f his way to be pleasant without good
reason.

"This murder trial is going to be sensational," he said, "I've just got
back from giving evidence as to the cause of death and I have it on good
authority that a certain august personage in Markestan is shaking in his
shoes as to the result of the business."

"I have heard that too," said Lady Harriet.

It was a curious fact that though she was always ready, and would even
go out of her way, to snub the surgeon's wife, she had never once been
other than gracious to the surgeon.

"I don't suppose he will be actively implicated. He's too wily for
that," went on Major Ralston. "But there's not much doubt according to
Barnes, that he was in the know--very much so, I should imagine." He
glanced about him. "Mrs. Ermsted isn't here, is she?"

"No dear. I left her resting," his wife said. "This affair is very
trying for her--naturally." He assented somewhat grimly. "I wonder she
stayed for it. Now Tessa on the other hand yearns for the murderer's
head in a charger. That child is getting too Eastern in her ideas. It
will be a good thing to get her Home."

Mrs. Burton intervened with a simper. "Yes, she really is a naughty
little thing, and I cannot say I shall be sorry when she is gone. My
small son is at such a very receptive age."

"Yes, he's old enough to go to school and be licked into shape," said
Major Ralston brutally. "He flings stones at my car every time I pass. I
shall stop and give him a licking myself some day when I have time."

"Really, Major Ralston, I hope you will not do anything so cruel,"
protested Mrs. Burton. "We never correct him in that way ourselves."

"Pity you don't," said Major Ralston. "An unlicked cub is an insult to
creation. Give him to me for a little while! I'll undertake to improve
him both morally and physically to such an extent that you won't know
him."

Here Tommy uttered a brief, wholly involuntary guffaw.

"What's the matter with you?" said Ralston.

"Nothing." His gloom dropped upon him again like a mantle. "Have you
been at Khanmulla all day?"

"Yes; a confounded waste of time it's been too." Ralston took a deep
drink and set down his glass.

"You always think it's a waste of time if you can't be doctoring
somebody," muttered Tommy.

"Don't be offensive!" said Ralston. "I know what's the matter with you,
my son, but I should keep it to myself if I were you. As a matter of
fact I did give medical advice to somebody this af