She has been at Bhulwana in
the Hills for the past three months. Now, St. Bernard, is this as you
like it?"

The big man took the glass, looking at him with a smile of kindly
criticism. "Well, you won't bore each other at that rate, anyhow," he
remarked. "Here's to you both! I drink to the greatest thing in life!"
He drank deeply and set down the glass. "Look here! You're just off to
mess. Don't let me keep you! All I want is a cold bath. And then--if
you've got a spare shakedown of any sort--going to bed is mere ritual
with me. I can sleep on my head--anywhere."

"You'll sleep in a decent bed," declared Everard. "But you're coming
along to mess with me first. Oh yes, you are. Of course you are! There's
an hour before us yet though. Hullo, Tommy! Let me introduce you
formally to my brother! St. Bernard,--my brother-in-law Tommy Denvers."

Tommy came in through the window and shook hands with much heartiness.

"The _khit_ is seeing to everything. Pleased to meet you, sir! Beastly
wet for you, I'm afraid, but there's worse things than rain in India.
Hope you had a decent voyage."

Bernard laughed in his easy, good-humoured fashion. "Like the niggers,
I can make myself comfortable most anywheres. We had rather a foul time
after leaving Aden. Ratting in the hold was our main excitement when we
weren't sweating at the pumps. Oh no, I didn't come over in one of your
majestic liners. I have a sailor's soul."

A flicker of admiration shot through the merriment in Tommy's eyes.
"Wish I had," he observed. "But the very thought of the sea turns mine
upside down. If you're keen on ratting, there's plenty of sport of that
kind to be had here. The brutes hold gymkhanas on the verandah every,
night. I sit up with a gun sometimes when Everard is out of the way."

"Yes, he's a peaceful person to live with," remarked Everard. "Have
something to eat, St. Bernard!"

"No, no, thanks! My appetite will keep. A cold bath is my most pressing
need. Can I have that?"

"Sure!" said Tommy. "You 're coming to mess with us of course? Old
Reggie Bassett is honouring us with his presence to-night. It will be a
historic occasion, eh, Everard?"

He smiled upon the elder brother with obvious pleasure at the prospect.
Bernard Monck always met with a welcome wherever he went, and Tommy was
prepared to like any one belonging to Everard. It was good too to see
Everard with that eager light in his eyes. During the whole of their
acquaintance he had