No doubt he has heard
from the Doctor that Forster is frequently in here," and the Major spoke
rather irritably, for it seemed to him that Isobel showed more pleasure
in the Captain's society than she should have done after what he had
said to her about him; indeed, Isobel, especially when the Doctor was
present, appeared by no means to object to Captain Forster's attentions.

Upon the evening, however, of the day when Isobel had spoken to Mrs.
Doolan, Bathurst came in, rather late in the evening.

"How are you, Bathurst?" the Major said cordially. "Why, you have become
quite a stranger. We haven't seen you for over a fortnight. Do you know
Captain Forster?"

"We were at school together formerly, I believe," Bathurst said
quietly. "We have not met since, and I fancy we are both changed beyond
recognition."

Captain Forster looked with surprise at the strong, well knit figure. He
had not before seen Bathurst, and had pictured him to himself as a weak,
puny man.

"I certainly should not have known Mr. Bathurst," he said. "I have
changed a great deal, no doubt, but he has certainly changed more."

There was no attempt on the part of either to shake hands. As they moved
apart Isobel came into the room.

A quick flash of color spread over her face when, upon entering, she saw
Bathurst talking to her uncle. Then she advanced, shook hands with
him as usual, and said, "It is quite a time since you were here, Mr.
Bathurst. If everyone was as full of business as you are, we should get
on badly."

Then she moved on without waiting for a reply and sat down, and was soon
engaged in a lively conversation with. Captain Forster, whilst Bathurst,
a few minutes later, pleading that as he had been in the saddle all day
he must go and make up for lost time, took his leave.

Captain Forster had noticed the flush on Isobel's cheeks when she saw
Bathurst, and had drawn his own conclusions.

"There has been a flirtation between them," he said to himself; "but I
fancy I have put a spoke in his wheel. She gave him the cold shoulder
unmistakably."

April passed, and as matters seemed to be quieting down, there being no
fresh trouble at any of the stations, the Major told Dr. Wade that he
really saw no reason why the projected tiger hunt should not take place.
The Doctor at once took the matter in hand, and drove out the next
morning to the village from which he had received news about the tiger,
had a long talk with the shikaris of