about as he
does, and putting aside altogether those strange powers of his, he
has no doubt the means of knowing what is going on. As I told you that
night, I had done him some slight service, and he promised at the time
that, if the occasion should ever arise, he would risk his life to save
mine. The fact that he showed, I have no doubt, especially to please me,
feats that few Europeans have seen before, is, to my mind, a proof of
his goodwill and that he meant what he said."

"But how do you know that it is from him. Bathurst? You will excuse
my pressing the question, but of course everything depends on my being
assured that this communication is trustworthy."

"This allusion to the tiger shows me that, Major. It alludes to an
incident that I believe to be known only to him and his daughter and to
Dr. Wade, to whom alone I mentioned it."

As the Major still looked inquiringly, Bathurst went on reluctantly.
"It was a trifling affair, Major, the result of a passing impulse. I was
riding home from Narkeet, and while coming along the road through the
jungle, which was at that time almost deserted by the natives on account
of the ravages of the man eater whom the Doctor afterwards shot, I heard
a scream. Galloping forward, I came upon the brute, standing with
one paw upon a prostrate girl, while a man, the juggler, was standing
frantically waving his arms. On the impulse of the moment I sprang from
my horse and lashed the tiger across the head with that heavy dog whip I
carry, and the brute was so astonished that it bolted in the jungle.

"That was the beginning and end of affairs, except that, although
fortunately the girl was practically unhurt, she was so unnerved that
we had to carry her to the next village, where she lay for some time
ill from the shock and fright. After that they came round here and
performed, for my amusement, the feats I told you of. So you see I have
every reason to believe in the good faith of the writer of this letter."

"By Jove, I should think you had!" the Major said. "Why, my dear
Bathurst, I had no idea that you could do such a thing!"

"We have all our strong points and our weak ones, Major. That was one of
my strong ones, I suppose. And now what had best be done, sir? That is
the important question at present."

This was so evident, that Major Hannay at once dismissed all other
thoughts from his mind.

"Of course I and the other officers must remain at our posts until the
Sepoys