with the station in the
Ghil Valley, whence a Ghoorkha regiment would be immediately despatched
to his help.

A little council of war was held, in which Colonel Wrayford managed to
take part; and, after due consideration, it was decided that the help
was not required, for the unanimous opinion was that the Ghittah force
could hold its own, and that they did not need any regiment to come in
and carry off part of the laurels they wished to keep for themselves.

Doctor Morton had probably been the busiest man at the station; for,
after the repulse of the night attack, every hospital-bed had been
occupied, and an additional ward provided; but he had hardly a loss, and
he went about, as Gedge said, "looking as proud as a two-tailed peacock
in a 'logical garden."

Certainly he chuckled and rubbed his hands a great deal over his
patients; and one evening at the mess dinner, when the topic had arisen
of the number of men he had sent back to duty cured, and all were
rejoicing in the fact, that Bracy--looking thin and careworn, but now
wonderfully well--was back in his place, the Doctor, who was pleased and
flattered, became exceedingly confidential, and talked more freely than
was his wont.

"There, dear boys," he said: "I won't be a sham. I've worked hard among
my cripples, of course, and I'm proud of what I've done. If you want an
example of the powers of surgery, there you are--look at Bracy. He's a
better man than ever now. Look at his condition--hard as a nail. Got
rid of all that superfluous fat."

"Here, gently, Doctor," cried Bracy, flushing. "What superfluous fat?"

"All that you got rid of, sir."

"Why, I've always been thin."

"You leave me to judge best what you have always been, sir. I know.
Come, you'll own that you're well as ever now?"

"Certainly."

"Be satisfied, then. Well, as I was saying, my dear boys, I'll be quite
open with you all. I've been wonderfully successful with all my cases--
have I not?"

"Wonderfully," came in a chorus.

"And frightfully modest," whispered Drummond.

"Eh! what is that, Mr Drummond?" cried the Doctor. "I heard what you
said. Don't you offend me, for you may come under my care some day.
Now, then, all of you--wonderfully successful. Yes, Mr Drummond, and
modest too, as you'll own if you'll let me finish my remarks before you
stick yourself up as a judge. For I'm going to let the cat out of the
bag."

"Let's have her, Doctor," cried the younger men