, longing to be out in the open again,
away from hotels and bungalows.

So a police-boy from the town camp was sent on to escort them, and the
Zimbabwe camp notified by runner of their approach. Stanley opened the
letter in the absence of his chief, and much to his own delectation,
was waiting alone to receive them upon the chosen camping-ground on
their arrival. Diana saw him first, and remarked joyfully that he was
white.

"Hooroosh!..." said she, "there's a man as well as ruins." And a
little later, "I'm afraid he's only a boy, but he looks a nice boy,
and there are occasions when the 'half a loaf' proverb applies to
'half a man.'"

Then he helped her out of the ambulance after receiving them with a
grave salute, and regretted that, in the absence of Major Carew, there
was no one but himself to receive them. He was evidently a trifle shy
and embarrassed, stammering a little as he offered his services to
superintend the pitching of their camp, with eyes that would wander
from the elder cousin to Diana's small, impish, alluring face.

"Have some tea with us first," said she. "We've already acquired a few
Rhodesian vices, such as an unlimited capacity for tea-drinking, and
Gelungwa can make quite a decent apology for the beverage which cheers
but not inebriates."

They sat down, and laughed and chatted together until the kettle
boiled, and before the tea was finished The Kid had fallen in love
with both, and was congratulating himself that Carew had taken that
afternoon ride. Then the girls said they would ramble while their tent
was pitched, but disagreed as to which direction they would take
first. Meryl had left her little guide-book with her father, and
wanted to postpone the temple until she had it. Diana said it was too
hot to attempt the Acropolis Hill. In the end they separated. Meryl
strolled towards the Acropolis and Diana sought the cool shadiness of
the temple.

About the same time Carew started his homeward ride, and when he
reached the base of the Acropolis Hill he gave his horse to the runner
who had gone with him to carry some books for Ailsa Grenville, and
climbed a little way into the hill to remark a point of investigation
he had been discussing with Grenville; and, quite suddenly, round a
sharp piece of masonry, he came upon Meryl Pym. She wore a large,
shady hat, and she was standing quite still, gazing across the
country. For a moment Carew stood quite still also. It was odd that
she had n