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told about it. He suggested staying on to lunch with the Shaikh, which was obviously the last thing that the Shaikh
wanted, so I said I'd take him back, as his excuse was that he had no car, as he had deliberately sent away his taxi, he
was very sick at being removed but couldnt refuse to go. Work in the office when I got back. Had an interview with
Abdel Nebi Bushire asking him to give back a piece of ground on the sea road which the Shaikh sold to him when I
was away and now said that he sold thinking it to be another site. He was very indignant and asked for two days to
reply. He bought it for Rs 3700 and has now been offered Rs 25,000. Went out to Mohamed Yatim's garden in the
evening and then for a bathe. I had to see Yatim about some ground he wants. The garden was nice but no flowers.
Had some good grapes. Went over to see Prior in the evening after dinner about the Khalid case and the other ones.

Monday 17th June

Office shut but spent the morning with Nairan over the Budget work. Went up to the wireless in the afternoon thinking
I was playing tennis there but a mistake so went out in the car to Idari taking de Malo to show him some repairs I want
done. D.G. asked himself to dinner and in the evening we took two of the flying men down the town to see the
matems. They were very interested never having seen such a show before. They had the whole procession with
torches and lamps which looked even more effective than at daytime as much that is tawdry was hidden. We didnt get
back till one oclock.

Tuesday 18th June. 10th Muharram

Worked for some time at the annual returns and then went down to see the Muharram procession. Shaikh Abdulla
called in the morning to talk about the trial of the Khalifa Shaikhs, he was quite agreable to being on the court. The
show was very good. I took a lot of photos of it so hope some will come out. I did not go onto the roof of the Jew's
house but stayed down below in the crowd, with Pennings who happened to be there. We went in and watched them
cutting themselves with swords and then went back and saw the procession from the square in the shade of the big
mosque. The crowd came so near that Pennings got his shirt all splattered with the blood of the swordsmen. When it
was over we cut back and saw it pass again near one of the Shia mosques. As they passed one man fell down in a sort
of faint. It really is a very interesting show. Prior went off in the aeroplane but came back just before lunch as it was
so very foggy and difficult to see. Played tennis at the Agency in the afternoon with Pennings as my partner, did fairly
well. Prior came round in the evening. I went along to Mespers with him after the tennis and got one game there and
some Bridge. The boat is out at the outer anchorage as it is unloading some arms for Ibn Saoud. It is supposed to be
very mysterious and secret but I expect all the world will know about it in a few days.

Wednesday 19th [June]

Manama Biladya meeting instead of yesterday. Prior went off in the morning in the sea plane. Dull meeting. Shaikh
Mohamed presided and some of the members took me aside and pointed out that according to the constitution of the
Biladya the President should be elected by them. An opportunity of getting Mohamed out and Abdulla in his place.
Tennis at Mespers. Mrs Straker very angry because some of the people were playing in the tournament on her day.
D.G. asked me to "knaw a bone" but I declined on the excuse of the mail coming in, the Strakers also asked me to
dinner but I had to refuse as I had refused him. I wish he wouldnt ask me so often, I do so prefer my own meals. Mail
arrived in the evening, not much of one.