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1927

on him. Had a most pleasant interesting visit, he is one of the leading pearl merchants, rather dark with a touch of negro
blood but a fine well mannered dignified man, & always so spotlessly clean. Excellent coffee & tea & little biscuits &
chocolates. The Agency clerk, a nasty looking Persian, was there when I arrived but seemed scared & soon fled. Later
Koseibi & some others came in, he is Bin Saoud's agent here, & we had a most interesting talk about cotton, the idea of a
bridge over to Muharraq, & new road etc etc. He is one of the most intelligent men here & a good talker. Stayed for nearly
two hours & then looked in at the Mission for tea. A queer cloudy day with a few drops of rain. A German boat in.

Tuesday 5th April

The Shaikh sent his launch but earlier than I expected so drove round to the Fort to get Parke & the Superintendent, Sultan
Ahmed the Indian officer who I got at Jhelum. Went across to Muharraq; met by various officials, the Amir & others & then
went up to Shaikh Isa's taking with us Haji Seggar my old Arab Head Clerk. Isa was less difficult than I have ever found him.
He was as usual alone in his little Meglis, a small upper room above the street in which crowds of negros were dancing with
swords & guns & beating drums. A line of chairs along both sides of the room, he on one side & we opposite to him. He
looked a lot older than when I called last year, of course the fast must be very trying for an old man of over 80, but he still
enjoys hunting & rides with the silugis after hare on a donkey. I had brought him some telegrams from the wireless,