In the end, Socal's patience became exhausted and the company decided to take matters into its own hands. In company with Karl Twitchell whom Socal had retained, Lloyd N. Hamilton, a senior Socal executive, arrived in Jeddah.

Hamilton was to face competition from the Iraq Petroleum Company. The company sent its own representative, Stephen Longrigg.

And Major Frank Holmes arrived, representing his own syndicate, the Eastern and General.

Holmes' visit was brief and unproductive. Ibn Saud considered that Holmes still owed 6,000 pounds sterling from his original concession, and there was little likelihood that Holmes would be able to conduct any further business in the Kingdom until he had discharged this debt. Abdullah Suleiman made this clear to Holmes who had the sense to pack his bags and leave on the next available ship, sailing out of the Kingdom's history for ever.

• Next