f the fellows in business in Rangoon
are Scotch. Murray was in the same chummery; there were four chums till
May."

"And Number Four has gone home?"

"He has--to his long home, worse luck; he broke his neck fooling over a
log jump."

On this fresh October morning the _Blankshire_ lay moored at her usual
berth in Marseilles harbour, and the overland passengers were streaming
aboard in great numbers.

Hoskins and Shafto, leaning over the bulwarks, watched the long
procession of travellers, followed by porters, bearing their light
baggage.

"There are a good few, you see," remarked Hoskins; "this is a popular
ship and date. We won't have an empty berth--anyway as far as the Canal.
Most of this crowd," waving a hand, "these with maids and valets, are
bound for Egypt; there will be a big contingent for Colombo and Southern
India. I'm a bit curious to see our own little lot.--Ah! here comes one
of them!"

He indicated a stout imposing person, who was majestically ascending the
gangway.

"That's Lady Puffle, the consort of one of our big wigs; very official
and dignified, keeps old Fluffy in grand order. The next, the tall
handsome woman, is Mrs. Pomeroy, wife of the Judicial Commissioner, a
real lady, and--hullo! she has brought out a daughter! Not, as far as I
can see, up to her mother's sample; too much nose and too much bone. And
next, we have Mrs. Flint, of Flint and Co., a big house. She gives the
best dinners in Rangoon. The little fair lady with the small dog is Mrs.
Maitland, wife of the General Commanding in Burma, and the one with her
must be her sister, or sister-in-law. Here comes the great Otto
Bernhard, junior partner in the house of Bernhard Brothers; as you see, a
fine, handsome man, with the most All Highest moustache; and also owns a
heavenly tenor voice--but I would not trust him farther than I could
throw him!"

"And that would not be far," said Shafto; "he weighs every ounce of
fourteen stone."

"Yes, a big man in every way, trades on his voice and his good looks, as
well as in teak and paddy--an unscrupulous devil where women are
concerned; the lady he is escorting is Mrs. Lacy; you would not think to
look at her, so slim, gracious and smiling, that she is a noted
man-eater."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, perhaps the expression is a bit too strong. She has a subtle way
of attracting mankind. It amuses her and, in the long run, does no harm.
Wait till you see how they will colle