investigation – that sort of thing.’
    ‘I don’t know what to say uncle. Of course I would be-‘
    ‘Well, that is settled, then. The Society will arrange a passport for you with Palmerston and will let you know what small things they may wish you to survey on your travels. In the meantime, I suggest you learn Arabic and Persian.’ He suddenly sprang to his feet with an agility belying his size. Fumbling in his pocket, he produced a stained and crumpled sheet of paper, which he thrust into Layard’s hand.
    ‘Here, I almost forgot. Sir Charles Fellows has thoughtfully made a list of the equipment that you might purchase to make the best use of your time while travelling.’
    Layard read aloud from the list.
    ‘A pocket sextant, a prismatic compass, a telescope, an artificial horizon, a set of thermometers, an aneroid barometer and a silver watch.’
    ‘Silver,’ repeated his uncle, ‘and paint it black, just for good measure.’ He tripped towards the door and opened it with a flourish, indicating that it was time for their appointment to end.
    ‘Oh yes,’ said his uncle, as Layard walked past him, through the open door. ‘Best get yourself a gun too. A big one.’
     
    *                      *                      *
     
    ‘Effendi!’
    Antonio’s voice broke Layard’s reverie. He looked up, to see that the three goats had finished their grazing on the olive tree and were now standing a few yards away, staring curiously at him. He looked around for his dragoman.
    ‘Effendi, the bastinado is over. All the visitors have left the house. The Colonel wishes to see you at his pleasure.’
    Layard swung his legs over the edge of the rock and jumped lightly to his feet. A few yards down the path that led from the town, stood Antonio, carrying a skin of water. Across the valley, the shadows were lengthening.
     

C HAPTER 2
     
    I N THE LATE AFTERNOON LIGHT, THE CAMELS CAST LONG, GROTESQUE SHADOWS across the barren, twisted landscape that stretched out before the travellers. Despite their complete lack of vegetation, the hills and ravines writhed in an orgy of wild colours. Deep reds, violent oranges, soft ochre