oice, whilst I
shuddered and grew red like a naughty schoolgirl. "This comparison is
so inaccurate that it decidedly sins against history in two important
points. Primo, the Sphinx is a lion; so am I, as indicates the word Sing
in my name; but the Sphinx is winged, and I am not. Secondo, the Sphinx
is a woman as well as a winged lion, but the Rajput Sinhas never had
anything effeminate in their characters. Besides, the Sphinx is the
daughter of Chimera, or Echidna, who were neither beautiful nor good;
and so you might have chosen a more flattering and a less inaccurate
comparison!"

I simply gasped in my utter confusion, and he gave vent to his
merriment, which by no means relieved me. "Shall I give you some good
advice?" continued Gulab-Sing, changing his tone for a more serious one.
"Don't trouble your head with such vain speculations. The day when this
riddle yields its solution, the Rajput Sphinx will not seek destruction
in the waves of the sea; but, believe me, it won't bring any profit to
the Russian Oedipus either. You already know every detail you ever will
learn. So leave the rest to our respective fates."

And he rose because the Babu and Mulji had informed us that the ferry
boat was ready to start, and were shouting and making signs to us to
hasten.

"Just let me finish," said Mr. Y----, "I have nearly done. Just an
additional touch or two."

"Let us see your work. Hand it round!" insisted the colonel and Miss
X----, who had just left her haven of refuge in the carriage, and joined
us still half asleep.

Mr. Y---- hurriedly added a few more touches to his drawing and rose to
collect his brushes and pencils.

We glanced at his fresh wet picture and opened our eyes in astonishment.
There was no lake on it, no woody shores, and no velvety evening mists
that covered the distant island at this moment. Instead of all this we
saw a charming sea view; thick clusters of shapely palm-trees scattered
over the chalky cliffs of the littoral; a fortress-like bungalow with
balconies and a flat roof, an elephant standing at its entrance, and a
native boat on the crest of a foaming billow.

"Now what is this view, sir?" wondered the colonel. "As if it was worth
your while to sit in the sun, and detain us all, to draw fancy pictures
out of your own head!"

"What on earth are you talking about?" exclaimed Mr. Y----. "Do you mean
to say you do not recognize the lake?"

"Listen to him--the lake! Where is the lake, if