lemn
spectators, suffered, alas! a humiliating defeat. Then Shafto took a
hand at dominoes, at which, thanks to May Lee, he was an expert;
fortunately he came off conqueror, and thus restored to some extent the
credit of the party. These games were played by torchlight, the local
band--harp, dulcimer, two drums and clappers--discoursed at intervals;
here the inhabitants, unlike those of Rangoon, were early birds. By
ten o'clock lights were extinguished, the crowd had dispersed, and a
serene silence fell on the soft, purple night.

The College Don had thoroughly enjoyed this excursion into primitive
life in Upper Burma; he also enjoyed the stimulating company of Miss
Maitland; and in this delightful, highly coloured atmosphere,
surrounded by agreeable companions, he fished, joked, flirted, and
appeared to have shed his formal Oxford manner, along with his Oxford
trencher and gown. He remembered Shafto's father and, on the strength
of this memory, the two became excellent friends, and Shafto gave him
assistance in the way of adjusting his puttees, helping him over
awkward places, advising him what food to avoid and what insects to
destroy.

The trip lasted for three weeks and the party returned to Rangoon
delighted with their tour, and bringing with them quantities of
snapshots, not a few small trophies and mementoes--which included the
great Shan hat, purchased by the Professor--and amusing anecdotes of
their varied adventures.

"I feel as if I'd had a bird's-eye view of the real country," said
Sophy to her friend. "Those great calm seas of green rice, bounded by
dark woods, with a white pagoda peeping through here and there; the
fierce strong rivers flowing through overhanging forests, and the deep
red sunsets, turning old ruins into flames, and then the golden days
and silver nights, and all the nice friendly simple people. Douglas
and I feel quite sad at the idea of saying good-bye to Burma."

"Well, my clear, the matter lies in your own hands," said Mrs. Gregory
briskly, "and after you are married, you can return to Rangoon; there
is a fine big empty house in Halpin Road; we might go over and inspect
it some morning."

* * * * * *

The assassination of the heir to the Crown of Austria and his Duchess
had caused a profound sensation in Europe; ripples of this far-reaching
tragedy had spread to the East; the Rangoon bazaar, like every other
bazaar, was full of thrilling whis