The second installment in the George Hart series is set during the Second Anglo-Afghan War, of 1878-1880Back in England following his heroics in the Zulu War, George Hart is summoned to a new adventure when the Prime Minister asks him to go on a secret mission to Afghanistan, where the British fear discontent rebels are poised to overthrow the local ruler and threaten the jewel in the Imperial crown, India. Hart has severe misgivings. Always an outsider in British society, he doesn't like Whitehall's arrogant way of meddling in other people's religious and political affairs. But, desperate for money, he takes the job and descends the Khyber Pass into a strange and mystic land. When his warnings are ignored by the pompous British Resident in Kabul, a terrible massacre occurs, and soon Hart is on the run with a beautiful Afghan princess, in a race to prevent an uprising and head off a catastrophic British invasion.words : 94312