dispensation from Indian Government, had called
in great need for the ministration of the Hakima, and that of her friend,
Annesley Sahiba--for lo, unto him a child was to be born.

Carlin asked if she were needed at once--thinking of the many days and
the train at noontime. The messenger said that within four hours he was
told to deliver the Hakima and Annesley Sahiba at the palace door. He
followed along, and the elephant came behind him, as she walked toward
Margaret's bungalow. . . . If Skag were to come this day, she
thought! . . . Deenah was away, but Carlin left word with his wife that
she would be back that night, or early the next day. Margaret was ready.
Carlin was in the howdah beside her, before there was really a chance to
think.

CHAPTER IX

_The Monster Kabuli (Continued)_

Skag did arrive from Poona that day. When Carlin did not come to the
jungle-edge, and the vivid open area between him and the city showed no
movement, he did not linger many minutes. Power had come to him from
the waiting days, and this hour was the acid test. All his life he had
refused to look back or look ahead, making the _Now_--the present
moving point, his world--wasting no energy otherwise.

In the long waiting days, he had learned what many a man afield had
been forced to learn in loneliness, that when he was very still, and
feeling _high_, not too tired--in fact, when he could forget
himself--something of Carlin came to him, over the miles.

But in spite of all he knew, much force of his life had strained
forward to this moment of meeting. The shock of disappointment dazed
him. His first thought was that there was some good reason; but after
that, the misery of faint-heartedness stole in, and he wondered the old
sad wonder--if love had changed.

Skag hurried back to the station where he had left the Great Dane,
Nels, with Bhanah, who would have to find quarters for himself. Nels
stood between the two, waiting for his orders; and wheeled with a dip
of the head almost puppy-like when the man decided. So Skag walked on
toward the road where Carlin lived; and at his heels, with dignity,
strode one of the four great hunting dogs in India. Presently he saw
Miss Annesley's head-servant, Deenah, running toward him--face grey
with calamity.

And now Skag heard of the coming of the messenger with the strange
elephant; and the black edging began to run about Deenah's tale, as he
revealed the ugly possibilities