Lulworth smiled good humouredly.

"Oh, it's not an original lie," he replied. "I had it from a half-bred
Gurkha living in the forest village near my garden."

"Who is commanding Ranga Duar?" asked Lane.

"A fellow called Dermot; a Major," replied Goddard.

"Dermot? I wonder if by any chance it's a man who used to be in these parts
before--commanded Buxa Duar when there was a detachment of an Indian
regiment there," said Payne.

"I believe it's the same," replied Goddard. "He knows these jungles well
and did a lot of shooting in them. He bagged that _budmash_ (rogue)
elephant that killed so many people. You heard of it. He chased the brute
for a fortnight."

"That's the man," said Payne. "I'm glad he's back. We used to be rather
pals and stay with each other."

"Oh, do ask him again, Mr. Payne, and bring him to the club," chimed in
Mrs. Rice. "It would be such a pleasant change to have some of the officers
here. They are so nice, such men of the world."

A smile went round the table. All were so used to the lady's tactless
remarks that they only amused. They had long lost the power to irritate.

"I'm afraid Dermot wouldn't suit you, Mrs. Rice," said Payne laughing.
"He's not a lady's man."

"Indeed? Is he married?" she asked.

"No, he hasn't that reason to dislike your sex. At least, he wasn't married
when I knew him. I wonder how he's escaped, for he's very well off for a
man in the Indian Army and heir to an uncle who is a baronet. Good-looking
chap, too. Clever beggar, well read and a good soldier, I believe. He has a
wonderful way with animals. I had a pony that was a regular mad beast. It
killed one _syce_ and savaged another. It nearly did for me. I sent it to
Dermot, and in a week he had it eating out of his hand."

"He seems an Admiral what-d'you-call-him--you know, that play they had in
town about a wonderful butler," said Mrs. Rice.

"Admirable Crichton, wasn't it?"

"Yes, that was the name. Well, your Major seems a wonderful chap," she
said. "Do ask him. Perhaps he'll bring some of his officers here."

"I hope he won't, Mrs. Rice," remarked Goddard. "If he does, it's evident
that none of us will have a look in with you."

She smirked, well pleased, as she caught Noreen's eye and rose from the
table.

Sets of tennis were arranged and the game was soon in full swing. Some of
the men walked round to the back of the building to select a spot to be
cleared to make a polo ground. Others gathered