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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f53795a --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #69383 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/69383) diff --git a/old/69383-0.txt b/old/69383-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 9e0a4dc..0000000 --- a/old/69383-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,11333 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of In Old Madras, by B. M. Croker - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: In Old Madras - -Author: B. M. Croker - -Release Date: November 18, 2022 [eBook #69383] - -Language: English - -Produced by: MWS, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading - Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from - images generously made available by The Internet - Archive/American Libraries.) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IN OLD MADRAS *** - - - - - - IN OLD MADRAS - - By B. M. Croker - - "_When you've 'eard the East a-calling - You never 'eed nought else._" - _KIPLING._ - - _LONDON: HUTCHINSON & CO._ - _PATERNOSTER ROW_ - - _BY THE SAME AUTHOR_ - - WHAT SHE OVERHEARD - THE SERPENT'S TOOTH - A RASH EXPERIMENT - THE YOUNGEST MISS MOWBRAY - - - - - IN OLD MADRAS - - - - - CHAPTER I - - -A heavy tropical surf boomed on the shingle, with the precision and -monotony of minute guns, and a fierce clammy breeze raged from the sea, -where Massulah boats and small shipping rocked uneasily. The same wind, -circulating inland, drove whirling clouds of brick-red dust through -Madras City, and vigorously swept the long Mount Road,--ere it died -with a whisper, among distant paddy fields. - -By ten o'clock on this detestable morning, all troops had returned to -barracks, signallers and golfers deserted the Island, riding-parties -were no longer abroad, but under languid punkahs, or tireless electric -fans, the military, civil, and mercantile element were still actively -engaged. - -Among the latter, the wealthy house of Brown, Brown and Co. stood -prominent as one of the oldest firms in India. - -Established in the humble early days of John Company, it had acquired -name and fame, expanded and flourished. Undisturbed by wars, unshaken -by mutinies, or famine, its grim, hard-featured offices continued to -frown upon the first line of beach. Possibly those storm-beaten walls, -and gloomy flagged passages, had echoed to the voice and footsteps of a -visitor from "Writer's Buildings"--the future hero of Arcot and Plassy, -a junior clerk, named Robert Clive. Who knows? - -At present, within the inhospitable waiting-room (a lofty -slate-coloured apartment, with heavily barred windows), a well set-up -young Englishman was unnecessarily pacing the worn cocoanut matting. -His thin cashmere suit, and Panama hat, indicated the recent efforts of -a London tailor to cope with a warm climate. The white-covered umbrella -which he carried in his hand was also new--indeed, its owner himself -was new to the country, having arrived the previous evening. - -At the moment, the stranger was impatiently awaiting an interview with -the acting representatives of Brown and Brown--but apparently these -were in no hurry to receive him. - -Meanwhile, in a spacious inner office, Mr. Fleming, a stout, sleek -personage with a bald head and heavy face, had been handed a -visiting-card by his partner Mr. Parr--a shrivelled little gentleman, -known indifferently as "Monkey Parr," or "Old Nick," for Anglo-India -delights in nicknames. - -"Captain Mallender, Army and Navy Club," he read aloud, then staring -hard at his companion, gave a low and distinctly unofficial whistle. - -"Oh, yes," responded Mr. Parr, removing his pince-nez with a decisive -click. "Same name, same club. I can tell you, that it gave _me_ a nasty -shock; but, of course, here is the heir, now his father is dead, come -out to nose about, and make enquiries." - -"He may enquire till he's blue--he will find that he has undertaken a -fool's errand. Why can't the young ass leave well alone?" demanded Mr. -Fleming testily. - -"Because he doesn't believe things _are_ well," sharply rejoined his -partner. - -"And intends to better them, eh? If he is not mighty careful, he will -lose his half-loaf; and anyway it's a deuced nuisance; a very awkward -business--we shall have the fellow in and out all day, bothering for -information." - -"Well, he won't get it!" declared Mr. Fleming. "Let's send for him, -and see what he is like? Here, Parsons!" he shouted to a pallid clerk; -"just ask the gentleman to step this way." - -In less than two minutes, the said gentleman, alert, well-groomed, and -self-possessed, was bowing to the firm. - -"Very glad to see you, Captain Mallender," lied Mr. Parr, the more -prominent of the partners. "Just arrived, find it rather sultry, eh?" - -"Yes," agreed the caller in a pleasant manly voice, "it's a bit of a -change from an English winter--can't say much for your climate!" - -"Won't you take a chair?" suavely suggested Mr. Fleming. "I suppose you -have come out with the usual battery of rifles, to shoot big game?" - -"Shoot big game! No," replied Mallender, as he seated himself, placed -his hat carefully beside him on the dusty matting, and then in a clear -decided tone, promptly announced his mission. "The fact is, I'm here -to make enquiries about my Uncle and namesake, an officer in the Blue -Hussars, who disappeared mysteriously about thirty years ago, when -camping up in Coorg." - -Mr. Parr nodded gravely, and considered the speaker with a sharp -appraising eye--a veritable rat's eye. His partner merely exhibited -a detached and judicial attitude, as he twisted the visitor's card -between his bleached, fat fingers. - -"He was supposed to have been drowned in the Cauvery, or carried off -by a tiger," continued the young man, "and after the family had put on -mourning, and the step had gone in the regiment, he wrote to my father, -to say that although dead to the world, he was still in the land of the -living--I have this letter in my possession." - -Here the speaker hesitated for a moment, and looked expectantly at -his audience; but the representatives of the house of Brown and Brown -maintained an unsympathetic and professional silence, only broken by -the ticking of a typewriter, and the creaking of a punkah. - -"The letter," resumed Mallender, "stated that my Uncle would draw -half his income through your firm, the other half would be paid to my -father, as the price of his silence; and on condition that he made no -attempt to trace his brother, or allowed it to be known that he was -still alive. After considerable reluctance and delay, my father agreed. -You follow me?" - -"Oh, yes--we follow you," assented Mr. Fleming, with a bland calmness, -almost feline in its composure. - -"My father died two months ago; before the end, he told me of the -existence of his brother and the source of the greater part of his -income; he also spoke of his promise--a promise he deeply regretted. -However, a pledge given before I was born has no hold on me. If my -Uncle is alive, I am determined to find him, and speak to him face to -face." - -Having made this declaration, Captain Mallender paused, and leaning on -the knob of his umbrella, gravely contemplated his companions. - -"Ah, so that's your plan!" exclaimed Mr. Fleming, as he dabbed his -forehead with a silk handkerchief--he suffered severely from heat. - -"Have you seen my Uncle since he wrote that letter?" inquired Mallender. - -"No. We have never seen him, and we cannot tell you anything about -him," was the brusque and unsatisfactory reply. - -"But I presume you know where he is to be found? You must have some -address?" - -"Which we are bound never to divulge; and in your case, my dear sir, -is it not imprudent to risk the loss of four thousand a year--in fact, -most of your income?" - -Mr. Parr broke off dramatically, in order to allow the fact to soak -into the mind of this good-looking lunatic. - -"Possibly you may not be disturbed in the house or park," supplemented -his partner, "but it is from sound investments that the bulk of the -money comes. Formerly, interest was higher, but securities fluctuate. -We have done our best--yes, we have done our best." - -Here Mr. Fleming folded his hands across his capacious cummerbund, and -assumed an expression of benign satisfaction. - -"Oh, your best, of course," quickly assented Mallender. "I did not -come out here with an eye to _money_. What brought me to India was -to find my Uncle," and his umbrella struck the matting with such a -vigorous thump, that it raised a little puff of dust. "I have my own -ideas. I've given this business a great deal of--er--consideration, and -I don't mind telling you, I firmly believe my Uncle to be dead, and -that some infernal scoundrel is impersonating him, and living on half -his fortune. Our share was just a bribe to shut our mouths and stifle -inquiries. Now," suddenly appealing to Mr. Parr, "what do you say?" - -"Well, Captain Mallender," and he gave a laugh of ironical amusement, -"if I must give an opinion, _I_ say, that your idea would make a -valuable plot for a sixpenny shocker, but that is all there is in it." - -"There is everything in it," replied the young man forcibly. "By all -accounts my Uncle was remarkable for his high spirits and energy, a -keen soldier--but not attached to the East. _He_ heard the _West_ -a-calling, and was always looking forward to returning home; his -letters were full of it. I've read them myself. So I ask you why--if -alive--he should cut adrift from all he cared for, and bury himself in -a country that he loathed?" - -"Yes, yes, I must admit there is something in what you say," conceded -Mr. Parr. "He was a handsome, headstrong, young officer. I saw him -once, in this very office, when I was a junior--but--but----" and he -pursed up his thin purple lips, "things happen, changes take place in -people's characters, as well as in their constitutions. We have all to -reckon with the unexpected; at any rate, we have Captain Mallender's -instructions, and in his handwriting." - -"Ah, probably a forgery! By all accounts, a highly cultivated native -art." - -"There is no question of imposture," rejoined Mr. Parr emphatically. - -"I am afraid I must differ with you. I believe there has been foul -play, and I am determined to remain in India, till I have got to the -bottom of this affair." - -As the man of business listened to this announcement, his whole -expression changed oddly, his withered face seemed to tighten--but in -another second the look had faded. - -"Can you give me any particulars?" resumed Mallender. - -"Oh, yes, I can certainly do that," acquiesced Mr. Parr now, clearing -his throat, and crossing a pair of startlingly thin legs. "The -simple facts were these. Captain Mallender and two brother officers -went on a shooting trip from Bangalore in the beginning of the hot -weather, 1881. They worked up through Mysore, into Coorg; one morning -shortly before their leave expired, Captain Mallender's tent was -found to be empty--the bed had not been slept in, his belongings were -scattered about, a novel and a half-written letter lay open beside his -cigar-case. Apparently, he had gone for a stroll before turning in. -They said he was a restless young fellow, always eager to be doing -something: fishing, bathing, shooting, exploring, and twice as active -as his comrades; it looked as if he had wandered out, on one of his -erratic rambles, and come to an untimely end. Some thought, he had been -drowned in the Cauvery, but his body was not recovered--and dead or -alive, he was never seen again." - -"No, of course not!" assented his nephew with significant emphasis. - -"Such disappearances are not altogether unknown," supplemented Mr. -Fleming, with an air of imparting instruction to juvenile ignorance. -"Oriental life has an irresistible fascination for some natures; the -glamour, the relief from convention and the tyranny of the starched -collar, the lure of attractive and voluptuous women, idleness, ease, -luxury, _drugs_! I could tell you of an officer who went crazy about -a beautiful Kashmeri, and actually abandoned his regiment and his -nationality, in order to live as a native! Twice his friends came -from England to fetch him home, and each time he escaped--even at the -eleventh hour in Bombay, plunged into the bazaars, hid his identity, -and was lost, in _every_ sense!" - -"I'll swear my Uncle wasn't that sort," protested Mallender. "He was a -sportsman, and as hard as nails; a soft sleepy existence among divans -and hukas, would never appeal to him. I am absolutely convinced, that -he was decoyed out of his tent, and murdered; and as I've already -told you, I do not intend to return home, till I have unravelled the -mystery, and run the impostor to ground--to this I stick!" and once -more he thumped his umbrella, and disturbed the dust of weeks. - -"Then in that case, I'm afraid you will make a lifelong stay in India," -rejoined Mr. Parr--smiling as one smiles at the absurd pretensions of a -child. - -"Perhaps so," assented the young man shortly; "I intend to see this -affair through--and my time is now my own. I conclude that you feel -bound not to assist me, or give me the name of the town where the -letters are posted?" - -"Oh, no objection, Captain Mallender, no objection whatever," Mr. -Fleming responded with effusion; "the letters are posted in different -places all over the country, within, say, a radius of four hundred -miles. For instance, we may receive one communication from Georgetown -here in Madras, the next from Bangalore, from an obscure post office in -the hills, or a remote village in the plains. Let me think: the last -was from a railway station called Erode--so you see, my dear sir, that -your Uncle's movements are erratic, and his address is vague. Accept -a piece of absolutely disinterested advice," and here the speaker -tendered a soft, empty hand. "You will do no good out here, you will -only waste time and money, without results. Give up the quest, and -return home!" - -"No," and Mallender's eyes flashed. "What you say more than ever -convinces me that the man who writes to you is a criminal, who goes in -abject fear of his life, and is hiding from justice." - -"Oh, very well, Captain Mallender, _very_ well!" gobbled Mr. Fleming, -and his tone was throaty and offended, "there is no more to be said--it -is not our business to argue; we merely state facts. You say, you have -no doubt that your relative is dead. You may also rest assured, that -from the day it is made known to our client that you are determined to -trace him--the allowance, as paid through our firm, will cease." - -"Well, I'll take all risks," declared this rash adventurer. "And there -is one thing I can promise you. I intend to put the fear of death into -your--er--correspondent! Some fellows come out to India for what they -call 'Shikar'; this business is _my_ shikar--instead of bison, tiger, -or elephants--and mind you, it's not Uncle I am bent on tracking, but -your unseen client, the murderous ruffian who impersonates him!" Then, -rising after a somewhat prolonged and hostile silence: - -"Gentlemen, I see you are not disposed to wish me luck, so I must do -my best to worry through alone. I shall call on you before I leave the -country, and I'll let you know if I have any success. All letters to -the Bank of Madras will be forwarded." - -An extraordinary snorting noise, and the waving of a fin-like hand, -was the only adieu vouchsafed by Mr. Fleming, but his partner jerked -himself out of his seat, and said: - -"All right, Captain Mallender, and I make no doubt that if you persist -in your 'shikar,' we shall be communicating with you at an early date." - -"Oh, you mean about the money? So be it," and with a hasty farewell, -the visitor effected a rapid exit, ran down the worn stone stairs, -flung himself into his _gharry_, and commanded the driver to take him -to the Brigade Office in St. George's Fort. - -Meanwhile Mr. Fleming lay back in his office chair, mopping his -glistening pink face, and gasped out: - -"That young fellow is going to give trouble!" - -To which unpleasant suggestion, his companion calmly replied: - -"Trouble for himself--yes! He will burn his fingers badly, without -money he is tethered, and cannot move far. I bet you what you like," -rapping his glasses on the desk, "that we shall have him here before -the rains borrowing the coin to take him to England." - - - - - CHAPTER II - - -Colonel Frederick Tallboys, Mallender Tallboys, to give him his -complete name, held a high official appointment, and occupied suitable -quarters in St. George's Fort. He belonged to a distant branch of -the Mallender family, was head of a department, and the husband of a -wealthy and worshipping wife. All his life--now numbering over fifty -years--"Freddy" had been steady, hard-working, and far-seeing; passed -his examinations creditably,--if without distinction,--and from an -English regiment entered the good old Madras Staff Corps, and worked -his way up from adjutant to wing officer, till he had at last succeeded -in climbing into a comfortable berth in the secretariat. - -His climb was possibly accelerated by an attractive personality, -a buoyant manner, and a remarkable skill in horsemanship. For -years "Freddy T." had been the most notable gentleman rider in the -Presidency; indeed, such was his fame, that it extended to Lucknow, the -Punjab, and had even oozed into far Cashmere; but now, this wise little -man had discarded his racing colours, and was resting on well-earned -laurels. - -"Freddy T." was short, well-made, and remarkably dapper, with a pair -of twinkling grey eyes--eyes quick to notice a misplaced badge, a -woman's dress, or a breach of etiquette. He had a handsome nose, an -imposing moustache, was always admirably turned-out, and carried his -well-groomed upright person with considerable dignity. In spite of -certain insignificant foibles--a hot temper, and a vein of dogged -obstinacy, he was popular all over the Presidency. Most people had a -cordial word for "Freddy T.," who was known to be a smart officer, and -as influential and good-natured as he was straight, and safe! During -his years of expatriation, Tallboys had never lost his interest in -Mallender of Mallender--the head of his house; unfortunately, like -other old families, the race was now almost extinct. Geoffrey was the -last of the direct line, and failing him, and an aged and decrepit -cousin, this high official in Madras Fort was the next heir! But it -was not on this account that Colonel Tallboys' interest in the family -had been kept alight. As a raw youth from Bedford and Sandhurst, he -had visited at Mallender, and never forgotten the charm and kindness -of his lovely hostess; or how she had talked to, drawn out, and -encouraged, a callow, awkward boy; the wise and witty things she -said to him in those far-off days were still green in his memory; -for her he had broken the ice of his reserve, and imparted to Mollie -Mallender many opinions and aspirations that were withheld from his -own widowed mother,--a helpless, faded lady, who spent half her days -in bed, reading novelettes--the other half in bemoaning her health, -her fate, and her servants. But this exquisite Irish cousin with -her brilliant complexion, irresistible charm, eloquent dark eyes, -and impulsive manner, was a divinity to whom the stiff shy youth -immediately surrendered his heart and confidence. Cousin Mollie gave -him self-respect, wise advice, courage, and an everlasting reverence -for all womenkind--her sisters. In a secret pocket in his battered -dressing-case (known only to his bearer) there still reposed a little -gold pencil-case, her gift, and several old and well-worn letters. Mrs. -Mallender's influence was far-reaching, and radiated over two parishes; -her generosity, energy, and high spirits were infectious. The prim -old-fashioned "Court" became the centre of activity and gaiety. Edgar -Mallender himself,--inclined to be misanthropic and morose,--expanded -in such domestic sunshine, and took a prominent part in county -business, and the affairs of his tenants and property; ably maintaining -the family traditions, until the sudden death of his adorable wife. -After this crushing loss, he became a changed man, declaring that a -light had gone out, and left him for the rest of his life in outer -darkness. Gradually, he sank from the sight of his neighbours, -neglected his estates and his duties, and lived among his books, his -memories, and his servants, the life of an eccentric, and recluse. - - * * * * * - -The most ardent flatterer could not pretend that Colonel Tallboys -looked "good-natured" this morning, as he sat before his big office -table, gold spectacles on nose, reading a private letter; it was one -which Geoffrey Mallender had despatched the week before he left for -India, and as his relative perused it, his eyebrows knit, till they -almost met over the bridge of his well-shaped nose; obviously he became -every moment more and more astonished and annoyed. This missive said: - -"I have decided to take up the question of my Uncle's disappearance, -and to thoroughly investigate the case." - -"The boy's mad!" muttered Colonel Tallboys, as he hastily whirled over -a page. - -"I am starting for Madras by the next mail, and hope to arrive a week -after you receive this." - -"Why," glancing at the date, "it missed the mail. He may be here -to-day--Good Lord!" - -"I will look you up at once," continued the writer, "and trust you -will give me a helping hand, as you know the Presidency so well." - -"Stark staring mad!" exclaimed Colonel Tallboys, pushing away the -letter with a gesture of irritation. "Never heard of such an idea, -never. _Help!_" The words seemed to choke him. "Well, I must put all -this bother out of my head, and set to work," and he reached for -a large bundle of official documents, in which he became speedily -absorbed. - -For an hour, he sat intent on his correspondence, glancing through -papers, and making pencil notes; suddenly there was a sound of steps, -and talking, he heard the door open, and a young and cheerful voice -saying: - -"All right, thanks, give Colonel Tallboys my card." - -It was Geoffrey. He sprang to his feet, tore off his glasses, and -turned to receive him. - -"Hullo, Geoff!" shaking him warmly by the hand, "I'm glad to see you. -Do you know, I only got your letter an hour ago--and so you have come -out!" - -"Yes, here I am." - -Colonel Tallboys surveyed his kinsman with critical appraisement--in -his opinion, appearance ranked high. A well-bred, well set-up young -fellow, with the clear-cut Mallender nose, and his mother's dark eyes. -Yes. An excellent specimen of the average good-looking Englishman! - -"I've not seen you for years. How long ago is it?" - -"Not since you came down to Eton on the 4th of June, and gave me a -jolly good tip." - -"Did I?--ha! ha! You have a long memory. Well, where are you staying? -Or did you come straight from the station?" - -"No; I arrived last night. I'm at a pot-house that calls itself 'Hotel -St. George,' and reeks of rancid cocoanut oil. My driver introduced me." - -"Good Lord, it's in Blacktown! I beg its pardon--Georgetown! Of course, -you come to us at once. I'll send over a fellow to pack, and bring your -kit. We are pretty full, as this is the season, but Fanny will find -you a corner." - -"Oh, don't you bother about _me_," protested his cousin, "I'm only -going to stop in Madras for two or three days, just to see you, get the -hang of the country, and benefit of your experience--I expect you can -give me lots of tips, and I want to arrange about money and letters, -before I go off on my travels!" - -"But, my dear boy," said Colonel Tallboys, sitting down as he spoke, -and pointing to a chair, "you don't mean to tell me, that you are -really _serious_ about this business? You are not in earnest, in -starting on such a wild-goose chase?" - -"But of course I am, and in deadly earnest; that is what brought me out -here, in the middle of the hunting season." - -The young fellow with his mother's eyes, and her impulsive and -warm-hearted nature, had also inherited his father's square jaw, and -(cold thought) possibly been cursed with Edgar's stubborn will,--and -curious strain of eccentricity! - -For a few seconds Colonel Tallboys surveyed his visitor in grave -speculative silence. At last he said: - -"Well, look here, Geoffrey; you may as well spend two or three weeks -with us, and see how the poor benighted Presidency enjoys itself? There -are a couple of balls, a big gymkhana, and the polo tournament coming -off. This is our cold weather." - -"Is it?" and he laughed ironically. "Well, I'm glad you mentioned it!" - -"Of course this is a particularly nasty day! Don't sample us by a -beastly long-shore wind. By the by, you play polo--your regiment had a -strong team. I used to see your name in matches. I'll find you ponies." - -"It's most awfully good of you, Cousin Fred; polo and dances are all -right--but you know what I'm out for, and _they_ are not my job." - -"No, but after a lapse of thirty years, a few weeks one way or the -other can't possibly matter, and Fanny and I would be mortally hurt -if you start off without paying us a visit. We want to get to know -you--and you want to get to know something of this blessed old country." - -As the young man looked half persuaded he continued: - -"Anyway, my dear fellow, you will never find your Uncle, and you may -take my word for it. I've not lived out here for twenty-nine years -without knowing what I am talking about. Now tell me something about -yourself, and Mallender, and your poor father." - -"Oh, yes! Well, you see, he had been ailing the last five years--the -result of a bad fall from his horse--and he was greatly changed -latterly. He could not bear to see anyone, would lie all day staring -before him, and took no interest in any mortal thing!" - -"No, not since your mother died, _that_ I can well understand. You -remember her, of course?" - -The next moment Colonel Tallboys, who was proud of his tact, could have -kicked himself. Why, the boy was fifteen when she died! Geoffrey made -no reply, but he suddenly looked down, and his face seemed to quiver, -and go white. - -"What a lovely face! yes, and a lovely soul! There never was anyone -like her." The speaker's voice sounded a little husky. - -From the moment this sentence fell from his lips, Geoffrey entertained -another feeling,--a sudden warm glow of personal affection,--for his -dapper little kinsman, and instantly made up his mind to accept the -invitation to spend some weeks in his company. - -"And what does the old place look like now?" resumed Colonel Tallboys -in a livelier key. - -"It looks frightfully dilapidated. You see, the pater let things -slide--the grounds, and the gardens, and the shooting. He only occupied -a few rooms, and the rest of the house was given up to rats and damp; -the paper was peeling off the walls, the roof leaked like a sieve, and -drains required to be overhauled. I'm getting the house done up." - -"That will cost you a pretty penny!" - -"Yes, I'm afraid so--it will mop up all my bit of capital." - -"And so you chucked the service at seven-and-twenty! How was that?" - -"Well, you see, my father made a point of it; the regiment was ordered -to Egypt, and I could not get much leave, and anyway, I was all he had; -but I don't mind telling you, Cousin Fred, that it was a wrench--I was -most desperately sorry to go. Those bugles this morning in the Fort -gave me--er--a horrible lump in my throat. Now I want to talk to you, -if I am not taking up too much of your time." - -"My time is my own," rejoined the little man rather grandly, "and -anyway, it's not every day I have a call from _you_, Geoff." - -"Then look here," tilting his chair nearer, "it's about this -business--I want to know your opinion about Uncle Geoffrey." - -"My opinion is, that he is dead--dead as a door-nail this thirty -years," replied Colonel Tallboys with prompt decision. - -"He certainly was not dead twenty-nine years ago, and supposing for the -sake of argument he was still alive--I ask you just to look at the case -from that point of view?" - -"Possibly, but improbably, he got into some big scrape--and found it -necessary to disappear." - -"But by all accounts, he was straight as a die--no debts--no scandals," -argued the young man. - -"He is most certainly dead this many a day--or----" and the little -Colonel pursed up his lips, and stonily contemplated the opposite wall. - -"Or?" repeated Mallender eagerly. - -"Oh, I could tell you queer stories. If Geoffrey is alive, I can solve -the puzzle in six letters--'_a woman_.'" - -"What--a black woman! Oh, rats! you're not serious? though I've been -to Brown and Co., and they hinted at the same thing." - -"You did not get much change out of them, did you?" - -"No, but I gathered that the man who impersonates my Uncle moves about -within a radius of three hundred miles, more or less--and if he is to -be found, I mean to have a good try. I told the old boys quite plainly, -and they did not like it, no, not a little bit. I left them with their -hackles up." He paused abruptly, for Colonel Tallboys--who had been -lounging in his chair, nursing a remarkably neat foot and ankle--now -sat erect, stiff as a ramrod; his face had assumed an entirely -different aspect, it wore the expression of the President of a district -court martial, who listens to some vital and unexpected evidence. - -"I give you my solemn word of honour, Geoffrey, that I have not the -vaguest idea of what you are talking about--a man who impersonates your -Uncle--did you say?" - -"Oh, of course I forgot that you had not heard anything. My father -never told me, till a few weeks before he died." - -"Yes, yes, yes, go on," urged his listener impatiently. - -"You will see all about it in this," now producing a pocket-book, from -which he carefully extracted a thin flimsy letter. "Our lawyers at home -know of this, so do Brown and Co., but no one else." - -Colonel Tallboys resumed his spectacles, and slowly read and re-read -the contents of a single sheet of paper. Here was the second startling -episode, which had come before him that morning. As he studied the -faded lines, he was thinking hard, and swiftly making up his mind. So -Geoffrey the elder was alive, and Geoffrey the younger, in spite of his -mandate, had come out to search for him--and thereby risk the loss of -the whole of his income. Of course, such madness must be put a stop to: -he would look after Mollie Mallender's boy, and save him from himself. -With the alertness of a mental gymnast, his active and well-trained -brain was already weaving schemes, and like a character in ancient -melodrama he promptly decided to "dissemble." - -"By Jove! so your Uncle is actually alive, and in India! I am -completely bowled out--what an amazing thing!" As he tenderly refolded -the frail letter he added: "Bazaar paper, and bazaar ink. I say! if you -hunt him down, you forfeit four thousand a year, eh? It's rather a wild -enterprise!" - -"It would be if my Uncle were alive, but I believe this travelling -criminal is the man who has made away with him." - -"So you are determined to run your head against a brick wall--obstinacy -is a family trait." - -"If you call my father's last wish a brick wall, I am here to deal with -it," and he sat back, as if to study the effect of his announcement. - -"Oh, well, well, poor fellow," mumbled Colonel Tallboys, "no doubt he -was in a weak state." - -"Bodily, yes; but his mind was stronger than it had been for a long -time. He had a vivid dream about his brother." Geoffrey paused and -coloured, noticing his listener's expression of amused, but tolerant, -disdain. "I say! you are not laughing, are you?" - -"No, my dear boy--go on, go on." - -"He said he saw him beckoning to him with one hand, whilst he held the -other over his eyes--it was always the same dream--he dreamt it many -times, and he felt, when he was helpless and dying, that he had made a -mistake in not setting this letter aside, and coming straight out here; -but, you see, he was in love with my mother, and there was the money, -and other things, and so he stayed at home; but the affair preyed on -his conscience more and more every year; till at last it became an -obsession. Latterly, he could talk of nothing else; he said he was -a miserable coward, who had deserted his only brother, and that my -mother's death was his punishment; he worked himself up into a fearful -state of excitement, and made me swear to undertake a duty in which he -had failed." - -"But God bless me, Geoffrey! there is this letter in black and white, -forbidding any search--as plain as plain can be." - -"Yes, but my father thought the letter was a forgery." - -"What do Brown and Brown say?" - -"They declare the letter to be genuine." - -"Ah, and I agree with them! Your father's mind was undoubtedly unhinged -by a long illness." - -"But mine is not, Cousin Fred. At first, I must confess, I was rather -reluctant to come out,--though, of course, I intended to keep my word; -but by degrees, when I was all alone at Mallender, the idea grew upon -me; _I_ had no dreams, but I had the picture of Uncle Geoffrey always -facing me in the dining-room--an oil-painting in uniform, done before -he left England--and it seemed to me that he not only took his meals -with me, but rode, and walked, and sat with me as well; and I knew I'd -never shake off the delusion--if it was a delusion--till I had left no -stone unturned out here--and here I am! I see you think I'm _crazy_? -Stark mad. Eh?" - -"And have you any plans?" asked his cousin abruptly. - -"Not anything very definite. I know that my Uncle or his double is in -this Presidency--within about three hundred miles of Madras City." - -"Then what is your scheme? your proposed campaign? Surely you won't -advertise in the press, and have every filthy European loafer claiming -a beloved nephew, and howling on his neck?" - -"Certainly not," replied Mallender, who looked a little nettled; "I -consulted a firm of smart lawyers, as our own old stick-in-the-muds -were dead against my trip, and they put me on to a private enquiry firm -of the name of Jaffer, who live in the City of Hyderabad in the Deccan." - -"By George, they must do a great business! The city is full of the bad -characters of every nation, people, and tongue. Well, go on." - -"And Jaffer and Co. believe they can help me; and say that a good many -men disappear in India much in the same way; but, of course, they don't -know it is not my Uncle I expect to find--I'm afraid you look upon me -as a lunatic?" - -"No, no. I see that you feel the claims of kinship as keenly as I do -myself; but you are wrong in starting on this crazy quest. If your -Uncle is alive--I believe he has gone _native_. Take my advice," and he -looked full into Mallender's grave face, "let sleeping dogs lie." - -"Not this sleeping dog!" rejoined the young man, with unexpected -energy. "The clever brute who murdered my Uncle draws his money and -forges his name!" - -"Well, well, Geoffrey, the weather is far too muggy for argument, we -must agree to differ. One thing is certain; you cannot go up-country as -ignorant as a new-born Europe babe; you must give us a couple of months -at least--till we start for the Neilgherries." - -"It's most awfully kind of you; and I'd like to stay with you for a few -weeks and learn a little experience." - -"Then that's settled," said Colonel Tallboys aloud. To himself: "Fan -will easily keep this headstrong fellow amused, perhaps entangle him in -a matrimonial engagement, and drive this lunacy out of his head." - -"Just one word more, my dear boy. For God's sake, don't let a soul know -of your _real_ reason for your trip to this country. If it ever got -out, you'd be the laughing-stock of all Madras!" - -At this painful announcement Geoffrey coloured up to his crisp brown -hair. - -"Come now," he continued, "put it before yourself impartially. What -would _you_ think of a fellow coming to India to hunt for a lost -relative, when he had been expressly warned that if he made a search he -would lose four thousand a year?" - -"Yes, I admit that it sounds fairly mad; so I'll keep all particulars -dark; but mad or not, nothing shall stop me--or choke me off!" declared -Mallender with vehement sincerity. - -"All right, all right, meanwhile we will give out that you are -interested in coffee in Mysore, or gold mines--yes, that is best--it's -more _vague_," added Colonel Tallboys, with a grin. "And now, the first -thing to do is to find you a first-class boy." - -"Boy?" - -"A servant--a full-grown man; anything up to eighty years of age is a -boy here. I know of one, Anthony, he speaks Telagu, Canarese, Tamil, -English, and at a pinch French! He will cook for you, valet you, wait -on you, and generally run you, and do for you--he is just out of a -place--his master went home last mail." - -"But I only want a smart, honest chap that can rough it a bit," -protested the new-comer. - -"Oh, Anthony has often been in camp, and on shooting trips; he is a -capital servant. My bearer will get hold of him at once, and now I'll -'phone for the car, and take you to the Club for tiffin--there you -shall taste for the first time in your life the real, true, and only -prawn curry." - - - - - CHAPTER III - - -With a quick, assured step Colonel Tallboys led the way along matted -corridors, past salaaming peons, to a fine Napier car, in which he and -his guest seated themselves; and escorted by a roaring wind, and clouds -of thick red dust, thundered through the Wallajah gate, and sped past -the Island towards the hub of Madras--its far-famed Club. - -"We are rather full just now, with a crowd down from Bangalore, and -one or two of Fan's English friends; Sir William Bream, a distant -cousin, and Mrs. Villars, a smart lady, doing India," explained Colonel -Tallboys; "you won't mind if we stick you in a tent for a day or two, -will you?" - -"On the contrary, I shall enjoy it of all things--I like camp life." - -"You mean the manœuvres at home, all rain and mud, galloping and -shouting--my little camp is another sort of show. Well, here we -are," as they glided into a vast compound and drew up at the Club -entrance. "Come along," said Colonel Tallboys briskly, "this way to the -dining-room." - -As they went upstairs, and moved forward, Mallender's popular pioneer -scattered friendly greetings here and there among his acquaintances, -who did not fail to notice the good-looking stranger in his -wake--undoubtedly a soldier, with an easy cavalry lounge. _En route_ to -a favourite table Colonel Tallboys encountered a particular chum, to -whom he introduced his cousin, murmuring in a low aside: - -"Just out from home--place under repair--come to have a look round -before he settles." - -When repeating this information to a neighbour the friend supplemented: - -"He need not trouble himself; Mrs. Tallboys will undertake his -_settling_, and marry him off out here!" - -The prospect amused them, and they laughed heartily. - -Tiffin was excellent, the prawn curry maintained its high reputation; -Mallender, who had breakfasted on sour grey bread, buffalo butter, and -bad coffee, was ravenously hungry, and thoroughly appreciated this his -first genuine meal in India, served, too, in a cool, lofty dining-room, -with tempered sea-breezes, and deft, white-clad waiters. - -"A fine Club, is it not?" said Colonel Tallboys with the air of a -proud proprietor. "The oldest in India; we can dine three hundred, -the reading-room is the same size, now we have an annexe--a ladies' -club--'The Morghi Khana'--where they assemble for tea, and bridge." - -"You don't allow them in here! Eh?" - -"No, these premises are sacred--we are uncommonly strict and exclusive. -Do you notice the servants' quaint dress? Real old Madras fashion, and -the quantities of chutney offered--another speciality--but soon you -will know your way about, and become acquainted with our bar trick, and -Saturday's prunes and cream." - -When cheese and fruit had been despatched, a move was made to the great -lounge; here, reclining in a long chair, they discovered a disconsolate -young man, whose bowed head and limp attitude proclaimed some recent -affliction. - -"Hullo, Byng, you seem a bit off colour, what's up?" demanded Colonel -Tallboys; "all the ponies gone lame, or dead?" - -"Nearly as bad," answered Captain Byng--A.D.C. to His Excellency the -Governor--as he rose and unfolded a tall, slim figure; "Grafton has -broken his arm playing some fool's trick over the mess table, and he -was our mainstay." - -"By Jove, that's a calamity! But"--looking round--"here is a substitute -for you; my cousin, Captain Mallender, who arrived yesterday, plays -polo. Geoffrey, this is Captain Byng, captain of the Chaffinches." - -"Mallender! You are Mallender of the Warlocks, I'm sure," said the -A.D.C. eagerly. "You played back in the team; I've seen you at Barnes -and Hurlingham,--this _is_ a piece of luck!" - -"But I'm quite out of practice," Mallender declared; "haven't had a -stick in my hand for months! Besides, I've no ponies. You are very -kind, but I'm no use." - -Long before he had ceased to speak his protest was drowned in an -animated duet between two voices, discussing ways and means. - -Colonel Tallboys was anxious to secure a congenial occupation for his -elusive guest, and Captain Byng, in this hard-hitting player, saw -visions of victory instead of defeat. At least he was now assured of -making a strong fight against the Chokras from Ooty and the famous -Marauders from Bangalore. - -Within three minutes the matter had been decided; Mallender's -objections were offered to deaf ears; the question of ponies, -practice, and, if it came to that, kit, was disposed of with almost -contemptible ease! - -"I'll expect you out at Guindy to practice to-morrow at six-thirty -sharp," was Byng's authoritative announcement; "you shall try some -jolly good ponies, Malabar and Chutney and Cossack--eh, Colonel? What's -your weight?" - -"Eleven stone--I'm afraid I put up something on board ship." - -"Oh, you'll be all right; we have a nice ground in topping order, and -our men are as keen as mustard. I," drawing a long breath, "breathe -again." - -Byng's enthusiasm proved infectious; Mallender, a lover of the game, -soon threw himself into the subject with the zest and simplicity -of a schoolboy, and listened with the profoundest interest to all -particulars concerning the five competing teams. - -"With a week's hard practice I might be useful," he admitted, "anyway, -I'll do my very best. I suppose you play eight minutes a chukker?" - -Colonel Tallboys, who had been a silent and attentive looker-on, now -interposed. - -"I say, Byng, I'll leave Mallender in your hands for racquets, -billiards, and talk. I've got a heap of work to do, very important -letters, and must get back to the office at once. Geoffrey, I'll call -here for you at half-past five--or six. Keep your eye on him, Byng!" he -added with a laugh as he hurried out of the smoking-room. - -"Your cousin?" said Byng, as he offered a box of Trichis. - -"Yes, one of my few relations--I've not seen him for fourteen years." - -"Ah! I wish to goodness I could say the same of some of _mine_!" -rejoined the A.D.C., throwing himself back in his luxurious club chair, -and striking a match. "Let me tell you that your kinsman is a rare -good sort--one of the real, sporting, open-handed lot that, I'm sorry -to say, are getting a bit scarce. He does you rattling well, likes to -have his house full--sometimes the guests overflow into tents! He's -awfully popular, too, and it's _not_ cupboard love! Latterly he has -given up riding races, and his Missus bars polo; but he is a capital -racquet player, and as for dancing, there isn't a girl in the place -who wouldn't throw me over for a turn with _him_. You are staying -there--Hooper's Gardens." - -"Is that what it's called?" - -"Yes, but mind you, it's not like our Grosvenor Gardens, or -Chesterfield Gardens, at home; these houses--sort of nabobs' -palaces--built by merchants in the Fort, were where they took refuge -during the long-shore winds, such as we have to-day. There is a big -dinner on to-night. By the way, you have seen Mrs. Tallboys?" - -"No, not yet." - -"One of the best! Awfully rich, but, bar the hospitality, you'd swear -she had not a _sou_; keeps a sort of Home of Rest for Invalids, and a -Matrimonial Agency for girls; what she gives to charity on the quiet -would pay for a polo club--or run a racing stable." - -"Great Scott!" ejaculated Mallender. - -"Well, to-morrow I'll expect you out at Guindy, A.D.C.'s quarters. We -will have a practice, you can write your name in the book, and in the -cool of the evening I'll drive you in--how's that?" - -"All right, you're very kind." - -"Not a bit of it, you are going to get me out of a big hole. The season -is in full swing, you are just in the nick of time." - -"But I'm not here for society; I'm going up-country on--er--business." - -"Not you!" with a derisive laugh. "Mrs. Tallboys will freeze on to you, -you'll be one of her boys, she loves boys and girls, and is a shameless -matchmaker, married off two of her own plain nieces--and both into the -Civil Service! You'll find a wonderful atmosphere of joy and gladness -about the house, such go, and good fellowship. By Jove, it flies to -your head, and you have a near shave of losing it!" - -"Then it's a risky place?" - -"Rather; it ought to be marked with a red triangle, 'Dangerous to -Bachelors.' Mrs. Tallboys has a knack of assembling original and -amusing people, not to speak of the poor, and friendless. I believe -she has a large assortment this week from Bangalore and Trichy. Among -the collection is Mrs. Villars; she is jolly good-looking, one of the -prettiest women I've ever set eyes on. I hope I shall take her in to -dinner to-night." - -"I hope you may," was the generous reply. - -"Well, we can't sit here all day; it's too hot for racquets," said -Byng, laying down the stump of his cigar; "shall we go and have a game -of billiards?--I'll play you a hundred up." - - - - - CHAPTER IV - - -On his way to his office--and important correspondence--Colonel -Tallboys made a long détour to Egmore, in order to advise, and take -council with, Fanny his wife. Arrived at Hooper's Gardens, he ran up -the marble stairs with enviable activity, and dashed into the boudoir, -calling: - -"Fan--Fan--I say, where are you, Fan?" - -In immediate response, a door opened, and Mrs. Tallboys appeared; a -stately figure, clad in a flowing white dressing-gown; yet, in spite -of her deshabille, this lady must be accorded a formal, and particular -introduction. - -Ten years previously, when at home on leave, Major Tallboys elected -to take the waters at Harrogate--more as a precaution than otherwise. -Here, an idle stranger in the smoking-room of a great hotel, he -foregathered with a good-looking, genial neighbour; he liked his -face, approved his clothes, and admired his boots. They discussed the -weather, racing, and forthcoming meetings, and finally drifted into -that absorbing and dangerous mäelstrom--politics. Luckily they were -of the same mind, and the unanimity of their opinions, the warmth -of their convictions, and mutual detestations, firmly cemented the -acquaintance. The agreeable stranger turned out to be Mr. Joseph -Bond, a cotton broker from Liverpool, who subsequently presented -Major Tallboys to his party. The party was composed of his wife, her -sister, Mrs. Tubbs, and a cousin; the latter a pale, lank, dejected -lady in mourning. Mrs. Bond and Mrs. Tubbs were of a different type; -fine big women, boisterous, and loud of voice, who dressed in the last -shriek of fashion, and smoked cigarettes at all hours of the day. When -her hilarious companions departed for long motor trips, Miss Bond, -abandoned to her own resources, sat reading or sewing in the lounge--or -sedately paced the grounds in an unbecoming hat, heavily swathed in -_crêpe_. Major Tallboys, confined to the town by the exigencies of -a strict cure,--being naturally sociable and talkative,--made civil -overtures to this neglected, and solitary damsel. His manner was -attractive, his appearance prepossessing, and as the pair strolled -about, he gathered that she had recently experienced a bereavement, and -was now alone in the world. - -For his part, the dapper little officer volunteered copious information -respecting India, and his experiences; he enjoyed the sound of his -own voice, whether on parade or otherwise, and in Fanny Bond found -an eager, and enraptured listener. As her companion described the -glories of the East, its dawns and sunsets, people and pleasures, and -drew vivid pictures of marches up-country, and the racing triumphs -and hair-breadth adventures of his youth, the lady's interest was -gratifying and profound. - -In an irresponsible burst of confidence she confided to him, that it -had ever been the dream of her life to see the world, and, above all, -India. - -Day after day, these walks and monologues were prolonged. Her cousins, -who had not failed to notice the said walks and talks, tormented their -helpless victim with winks, nudges, and vulgar and incessant chaff, -that made poor Fanny blush to tears. - -When discussing family matters in the privacy of her bedroom, Mrs. Bond -had said to her sister: "If the dandy little officer has taken a fancy -to Fan--it will be a very good business!" - -"Too good to be true," interjected Mrs. Tubbs. "No such luck." - -"It's rather a puzzle to know what to do with her; she can't go back to -that awful little house in Tranmere, and, besides, she's too young to -live alone, and set up a cat and a parrot." - -"Yes, poor thing, she's had a starved life, and is as timid as a mouse." - -"No wonder, after her awful time with Uncle James," declared Mrs. Bond; -"such pinching and screwing, and scolding, and badgering, as was never -known. You leave the business to me, and I'll have a little talk with -her friend, and let him know that Fan has a bit of money--and no near -relations!" - -In order to carry out her project, that same evening, after dinner, -Major Tallboys' particular horror--the loudest and showiest of the -sisters--invited him to come into the conservatory for a smoke, and -tell _her_ something about India. - -He obeyed with prompt gallantry,--though secretly alarmed. This -bold-eyed matron with a voice of brass had, undoubtedly, something up -her sleeve. - -After a few vague enquiries respecting heat, and snakes, Mrs. Bond, -assuming a more confidential attitude, took the plunge. - -"Do you know, Major Tallboys, you have made Cousin Fanny just crazy -about India. Poor dear, she has seen so little of the world." - -"So I gather from what she told me." - -"I'll bet you a pair of gloves she never told you the reason," the lady -went on impressively, "or that she has been a slave and a martyr to a -terrible old father for ten years! Poor Fan was his drudge and nurse, -and yet she never complained--though it was a dog's life." - -"Some dogs haven't half a bad time," argued her companion (who was -thinking of his own happy pack and their assiduous "dog boy"). - -"Not those that are chained in back yards," declared the matchmaker. -"Fan was always on the chain." - -"Did no one interfere?" - -"What can you do, between a father and a daughter?--though he was -a Pharaoh--not a father. Besides, we were all mortally afraid of -Uncle James, and never went near him. His temper was something -frightful--just like a tiger with the toothache!" - -"How exceedingly unpleasant! Was he always in this deplorable -condition?" enquired Major Tallboys. - -"No, he lost a lot of money in some shipping firm, and that soured -him for life. He dropped all his friends, and gave up a fine house -in Prince's Park, Liverpool, and went over to a dingy little terrace -in Tranmere. We never could make out, if he was very poor, or just a -miser. I know, he only took a weekly paper, and gave Fan ten pounds a -year to dress on. Now she is free, and her own mistress, she does not -know what to do with her liberty, and believes she is grieving for the -old man." - -Here Mrs. Bond paused for breath, and to dab the stump of her cigarette -in the ash-tray. - -"His affairs were in a shocking state," she resumed, "one would think a -monkey had kept his books; but my Joe says there will be a good bit of -money, and that Fan will have between four and five hundred a year!" - -Major Tallboys liked Fan for herself, and had hitherto believed her to -be of the genus "poor relation." He noticed that she was the Cinderella -of the family, who ran messages, was left out of expeditions, and -evidently held of no account. Four or five hundred a year would be an -agreeable addition to a major's pay and allowances. He chucked the end -of his cigar into a shrub, and looked Mrs. Bond squarely in the face. - -"And I tell you this," she continued eagerly, "Fan is the kindest, -simplest, and most unselfish of women; whoever gets her"--patting his -sleeve with a hateful significance--"will have the best of wives!" - -"I am sure of that," he agreed in a studiously bland voice, but his air -was cold and detached, his eyes gleamed frostily, under his somewhat -heavy brows. He was fond of Fanny, but he had no intention of being -managed and rushed by this great, blowsy woman, and abruptly turned the -conversation by remarking: - -"I see by the evening paper they have a heat wave in Berlin; how -fortunate _we_ are in our weather!" - -"It was no go," the disconcerted matron whispered to her sister; "I did -my big best, but he wouldn't rise--no, not even when I mentioned her -income! He got quite lofty, and shut me up by talking of the _weather_. -So now I can see Fan in our spare back, at Waterloo, for life; I shall -charge her four guineas a week, and laundry. After all, she will be -useful! Since Nan has her hair up she is a regular handful, and must -have some sort of keeper or chaperone to take her to her classes in -Liverpool." - -"Nan is as clever as they make 'em, and no fool," remarked her aunt. -"Pity she's so ugly," she added with that unaffected candour habitual -among near relatives; "I'm afraid you'll never get her off--no more -than Fan--she's so cocksey, and so blunt." - -Meanwhile, behind a newspaper in the smoking-room, Major Tallboys was -holding a serious mental debate. Of late, as he made his leisured and -fastidious toilet, and preened himself before a glass, he noticed with -grief and pain the deeper furrows in his forehead, and the whitening of -his brown hair. Yes, he was getting on, and if he ever meant to marry, -there was no time to be lost! His mind's eye cast a nervous glance -towards the army of elderly and old men who rented rooms near the -Club--their only home; men, without family ties or affection, their -whole interest bounded by the daily press; desolate poor fellows, who -were tended in sickness by a landlady, or a professional nurse, and -passed out of life, unsped, and unwept. - -Fanny Bond was amiable and sympathetic; amazingly well read too!--a -free library had been her only solace and joy. Children and dogs adored -her; her appreciation of himself was unquestionable! She had a slim, -graceful figure, a certain amount of good looks--masses of dark hair, -a pair of confiding brown eyes, slightly prominent, but otherwise -perfect teeth. Her relatives however were a serious drawback;--in fact, -Mrs. Bond's impudent interference had gone near to shattering her -cousin's prospects--but down in his little battered heart there was a -warm corner for Fanny; and a nice-looking, unselfish woman, with five -hundred a year, was by no means to be despised. - -Night brings wisdom, and the morning after his interview with Mrs. -Joe, arrayed in a creaseless suit and wearing his most becoming tie, -Major Tallboys invited Miss Bond "to come for a turn in the garden?" By -degrees, he conducted the conversation to her favourite subject, travel. - -"I believe we are going to Switzerland this winter," she announced, -"and I cannot tell you how much I look forward to my first trip abroad." - -The pair were now pacing a retired walk, overshadowed by a rustic -pergola veiled in masses of pink roses,--one of the glories of the -hotel garden. Major Tallboys, casting a searching glance over his -surroundings, came to an abrupt halt. Although a ladies' man, and the -hero of countless flirtations, the good-looking, agreeable little -soldier was about to make his first serious proposal! - -This resolution had been hardening in his mind ever since he had -swallowed his early morning cup of tea. - -"How would you like to go to India?" he enquired of his companion. - -Colouring vividly, she exclaimed, "Oh, I should like it better than -anything in the world, but I shall never get the chance!" - -She looked surprisingly handsome, with her glowing cheeks, and soft -dark eyes; the plain, ill-made alpaca entirely failed to conceal her -slender grace. - -"Well, Miss Bond," clearing his throat and looking at her steadily, -"I offer you the chance here and now. Fanny, I am greatly attached to -you--will you be my wife?" and he tendered a thin, sun-dried hand. - -For a moment Fanny felt stunned; she stared at her suitor with -stupefied incredulity, then burst into tears. - -This sudden opening of the gates of the world and life, so far -transcended her humble hopes. In spite of her cousins' crude and brutal -chaff, Fanny had never thought of the Major's attentions as otherwise -than the good-nature of an idle man, who noticed that she was forlorn, -and a little out of it--the word "neglected" never occurred to her -simple heart. - -Tears such as Miss Bond's are quickly dried--on this occasion they -were dealt with by the Major's own delicate silk handkerchief. For -some time, she and her companion remained talking very earnestly to -one another under the pergola, but what they said was known only to -eavesdropping "Dorothy Perkins" and her pretty sisters. - -Within half an hour, an engaged couple--each decorated with a pink -rose--turned their happy faces towards the hotel. As they approached -with lagging steps, they were "spotted" by Mrs. Joe, who happened to -be extended in a verandah chair, smoking the inevitable cigarette, and -mentally selecting her autumn toilette. In a second, she had realised -the situation, and springing to her feet, upsetting an ink-bottle and -ash-tray, she clapped her hands in noisy acclamation. - -It was arranged that the wedding was to take place within a -month--since there was really nothing to wait for, and the bridegroom -wished the bride to see something of her own country, before sailing -for India. - -Bond himself was a good fellow, but his wife, sister-in-law, and -mother-in-law--no. To Major Tallboys it was unbearable that he should -be called "Freddy," in season and out of season, and publicly chaffed -and _kissed_, by the overwhelming Mrs. Joe. The trousseau was selected -in Liverpool--that city of fine shops--and Major Tallboys gave his -fiancée a diamond ring, an unpretentious pendant, and much valuable -advice. The honeymoon was spent in London, with excursions to Devon, -Oxford, and Warwickshire; the newly married pair also made a round of -the theatres, picture galleries, and museums. Great indeed are the -marvels that dress, and a good conceit of oneself, can achieve. Joe -Bond, meeting his cousin in a shop, actually failed to recognise in -this elegant lady, with rustling skirts, a black-feathered hat, white -gloves, and beautifully dressed hair, the dowdy and deprecating Fan! - -Shortly before they sailed, the happy couple received intelligence -calculated to still further increase their bliss. - -The affairs of the late James Bond, merchant and shipmaster, had been -wound up, and proved that he had been a miser, and, like his kind, -had died a wealthy man. "Frances Ann," his only child, was heiress to -something over five thousand a year. - -Mrs. Tallboys' relatives received these tidings with unaffected -consternation, and annoyance. Here was Fanny, a rich woman, married -to a stuck-up little dandy who was carrying her and her fine fortune -out of the country. The capital of this fortune would have made a -noble bulwark to the house of "Bond, Tubbs, and Co." cotton brokers, -and enabled them to extend their business into hitherto undreamt of -regions. Had the Major any inkling of this hidden treasure when he -proposed to Fan? The base suspicion was unfounded--nevertheless it -rankled. Freddy Tallboys was equally thunderstruck by this amazing -windfall; as for his wife--recalling long years of grey poverty--she -could not realise her tens of thousands, and felt as if the whole -world had been turned upside down! However, her clever and practical -husband promptly grasped the change in their circumstances, interviewed -lawyers, bankers, stockbrokers, purchased for Fan a string of pearls, -a superb landau, and a supply of plate and china,--suitable for -entertaining on a generous scale. - -Arriving from furlough with a bride whose fortune had been magnified -to millions, his many friends welcomed and applauded clever Freddy. -He had waited to some purpose! At one time it had been feared that -he was about to be snapped up by a girl from Bellary, a hard-riding, -red-haired spin, without a pice! - -The return to India, a familiar environment, and a full and busy life, -had worked a transformation in Fanny's husband, and placed him before -her in a still more dazzling light. - -On furlough, this naturally keen and busy officer found himself a -nobody!--idle, bored, unrecognised, and consequently inclined to be -irritable, super-critical, and dyspeptic. Once more in harness (a -nice staff appointment) and surrounded by familiar scenes and old -associates, he was a different person full of high spirits, buoyant -energy, and bonhomie. - -His bride recognised his importance in his own circle, his popularity -among men, and looked with awe upon orderlies, brass-bound chuprassies, -long official envelopes, and the ever-arriving telegram. A Freddy, -wearing a clanking sword and gold spurs, was new to her, and indeed -Major Tallboys in full-dress uniform (a pattern to his rank) presented -a remarkably dignified, and soldier-like, appearance. - -After a short stay in Madras, a bungalow in the Neilgherries was -Fanny's first home. It was at Ooty that she engaged her Indian retinue, -unpacked her glass and china, and set up her own dog. Her husband's -friends, so well known by name, had unanimously offered her a hearty -welcome; these were mostly military people, with easy, agreeable -manners. Her garden was fragrant with roses and violets, the view from -the verandah of Cranford Hall was unsurpassed, and how the sun shone! -Caught into a whirl of congenial society, Frances Ann found herself in -another world. - -She realised that she owed this translation from suburbia and gloom -to sunshine and happiness, to Freddy, and worshipped him accordingly. -To behold him of a hunting morning, red-coated, admirably mounted, -"witching the field with matchless horsemanship," was a sight that -filled his wife with a pride and admiration, she was at no pains to -conceal. - -Under her husband's guidance and encouragement, Fanny cast away her -shyness, and learnt to play tennis, to drive a pair of hard-mouthed -ponies, and to entertain with self-confidence and grace. So adaptable -was she, that by the end of a year, there was no more popular hostess -than Mrs. Tallboys. - -Her kind heart, the memory of her dreary youth, and gratitude -for present good fortune, combined to make her tenderly -sympathetic,--especially towards forlorn, friendless girls, and all -sorts, and conditions, of her own sex. - - * * * * * - -Meanwhile, Mrs. Tallboys is figuratively waiting in the doorway, -her long dark hair hanging in two thick plaits, her eyes fixed -interrogatively upon her lord and master. - -"I've had such a morning!" she began, "going through the rooms, -arranging for people, sending the new-comers into dinner according to -precedence, doing the flowers and menus, that I'm dead, and am taking -forty winks before they all arrive. Is there anything you want altered, -Freddy?" - -"No, no, my love; I've just rushed in for a second to tell you about -young Mallender. I couldn't say much on the telephone," and in a couple -of pithy sentences, he had laid before her Geoffrey's extraordinary -enterprise. - -"Of course, it must be stopped! He is mad to start off at once. I've -handed him over to Byng at the Club, and stuck him to play in the -tournament; this will give us breathing-time." - -"Breathing-time," repeated his wife, whose astonishment had carried her -into an arm-chair. - -"Here, read this," handing her the precious letter, "and you will -understand the whole position. I know you are safe, Fan, and can be -trusted with a family secret." - -For a moment he stood watching her closely as she sat engrossed in the -sheet of thin yellow paper; then he fidgetted restlessly round the -room, straightening a book here, an ornament there. - -"What astounding news!" she exclaimed at last; "can you believe it? Do -you think it's _pucka_? or a practical joke?" - -"I believe the letter to be genuine," he answered decisively, "and if -the boy--a very nice young fellow--persists in his folly, he will be -made to pay for it! Four thousand a year is no blind nut, and I intend -to put every possible obstacle in his way; not merely because I am -heir, but because I like him." - -"What sort of obstacles do you suggest, Freddy?" - -"Amusements, distractions, polo, balls, pretty faces. We will knock -this nonsense out of his head, and take him to the Hills when we move; -there he can shoot and hunt, and you might marry him off to some -nice girl; by the time the roof is on, they can return and live at -Mallender!" - -"Ah, so that's your programme!" exclaimed his wife. "Well, of course, I -shall be only too delighted to help; but perhaps your cousin is not so -easily managed, and married off, as you suppose!" - -"Oh, he'll be all right. I fancy he got a bit hipped, living all alone. -I leave you to tackle him, Fan; this sort of job is your speciality. -Keep the boy incessantly occupied and entertained, and, whatever you -do, my dear girl, don't let him slip through your fingers!" - -And with this emphatic injunction Colonel Tallboys waved a valedictory -hand, and disappeared. - - - - - CHAPTER V - - -Surrounded by a group to whom Byng had introduced him, Mallender was -enjoying himself thoroughly, listening and talking to keen young men of -the same upbringing and service--his contemporaries. - -Six months at Mallender had undoubtedly depressed his spirits. After -the death of his father, lawyers, surveyors, and contractors were his -sole associates; for of late years the Court had fallen into oblivion; -old friends had died or removed to other neighbourhoods, and a new -generation arisen which knew not the heir. It was out of the question -to invite guests to his shabby dilapidated home, where the water -streamed through the roof, and there was no shooting. This unexpected -change to a bright glimpse of his former life, proved inexpressibly -welcome to Geoffrey: here were men well known to him by name, and -actually an old school-fellow, who was quartered in the Fort. As they -sat smoking, and discussing shop, racing, polo, and mutual friends, in -such congenial atmosphere, the new-comer had for the moment completely -lost sight of what he mentally called "his job." Colonel Tallboys, when -he arrived, instantly grasped the situation. Here was Geoffrey full -of animation and enthusiasm, debating and criticising the entries for -Punchestown. This was as it should be--the lure was already working! - -To tell the truth, although Mallender had spent five happy hours within -the Club, these hours had passed so rapidly, that it seemed incredible -when his cousin announced that "it was after six o'clock, and time to -make a start." - -The transformation of the outward scene appeared equally surprising. -The wind had died away, the breakers merely sobbed softly on the -beach; a clear Eastern night was full of stars, and the light of -electric lamps penetrated into every corner. Numbers of motors were -parked in the vast compound; in some sat various gay and smart ladies, -sipping iced drinks, eating devilled biscuits, and holding informal -meetings with their men friends. Now and then a car would slip out of -the crowd, and take the Mem Sahib and her cavalier for a turn up the -Guindy Road, or along the marine front,--whilst the lady's husband -was finishing an interminable rubber of auction bridge. It had been -one o'clock when Mallender left the Fort--at an hour when all Madras -was under the spell of noonday quiet; servants were "eating rice," -animals resting, the very crows and hawks temporarily suppressed--but -now the city was awake; the Gorah bazaar, and Georgetown, were humming -like bee-hives, heavily-laden trams, crammed with passengers, clanged -and rumbled up and down the Mount Road, the old established "Europe" -shops, such as Orr's, Spencer's, and Oak's, were brilliantly alight -and filled with customers; motors and bicycles skimmed hither and -thither--luxurious carriages drawn by steppers rolled by, whilst -picturesque foot-passengers, Jutkas, and leisurely bullock-carts gave a -touch of local colour to the scene. - -Such was the traffic, that it was a considerable time before Colonel -Tallboys' Napier could extricate itself and thread its smooth way by -Royàpetta towards Egmore. As the car turned sharply through an entrance -gate and up the long drive to Hooper's Gardens, Mallender was both -impressed and surprised. Here was no mere bungalow, but the lofty -stately dwelling of a one-time merchant prince--reared in an age when -space, and rupees, were amply available. - -"Hooper's Gardens" stood surrounded by fifty acres of short, coarse -grass, a white, two-storied mansion with pillared verandahs, a flat -roof, and imposing portico. Against a dense background of palms and -shrubberies were pitched a group of tents. - -"We are a bit on the outside skirts of fashion," explained Colonel -Tallboys, "but it's a noble, spacious old house--built in spacious -times. One or two wealthy natives live hereabouts in others of the -same class. My neighbour is a Prince of the family of Gulberga. His -premises are a jungle, the whole place is disgracefully kept, full of -horses, mountebanks, and squalid retainers. The fellow is a _terrible_ -drawback, I must confess. Well, here we are," he added as the car -stopped; "I expect we shall find Fanny in the drawing-room." - -In another moment he had ushered his relative into a lofty apartment, -lit by carefully shaded electric lights. As Mallender advanced, he was -aware of a number of people standing in a group. One of these, a tall -lady, now came sweeping towards him, with an outstretched hand, and -said: - -"I am sure you are Fred's cousin. I am so pleased to see you." - -Mallender felt instinctively attracted--few could resist Fanny -Tallboys, and her kindly, warm-hearted smile. - -After they had exchanged a few words, Colonel Tallboys broke in fussily: - -"Come along, Geoffrey, and I'll show you your quarters. Fan," to his -wife, "you'd better look sharp and dress; you know the General, like -the Duke of Wellington, is always a quarter of an hour before his time." - -Mallender's quarters were in the encampment, and in his host's wake -he stumbled his way among ropes and lanterns into a large comfortable -"Hill" tent. Here he discovered that all his belongings had already -been unpacked. On the bed, lay his evening clothes, shirt, socks, and -handkerchief; on a little table beside it, were piously arranged his -Prayer Book, and the photographs of his father and mother. - -A rather undersized native, with an intelligent, smiling face, wearing -a tweed coat, cord breeches, and leggings, had hastily risen to his -feet and salaamed. - -"Here is Anthony," said Colonel Tallboys, with a wave of the hand. -"Hullo, what's this? What tom-fool clothes are these?" he sternly -demanded. - -"Major Morant, saar, that very kind gentleman going England, giving me -polo kit, and one cricket suit, one fancy dress, and one mess jacket," -replied Anthony with voluble respect. - -"And you are showing off your new duds! Mind, in service you've got -to wear your white coat and trousers--_no_ fancy costume. Geoffrey, -you will have to keep an eye on this fellow. Well, I must be off, it's -uniform night, on account of the General, but you'll be all right in -black." - -Mallender felt inclined to declare that "he felt all wrong in black," -but already his host was out of earshot, and Anthony and his new -employer were alone. - -"Master liking to see my characters?" he asked, producing what looked -like a silk _hussif_, from which he unrolled and offered a variety of -sheets of crested paper. - -Mallender took them and, sitting on the side of his cot, glanced -over the bundle. These "chits" were as a whole favourable; some were -serious, and even grateful; two were humorous, one was in rhyme, and -another conveyed the information that "Anthony, i.e. 'Smiler,' was -capable and trustworthy, very inquisitive, vain, and a great talker, -and that the writer would not be willing to buy him at his own price, -and sell him at market value." - -"All right, Anthony," said Mallender, as he returned the precious -documents, "Colonel Tallboys knows you, and that is the main thing." - -"Oh, yes, saar, and _I_ know the Colonel, since I was a _chokra_, and -can speak plenty well of him. That very good gentlemans, all servants -liking him; though very quick, quick, quick, and particular; getting -always all shirts washed in England--three dozen going, three dozen -coming, three dozen wearing!" - -"That will do, that will do," sternly interrupted his new master. -"Don't _talk_. I am going to Guindy to-morrow early, call me at five -sharp, and order the car for half-past," and Anthony was temporarily -silenced, and suppressed. - -The hint of the General's premature arrival accelerated Mallender's -movements. He was the very first to appear in the vast drawing-room, -and had now an opportunity of making a leisurely survey of its -contents. He did not fail to notice the great chunam pillars--gleaming -like white marble--the polished teak floors, Eastern rugs, carefully -placed screens, and profusion of delicately scented flowers; the whole -atmosphere exhaled a cultivated taste, and subdued magnificence. -What particularly struck the stranger was the accumulation of old -furniture; objects he recognised from seeing their counterparts -in great houses--or indeed in a lesser degree, his own. Here were -chairs, mirrors, settees, and cabinets--enclosing curiosities and old -china. Mallender was no judge, but realised that he was surrounded by -many rare and valuable treasures, and was in the act of examining a -cabinet, when he caught the sound of soft rustling, a light footstep, -and turning about saw his hostess approaching. She carried herself -well, and wore a pale yellow gown, with diamonds shining in her dark -hair. Who would recognise in this dignified matron, the Fanny Bond of -Martello Terrace, Tranmere? - -"Oh, so you are the first!" she exclaimed. "This _is_ nice--I'm so -glad, for now we can have a little talk before the crowd arrive." - -Mrs. Tallboys was sincerely pleased with Fred's cousin--a handsome -young fellow with easy manners, and a pleasant manly voice. There was -something chivalrous in his air, as well as his amazing enterprise; how -well he looked in admirably cut evening clothes! - -"Come and sit by me on this sofa," indicating a place, "and let us get -to know one another better." - -As he accepted her invitation, she added with a significant smile: - -"Fred has told me all about you: I am quite what is called 'in the -know,' and I can keep a secret." - -"What do you think of my venture?" he enquired. - -"It's the most generous and romantic I've ever known, resembling, -though in a different spirit, the impulse that carried the flower -of England to the Crusades; but I'm afraid you will have the same -ending--failure." - -"Ah, I'm sorry to see you won't encourage me, Mrs. Tallboys." - -"You are to call me Fanny; you and Fred are cousins, and cousins hold -on to one another out here. Now I want to tell you, that as long as you -are in India you are to look upon our house as your head-quarters--and -home." - -"Oh, thank you--you are most awfully kind, but I must not settle down -to enjoy myself, until I've accomplished what you call my crusade." - -"At any rate, you need not embark yet awhile! Surely you can spare us -a few weeks?" Then diplomatically changing the subject, "I saw you -looking at my china and curios!" - -"Yes, I'm no judge, but you seem to have a wonderful collection." - -"You will call it more wonderful still, when you hear that every object -you see--they are all dear to me--has been picked up in the Madras -Presidency! Oh, yes, you may well stare; and now I'll tell you all -about it. Once upon a time--say a hundred and fifty years ago, and even -before then--furniture and household goods were imported from England, -France, and Holland, by merchants, nabobs, or military adventurers--all -more or less rich. As time advanced, those palmy days passed, and the -Victorian Age dawned; old, so-called 'rubbish' went out of fashion and -fell into disgrace. The new craze had not set in thirty years ago, and -you could pick up treasures that it makes my mouth water to think of, -in the thieving bazaar, or at Franck's auction rooms in the Mount Road." - -"Yes, but you were not here thirty years ago--you were in a -perambulator," objected her listener. - -"No," she corrected, "a pigtail! I am forty-two. However, Fred was on -the spot; even as a young sub. he had a taste for old things. He was -well laughed at and called a muff, and an old woman, but he had quite a -nice little collection, when _I_ came on the scene. That lovely Empire -couch, he rescued from being chopped up for firewood--the poor thing -had only two legs. The Chippendale chairs, he routed out of a mouldy -old bungalow on the top of Palaveram Hill. I discovered that charming -satinwood table, in a _dirzee's_ shop of Blacktown; some of the -furniture has made journeys all over the Presidency on bullock-carts -when regiments were on the move, and has been battered and cracked and -auctioned over and over again, for nearly two centuries!" - -"Then I wonder there is a stick left!" exclaimed Mallender. - -"Well, yes; of course, some invaluable treasures have gone to boil -cooltie, or gram, but many fine seasoned travellers still survive. My -collection is my craze, my chief weakness, and my tongue once started -cannot stop; every bit has its own history. Those Sèvres vases I bought -from a Toda in the Hills; that ugly gilt jar in the same cabinet, I -purchased as an act of charity from a beggar, a poor Eurasian woman, -and gave her twenty rupees--believing it was brass. Long afterwards -it turned out to be solid gold--a bit of loot from Seringapatam. I -tried to trace the woman, but she had disappeared. That priceless vase -of 'Sang de Bœuf' held pipe-clay in my back verandah! The exquisite -dessert service you will eat off to-night, I unearthed at the back -of Hadji Kareem's shop in Bangalore, smothered under years of dust, -and I'd be _ashamed_ to tell you what I paid for it! I have also a -marvellous talisman--oh! I think I hear a motor! Would you mind turning -on the light in the big chandelier--another find--tell you about it -afterwards. I only have it lit at the last moment, as I cannot endure -the glare." - -Mallender rose to obey, and the splendid old French piece instantly -burst into a blaze that flooded the entire room, and seemed to -appropriately herald the approach of a dark-eyed lady, wearing a -shimmering gown of blue and silver, and a long rope of pearls--who thus -made an involuntary, but impressive stage entrance. - -For a moment she halted, and put her hand to her eyes, then murmured -with a plaintive smile: - -"I declare I am quite dazzled!" - -"So are we!" responded Mrs. Tallboys with flattering significance. -"Lena, let me introduce Captain Mallender; Geoffrey, this is my old -friend Mrs. Villars, who is spending the cold weather with us. You are -to take her in to dinner--your seats are on the left." - -Here the arrival of the General, his wife and his A.D.C., cut short -further explanation. The remainder of the company rapidly poured in, -and as Mallender stood by his partner watching the crowd, he was -struck by the elegance of the ladies' frocks, their fashionable air, -and their diamonds; among men, the military element predominated; from -the General's scarlet and bemedalled coat, to uniforms of sombre rifle -green or gorgeous Indian cavalry--altogether a gay and goodly gathering. - -When the very last couple had overwhelmed their hostess with apologies, -a tall turbaned butler, picturesque in white and gold, entered, and -with a profound salaam announced: - -"Dinner is served!" - - - - - CHAPTER VI - - -Captain Mallender and his partner formed up into the Noah's Ark -procession--headed by Colonel Tallboys and the General's wife--and -presently found themselves in a room corresponding in height and size -to the one they had just quitted, and steered successfully into their -respective places at an oval table, glittering with crystal and silver -and embellished by exquisite flowers and fruit. In the background stood -a row of well-drilled attendants, commanded and marshalled by the gold -and white butler. - -The new-comer noted the dainty appointments and careful details, -painted menus, crested Venetian glass, and three superb -epergnes--surely these had not been rescued from some filthy go-down? -As he withdrew his gaze, he encountered the glorious eyes of his -companion. - -"Rather nice, isn't it?" she murmured; "you see, we are quite -up-to-date out here." - -"Quite," he agreed. - -"By the way, when did you arrive?" - -"Last night--from Bombay." - -"And how are all the dear old folks at home?" - -"More or less cold and coughing--it's been a hard winter." - -"And you came out to escape from it?" she questioned. - -"Well--not exactly," he answered, after a momentary hesitation. - -"Would it be too, _too_ rude, to enquire what _did_ bring you?" - -Mallender found it impossible to impart to this charming lady, with -the soft voice and alluring eyes, the real, true, and only reason, for -his presence in the country. As he looked back at her, he realised how -ridiculous and preposterous his errand would appear. - -"My house is under repair"--sudden happy thought--"and I really am -without a roof!" - -"Then you are a wanderer like myself," she exclaimed. "I have spent -eight months in India, and I must soon be thinking of 'Home, sweet -Home.'" - -"And no doubt your husband--but, of course, he is with you----" -Mallender stopped short; in an illuminating flash he recognised his -blunder. The lady's face had suddenly stiffened, her expression -undergone a curious change. She looked away for a moment, and then, -still looking away, let fall the deliberate words: - -"I am a widow." - -"Oh, I say! I do beg your pardon," he pleaded impetuously. "I'm most -frightfully sorry--I--er--I did not know----" - -"Oh, how could you?" she interrupted; "in a country where grass widows -abound, a real widow is almost unknown. I suppose you are out for the -usual thing--to shoot big game?" - -"No, I'm only out--er--just to have a look round." - -Here, alas, was another lie! - -"Ah, a looker-on, something like myself; since my loss, I have just -looked on--and envied happier people." - -Mallender glanced at the fair speaker; she wore no outward sign of woe, -not even a mourning ring; he noticed her expressive hands, blazing with -diamonds, the studied perfection of her toilet; at the moment she was -thoughtfully scanning the menu, and he had an excellent opportunity -of critically observing her extraordinary good looks; the long black -lashes, resting on a delicate cheek, smooth as ivory; the chiselled -nose, clean-cut lips, and masses of dark auburn hair--which exhaled a -faint, and exquisite perfume. - -"I've been up north, and to Simla and Calcutta," she resumed, when she -had replaced the menu with a little contented sigh, "and then I came -down to Madras to see dear old Fanny. I arrived three months ago--and -feel _rooted_!" - -Mallender's raised brows indicated his amazement. - -"Yes, I like this poor despised old city and its ways," here she cast a -glance round the circle of guests, the band of well-trained servants, -the delicacies that were being offered, and the champagne that, like a -popular novel, was enjoying a brisk circulation. - -"I do love it; it's all so leisurely and so comfortable. Give _me_ -comfort, and I ask no more!" - -"Comfort!" thought her listener; "if this is merely comfort, what can -be her idea of luxury?" - -"I appreciate the large houses," she continued, "the food, the -servants, who all speak English; though, of course, no stretch of -imagination can give Madras a cold weather!" - -"No, I understand that this is their winter," rejoined Mallender, "and -to-day, you could have fried an egg on the roof of my _gharry_." - -"Yes, I daresay, and yet I like Madras. My father was born out here, -and his father served most of his life in the Presidency--there must be -something in heredity." - -"I believe there is no doubt of that. Do you happen to know the old man -opposite, who is staring so fixedly?" - -"Oh, yes, Sir William Bream, a connection of Fanny's; enormously rich, -and immensely interested in cotton." - -"I thought for a moment that he was immensely interested in us--or -rather, I should say, in you." - -"Oh," spreading out her hand with a gesture of sudden confidence, "he -generally sits beside me--we are rather pals." - -"The young lady next to him looks ill," observed Mallender, as he -glanced at a pale, thin girl with sunken eyes, and a frock that had -seen its best days. - -"You mean Miss Sim; I don't think she is ill--only miserable." Mrs. -Villars helped herself to a salted almond, nibbled it daintily, and -then added unconcernedly, "You see, she has no belongings--and no home." - -"How does she happen to be out here?" - -"I fancy she had a pretty dull time in England, and they do say, -snatched at an invitation to Bombay, you know, one of those vague -things, that mean _nothing_! She contrived to get a passage, and -presented herself before the horrified people as a staying--not -paying--guest! Naturally, they passed her on, and she has been passing -on ever since, like the Queen in Old Maid," and unfeeling Mrs. Villars -gave a low amused laugh. - -"But why doesn't she go home?" enquired Mallender. - -"For the simple reason that she has no money." - -"Poor girl!" he muttered. "What an awful situation!" - -"Yes, isn't it?" the lady assented. "I'm afraid she's a dreadful -sponge, and not particularly interesting--let us talk of something -else. Do you notice the man near the end, with the fine head and beard? -He is Rolf, the celebrated artist, who has come out to paint the Rajah -of Gondalcond, and various other native nobles." - -"Yes, I think I've seen his pictures in the Academy." - -"I wonder if you saw _my_ picture there last year--painted by Le -Grande?" - -"No, I'm sure I did not," and he smiled significantly. - -"Because you would remember it--oh, yes!" and she showed her pretty -teeth. - -"Was it a great success?" - -"Yes, absolutely; not merely as a work of art, and a marvellous -likeness, but you know they say Le Grande has some mysterious psychical -power, and can discover and expose startling deficiencies, or -unsuspected traits, in the characters of his sitters," then, leaning a -little nearer, and looking up into Mallender's eyes, she dropped her -voice to a whisper, and breathed, "as for myself--he has painted my -_soul_!" - -"What! You don't say so, how extraordinary!" stammered her companion, -not a little amazed. "I should like to see the picture--where is it?" - -"Oh, Sir William bought it; it was a commission of his. I believe the -price was fabulous"; then, in quite a different key, "do have some of -this delicious iced asparagus!" - -As Mrs. Villars conversed on various subjects, Mallender gathered that -his beautiful neighbour was a woman of wide travel and experience, -well-versed in all the social jargon of the day. Scotch moors, -Norwegian fishings, foreign spas, had in turn been illuminated by her -presence--and it was evident from her talk that she was as rich and -extravagant as she was lovely and fascinating. There was a temporary -silence as she helped herself to a dish, and a gay voice on his left -addressed him. - -The voice belonged to a lady who had preceded him to the dining-room; -he had noticed her slim, graceful figure, and well-set-on head, with -its coils of dark hair; the countenance now turned to him, though full -of force and life, was disappointingly plain; it displayed a large -mouth, a too _retroussé_ nose, and a pair of wide-open grey eyes. - -"I've been longing to get in a word edgeways," she began; "but now that -Major de Lacey has captured the ear of a woman who usually obliterates -the rest of the company, here is _my_ chance! Let me introduce myself; -I am Mrs. Brander, _née_ Nancy Bond. Mrs. Tallboys is my aunt, and -since Freddy is your relative, we are some sort of connection--shall we -say twenty-first cousins?" and she looked at him persuasively. - -"I shall be only too delighted, and proud," he answered with a bow. - -"I was exported to Fan years ago, and she married me off--wasn't she -clever?" As Mrs. Brander asked the question, her grey eyes twinkled -mischievously. - -"Clever?" repeated Mallender; "I don't quite know what you mean?" - -"Clever because I'm so ugly!" was the brisk rejoinder. "Do you realise -that your lot has been cast between a celebrated beauty, and the -opposite extreme?" - -"Come, I can't allow you to say that!" he protested uncomfortably. - -"Well, of course; some of us must be plain, as foils to show off the -others; if everyone were handsome, think how dull it would be! Tom, -that is my husband, is accustomed to me, and my nose has always been a -source of amusement to my family." - -Mallender, who was at a complete loss for words, merely stared, as she -rattled on. - -"I am spending a holiday with Aunt Fan--I've come for a bit of the -season." - -"I hope you will enjoy it," he said lamely. - -"Thank you, I'm blessed with the enjoying temperament, and have an -infinite capacity for taking pleasure--in short, a very frivolous -inferior sort of person, you are not married I believe?" - -"No." - -"You said that No, as if you were most truly thankful, but wait, Aunt -Fanny loves match-making, and if you are not very clever and _cunning_, -she will soon dispose of you!" - -"She won't have a chance," he answered, "I'm off, the moment the polo -tournament is over." - -"Are you really?" and she gazed at him interrogatively. "Well, Aunt Fan -can do great things in a week. Of course this is your first visit to -India?" - -"No, I was up in the North-west, eight years ago." - -"At school?" - -"I am older than you suppose. I joined the Warlocks at Lucknow, and -after a couple of months had a bad go of typhoid, and was sent home. -However, the regiment followed next reliefs." - -"They _must_ have been attached to you!" she exclaimed with an air of -grave conviction. - -Mallender burst into a spontaneous laugh, then he said: - -"And now here I am, in the benighted Presidency!" - -"May I give you one little hint?" she whispered. - -"A dozen--twenty dozen." - -"Never say a word against Madras to Freddy, or he will boil over! He -is an infatuated Madrassi; talks very big of Clive, Charnock, Warren -Hastings--and his lady friend, Mrs. Anna Maria Imhoff, who lived in his -house at the Mount; also of Yale in the Fort, and others, precisely -as if they were all here to-day! He is so jealous, for the old, old, -original Presidency, and loves every temple, and toddy tree, between -this and Ceylon. I won't ask what you think of us _yet_." - -"No, you must give me a longer start than one day; however, I have -experienced your wind and dust--both horrible!" - -"Admitted," she answered with a nod, "but we Britons need not give -ourselves airs, for it is a well-known historical fact, that the Romans -fled out of our country, because they couldn't stand the climate!" - -"Mrs. Brander, you are the latest from school, so I dare not presume to -argue, but hitherto I have been under the impression, that an incursion -of the Huns, recalled the legions." - -"Well, don't let us quarrel over such a trifle," she rejoined with a -shrug. "This is your first dinner in Madras--I wonder what strikes you -particularly?" - -"I'm afraid you'll be shocked, and think I'm frightfully greedy, when I -answer, the _dinner_ itself! We might be at the 'Ritz,' or Buckingham -Palace." - -"Oh, I see you are not aware that this old city is celebrated for its -cuisine, and Sunday tiffins. The native is a born cook, and our French -predecessors instilled into him some very sound ideas, with respect to -sauces, soups, _soufflés_, and omelettes. No doubt, formerly, the nabob -who lived here, regaled himself and friends on rich food, mountainous -_pilaws_, and molten curries. Those days are gone; also the times when -the very boldest woman dared not enter that chamber of horrors,--her -cook-house." - -"Why?" - -"For fear of what she might discover! I pass over the story of -'master's sock,' and other well-authenticated details. The hand of the -butler no longer inscribes a startling menu, and you are spared the -alarming promise of 'Cold Roast Lion, and D----d Turkey'!" - -"Oh, come, I say!" ejaculated Mallender. - -"I could tell you of still worse items, but _nous avons changé tout -cela_. Now, the menu is in French, and the food is of the daintiest -description. To me, the best of it all is, that the sudden incursion of -half a dozen unexpected guests at a moment's notice has no appreciable -effect on the _chef's_ temper! Everything comes up to time, and there -is neither fuss nor skimping. I may whisper to you, that it is a good -thing to encourage your cook, put him on his mettle, and, so to speak, -_lard_ him with flattery! So much for cooks, and for their employers! I -suppose you know scarcely any of the present company?" - -"No, but I'll be most grateful for information. I've made one awful -blunder already." - -"Oh, have you! Do tell me all about it?" she asked eagerly. - -Seldom had Mallender seen a face of such gay animation; for all its -snub nose, it was more piquante, attractive, and vivid, than that of -many a placid beauty. As he merely smiled, and shook his head, she -continued: "Then I'll be generous, and tell you what happened to _me_, -at my first Indian dinner-party. I was sent in with a young man--fairer -than either of us. He was just out from home, and made himself -agreeable, and when I enquired if he knew any of the guests? and he -said 'yes,' I immediately indicated two women opposite, and said, 'they -are as black as my ayah, who are they?' and he promptly replied, 'The -stout lady is my grandmother--the thin one, my mother.' - -"I shrieked with laughter, at what I took to be a joke; but when at the -end of the evening I saw him march away, arm in arm with the fat dark -lady, I nearly fainted." - -"I don't wonder," said Mallender. "Thanks to you, I am now warned, and -shall ask no questions." - -"Then shall I take your questions for granted, and point out some of -the company? The man opposite is Sir William Bream--isn't he like an -old sea-lion? So large and inflated, with great dull eyes, and a beard." - -"Yes, and since you bring the Zoo to dinner, may I ask you to tell me -about the long-necked, long-nosed man, whose self-contained air recalls -my dear friend the King Penguin?" - -"That is Mr. Arnfield, a prominent member of the Bar, and the local -dramatic society. His elocution is marvellous, and on Sundays, -he always reads the lessons; one morning, he upset the whole -congregation, when at the end of the second lesson, he slammed the -Bible, and announced in a stentorian voice, 'Now Borrobas was--_a -rabbit_!' I do hope, you are not shocked, are you? I am too thankful -I did not happen to be in church, for I know I should have disgraced -myself, and been ignominiously removed by the verger." - -"And I should have joined you!--kindly continue your valuable -information." - -"Well, the little elderly lady with a face like a piece of -wash-leather, lemon-coloured hair, and diamonds, is Mrs. Fiske, widely -known as 'The Acidulated Drop.' Her chief talent is fiction." - -"Oh, yes, I understand--a novelist." - -"Not exactly--though she achieves distinction by the number and variety -of her stories. Her late husband had a fine appointment, and she has -a fine pension; her daughters are satisfactorily settled out here, -she infests the Hills, and knows everything that goes on--on Hills or -plains; can do a kind action, or the reverse; and is always prepared to -get you a servant, or give you a character!" - -"A useful acquaintance!" observed Mallender, glancing at the lady; "and -rich--judging by her diamonds." - -"Yes, she has heaps of money, and eggs in many baskets; shares in -shops, and mines, and coffee estates. I see that she has noticed _you_ -and soon your history, prospects, and reputation, will be at her mercy." - -"I don't mind, I have no prospects now," he replied; "and as for my -reputation, reputations are cheap! I can easily get another." - -"Easier said than done--mud always sticks! To go on with my little -serial, the handsome lady in pink is the Hon. Mrs. Cliffe. She is -ruffled, because she has just discovered that rank has no precedence -in India. _I_ go in before her, as a consort of a Heaven-born; and -she is told off, according to Cocker, as the wife of a Captain in the -Line. How I should love to read her letters by the next mail! The -matron with the beautiful white hair, and emeralds, is Mrs. Damer, -who has come out to see her two sons; one is in the Army--the other -is in Tea. The stern man on her right, is said to be our future great -General--mark his cold, relentless eye!" - -"Well, he looks a hard-bitten chap, and every inch a soldier; and the -pretty, fair girl lower down--why is _she_ sent in with that old buffer -whose collar is choking him? That cannot be according to Cocker!" - -"No, but it happens to be a very special case," rejoined Mrs. Brander -with impressive gravity; "Miss Miller has been paired off with Colonel -Harris, because she is going to be married to him." - -"Marry him!" repeated Mallender, setting down his untasted glass. "Why, -he might be her grandfather!" - -"No doubt," agreed Mrs. Brander, "but there are reasons for the match; -if you will bend forward, and look along this side, you may notice a -sharp powdered nose, poked well to the front--it belongs to the chief -reason--the girl's mother, I will show her to you later." - -"Thank you," he answered dryly, "your description is sufficient." - -"At any rate, you will recognise Mrs. Miller by a glaring mass of -dyed hair, topped by a jaunty green feather. Colonel Miller's time is -up, and he will soon be retired, and go home. He and his wife have -led a merry life for years, they are heavily in debt--so Mrs. Miller -says--and they have barely enough for two people to live on, much less -three. She is therefore determined to get rid of Barbie, her daughter; -I am sure she longed to put her in her auction list, 'One charming -and amiable girl, aged nineteen; hair and complexion guaranteed; no -reasonable offer refused.' You see how spiteful I can be!" - -"But what does the young lady say?" enquired Mallender, as he glanced -at a pretty young thing, with a small wistful face, and clouds of light -brown hair. - -"The young lady dare not have _any_ opinion; she only came out a year -ago, and has not had much of a time. Barbie is popular, and rather -a dear, but her mother scares everyone by her almost bloodthirsty -hunt for a son-in-law. The poor child is terribly handicapped by her -parents; a rackety mother, and a gambling father; I must say, I am -sorry for poor little Barbie." - -"So am I," echoed Mallender; "is there no escape?" - -"No, though she has a staunch friend in Aunt Fan, whose two manias are, -young girls, and old furniture. Aunt Fan has done her level best, but -I'm afraid that nothing short of the end of the world, can save Barbie -from becoming Mrs. Harris." - -"Miserable victim!" - -"Well, yes--and no. Colonel Harris is a kind old thing, except at -bridge, when he is like a dissatisfied turkey-cock. Of course, there -will be no 'love's young dream!'" - -Mallender gave a loud involuntary laugh. - -"Don't laugh so scornfully," expostulated Mrs. Brander. "The girl will -have a good home, no money cares, possibly a motor--and certainly a -comfortable widow's pension." - -"Oh, ye gods!" ejaculated her listener. "Fancy a girl marrying for a -widow's pension. Twenty-first cousin, how _can_ you suggest such a -thing?" - -"You may well ask! I have a darling little daughter of my own, asleep -in her cot upstairs; sooner than she should make such a match, -I'd--well, I adore Babs, and Mrs. Miller has never attempted to conceal -her aversion to Barbie!" - -At this moment Mrs. Villars turned to claim her partner. - -"I do hope you play bridge?" she murmured in her sweet contralto. - -"Oh, yes, rather; but I'm a bit out of practice." - -"We are sure to have bridge to-night, and if so, do come to my table, -and if you are very rusty, I won't scold you--_much_." As she gazed at -him, with an expression at once cajoling and caressing, Mallender, -stirred by the enchantment of her plaintive voice and marvellous eyes, -promptly answered: - -"All right, Mrs. Villars, I'll play at your table--even if to reach it -I have to trample on the slain." - -"Ah, I see that we shall be great friends," she continued, "we are both -fond of travelling, and devotees of bridge and golf. Don't you think -when people like the same things--they like one another?" - -"I am sure of it," he answered with emphasis. - -"I see Fan has collected eyes," exclaimed Mrs. Villars, rising as she -spoke. "_Au revoir_, and mind you don't forget about the bridge," she -added with a confidential smile. - -Mrs. Villars wore a marvellous shimmering gown, an air of easy and -assured self-confidence, and as she swept away with a dragging grace -of movement, Mallender realised that there went a lady habitually -accustomed to admiration, homage, and wealth. - - - - - CHAPTER VII - - -The ladies--sixteen in number--streamed forlornly into the -drawing-room, where they broke up into groups--like gravitating to -like. The General's wife and Mrs. Tallboys embarked on congenial -topics, local charities, and an imminent bazaar; the wearer of the -jaunty green feather was captured by Mrs. Fiske, eager to hear the -latest news of Barbie's prospects. Barbie and Miss Sim, drawn to one -another by mutual sympathy, left the room together, to seek a secluded -corner of the verandah, and popular Nancy Brander on her way to a -beckoning friend was waylaid by her recent neighbour. - -"Do stop and talk to _me_ for a moment!" urged Mrs. Villars, leading -her aside. "I want to ask your opinion of my new frock?" - -"_Ravissante! Ravissante!_" pronounced Nancy, throwing up her hands. -After a pause she added: "I must confess that my chief sentiment is -_envy_!" - -"It arrived to-day from Mervéille--there is nothing," complacently -viewing herself in a long mirror, "like a well-cut new gown for giving -a woman an air of superiority--is there?" - -"Do you feel so superior?" enquired Mrs. Brander in a bantering voice. -"No doubt there _is_ something in what you say. I certainly feel twice -as important in a pair of Morkoph's smart shoes as I do in my wobbly -goloshes!" - -"Good gracious, fancy wearing them!" - -"Fancy _not_ wearing them in the rains," rejoined Nancy. "I expect your -superior gown cost a pretty penny." - -"No; they let me have two for ninety." - -"Rupees or guineas?" - -"Nan, you are really _too_ bad! I call this cheap for fifty--look at -the embroidery, all hand-made--real Mechlin lace--and then the cut!" - -"It is not my idea of economy. I never give more than fifteen--and -times are so bad." - -"But if people only buy frumpish gowns that cost a few pounds--what -_is_ to become of the poor tradespeople?" - -"Perhaps they may be better off--and have less bad debts," suggested -Nancy. - -Mrs. Villars coloured guiltily, but instantly recovering her aplomb, -said: "I declare your black gown has quite a French effect--where did -it come from?" - -"My verandah." - -"_Dirzee_ made! Never! I simply refuse to believe you. Nan, this is one -of your jokes?" - -"A joke I cut out with my own hands. I'm full of ideas, and my man is -an artist. I have good models, too--Fanny's best; and now and then I -get a box out from home." - -"But why this miserable economy? your husband's pay, your own -fortune----" - -"Yes, yes," interrupted Mrs. Brander, "but there are plenty of calls on -one's purse, besides spending money on chiffons." - -"Are there? I don't think a woman can invest her coin to better -advantage than in making herself a pleasure to behold." - -"And you would still be that, even if you wore nothing but a blanket -and a string of beads." - -This verdict was all the more flattering because unwillingly bestowed. - -"Really, Nancy," and the beauty laughed, "I hope I may not be reduced -to a single garment!--but one never can tell. I am over head and ears -in debt." - -"And yet you spend ninety guineas at one swoop!" - -"Yes, my dear,--debt is like drink. You go on, and on, and on. The more -you spend--the more you drink--the tighter the thing takes hold of you! -By the way, I was really forgetting something I wanted to ask. What do -you think of him?" - -"Him?" repeated Mrs. Brander, "which him? We have so many hims this -evening, hims ancient and modern!" - -"Don't be silly. I mean the nice boy that sat between us at dinner, and -by the way, darling, you poached shamelessly!" - -"Oh, you mean Captain Mallender. I like him." - -"What were you so busy talking about?" - -"Let me see," putting her hand to her forehead, "the climate, the -ancient Britons, and the Zoo." - -"You are always so blue and cultured," declared Mrs. Villars. "I think -Captain Mallender very good-looking: such a cheery manner, such gay -dark eyes, and a boyish smile; he parts his hair just as I like it! Fan -asked me to take charge of him, and be extra nice." - -"And so you were! You are always nice--to men," corrected Nancy, with a -disarming smile. "You know he is Fred's cousin, out from home." - -"And where _is_ his home? What is it like?" - -"The photo is in Fred's sanctum, a lovely old Jacobean place standing -in a great park." - -"So this good-looking boy is rich!" - -Nancy nodded. - -"And how long is he going to stay?" - -"Oh, the usual time--as long as ever he likes." - -"I wonder what has brought him out? Says he does not shoot, what can it -be?" - -"Perhaps to search for a wife?" gaily suggested Mrs. Brander. - -"As if a man in _his_ position would look at an Indian spin!" rejoined -Mrs. Villars with withering scorn. - -"He might do worse," argued the other briskly. "We have a large -assortment of really pretty girls, quite fresh and dainty--nothing shop -soiled!" - -"Really, Nancy, what dreadful things you do say! and if you call any -girl in Madras pretty--_I_ don't." As Mrs. Villars concluded, she -turned and surveyed herself in the glass, and Nancy Brander thus -released effected her escape. - -Lena Villars was a shallow, more or less amiable woman, endowed by -nature with a lovely face, perfect health, and perennial youth--but -stinted in the matter of heart and brain, and with a moral outlook that -was somewhat oblique. - -She appreciated luxury, had a consuming passion for clothes, and was -absolutely devoid of the money sense. Her chief interest in life was -the attitude of men towards herself, and she cherished an inexorable -resolution to be first, or nowhere. - -After gazing exhaustively at her own charming reflection, the beauty -stole away to her room, there to repair some little flaws in her toilet -previous to the great business of the evening. - -Meanwhile, in a remote corner of the verandah, the two girl friends -were exchanging miserable confidences in low voices. - -"Mother has taken _two_ passages in the Bibby Line for the first -week in April," said Barbie Miller. "There is no money to pay for -mine--if there were, it would make no difference. She says it's -providential that Colonel Harris wishes to marry me, and considers me -extraordinarily lucky." - -"And what do you say, Barbie?" - -"You know very well, Ada. I am still holding out, though the -announcement of my engagement has been sent home. I'm afraid Colonel -Harris has offered to pay for my trousseau, and I know that he has -'settled' quite a lot of things, including one or two big bills, and -given mother a lovely diamond ring. Really, he is most generous; and if -he did not want to _marry_ me, I'd like him well enough! I overheard -mother telling Mrs. Fiske that the wedding is to take place in the -Cathedral early one morning, and we are to start immediately afterwards -for the Shevaroy Hills. Honestly, I could not feel more wretched if I -were going to be hanged--indeed, I don't think I'd mind!" - -"I only wish I had your chance," declared her companion with energy, -"I'd marry Colonel Harris like a shot!" - -"Oh, _Ada_!" and Barbie stared incredulously. - -"Yes, you don't know what it is to be alone in the world, and -penniless," declared her friend forcibly; "he, at least, could give me -a roof over my head, and a home. Your case is nothing as compared to -mine; I am really in despair. I've not enough money to pay the dhoby, -or put in the collection plate, or buy stamps. My clothes are so mended -and so shabby I am ashamed to be seen. All the same, I don't think -anyone but Mrs. Brander guesses that I am so absolutely destitute. Last -time she was here she insisted on lending me a hundred rupees--such a -boon!--she said she knew what little odds and ends a girl on her own -wanted, and I was to pay her any time; and she gave me a lovely hat, -because it did not suit her, and several pairs of gloves, because they -were too small, and an evening-gown, because her husband could not bear -it! For all her funny talk, she is a darling--just like Mrs. Tallboys." - -"Does _she_ not know that you are so hard up, Ada?" - -"No, and I try to keep it from her. She has been only too kind; she -paid my railway ticket down to Calicut, and sent an ayah with me. This -is my second visit here, she invited me for a month, and I've stayed -two. I feel such a worm, and so deadly ashamed. Mrs. Fiske enquired if -I was living here altogether, and said 'this house should be called -Hooper's Hotel.'" - -"How horrid--and how like her!" - -"I know that my room is wanted for Captain Mallender," continued Ada, -"the ayah told me so. I've asked the Bells at Coimbatore to take -me in, but they made an excuse. Now I've written to the Carsons at -Trichy--they are my very _last_ hope. I've no money, and nothing to -sell. I sold the pretty frock Nancy Brander gave me--a sergeant's wife -offered twenty-five rupees for it; the ayah took ten for commission, -and I've told such stories about the gown to Nancy! But poor people -_have_ to lie! All I have left are three rupees. I'm so unhappy, so -worn out with anxiety and shame, that I wish I were dead! I'd drown -myself, only there is no place to do it in--the Cooum is filthy, and -off the pier there are sharks!" - -"Dear, dear, old Ada," said her companion, stroking her arm, "if I -could only bring myself to marry Colonel Harris, you should come and -live with _me_. I am as poor as a church mouse, but I can easily let -you have ten rupees--and you must, and shall take it! It will at least -pay for wires, and stamps, and be a little help in putting you in -communication with friends, who might invite you." - -"Friends," echoed Ada, "I've none; those I had are thoroughly sick of -me, and no wonder. I'm not pretty, or amusing, or accomplished, I don't -play bridge for money, I'm not even good-tempered. Just a plain, stupid -bore. They say that the poor always help the poor--and it's true--but I -won't take your ten rupees, Barbie." - -Seeing that Barbie was about to protest, she hurried on: - -"Do explain one thing, which puzzles me. Why is Colonel Harris so -anxious to marry you, when he, and all the world, must see how you hang -back?" - -"Why?--because of the hanging back! Mother tells him I'm so shy -and timid, such a mere shrinking child, afraid to show my _real_ -feelings--and he believes her. I won't call him James, and I won't -allow kissing, nor will I accept presents. I beg him to give them to -me--afterwards." - -"Do you think there will be an afterwards?" - -"Ada," she drew a long sigh, "I hope not, but you know I am no match -for mother; she is so fiercely determined, so cruel, and so strong. Now -listen to me, I'm going to say something dreadful--I almost wish I had -been born an orphan, and if mother does go home, and leaves me behind, -I hope I may never, never, see her again. Oh," springing up, "she is -calling me--the men have come in, and I must fly!" - -Presently there were sounds of music in the drawing-room, and if Ada -Sim had accompanied her companion--instead of sitting sobbing in a -corner of the verandah--she would have heard Mrs. Brander give a -superb rendering of Chopin. Subsequently poor Barbie was driven to the -Grand Schiedmayer, where with cold and trembling fingers she proceeded -to murder Schumann--fortunately not a soul was listening; almost -everyone's attention was riveted on the bridge tables so seductively -set forth; with their adequate complement of chairs and cards they -seemed to summon the company to "come and play." - -Mrs. Villars beckoned airily to her new friend, and said: - -"I hear from Captain Byng that he has roped you in for polo, he is _so_ -pleased." - -"I am afraid his pleasure is a bit premature!" rejoined Mallender. -"I am out of practice, and I believe some of the competing teams are -first-rate." - -"You mean the Marauders. Colonel Molyneux's lot?" - -"Yes, and the Motagherry Planters; though only two or three pony men -play a very hot game, so do the Bluebottles." - -"I shall come and look on at the practice, and wave my sunshade and -scream '_Shabash!_' only they don't say that down here. Ah, they are -moving at last! Do let us cut in, with the General and Nancy Brander." - -The General's weather-beaten countenance was a study in satisfaction, -when Mrs. Brander fell to his lot as a partner, for her play was -famous. Here was a lady who made no mistakes, never lost her head, and -knew the history of every card. Their opponents were Captain Mallender, -and Mrs. Villars,--who made a delightful picture, as she dealt out -the pack with flying jewelled fingers. At first, all the best of the -red suits seemed to fall to her and her partner. By and by, the luck -turned, the fortunate couple were slammed once and again; the lady made -reckless declarations in the true gambler's spirit, ever hoping to -retrieve her luck--and lost the rubber, and fifty rupees. - -Occasionally Mallender, when "dummy," rose and strolled about the -room, exchanging remarks and experiences with his fellow-dummies, and -glancing at various other tables. At one of these sat Mrs. Fiske, -grumbling incessantly, and bewailing her ill-luck in a manner that was -maddening to her companions. - -"Never had such luck--this isn't a hand--it's a foot! Don't know what -it is to hold a card--nothing but Yarboughs, and Chicane--perfectly -_sickening_!" - -The serious, stern, and business-like bridgers, such as the future -great General, Freddy Tallboys, and Mrs. Damer, played "auction" -with grim concentration; here was no whining, no court-martial on -indifferent partners. Nothing, nothing, but what Sarah Battle loved, -"the rigour of the game." At another table sat Sir William Bream, Mrs. -Tallboys, Colonel Harris and Miss Miller. Unhappy girl! her present -(and future) partner, found it impossible to conceal his emotion when -she trumped his best diamond, and led straight away into the enemy's -suit! It is conceded that cards develop one's real disposition, -and expose our worst failings; such as envy, jealousy, tyranny, -ingratitude, meanness, avarice, and cowardice. Mallender glanced -over at Colonel Harris. His face was a deep plum--quite dangerously -inflamed; how his great thick neck seemed to swell and bulge over the -stiff staff collar! Then the looker-on moved round and stood behind -Miss Barbie; he noted her flickering colour, and tremulous lips, as she -fumbled with her cards--uncertain what to play. He longed to give her -a quiet hint, as she hesitated between a king and a nine; meanwhile -her _vis-à-vis_ shuffled his feet impatiently, and her adversaries -exchanged significant smiles. As Mallender watched the irresolute -girl, he noticed her wealth of beautiful hair, her slender, graceful -neck, cheap white frock, and thin silver bangles. Her small childish -hands were ringless--apparently, as yet, there was no engagement. He -moved away to his own place, just in time to escape the explosion of -wrath which burst over the head of little Miss Miller. Of course, as -he anticipated, she had played the wrong card, and lost both game and -rubber. Bridge continued with unabated zeal till nearly one o'clock, -when the General, remembering an early inspection, rose a well-pleased -guest--and winner. Mallender and Mrs. Villars had lost ninety rupees, -and as the latter gathered up her wisp of a lace handkerchief and -little chain purse she said with a smile: - -"Let us hope for better luck to-morrow, Captain Mallender! If you will -pay the General,--I will settle with Mrs. Brander." - -He noticed Mrs. Brander's amused and somewhat inscrutable expression as -she collected her gloves and nodded a careless assent. - -When the last guest had departed, the last motor hummed away, -Mallender, as he followed Anthony and a lantern to his outdoor -quarters, realised that this had indeed been an evening of many -impressions! A little later, when Colonel Tallboys had locked up the -cigars, he came bustling into his wife's room, and found her locking up -her diamonds. - -"Your usual success, Fan! The dinner was A1, the mutton hung to a -second, and that new champagne is very sound." - -"That is your department, my dear. Yes, I think everything went off -well, and people enjoyed themselves." - -"All except that unfortunate Miss Sim, who looked like a death's -head--but then, she doesn't play bridge. I say, what about Geoffrey, -eh? He got along all right. I'm glad to see that shyness is not one of -his difficulties. Molyneux was much taken with him, but these Cavalry -chaps always hang on to one another. After you left, he was a help, -talking away to the General, and that shikari man; by the way, you've -not said a word to anyone about the reason of his trip?" - -"My dear Fred, need you ask?" and Mrs. Tallboys confronted him -gravely. "I don't want people to suppose that there is insanity in -your family!--not that Geoffrey is insane--he is merely obsessed with -an idea. The poor romantic boy was too long alone at Mallender; his -father's illness and death got on his nerves. He is naturally cheery, -and the change out here, with lots of lively company, will effect -a cure; he is a dear fellow, with such nice unaffected, courteous -manners, and a bright open face." - -"Oh!--I see he has been admiring your _china_!" declared Colonel -Tallboys with a grin of comprehension. - -"No; but I may tell you that I, like Colonel Molyneux, am 'much taken -with him.'" - -"And he with Mrs. Villars?" - -"Yes, you noticed that, in spite of William's smothered wrath, I sent -him in to dinner with Lena." - -"A capital move. Though I thought William looked pretty sick! So you -are bent upon strong measures?" - -"I don't know what you call strong measures, but I had a little talk -with Geoffrey. I realise that he is completely overmastered by one -idea, and I am determined to do all I can to prevent his risking his -whole fortune on a wild-goose chase." - -"I understand. Between polo, and the beauty, you hope to get the better -of this obsession, and to head him off from his crazy enterprise. -Well, Fan, you and I will do our best; and as, of course, you have -allowed Mary Ayah to retire to her go-down, I suppose I must put on my -spectacles, and unlace your dress?" - - - - - CHAPTER VIII - - -The following morning a sonorous "Five o'clock, saar," awoke Mallender -from his too brief slumbers; his first struggling thought was "Where -am I?" The cool crisp atmosphere felt strange, so did the sounds of an -unknown tongue, and a stamping of impatient hoofs, in his immediate -vicinity; then, in a second, he recalled his wits; he was in a tent -in India, and pledged to play polo within an hour. A strong cup of -Neilgherry tea, and a cold tub dispersed his drowsiness, and with -the car's swift passage through the invigorating air his spirits and -energies awoke. Lumbering water-carts were already allaying the red -dust, and evoking a curious and unfamiliar smell of wet and pungent -earth. From all directions people were sallying out for the morning -ride or drive; portly cooks, attended by obsequious coolies (carrying -empty baskets), flocked towards the bazaar, pallid Europe children -were being herded forth on ponies, or in prams, in order to "eat the -air," which, at this hour, was deliciously fresh, the sky incredibly -clear and radiant, quivering with brightness and life. At six o'clock, -all Madras was astir, and everywhere was activity, and bustle. As the -smooth-running Napier sped noiselessly onward, Mallender looked about -him, and realised that he was now in the tropics! Dense masses of -purple Bourgainvillia draped and veiled the roadside bungalows; above -their low brick walls, luxuriant bananas waved graceful, if somewhat -dusty, leaves; "Sally Bidon" creeper and the scarlet gold mohur flung -out their blazing signals. Vivid flocks of green paroquets--"the -pretty dear" of barracks--flashed across from the banyans to the -tulip trees, and tall toddy palms seemed to nod their heavy heads in -languid greeting to the stranger, as he skimmed onwards, across the -Marmelong Bridge, and away into the expanse of Guindy Park--where on -the polo-ground Captain Byng and three smart polo ponies were awaiting -him. - -A subsequent practice proved fairly successful; the fourteen one -waler ponies were well trained and handy. As Mallender galloped, and -shouted, and wheeled, and hit, he was once more experiencing the _joie -de vivre_, and feeling the sap of youth in his veins! Mallender Court -and its melancholy memories were forgotten--as was also the great -quest; that he had no other reason for coming to India than to play -this uncommonly fast game, was 'number one's' firm (if momentary) -conviction, as he rode off the Governor's Private Secretary, and scored -the winning goal. This polo match at Guindy seemed to be a social -spring-board, from which the new arrival took a headlong dive into the -mäelstrom of Madras society. He now appeared to live amid the whirl of -engagements: golf, boating on the Adyar, hunting, paper-chasing, bridge -or dinner-parties, and a dance almost every other night. Also he found -friends in the regiment quartered in the Fort and among the artillery -at the Mount, and was almost "snowed under" with invitations. As the -Tallboys' relative, a popular and presentable young fellow, who played -polo, bridge and golf, his company was in continual, and even anxious -request. However, his cousin Fan had always the first claim, and a -quiet evening at home, with music and bridge, with Mrs. Villars for his -partner, was always an attraction. Mallender and the lady became, as -she predicted, great friends; unfortunately it was a friendship that -aroused Sir William Bream's ill-concealed jealousy, and wrath. - -"What Mrs. Villars could see in that grinning young whipper-snapper?" -was beyond the range of _his_ intelligence! The substantial self-made -man of sixty was insatiable in his demands for the lady's society, for -her insidious and delicious flatteries, her company to play golf, or to -motor about the neighbourhood.--He liked to be seen with the handsomest -woman in Madras.--Sir William owned a magnificent car; also, it was -whispered, thirty thousand a year. - -Colonel Tallboys kept a first-class stable, riding was still his -passion; every morning at an early hour he fared forth, accompanied by -Nan on a fine black waler, and as many of his guests as he could induce -to follow his example. If not hunting, or paper-chasing, they scoured -the Island, rode on the Marina, or the old race-course, returning a gay -and happy pack, to an elaborate _chota-hazri_ awaiting them in the open -verandah. - -Mrs. Villars did not care for early rising--nor yet riding--although -she liked to sit about in her becoming habit; occasionally she rode -down to the Island of an evening on a well-exercised pony, proceeding -at no greater pace than a hurried walk, as anything more rapid gave her -a pain in the side; but to state the plain truth, the graceful widow -was a trembling coward. - -Every evening the beauty appeared in a different toilet--each -outshining the last. Mallender never could decide which suited her -the best? The black, the rose-colour, the smoke-grey, the white, or -the primrose--Mrs. Villars looked lovely in them all! She consulted -him frankly and artlessly on the subject of her wardrobe, discussed -her frocks, hats, and wraps, with the fervour of an enthusiast. The -lady also confided to him that she was too shockingly extravagant, and -simply adored her clothes! - -"Do tell me, which of all my gowns you prefer?" she enquired, looking -at him with the gaze of an _ingénue_. - -"The one you are wearing," was his gallant reply. - -"You mean that as a compliment, but you must have a choice," she -answered impatiently--the pair were sitting in the verandah after -dinner, enjoying coffee and cigarettes. - -"Oh, well, if I must say, I choose the blue." - -"The blue!" she repeated, "but why? Men _always_ prefer black, or -white." - -"I like the blue, because you wore it the first time I saw you." - -"Oh, you dear sentimental boy!" and Mrs. Villars extended a taper white -hand, and patted his arm with playful commendation. - -Nancy Brander, who happened to be in their neighbourhood, subsequently -remarked to her aunt: - -"I say, Fan, Lena Villars is making tremendous running with -Geoffrey--he has given her a lovely gold bag for her birthday." - -"Her birthday!" echoed Mrs. Tallboys, "rubbish--why, it's in October!" - -"Yes, but perhaps to some it is convenient to have three or four a -year; and when I was sitting out last evening, I declare I felt quite -_de trop_--I expected every minute to see Geoffrey flop down on his -knees, on the cold marble flags." - -"Nonsense! How you talk, Nan!" - -"Oh, yes, I can both talk and see. Tell me, dear, do you intend this -case to develop? to go on to the end--I won't say bitter end--and marry -Geoffrey to your _old_ friend?" - -"Of course I don't, you tiresome girl, and Lena would not think of him." - -"You mean that she has other fish to fry--a big fish too! Well, I wish -them both _joy_ when he is landed in the frying-pan." - -The easy manner in which his cousin's great establishment was -maintained was marvellous to Mallender. Three or four, or half a dozen -extra guests appeared to make no difference in the perfect domestic -arrangements; everything went on wheels, everyone was looked after, -everyone was free to do precisely what they pleased. Undoubtedly the -head of the household was a born organiser and manager; a woman of -amazing tact, kindness, and self-control. - -Geoffrey was still "an outsider" under canvas, and much preferred -his tent to a bedroom indoors. He enjoyed the complete novelty, the -fresh feel of the morning air as it crept into the tent; he liked -as he lay on his camp cot to watch the dull yellowed grass, tinted -pink by the rising sun, and to hear the birds beginning to stir in -the bushes. Other guests had departed and arrived, and these latter -included a civilian and his sister from Mysore, a cultured American -traveller, and a sprightly married couple, Captain and Mrs. Harcourt -Wylie, acquaintances of Sir William, who knew them at home, and having -casually encountered them on an Indian platform, offered them a warm -invitation to Hooper's Gardens. This they accepted with effusive -thanks--their plans being at the time a little vague and undecided. - -"My cousins," announced Sir William, in his broad-chested pompous -style, "are the most hospitable people in a hospitable country; they -keep open house, have a first-class cook, entertain enormously, and do -you royally!" - -The Wylies, clever, business-like partners, still in the early -thirties, were capable of making themselves welcome and at home in -most places; they danced admirably, and indefatigably, played bridge -extraordinarily well, and talked and dressed in the latest fashion. - -Captain Wylie--who never alluded to his regiment--was a tall thin man, -with a hearty manner, and a cordial voice,--always admirably groomed, -and enviably self-possessed. - -His wife was slim, smart and very erect; her features were small and -regular, her eyes small and intent. She wore pearls and diamonds--that -were magnificent imitations--and a fixed, agreeable smile. - -Beyond the fact, that Sir William had met them at Monte Carlo, and that -they had come out in someone's suite, no one knew much about them; but -they were always lively and enthusiastic, ready to do anything, or go -anywhere at a moment's notice. The Wylies referred to well-known people -as their friends, and by their Christian names, and had evidently -stayed about, and enjoyed themselves vastly; but whether they had a -home of their own, or any belongings, was never positively disclosed. -Nancy Brander did not like "the Prince and Princess Charming"--she -thought the lady sharp and pushing, the man a well-mannered inquisitive -snob--but as Nancy was in the minority, she wisely held her peace. -A grand ball at the Banqueting Hall, given by His Excellency the -Governor, was the first that Mallender attended. Everything was -admirably done; the great room was crowded with everyone who was on -"Government House List." He danced with Mrs. Villars, and sat out -with her; noting with secret pride how much she was sought after, -and how she was followed by the admiring eyes of men and women. She -looked lovely in a Princess gown of gold satin, with a gold butterfly -spreading its wings across her Empire bodice--butterflies caught up -the graceful gold net draperies of her narrow skirt, and a golden band -crowned her classic head. Yet the beauty of the night had honoured him -with two waltzes and a supper dance! The beauty of the night danced -divinely, as did Mallender; numerous wallflowers, and others, found it -a real pleasure to contemplate them. Besides Mrs. Villars, Mallender -waltzed with Mrs. Wylie,--whose style was perfection itself,--with -Nancy and Fan, and several charming girls, among the latter Miss Miller. - -She was pretty and girlish, and coloured up when he accosted her, and -asked for a dance; subsequently when resting between two turns, they -attempted the usual spasmodic conversation, he noticed for the first -time how _very_ blue her eyes were! - -In answer to his question, Miss Miller informed him that the only other -part of India she knew was Cannanore on the west coast. - -"Not many balls there, I take it?" he said. - -"No, there were few ladies, the place is like a sponge, so terribly -damp and wet. We had one or two small dances,--but on a chunam floor, -and a drugget." - -"And the going pretty bad! I think I saw you riding in the paper-chase -the other day." - -"Yes, on an old Artillery 'caster,' with a mouth like iron. I am -looking forward to the next gymkana, for Colonel Tallboys has offered -me Naughty Mary." - -"Has he, indeed!" exclaimed her partner, "she's a bit of a handful, you -know." - -"Yes, but I like her, and I am accustomed to what you call 'handsful.'" - -"What, at Cannanore?" - -"No; there we had bullocks; but I rode a great deal before I came out. -I spent all my holidays, since I was about two years old, on a farm -with my father's old nurse. Her family bred, and broke, hunters, they -had quite a reputation." - -"And so you learnt to ride, before you cut your second teeth?" - -"Yes, I think so," and as she smiled she displayed two dazzling rows of -these. - -"And what else did you learn?" - -"To milk and make butter, and rear fowl, and all sorts of unusual -accomplishments." - -"What sort, for instance?" - -"Well, to drive a mowing machine," and she laughed gaily. "Shall we -take another turn, before the music stops?" - -As they launched into the vortex, Mallender felt sincerely sorry to -think that this remarkably pretty bright girl, with all her inborn -country tastes, was about to be delivered over to Colonel Harris, her -father's contemporary! - -"Won't you have some refreshment?" he suggested as they moved towards -the buffet, "iced coffee, lemonade, champagne?" - -"Lemonade, please. I never take wine. Once I drank a large glass of -champagne, thinking it was ginger-beer; and afterwards----" - -"Yes, I know; the floor came up, and hit you in the face!" - -"Not quite so bad, but I felt rather dizzy, and very, _very_ miserable." - -"Champagne is generally supposed to have the opposite effect, and to -make you very, very happy! Will you give me another dance?" - -As Miss Miller studied her programme, her mother appeared, decorated -with the waving green feather, and leaning on the arm of Colonel -Harris. They were both looking alarmingly glum, and the latter said: - -"Barbie, this is our dance. Where _have_ you hidden yourself? I've been -searching for you all over the place, I've got a _vis-à-vis_, so come -along," and with a scowl at Mallender, he carried her off. Her mother -however still lingered, and before he was aware, had "puckaroed" (i.e. -captured) her daughter's late partner. - -"Oh, Captain Mallender," she simpered, bowing, and coquettishly waving -the green feather, "you are related to my _dearest_ friends--the -Tallboys. I've known Colonel Tallboys for twenty years, and more, and -I feel that I know you. I remember Freddy, a smart handsome young man -_too_," she paused expressively, "and such a flirt! Will you be a dear -good Samaritan and get me a glass of champagne?--I feel ready to faint!" - -Startled by the threat, Mallender hastened to supply the lady's -wants, but as the buffet was crowded, he had, what seemed to him, a -long time to wait, and meanwhile she chattered continually; airing -the now somewhat faded graces, that had once made her the belle of -an up-country station. As Mallender listened to her remarks upon the -other guests--chiefly critical and destructive--looked into her face, -observed her close-set, reddish-brown eyes, and straight thin-lipped -mouth, he felt moved with a sense of profound compassion for her -daughter. When at last they re-entered the ball-room after this tedious -and wearisome delay, a waltz was being played, and the sprightly matron -said: - -"I know you are not dancing this, Captain Mallender, so _do_ take a -little turn with me?" and before her victim had time to remonstrate, -or to realise the situation, he was swimming round the room with the -future mother-in-law of Colonel Harris. - -Mrs. Miller danced,--as do many Anglo-Indian ladies,--remarkably well. -She was slight and supple, and had the advantage of a score of years -of incessant practice. The face now resting on her partner's shoulder, -wore an indescribable expression of ecstatic triumph, for here was she, -a woman with a grown-up daughter (and having to take what she could -get, among the rubbish-heap of partners), waltzing "Mon Rêve" with one -of the smartest, and most popular young men in Madras! However, her -ecstasy proved short-lived; when the music had wailed out the last -bars, she gasped: - -"Oh, that was a treat. Now do find us a cosy corner!" - -But instead of complying with this alluring request, her cavalier -conducted the lady to a prominent chair, and with a formal bow, -withdrew, sternly determined that he would not--as she had broadly -hinted--be her companion in a "Kàla Jaga" and at supper. - -The next grand ball took place within the ancient walls of Fort St. -George; and Mallender, who was now on his guard, hastened to fill his -programme at the earliest opportunity. He secured dances with Nancy, -Mrs. Villars, Mrs. Wylie, and various pretty girls, but gave Mrs. -Miller a cautiously wide berth, steadily ignoring her smiles, signals, -and even wafted kisses! - -However, she danced all night, as if for very life; but he noticed that -little Miss Barbie--looking rather white and woebegone--sat out the -greater part of the evening with her burly Colonel. - - - - - CHAPTER IX - - -After two postponements, the polo tournament at last came off, and -provided the community with an exciting entertainment. Colonel and -Mrs. Tallboys never missed a single match; he being umpire, and a much -respected authority on the polo ground, here this former brilliant -performer was in his element. The little man knew most of the -players well, and was acquainted with the personal character, merits -or delinquencies, of every competing pony. The final, between the -Chaffinches and the Marauders, brought all Madras to the Island, on a -certain Thursday afternoon. Both teams were in magnificent form, and -after a severely contested match, the Chaffinches won by six goals to -five, amidst shouts and yells of applause. - -Subsequently, Captain Byng received the cup at the gracious hands of -Her Excellency, and when Mallender joined the party from Hooper's -Gardens, he was accorded an ample share of praise; for his hard -straight hitting, and fine driving power, had more than once saved the -game. Colonel Tallboys rode about from group to group on his smart -pony, a proud and happy man, and Mrs. Villars, looking lovely in a -great feathered hat, gazed at the hero with her inspiring eyes, and -whispered "_Shabash!_" - -The syren had undoubtedly caught Geoffrey in her toils; he was acutely -sensible of the glamour of her personality. With Lena Villars, -appearances were not altogether deceitful, nor beauty vain. She had -a soft low voice, a sympathetic, profoundly interested manner. Lena -was not clever--and candidly admitted the fact--but professed that -nothing gave her so much pleasure as to be with and listen to clever -people--subtly insinuating that such were her companions. The charming -widow was gentle, and timid--except at bridge, where her courage was -more or less foolhardy--and always lovely to behold. Her white gowns, -and tussore suits, appeared different to those of other women; so -fresh, so creaseless, so eminently becoming. Her hats, and Panamas, -exactly suited her. Of an evening in the verandah, with a chiffon -scarf twisted about her head, it seemed to Mallender that he was -contemplating a Madonna--or an angel. The fascinated young man was -ready to do whatever the lady willed, and was almost as one who is -hypnotised, or drugged--and yet, he was not in love with her; merely -her servant, her anxious attendant, one of her many slaves. - -The season began to wane, and the guests at Hooper's Gardens to dwindle -in numbers. Mrs. Villars, Nancy, Sir William, the Wylies, and Geoffrey, -were all that remained. People were now preparing to ship themselves to -England, or to make engagements, and arrangements for the Hills. - -"You come with us, of course, Geoffrey," said his cousin as they sat -in the smoking-room after tiffin. "You will get hunting, I'm taking up -the horses, and my friends the planters will give you capital shooting -in the _sholahs_. I hope, by this time, you have forgotten your crazy -nonsense--eh?" - -"No, frankly, I have not," rejoined Mallender with unexpected decision. -"I am still holding on to it. I should like to go to Ootacamund -with you and Fan; you have been most awfully kind, and made me feel -absolutely at home--but I want to drive a bargain." - -"Oh, bargain away!" rejoined his relative, but his tone was -apprehensive, his air ungracious. - -"If I hear of some news I am expecting, I'll have to leave you, -probably at an hour's notice, for I've promised to hold myself in -readiness; and so if I go off rather abruptly, you will excuse me, -won't you?" - -Colonel Tallboys, who was walking about the room, made no reply, but -pulled down his waistcoat, with an angry jerk. - -"After all, you will remember that I came out here with a certain -object," urged the young man. - -"Oh, yes, I'm aware of that, and if the object were known, you'd find -yourself an object of derision." Having delivered himself of this -opinion he sat down, and regarded his cousin with a fixed glare. - -"I can't help it, I must stick to my job," rejoined Mallender doggedly. -"I may not be summoned; but if I am, and should be detained, letters to -the Bank of Madras will find me; of course I shall write. I know you -dislike this subject, so we will make it clear now, and once for all!" - -"'Pon my soul, I think you are mad!" burst out Colonel Tallboys. "This -mania of yours is--serious. Here are Fan and I, both attached to you, -and looking on you more as--a--a--a son than anything, and you want to -bolt off after some will-o'-the-wisp. As for a clue, swindlers may, and -will fool you, but mark my words, you'll never get hold of one!" - -"But I _have_ got hold of a slight one." - -"Let's hear it!" he said sharply. - -"I had a line from Brown and Co. to say, that my allowance ceased, from -the day I came to Madras." - -Colonel Tallboys almost leapt out of his chair, his face was crimson. - -"You call that a clue!" he shouted, "why, man alive, _I_ call it ruin!" - -"No, not altogether," replied his companion in a steady voice, "I have -a good balance in hand, and before that is exhausted, I hope to have -solved the problem." - -"'Pon my soul, I have no patience with you, Geoffrey," declared his -cousin fiercely; then standing over him, like a little bristling -terrier, he added, "Your father was undoubtedly eccentric of late -years, no doubt of that--and on one subject, I honestly believe you are -_not_ sane!" - -"Well, well, Fred, let us leave it at that," replied Mallender with an -uneasy laugh, "don't let us talk about it any more." - -"I may not talk, but I shall _think_," retorted Colonel Tallboys in a -loud, tremulous voice, and with this parting speech he hurried from -the room, overturning as he went an indignant dog, and a couple of -golf-sticks. - -During all these weeks, though temporarily carried away by continuous -amusements, and the irresistible fascinations of Mrs. Villars, -Mallender had figuratively clung to, and corresponded with Jaffer -and Co.--in spite of the fact, that their answers were indefinite, -and letters few and far between. As he sat in the smoking-room, the -afternoon after this scene with his relative, a butler entered, -salaamed, and said: - -"Someone come on business to see your Honour." - -"All right," he answered, "show him in." - -Almost treading on the servant's heels, there entered a thin, -flat-chested native, heavily pock-marked, with a cast in one of his -eyes--_not_ an attractive personality. He wore a long tight black -velvet coat, patent leather boots displaying a surprising eruption of -mother-of-pearl buttons, an embroidered skull cap, and gold spectacles. -With a profound salutation, he presented a visiting-card, on which was -neatly inscribed: - -"From A. D. Shumilal and Co., Agents, 805 Pophams Broadway." - -"Captain Mallender, I think?" he enquired. - -"Yes, that's right." - -"I have come as representative of this firm--who are acting for Jaffer -and Co., Hyderabad." - -"I hope you bring me some news at last?" - -He hesitated for a moment, and then glibly replied: - -"Well, sir, you understand, that this is a very ticklish business and -difficult. So much time has passed. So much bridge under water as -you--say----" - -"Yes, yes, yes. I know all that," returned Mallender impatiently. - -"But we have now good hopes, that the case will end in success." - -"Then you _have_ some information?" - -"That is so; but the affair is most awfully expensive, and I am sent -here to request one small advance for outlay, only fifty pounds." - -"But you have already had a hundred!" - -"That is correct, and placed to credit," returned the clerk -imperturbably, now producing a book from a pocket in his Noah's Ark -coat, "and when you settle, I will hand you receipt." - -"Yes, I dare say you will! You are rather premature, my friend. So far, -I've seen _no_ results for my money." - -"Very soon, you shall. You understand, that we have to pay our staff -through the nose. You will be ready, when summoned, to start at once." - -"Why, of course; that's what I'm here for," rejoined Mallender -impatiently. - -"You may go far, you may go near. The man we are following fluctuates; -sometimes he is close at hand, and sometimes out of reach for years!" - -"By Jove, this sounds promising!" - -"He is now in the country, and we may corner him any day; but he is -very slip about and clever." - -"You are sure that he is the right person?" - -"Oh, yes, why not?" rejoined the clerk with easy confidence; and then, -deliberately ticking off each finger, he continued, "Army man, retired; -age between fifty and sixty,--always hiding identity, coming and going, -many, many years. No letters from England, no English friends, no real -home." - -"Yes, it seems all right," said Mallender turning to open his -dispatch-box, and extract a cheque-book. "Here," having scribbled for -a moment, "is the money. As soon as you have any 'pucka' news, let me -know at once." - -The clerk received the slip of green paper, and having examined it -carefully, laid down a receipt, and was about to depart when Mrs. -Brander appeared, just back from golf. - -"Ah, I'm interrupting a business interview!" she exclaimed, backing to -the door. - -"No, we have quite finished," replied Mallender, nodding to the baboo, -who immediately salaamed, and glided forth. - -"I am certain that man has something to do with your mystery," -announced the lady, now coming forward, and seating herself squarely in -an arm-chair. - -"What do you mean?--what mystery?" - -"Oh, you need not pretend! As a child, I was notorious for ferreting -out secrets; and I've always known that _you_ had one." - -"But what makes you think so?" - -"Uncle Fred told me you had come to India, about a gold mine; you -assured me, that you had no interest whatever in an ounce of India! -It is a pity you did not _agree_ in your story! Do tell the true tale -to me; I really think I ought to share it too! I extracted from Fanny -the fact, that there was something; but beyond that, I could not -pierce--no, not if I took a tin-opener! Perhaps _I_ could help you? At -least I'd be straight and honest, if not so sharp as your friend with -the cock-eye, and the wreath of forget-me-nots round his cap." - -"All right, then I'll tell you what there is to know," said Mallender -impulsively, "but first, let me put away your sticks and golf-balls." - -"Thank you; I've just done the nine-hole course, and beaten Fanny to -smithereens. Uncle Fred says I now walk with the golf stride!--isn't -he rude? Let us go into the verandah, where we cannot be overheard," -and as she spoke, Mrs. Brander led the way out of the room, through the -long French window. - -When they were seated side by side in two luxurious cane chairs, -Mallender imparted the outline of his enterprise without, remarkable to -relate, one interruption. - -"Now what do you think of it?" he enquired, as he concluded. - -"Give me time to consider. My head is reeling," declared Nancy, then -looking at him with her clever grey eyes, she went on: "Tom has been -about in this country; he was born here, and both his father and -grandfather were in the Indian Civil; he has heard of, and seen -strange things, so _I_ am not rudely incredulous. I believe that your -Uncle is still in the land--but why? A jig-saw puzzle is nothing to -this! I also believe that he will never allow you to find him. He -has thirty years' start, and knows every hole, and corner, in the -Presidency." - -"But I don't believe that this man _is_ my Uncle," argued Mallender -with hasty emphasis, "so there is where we differ! He pretends he is, -to Brown and Brown, and is a clever and unscrupulous forger; but I -shall find his lair yet, and run the ruffian to earth, like any other -vermin." - -"It's an enormous task," said Nancy; "especially for you, an utter -stranger, who cannot speak the language, and do not know our little -ways. What does your Baboo propose to do in exchange for the cheque?" - -"Put me on to my man," was the prompt answer; "he has a clue." - -"Ah, yes, so he says," she replied, with a glance of derision, "that -sort of creature would promise you the moon." - -"Oh, he has not much to do with the business, merely a messenger, from -the agents of Jaffer and Co. As soon as they give me the office, I'm -off." - -"Are you?" she exclaimed rather blankly, "and what about Fan, and Uncle -Fred?" - -"He knows my object in coming out. I told him at once--in fact, within -the first five minutes." - -"_And?_" now leaning forward, her chin on her hands. - -"And--he won't help me. He is dead against me in this; in fact, he -can't bear it spoken of; we had a bit of a breeze to-day, and the -subject is barred!" - -"Uncle Fred has a commonplace imagination, tied up in red tape, and -fastened with a sealed pattern knot, but a very long head on his square -little shoulders. I pin my faith to _his_ opinion. Still, I feel -conscious of the magnetism that belongs to a man of _purpose_, and I -must confess, that your romantic enterprise appeals to me; I will do -all I can to help you to find one, or the other. I'll be your mouse; -your Uncle--or the impostor--the lion!" - -"Thank you awfully, my kind mouse." - -"The woman who could assist you substantially, is Mrs. Fiske; -unfortunately, she is not a mouse but a cat!" - -"I can't bear the sight of her!" - -"Yes, I know, because she is so maddening at bridge; and always adds up -wrong, and argues; but she knows the Presidency, and every seamy tale -for the last thirty years is at her finger-ends. Talk, including evil -speaking, lying, and slandering--is her strong point. If you want to -dig up an old divorce case, a racing scandal, a bankruptcy, go to Mrs. -Fiske." - -"I'm blessed if I do! Why do people stand her, and her tongue?" - -"Because we are all afraid of her, shameful, miserable cowards! Of -course, she ought to have been prosecuted for libel over and over -again--but no one dares. On the contrary, we are all obsequiously civil -and tremble before her, never knowing whose turn it may be next. And -the awful part of it is, that her lies have always _some_ foundation! -For instance, if she were to see us sitting here together, talking -secrets----" - -"Well, what then?" demanded her companion brusquely. - -"She might send an anonymous wire to Tom. How he would laugh! Ha! ha! -ha!" - -"I'm not going to laugh," declared Mallender with a flash in his eye, -"that sort of woman, is like an infectious disease. She ought to be -stuffed in a sack, and flung off the pier." - -"Do please restrain your feelings," and Nancy lifted an appealing -hand, "and I will say something _wise_. As your friend and confidante, -I may assure you, that here in Madras, you will never get near your -object--no, nor in Ooty. For you, it's nothing but play, play, play. -_I_ can see through Uncle's little plan; it is to keep you captive in -Capua, ensnared by polo, golf--and other fascinations." - -There was so much insinuation in the last three words, that Mallender -coloured to his ears. - -"You will find no opportunity to prosecute your search; so like Bacon's -wise man, when you can't find opportunity--you must make it!" - -"You are right," he answered with conviction, "I've agreed to this trip -to Ooty, but when I've seen the place, I shall take a pull, and start -on my own." - -"Incognito, of course," she added impressively, "not as a young swell, -with guns and servants, searching for a lost relation. _That_ would -bring you scores of bogus uncles; a keen stealthy tracking in an humble -fashion, travelling intermediate class, and pretending to work for your -daily bread, is your best line." - -"Yes," he agreed, "as soon as I see a glimmer I'll start in rags, if -necessary." - -Nancy Brander critically considered her companion, from his glossy dark -hair, to his neat brown boots, and softly repeated the words: - -"_Rags!_ You don't even know what they are! It's lucky you're searching -for a man! to find a woman out here, would be absolutely hopeless." - -"Oh--a woman--I dare say!" - -"I see," she nodded her head, "in _her_ case, you would not bother! You -are not really a ladies' man!" - -"Depends on the lady," he answered with a laugh. - -"Well, Cousin Geoffrey, whatever you do, don't go and marry your -grandmother!" was her somewhat enigmatic advice. "I shall write to -Tom to-night, and tell him to dredge his memory, and try if he can -recall any eccentric Englishmen, who live out here, and lie low; -not loafers, but others who have a little money, and their own very -particular reasons for not returning home; or who simply worship the -East, for being the East, and cannot tear themselves away from the sun. -Remember," she continued impressively, "that you must have some excuse -for your rambling. Suppose you give out that you are writing a good -popular book on the common, or garden, insects of India--including -white ants, and other _pouchees_, how would that be?" - -"Do I look like a man who could write a book?" cried Mallender, jumping -to his feet, and standing before her. - -"No, I cannot say you do; you look more like somebody musical. How -would you like to go round with a gramophone, on a little cart?" - -"Since you gave me an option, I say, not at _all_!" - -"I have it!" clapping her hands, "photography,--that will take you -anywhere and everywhere--short of a zenana." - -"By Jove, a splendid idea! and I can photograph a bit. I'll buy a -camera to-morrow, and if this clue pans out all right, I'll take to the -road, as a travelling photographer." - -"Beware, that the road does not take _you_," she answered gravely. "We -shall soon have the hot weather upon us, and you little know, what that -means--yet! You will keep Anthony, of course?" - -"Yes, and I suppose I'll have to give him a peep behind the scenes, eh?" - -"Quite unnecessary! He knows all your secrets, perhaps not every -detail, but I'm sure he suspects that you have some mysterious business -out here. No doubt your affairs are exhaustively discussed in the -cook-house, and the bazaar. Natives are so vitally interested in us, -and our concerns. We are always on the stage--_they_ are the audience. -I dare say Anthony has met, and exchanged confidences with your -baboo--or baboon! Anthony has an inquisitive eye, but you can trust -him. I advise you to tell him your plans, put him on his honour, swear -him to secrecy--with a promise of rupees. He will enjoy the enterprise -enormously! since secrecy and intrigue are naturally in his bones, -in fact, he ought to accept _half_ wages. Anyway, I believe you will -find him quite a useful Sherlock Holmes. Ah, here they all come, back -from the golf links. Mrs. Villars and Sir William leading the van, the -Wylies with Fan--so I will leave you to listen to the tale of their -triumphs, their scores, their drives, and how someone 'foozled,' and -someone swore! Good-bye!" and with a gay nod, Nancy Brander carried her -slim well-tailored figure, and smiling face, out of the verandah. - -That same evening as he was dressing for dinner, Mallender took Anthony -into his confidence. - -"I understand that you are trustworthy," he began abruptly, "and so -I am going to tell you something that you are to keep strictly to -yourself." - -"Oh, yes, saar, certainly, saar," he answered with unexpected fervour, -"Master going to be married." - -"No--you fool! See if the door is shut." - -(Mallender had now been promoted to the house). Then in a few short -sentences he disclosed his plans. As the particulars were gradually -unfolded, Anthony's attitude and expression changed; his eyes dilated, -as for his mouth, it was wide open, and from its action, appeared to be -swallowing whole sentences, with unctuous avidity. - -"So now you know," concluded Mallender, as tie in hand, he turned to -the glass. - -"Saar, saar," stuttered a choking voice, "I hearing all this tale, when -I was small _chokra_--true I telling. My Uncle Fernandez, now very old, -no teeth, no belly, was thirty years ago head waiter in Cavalry Mess, -Bangalore, and that business making much talk, when two officers come -back from shoot, all 'Tulla Bulla,' and the other Captain nowhere! -Regiment all upside down, great bobbery making, and plenty sorry, -because there was _nothing_--no funeral--_no_ corpse body!" - -"That missing officer was my Uncle," announced his master, "and I've -come to India to find out what became of him; and by and by I shall -start as a man who travels round, looking for employment." - -"I beg your pardon, saar! Employment, a situation, _you_, saar!" -Anthony gasped out these words, and then stood breathless. From the -style of Mallender's belongings, clothes, and kit, he had formed a -high estimate of his status in life. Here was no poor Captain, with a -mere two hundred and sixteen rupees four annas a month, but a master -who wore the best silk underclothing, and socks, had dozens of shirts, -a silver mounted suit-case, and gave presents to ladies that cost -hundreds of rupees; in fact, he had been making up his mind to ask for -a rise of wages, and this projected playing at poverty descended like a -thunderbolt. - -"I shall travel about as a photographer," resumed Mallender, as he -pulled on his coat, "and take groups and families, in out-of-the-way -places, and you shall accompany me as my assistant and carry the -camera." - -This was not an alluring prospect. Anthony was naturally gregarious, he -liked the society of smart fellow-servants, he enjoyed bragging, and -cock-fighting, listening to piquant news, playing cards, and smoking -good cigars. Nevertheless, the prospect of a manhunt was exciting; yes, -he would gladly take part in _that_. - -"You can get me some cheap bazaar suits in kharki and drill," continued -his master, "like what clerks wear; and a big common pith hat, and -lots of soap and insect powder, and some towels. All my Europe kit, -portmanteau, and guns, I'll leave behind me." - -"I beg your pardon, saar, that bad sense. Better take one gun, plenty -_budmash_ up-country." - -"Oh, a revolver will do. We must travel light." - -"And how soon going, saar?" - -"As soon as I hear some news I am expecting." - -"Saar, beg your Honour's pardon, but I know one very clever man in Gora -Bazaar. He is wise as a snake, has his ear to the ground, and finds -lost things. Why not find lost gentlemans? Also, I knowing by your -Honour's favour, one _very_ good magic _wallah_." - -"No, no, no," said Mallender impatiently, "none of that rot, Anthony! -You get things ready for a start, here are fifty rupees, and bring -a _dirzee_ to-morrow, to make me some clothes for roughing it -up-country." - -At the same hour the next evening, Anthony as usual awaited his master, -and with him was a companion. - -"Who's this?" enquired Mallender, "the _dirzee_?" - -"No, saar, my assistant, saar. If we go up-country, plenty work for -_two_. I can cook and shoot game; this boy will do boots, wash dishes, -and carry camera. He is a heathen, and very cheap, only six rupees. His -name is Chinna-Sawmy, which by your favour means 'Little God.'" - -"I hope he won't turn out a little devil!" responded Mallender. "Here, -let me have a look at him." - -Chinna-Sawmy, who now stood forward, showing two rows of beautiful -teeth, was very dark, with inky black eyes, and black shades in his -cheerful countenance. His age might be ten, or it might be fifteen. -He wore a white coat, which almost swept the ground, an enormous -turban--both obviously borrowed--and two silver toe-rings. - -"Well, Anthony, remember that you are responsible for him. Does he -speak English?" - -"Oh, yes, saar," promptly responded Chinna-Sawmy, "I speak very well -English, and I have a good chit--I dog boy to General Pringle, and five -dogs; and Mrs. General, she liking me too much." - -Here Anthony broke in. "Chinna-Sawmy is lucky, always finding things, -once find gold watch, and that for why I catching Chinna-Sawmy; better -than magic _wallah_," and he seized upon and exhibited the boy's hands, -on each of which were two thumbs--small, perfectly formed, and growing -from the same joint. "This bringing master plenty luck!" announced -Anthony with an air of overwhelming conviction. But his master recoiled -a step, and said: - -"Oh, yes, all right; but I won't have the fellow to wait on _me_. I -dare say, out here, a double growth may be a fine thing, but I draw the -line at two thumbs on one plate," and having made this declaration, -Captain Mallender went to dinner, and Chinna-Sawmy gave expression to -his joy by standing on his head. - - - - - CHAPTER X - - -The most popular Meet was at the Marmelong Bridge, and here on -a certain Thursday morning half Madras society was assembled on -horseback, wheels, or, the lazy folks, in motors, awaiting the arrival -of the hounds. - -Colonel Tallboys, admirably turned-out and mounted to correspond, was -engaged in an animated conversation with little Miss Miller--admittedly -the best of horsewomen, and keenest of followers. Unfortunately her -steeds were rarely worthy of their rider; to-day, for instance, she -was reduced to a bony old waler, who looked as if he had been knocking -about the world for many years, and had lately fallen into low estate. -As Mallender joined the party the girl was saying: - -"Yes, this _is_ the Nizam. I knew he had been raced; and so you -remember him winning the Gold Cup ten years ago! What a change! I -always feel so sorry for animals when they grow old; Father bought him -at auction at the Stable Company for a mere song, and rides him as a -charger; after father, _I_ must seem a mere feather! The Nizam loves -jumping, and galloping, and finds it much more to his taste than dull -morning parades." - -"For all his age he has a wild and eager eye," observed Mallender, "if -you will allow me I will take up his curb, it's pretty loose." - -"No, no, thanks very much," said Barbie, "if we have any jumping, I -must give him his head." - -"It's a pity you can't give him a new pair of forelegs," remarked -Colonel Tallboys, "he is not a safe mount now, poor old boy. You should -have had Naughty Mary to-day, only the farrier pricked her in shoeing, -and she's a bit lame. I'll send her over to you every morning." - -"Thank you a million times! I do love her, naughty as she is, but -chestnuts always have hot tempers." - -"They say the same of red-haired people, and it's not true," declared -Colonel Tallboys--whose own youthful locks had been distinctly -carroty--"Ah, here come the hounds, and now we are off. I expect he -will draw towards the Mount," and as he spoke the little man wheeled -about, to jog beside the Master. - -A Jack was speedily on foot; a fine, stout-hearted fellow, who -immediately headed for his home in Palaveram Hills, seven miles away. -It was a fast thing, and after a time, between the heat, the pace, -and the rough going, a number of the hunt tailed away. Miss Miller -and the Nizam were, however, still well to the fore; she had an eye -for country, and made for a certain stiff mud wall, which cut off -a considerable amount of paddy fields. Here Mallender was her sole -companion, and as they galloped side by side, he noticed her face, -girlishly alight, her colour brilliant with excitement. - -"I'll give you a lead," he shouted, and putting on the pace raced up -to the obstacle, cleared it in beautiful style, and had galloped about -twenty lengths, when it occurred to him to look back; then he pulled up -sharply, and turned his horse. - -The Nizam was struggling on the ground, Miss Miller was lying near -him in a heap. She sat up, then scrambled to her feet as Mallender -approached; she looked white, and dazed, as she tottered over to a -tree, and leant heavily against it. - -"I'm afraid you are hurt?" he asked as he dismounted. - -"No, only a little stupid,"--she gazed at him vaguely, as if she had -never seen him before, and he noticed that her temple was bruised. - -Meanwhile the Nizam had found his legs, and instead of waiting on the -good pleasure of his rider, shook himself violently, and wheeling -about, tore away in pursuit of the vanishing hunt. As the young lady -seemed about to faint, Mallender hastily produced and proffered his -flask, which, however, she dismissed with an impatient hand. - -"Where am I? and who are you?" she asked in a tone of bewilderment. - -"I'm Mallender, Miss Miller--don't you know me?" - -"No, where am I, tell me?" - -"You've been hunting--and you've just had a pip off the old horse," he -explained, with patient slowness. - -"Where?" - -"At the wall; where you took it was a foot too high for the Nizam, and -he landed on his head." - -"I remember--now." - -"I think you are only a bit shaken--he might have broken your neck." - -"How I _wish_ he had!" was her disconcerting rejoinder. - -"Come, come, Miss Miller, I see you are knocked out of time," said -Mallender cheerfully, "I know what it's like myself." - -"No, no, you don't know," she contradicted hysterically, "you--you -don't understand--how _could_ you?" Something in her voice moved him -unspeakably. - -As Mallender looked at his companion, the expression of her quivering -white face was pitiful beyond words. And he _did_ know, he did -understand. The momentary shock had evidently brought the girl's -real feelings to the surface; he had caught a glimpse of the inmost -heart, and secret misery, of little fair-haired, hard-riding, Barbie. -Undoubtedly he had no right to this involuntary confidence. He, a mere -passer-by, who had chanced on a glimpse of an impending tragedy. Could -he not avert it? Barbie, so pale, pretty, and helpless, would be driven -by the whip of tongues, by the cruelty of moral force, to throw away -her priceless youth, her whole future--and no one could save her but -herself! All these strange and disturbing thoughts flashed through the -young man's mind, as he stood holding his impatient horse, and the girl -leaned against a tree with strained gaze fixed upon the flat horizon. -She seemed to be lost in a sort of day-dream, and to have completely -forgotten his very existence; it was almost as if he and she had a -whole empty world to themselves. - -The hunt had disappeared, there was not a soul to be seen, and scarcely -a sound to be heard, save the faint creaking of a water-wheel, and -the scream of a kite, from the hard blue sky above them. As Mallender -contemplated his silent companion, wondering how long the situation -would last? and what he was to do? she suddenly recovered herself. - -"I feel better," said she in her natural voice, "I'm all right now, I -see that rude old horse has deserted me, how _am_ I to get home?" - -"You shall ride Rocket," replied Mallender, "he will carry you all -right--I'll walk beside you, and lead him." - -"No, indeed," she protested, "you have lost the run of the season, I'm -_so_ sorry, but I think, if you rode towards the Mount, you might still -see something of them, and if you come across it--send a _gharry_ for -me,--I'll get to the road somehow!" - -"We will _both_ get to the road somehow," he answered; "let me put you -up." - -"I've twisted my foot," she explained with a wry smile, "please don't -touch it." - -"Then in that case I must lift you," and he raised her bodily in his -arms, and placed her on the saddle. - -Leading the horse carefully along the narrow bunds dividing paddy -fields, or over bare and rocky tracts, among bushes of castor-oil -plants, across sandy, dry water-courses, the pair at last reached the -road. Their progress towards the outskirts of the city and the lines -of the native regiment commanded by Colonel Miller was necessarily -slow, and more than an hour elapsed before the pair arrived at their -destination. A surprising amount of talk can be accomplished in an -hour, and the young people thus thrown so unexpectedly together -found plenty to say to one another. Mallender spoke of his home, his -regiment, and his dogs, and Barbie realised that her "syce" (as he -called himself) was a man who owned hunters and a "place." Yet he was -as simple and unassuming and exhibited no more "side" than if he were -a clerk like Reggie Scott, who had nothing beyond a miserable hundred -and fifty rupees a month. That Reggie adored her Barbie was well aware; -he was a nice boy, but she did not care for him--except as a partner -at tennis. One day in a towering rage he had taunted her with having -no more heart, or romance, than a cold potato! Was this true? she -wondered; had she really no heart? Was she incapable of deep love for -any living mortal? - -Wearing a pair of brand-new riding-boots, leading a disappointed and -unwilling horse over rough broken ground, through grey-green cactus -and castor-oil plants--finally along dusty by-roads, would have seemed -a hateful task to most men; but Mallender was unconscious of any -disagreeables, he neither felt the sun beating on his back, the dust, -or the distance; he was only sensible of the unexpected charm of his -present companion. - -As for Barbie, miles on a slippery saddle,--the uncomfortable attitude, -and aching foot,--were agreeably discounted by a subtle sympathy which -had arisen between her escort and herself. - -As the same escort tramped through the soft red dust, he found himself -unexpectedly confiding various matters to his charge. He gave _her_ -no evasive answers when she asked what had brought him to India; but -frankly informed her that his visit was connected with a curious family -business he was obliged to see through. "It has," he added, "to do with -something that happened thirty years ago." - -"It sounds romantic!" - -"I suppose some would call it so," he answered, lamely. - -"What does Colonel Freddy call it?" - -"Madness!" was the curt reply. - -"Madness!" echoed the girl, and she looked down at her companion with -startled eyes. - -"Yes," he replied doggedly. "If I were to tell you about it, you'd -probably say the same! I confess that it sounds extraordinarily silly, -yet I mean to stick to it." - -"Then I wish you well through your task, and every success," she said -gravely. - -For a moment Mallender was conscious of an acute temptation to tell -this little girl all about his quest--he assured himself that in _her_ -he would surely find a sympathetic confidante,--but on second thoughts -he changed his mind, and merely said: - -"It's a stiffer job than I expected, and out here it's so confoundedly -hard to get things moving." - -Confidences are contagious, and the two young people exchanged many -ideas and opinions as they drew nearer, and yet nearer, to the -suburbs of Madras. They did not touch on any deep or vital subjects, -but agreed in their love of dogs, and of most animals; in a liking -for country life,--raspberry and currant tart, Lehar's waltzes, and -Rudyard Kipling. Barbie talked frankly, yet shyly, of the farm,--her -school-fellows, and school-days, but on the subject of her career as a -grown-up young lady she was dumb. - -"You will be returning to England this spring, won't you?" asked her -companion. The question was in the nature of a discreet feeler. - -"My father's time is up," she replied, "and he and my mother go home in -April--as for me----" she came to an abrupt stop. - -"As for you?" he repeated, looking up at her shadowed blue eyes, and -noticing the wistful misery of her face. - -"Nothing is decided," she answered with a gulp; and a spasm, half of -laughing, half sobbing, caught her breath. - -Mallender was suddenly seized by an irresistible desire to speak. His -mother's warm impulsive blood was beating in his veins. Why should he -not urge upon this girl, that she had her own life to live; that she -must not sacrifice her youth, and future, to the selfish demands of -three elderly people, who had enjoyed _their_ day? - -As he struggled between a temptation to deliver his soul, and a -conviction that he would be guilty of "beastly cheek," his thoughts -were put to flight by Miss Miller, who exclaimed: - -"Here we are in Vepery, close to our lines, and your dreadful dusty -walk is nearly ended!" - -In another moment, they had come within sight of a bungalow, and on -its gate was a board, bearing the name, "Colonel Miller, 20th Carnatic -Rifles." - -"I assure you I've enjoyed what you call my 'dreadful dusty walk,' Miss -Miller," said Mallender, "and as far as I'm concerned, I'm sorry it's -over; but you must be dead beat, and glad to be home." - -And what a squalid home! (An exception, not the rule among military -households in India, which as a rule are remarkably neat and trim; even -where rupees are scanty, there is taste and refinement; but the Millers -had always been an indolent, improvident, and self-indulgent couple, -who found their pleasures abroad, whose abode was makeshift, and their -motto "A short life, and a merry one." Now, after thirty-two years' -service, Colonel Miller was about to retire on his pension--leaving -behind him few well-wishers, and many debts.) - -The mud garden, which intervened between gate and bungalow, held some -sickly crotons, bushes of the shoe plant, and a variety of ragged -kitchen rubbers, also not a few energetic hens--who were dusting -themselves with commendable energy. The verandah was lined with pots -of withered geraniums, and irritable-looking cacti; a green parrot in -a bazaar cage hung between two pillars, talking scandal to his own -grey claw. Here also were exposed piles of battered packing cases, old -bullock trunks, wine cases, saddlery, and sprawling in a long chair, in -his sleeping suit, reclined Colonel Miller, who was smoking a "Trichy" -with an air of sluggish satisfaction. - -"Hullo!" he shouted to someone within, "Barbie has come to grief!" - -The announcement brought Mrs. Miller from the dark interior;--Mrs. -Miller, in a soiled pink dressing-gown, bare feet in slippers, and -hair in curling-pins. She stopped short, as if shot,--here indeed -was Barbie, riding a strange animal, and accompanied by a man--young -Mallender, of all people. He had seen her! Well, she must just brave it -out! - -Several lurking slovenly servants who had also witnessed the arrival, -came slinking round a corner of the bungalow, in order to stare at the -smart gentleman, and his fine horse. - -"What has happened?" screamed Mrs. Miller, seizing a _solar topee_, and -thrusting it on her head. - -"Miss Miller has had a fall," replied her escort, putting two fingers -to his helmet, "but it is nothing serious." - -"And where's the horse?" she screamed. - -"Oh, he got away,--I expect he is all right!" was the soothing response. - -"Please lift me down," murmured Barbie, "and don't _wait_." - -"I thought you could ride anything, my girl," said her father, as she -limped up to him. - -"The old Nizam was blown, and came down at a wall." - -"I hope he hasn't barked his knees, eh, Mallender? Very kind of you -to bring my little girl home. You'll excuse this kit--it's a Europe -morning, you know, and at this hour you must take us as you find us." - -"Of course, sir, of course," assented the visitor, "it's barely nine -o'clock." - -"Have a peg, and a cheroot?" - -"No,--thank you,--it's a bit early!" - -"Ah, you young fellows are different to what _we_ were! you're all for -tea, and Pérrier water! Hullo, here comes Harris in his war-paint," as -Colonel Harris, bestriding a fat charger, and attended by a syce, rode -proudly into the compound. He saluted his friend, and contemporary, -then stared aggressively at Mallender, who supported his gaze with -imperturbable sang-froid. - -"Barbie took a toss," explained her parent, "and Captain Mallender has -just brought her home." - -"Oh, has he, eh! Good morning, Mallender--any the worse, Barbie?" he -enquired, descending heavily as he spoke. - -"No, only my ankle, nothing much." - -"Ah, I see we must put a stopper on to this hunting of yours," declared -Colonel Harris as he climbed the steps murmuring condolences, and with -clanking sword, waddled over to where his lady-love sat, in a lop-sided -cane chair. - -"I will say good morning," called out Mallender, now mounting his -horse. The sight of Barbie, and the mawkish solicitude of her admirer, -was altogether too much for his equanimity. Towards unconscious Colonel -Harris there arose in his mind a sudden fierce dislike and enmity, and -with a comprehensive farewell he trotted out of the gate. All eyes -followed him, including those of Mrs. Miller--who was peeping through -the _chick_. She had hastily retired to take out the curling-pins, and -put on her stockings. - -A smart, soldier-like figure in his neat riding-kit, on his fine -well-groomed New Zealander, a contrast, thought Barbie, to her elderly -red-faced lover, who was still panting from the exertion of ascending -the verandah. - -At this juncture, the appearance of the Nizam created a diversion; the -side-saddle was intact, also his knees; he was covered with sweat and -foam, but appeared to be in buoyant spirits, as if he had thoroughly -enjoyed himself! - -Meanwhile Mrs. Miller followed her daughter into her bedroom--a low, -bare apartment, overlooking the servants' go-downs, and sparsely -furnished with a cot, a press, and a rickety dressing-table. - -"Show me your foot?" she commanded. "Well, yes, it's swelled. You must -bathe it, and send for arnica, it will be all right in a few days. Now -listen to me, Barbie," she went on impressively, "you are not to bring -young men here,--James doesn't _like_ it." - -"But I did not bring Captain Mallender, mother--he brought _me_." - -"Nonsense, you ought to have got a _gharry_!" - -"Not one to be had, in the paddy fields beyond Sydapet." - -"Now, no impertinence! Understand, once for all, I won't have Mallender -hanging about, so don't you go making up to him." - -Barbie became scarlet, and flung her boot across the room with -unnecessary violence. - -"Keep your temper, Barbara! I won't allow you to speak to him, or -encourage him."--In Mrs. Miller's bosom, there rankled a sharp and -spiteful memory of the young man's indifference, and neglect.--"He -fancies himself no end, and looks down on all Madras spins, and I hear -from _good_ authority he is a regular bad lot; so see that you give him -a wide berth, or I'll know the reason why. As long as you are under my -roof, you must obey my wishes. When you have a house of your own, you -can please yourself. You'd better get the ayah to bandage your foot, -and put on one of your father's slippers. You must be quick and change -and come out to breakfast, as James is here." - - - - - CHAPTER XI - - -One afternoon, after a couple of hours' severe polo practice, -Mallender returned home to bathe, and change; and subsequently -feeling considerably refreshed, sauntered out to have a smoke. In the -immediate neighbourhood of his tent was an ancient pleasure-ground, -which doubtless had been laid out in the days of Jane Austen when -ladies took exercise and "walked in the shrubbery." Behold a shrubbery -with tropical trees, thick undergrowth, a wild tangle of shrubs and -creepers, splashed with blossom; and blazing masses of oleanders, -pomegranates and variegated crotons, intersected by overgrown, narrow -walks. In an open space was a large half-empty, chunam tank, and one -or two stone benches. Here Mallender sat down, and lit a cigar. He -seldom now had a moment to himself, his days were a wild rush from one -function to another. Undoubtedly he was having a very jolly visit, but -he must take a pull. He had been nearly a month at Hooper's Gardens, -and it was a case of "As you were." His correspondents Jaffer and Co. -seemed to be of the same mind as the French cynic, who remarked that -"when making promises to people, it was always wise to be exceedingly -vague." - -He had engagements for weeks ahead, and if nothing turned up meanwhile, -had agreed to accompany his relatives to the Hills. He liked them both -immensely, and Nancy too. There were lots of good fellows in the polo -teams, and the Fort; he was really having the time of his life! All the -same, he had not come out to take part in this giddy round. When he -began to talk of his enterprise to his cousin, it was odd how sharply -he changed the subject; but whatever happened, he could not allow Fred -to stand in his way! These reflections were suddenly interrupted by an -audible, half-strangled sob; Mallender looked about him. At first he -had an idea that the sound came from the mysterious enclosure over the -wall; possibly the Prince had been chastising one of his women-folk. It -was rather a weird establishment; generally silent as death. At times, -he caught the sound of squealing horses, men's sonorous authoritative -voices, and occasionally, at a very late hour, the strains of a zitar -were wafted above the intervening neem and pagoda trees. Another -loud heart-shaking sob! It proceeded from this side of the boundary, -and his own immediate vicinity; Mallender rose quickly, and turning -into a narrow walk, half choked by masses of shrubs, discovered a -girl sitting on a stone seat, her head bowed, her face buried in her -hands--evidently in an agony of grief. Hearing his footsteps, she -started and looked up, and he found himself face to face with Miss Sim. -And, oh what a haggard, tear-stained, ghastly countenance! - -"What is the matter?" he asked brusquely. - -She choked, and made no reply, but merely continued to stare at -him stupidly. He noticed, that beside her on the seat lay a small -suspicious looking bottle, at which following his glance, she made a -frantic grab. - -"Come, Miss Sim," he resumed, now sitting down beside her, "let me hear -all about it,--is it something so _very_ bad?" - -A dry shudder was her only answer. - -"Can't you tell me?" he urged, "I may be able to pull you through. -Anyway, my cousin will. I hate to see you like this." She was still -sobbing hysterically. "Don't look at me, but imagine I'm another -woman--who just wants to do you a good turn." - -Suddenly he remembered her story; here was the so-called "sponge" in -desperate trouble, and possibly at the end of her resources. Although -they had been nearly a month in the same house, they had but scant -acquaintance. Miss Sim did not ride, play bridge, or take any part -in social activities; if Mallender ever thought of her, it was as a -colourless young woman, with anxious eyes, who seemed only too thankful -to be ignored, and overlooked. He had noticed her motoring with Fanny, -and helping her with notes, and menu cards. Fred, too, talked, played -tennis, and danced with her, but to most of their other guests Miss -Sim was as a ghost. Mrs. Villars recognised her existence so far as to -make use of her and send her messages; whilst Mrs. Wylie ridiculed her -openly, and treated her as if she were a servant. - -"In the first place, hand me over that little bottle," he went on -authoritatively. - -No answer beyond a subdued weeping and choking. - -"If you don't, I shall have to take it from you." - -Moved by this threat, she slowly unclosed her limp fingers, and he -promptly possessed himself of a tiny blue phial, on which was scrawled: - -"Poysun--fur dog." - -"Now," said Mallender as he crossed his legs, and looked at her -sternly, "I insist on your telling me what this means?" He realised, -that he must adopt a determined attitude, with this miserable weeping -creature. "Come, now." - -"Oh, it's a long, long story," she moaned, "and I've been such a fool!" - -"We have all been that," he answered cheerily. "Unless I know what your -trouble is, how on earth can I help you?" - -"Must I really tell you?" and she looked up at him with streaming eyes. - -"Why not? But first of all, let us get out of this jungle, and sit -in the open by the tank," and he rose, and led the way followed by -wretched Miss Sim, whose spasmodic sobs were still audible, though she -was now comparatively calm. - -"To begin with," she said as she dried her eyes, "I made a fatal -mistake in coming out to India. I had no business in this country." - -"Precisely my own case, according to Brown and Co.," reflected -Mallender. - -"But I was so miserable at home; an orphan, living with my aunt, as -maid and governess to her four children. I had always longed to see -India, and devoured every book relating to the East that I could lay -hands on, and a girl I knew, had a married sister in Poona, and read -me her delightful letters. Then when I went for a holiday to an old -school-fellow, I met a lady who lived out here, and who took a fancy -to me"--she paused for a moment, and added hysterically, "I wonder you -don't laugh!" - -"Why should I laugh?" he asked sharply. - -"I was so different then, bright, and gay. I could sing, and tell -fortunes, and trim hats, and Mrs. Powell, who was returning to India, -said, that if ever I could scrape up the passage money, and make my way -out, she would give me a ripping time." - -"I see." - -"I got this idea firmly fixed in my mind, and worked for it like a -slave. I sold some old jewellery, and bought things, and got together -my outfit, and at the end of six months, I advertised for, and obtained -a passage to Bombay, as nurse to one child. Then I told Aunt Todd; she -was furious, and declared that if I went, what she called 'wild-goosing -to India,' she would never have anything more to say to me as long as -she lived." - -"And you came all the same!" commented her companion. - -"I did. I had a delightful passage, and made a number of new -friends. Of an evening, I sang and acted, and played bridge. I never -shirked my work; but once Jacky was in bed, and asleep, I considered -myself _free_. Mrs. Blunt and I had a difference of opinion on the -subject--she expected me to sit, mewed up in the cabin, till bedtime. -But I did not care what she said. I was reckless, and happy, and greedy -of amusement. When we arrived in Bombay I sent Mrs. Powell a wire, -'Here I am--may I come?' the answer was merely 'Yes,' and I confess, I -felt a little damped; for in England, she had been so demonstrative, -and affectionate. However, when I reached Chotapore, after a long dusty -journey, she seemed rather pleased to see me; but somehow, I felt in -my bones, that this Mrs. Powell was not the same woman I had known in -Ealing. Still, she made me welcome to her spare room, and I trimmed -up her hats, and things, and sang, and told fortunes at her little -parties. I think Mr. Powell liked me; he took me out riding, and taught -me piquet, but his wife soon grew tired of me,--and let me see it. I -had supposed that in India, guests stayed for months and months, but I -found that times were changed; a few weeks, or even days, is the limit -of a visit." - -"And what happened next?" enquired Mallender. - -"After leaving the Powells, I went on to various ship acquaintances, -and more or less enjoyed myself for six months. After that my money -began to give out, and also my invitations, and wardrobe. By the end of -the year, I was forced to write an abject letter to my aunt, imploring -her to pay my passage home." - -"And she refused, and said she'd see you further?" threw in Mallender. - -"She said nothing; I've sent four letters registered, and no -reply,--though she _must_ know that I am absolutely penniless, and -destitute." - -"But what has brought your troubles to a crisis?" - -"Many things. For one, my only girl friend, and confidante, who advises -and helps me, has sprained her ankle, and her odious mother will not -allow us to meet, when I call I'm told 'Missus can't see.' Perhaps -she's afraid I want to borrow money!" - -"But why go so far? Why go outside this place? Surely you have friends -here--my cousin?" - -"That is just another reason. Mrs. Tallboys has done so much for me, -her kindness is--oh, you have _no_ idea of it! I came for one month, -my second visit, and I'm here three. Mrs. Brander has given me things, -and lent me money. If she were my sister, she could not have done more. -No, sooner than continue to impose on these kind good people, I'll kill -myself!" and as she spoke, she clenched her hands, the expression of -her face was fixed and distraught, her pale eyes looked enormous. - -"But who says you are sponging?" demanded Mallender. - -"Oh, everyone--Mrs. Fiske,--Mrs. Wylie,--Mrs. Wylie makes remarks, -that burn and sting. She laughs, and is so scornful, and superior, and -talks of sponges from the servants' hall, and asks for the address -of my tailor and dressmaker? She drives me nearly frantic,--though I -say nothing. I have tried desperately hard to leave Hooper's Gardens; -I've written to people, and implored them to take me as unpaid maid, -or nurse--_no one_ wants me, and I have no money. I gave my last two -rupees to an old woman to buy me that stuff you have in your hand--I -said it was for a dog--but of course she guesses--natives are always so -sharp. Then I made up my mind to take it out here--as it will make less -fuss afterwards--than if I--did it indoors; and long ago a girl _did_ -drown herself in this tank. So, you see," suddenly springing to her -feet, "there is nothing else for it. We must all go some time! and--I -really am not wanted in the world. I feel ever so brave now. _Please_ -let me have my little phial again, it will be the truest kindness, and -do you go away,--and--and come back in half an hour." - -"You know, I shall do nothing of the sort," he rejoined angrily. "Do -you think _I_ am mad, too? Listen to me, Miss Sim: how much will it -cost you to take you home?" - -"Oh, ever so much; even a second-class, would be thirty pounds." - -"Well now, look here, I can let you have a hundred. Honestly, I'm -pretty well off, and you can pay me back any time--say in twenty years. -How will that be?" - -Miss Sim's lips were trembling, her eyes never left his face, as he was -speaking. At last, she said: - -"Oh, Captain Mallender,--how _could_ I accept it?" - -"At once, since you ask me, and the sooner you make a start the better. -Let me see; the mail comes in on Tuesday--you can pretend your people -have written, and asked you to return 'Ek Dum,' as they say out here." - -"Well, at any rate I have not much to pack," she exclaimed -hysterically, "and thirty pounds will be ample--why, it is the price of -my life!" - -"Don't talk melodramatic rot!" he rejoined impatiently. "You want a -pull up, and I'm here, to lend a hand. You must have a hundred; you say -you owe money, your passage will be at least fifty, you will require -warm clothes, and cash in hand. You cannot manage on less." - -"Once I am in England, I can earn my living; I am a qualified teacher. -I will pay you back some day, Captain Mallender--as sure as I stand -here," she faltered tremulously. - -"Please don't let that worry you. I'll draw out the money, take your -ticket, and bring you the balance, shall we say here? the day after -to-morrow--early, or late?" - -"I cannot come here early, the servants and syces are always about, but -I could meet you after dinner,--before they begin bridge." - -"All right then--Thursday--no, by Jove! I'm dining out. Shall we fix -Friday, on this spot at half-past nine, sharp?" - -Miss Sim was about to reply, when a man came suddenly round a turn of -the walk, and stood momentarily transfixed. It was Captain Wylie--one -of the dwellers in tents. - -"Hullo, Mallender!" he began awkwardly, "they are looking for you -indoors. Byng wants you. Well, Miss Sim, and so you did not go to the -Croquet Tournament after all? How was that? Preferred the garden, eh?" - -"Yes," she answered brusquely, and turning her back on him, instantly -disappeared among the shrubs. Mallender however stood his ground, -and said: "Oh, Byng, yes! By Jove, I forgot him! it's about the polo -of course. I'll go in now----" and he walked away whistling "The -Jewel of Asia," and thus the interloper was left in sole possession -of the field. For some time, he stood with a half smile on his keen -clean-shaven face, then he gave a loud harsh laugh, and strolled away. - -Naturally the Friday rendezvous fell through. Mallender the conspirator -was obliged to take bolder, and more open measures; he sent Miss Sim a -note by Anthony, contrived to sit next to her at dinner, and discussed -her arrangements; subsequently in the drawing-room he brought her a -little packet, which he handed over stealthily--saying as he did so: - -"This belongs to _you_." - -The packet contained money, and a first-class ticket to London. - -"I hope you will find it all right," he added, with significance. - -"Of course I can never thank you," she murmured in a broken voice, "I -believe this generous action will bring you good luck. I shall write to -you through the Bank, and though we are not likely to meet again--I -will never, never, forget you." - -The news of Miss Sim's impending departure caused considerable -surprise; no one more surprised than Captain Mallender! - -"What a liar and hypocrite I am," he said to himself, as he discussed -the news with Nancy Brander, whose joy and amazement both were -heartfelt, and sincere. Now, that Miss Sim appeared to have _friends_, -Mrs. Villars and Mrs. Wylie vouchsafed an exaggerated display of -interest in her proceedings, and overwhelmed her with messages and -parcels to take to London; whilst Mrs. Tallboys busied herself in -making arrangements for the girl's comfort, and in buying clothes, -rugs, and woollies, for the voyage. - -Nancy Brander received the return of her loan with undisguised -astonishment,--and immediately invested half of it, in a substantial -gift. These two kind women accompanied the poor waif and stray to the -ship, with many instructions saw her comfortably settled, and left her -in charge of the Captain. - -No sooner was Miss Sim well away at sea, than a little cloud of scandal -arose. Immediately after her departure, Captain Wylie had informed his -wife of his awkward adventure in the shrubbery. - -"Strolling about there, I came bang upon Mallender, and the Sim -girl, in floods of tears; they were fixing up another meeting for -Friday night! Don't say a word to anyone; Mallender carried it off -wonderfully; not the least disconcerted--evidently an old hand at the -game, and as cool as a cucumber!" - -"I am astonished," she exclaimed, "I never thought he was that sort. -What a young hypocrite, and Mrs. T. thinks him a saint! Fancy having an -affair with an ugly abject creature like a third housemaid! I always -supposed, he was gone on our lovely widow." - -"Well, you see you were wrong! It's a case of still waters--I thought -you'd be amused. Mind you keep what I've told you to yourself." - -But to Mrs. Wylie this was impossible. She was choking to gossip, and -though she did not reveal a name, she informed Mrs. Villars, and Mrs. -Fiske, that the Sim girl had a secret, and _desperate_ love affair, -and was accustomed to meet her lover of an evening, when all the -house-party were playing bridge,--from which they would remember, she -had always excused herself. To this, was added yet another piece of -news. It transpired, in answer to unkind enquiries, that Miss Sim had -not received any letters by the English mail, and therefore the story -of the money from home was simply an audacious invention. - - - - - CHAPTER XII - - -The hot weather had arrived, the punctual brain-fever bird made his -unwelcome appearance, and a much-diminished company prepared to leave -Hooper's Gardens, for the Blue Mountains. Colonel Tallboys, who had -obtained sixty days' leave (with power to add to their number), his -wife, her niece, and child, Mrs. Villars, her maid, and Geoffrey -Mallender. Urgent private business connected with cotton, had summoned -unwilling Sir William to Bombay, and the Wylies were reluctantly -compelled to bring their long "week-end" to a close. - -"Hooper's Hotel" was a hostelry entirely after their own hearts; a -gracious easy hostess, an admirably run establishment, capital ponies -to ride, gay entertainments, and lots of bridge. They were unaffectedly -sorry to part with "the management," and Mrs. Wylie threw out many -hints, as to how much she longed to visit the celebrated Neilgherries, -and talked wistfully of "the chance of a lifetime!" But for once, Fanny -Tallboys did not "rise." Then her guest--a woman of invincible nerve, -and resolution--came to her sitting-room one morning, and said, with -her most persuasive smile: - -"Dearest and kindest of friends! I have a great, great, an enormous -favour to ask. Alas! our plans for Ceylon have fallen through. We -_were_ going to Newara Eliya to the Gordon Walkers, but I heard to-day, -that she is ill, and too indisposed to receive us. So will you, like -the angel you are, have us for a little, little, tiny visit in Ooty? -Darling Cecil wants a change from this steaming, relaxing place--I've -been quite anxious about him the last week, and you know our -_abhorrence_ of hotels, with their filthy rooms, and disgusting food." - -Poor Mrs. Tallboys, feeling exceedingly guilty and uncomfortable, was -obliged to tell the piteous pleading lady, that she was really too -sorry, but that every corner in "Woodford" had its allotted tenant. - -"Tents?" suggested the petitioner, with ruthless pertinacity. "I should -simply adore a tent!" - -Unfortunately tents were out of the question at that season in the -Hills, and so this pair of clever "sponges" and adventurers were -compelled to seek for other quarters, and took their departure, with -perfunctory thanks, and an air of unpardonable injury; and it is a -regrettable fact, that they subsequently spoke of their hosts of -"Hooper's Gardens," with patronage and derision, as "those absurd -people, the Tallboys, and their dreadful menagerie!" - -The weather had suddenly become several degrees warmer, and the party -travelled by night, arriving in the early morning at Mettapollium, not -far from the foot of the towering ghâts; here after _chotah-hazri_ -they entered the mountain railway, that climbed, and wound, and -climbed again, till it dragged itself up to Coonoor--which seemed -to be awaiting it, as it lay hanging over the edge of the great -plateau--unquestionably one of the most wooded, beflowered, and -picturesque, Hill stations in Hindustan, and the home of not a few -retired Anglo-Indians. Here, the Tallboys decided to halt for a day or -two, whilst "Woodford" was prepared for their reception. - -Instead of taking the mountain railway, Mrs. Brander had elected to -ride up the old ghât, on her big black waler, Bonny; and Mallender -promptly volunteered to be her escort. He liked Nancy, she was the -best of company, always so cheerful, good-natured, and ready to enjoy -everything that came in her way; one of those rare people, who go -through life with a happy and contented heart. - -The heat, in the narrow gorge at the foot of the mountains, was -stifling; the very bananas and bamboos looked wilted, and faint. As -the pair rode between dense masses of acacia, babul trees, Palmyra -palms, and thickets of heavy jungle, their horses were bathed in sweat, -there seemed scarcely a breath of air; but by gradual degrees, as they -mounted the rocky old road with its endless twists, and sudden steep -ascents, the dank hot-house atmosphere fell away, and mile by mile they -ascended into another, and cooler, climate. The narrow bridle-path -lay through a primeval forest, carpeted in places with moss and -maiden-hair; here and there, the tree-trunks were hidden by gigantic -ferns, the sound of running water was never absent, crystal clear -streams splashed and tumbled and made tinkling music in the dim light, -as they hurried down the hill-side, through a tangle of rock, twisted -roots, and creepers. Meanwhile the riders breasted a precipitous road, -that carried them from the tropics to an English summer; heavily laden -coolies, donkeys carrying wood, and now and then a portly native on -a pony, were all they encountered as they proceeded, and fitfully -discussed the recent season, and its most interesting, or remarkable -events. - - * * * * * - -"Talking of events," said Mrs. Brander, "last evening, I saw Barbie -Miller driving with Colonel Harris in his Stanhope phaeton; he looked -as pleased as Punch, and she, as if she were on her way to execution; I -fancy that match is settled, and for once, Aunt Fanny had no finger in -the pie!" - -"No, of course not," assented Mallender, but he said no more.--There -ensued a pause, lit by the memory of a girl, leaning against a tree -with a drawn, white face and dazed blue eyes, saying, "Oh, _you_ don't -know--you cannot understand!" - -"You liked her, didn't you?" questioned his twenty-first cousin. - -"Yes,--but I am sorry to say, Miss Miller does not like _me_. She has -wonderful pluck in the saddle, it's a pity she can't show some of it in -her own family." - -"Ah, it is so easy for us to talk! You little know Mrs. Miller; a woman -as hard as the nether mill-stone, as pitiless as Fate, and she has a -strong backer in Mrs. Fiske. Poor Barbie has no chance against two such -allies." - -"I don't see where Mrs. Fiske comes in?" argued Mallender. - -"As adviser. Mrs. Miller was once upon a time her bridesmaid, and -although she publishes a striking and historical record of her -character, declares that her bridesmaid was a bully from her youth, -never would allow anyone near her to be happy, and adds, many later, -and more lurid particulars, yet they are close friends!" - -"I can't stand Mrs. Fiske, and she always smiles--if you can call it a -smile! at me, and looks as if she knew a _lot_, and we had some guilty -secret between us!" - -"I understand, and sympathise with your feelings respecting Mrs. -Fiske--I am with you there! She says such spiteful things to my face, -that they leave me beyond the power of a coherent retort. But why do -you say that Barbie dislikes you?" - -"Because lately, she won't speak to me." - -"Imagination! She has been flung so violently at men's heads, that -naturally she avoids them, for which, I confess I do not blame -her;--among women, she is different." - -"And once upon a time she was different with _me_!--we were quite -chummy out hunting, or paper-chasing--she's a nailing good rider,--one -day, she got a nasty toss, and I took her home,--Lord, what a place!" - -"I can imagine it." - -"I doubt it! We found lots to say to one another, as we toiled along to -Vepery, afterwards too--at _chota-hazri's_, at the gardens; then all of -a sudden, the young lady dropped me like the traditional hot potato!" - -Mrs. Brander burst into a ringing laugh, and again repeated, -"Imagination!" - -"No," he replied with some heat. "The last couple of weeks, Miss Miller -avoided me on purpose,--you remember the finish at the paper-chase at -the Mount, and breakfast at the Artillery Mess, under the banyan tree? -When I spoke to her there, she just looked me straight between the -eyes, and administered the dead cut." - -"I must say you amaze me! I can only suppose, that Mrs. Fiske has given -you a bad character." - -"She knows nothing about me!" - -"I would not be so sure. She knows all about _me_! my age, fortune, -where Tom proposed, how much I pay my dhobi, and which of my teeth are -stopped." - -After a silence, during which they threaded their way among a horde of -heavily-laden pack ponies, charcoal burners, and coolies--almost bent -double under incredible loads of baggage--Mrs. Brander resumed: - -"I'm so sorry for Barbie, her little white desperate face comes before -me, if only I could have done something to snatch her from Colonel -Harris, but Tom says, I'm always too ready to rush in, where angels, -etc., etc. Aunt Fan is an angel,--but even she is afraid of those two -women, that like the giants in the 'Pilgrim's Progress,' bar the road -to Barbie's liberty. Uncle Fred is fond of Barbie, she is his favourite -girl in all Madras, but he dare not interfere in other people's family -concerns. He, however, goes about, telling everyone that he and James -Harris are the same age!" - -"Much good that will do Miss Miller!" scoffed her companion. - -"Well, we are getting off our old bachelors. I suppose the next wedding -will be Sir William's--he is older than Uncle Fred." - -"What Sir William?--Sir William Bream?" - -"Yes, our very own Sir William, with his extraordinary and imposing -power of saying things, with nothing to say. Why do you look so -surprised?" and her gaze rested upon him with impressive steadiness. - -"You don't mean that Mrs. Villars would marry him!" - -"I refuse to commit myself, I don't mean to say anything, except that -Mrs. Villars will make a sensation in our Blue Mountains, and have a -good time. Who is so absolutely free, and independent, as a beautiful -rich young widow? at least, I hope she is rich----" - -"Why do you hope that?" - -But Nancy Brander touched her horse, and cantered on; she was not -disposed to tell tales, or to reply. - -"Merely because she showed me a bill from a Paris house, for nine -hundred pounds, and assured me, that she had no more idea than my Mab, -how it was going to be paid! or where the money was to come from!" - -By eleven o'clock the equestrians had arrived at Under Cliff Hotel, -Coonoor, and there found the remainder of the party, all comfortably -installed, sitting in the verandah, imbibing draughts of deliciously -cool air, and looking forward to a late, and solid, breakfast. The -early afternoon was abandoned to resting, unpacking, and novel-reading, -but about four o'clock the Tallboys and their guests reassembled for -tea. - -Not a few acquaintances were "up," and passing through,--these included -Colonel Molyneux and Forbes, the great shikari. Mrs. Villars, who had -changed her travelling dress for a becoming toilet, was talking to -them, when Mallender joined her. She gave him a radiant smile--her -smile conveyed to many, the secret, that "you, and you _only_, are -my friend"; undoubtedly she had a wonderful charm--which is another -name for power--and in her delicate hand, it frequently proved an -irresistible weapon. At the moment, she was carrying on a bantering -conversation with the mighty hunter. - -"You know perfectly well, that you hate all this," she said, -indicating the smart gay groups, who were scattered along the verandah, -drinking tea. "You prefer black coffee, and leathery chuppatties in the -jungle, you know you do!" - -"Yes, I must confess that I enjoy the jungle," admitted Mr. Forbes, -who found it not unpleasant to be chaffed, and singled out, by this -beautiful creature in white serge, with the eyes of a fawn, and the -sun throwing glints on her wealth of red-brown hair. "But then, I'm a -semi-savage--and an old bachelor," he added boastfully. - -"Worse--a woman-hater!" - -"No, no, Mrs. Villars, but I admit that I would as soon look at a fine -pair of horns, as at a fine pair of eyes," and his glance was almost a -challenge! - -"Really?" with a gay incredulous laugh. "What an odd taste! The only -horn that appeals to me, is a coach horn. Are you making any stay?" - -"No, a couple of days, and then I'm off to the Anna-Mullays after a -bison. When I was at home, I got a letter from an old pal of mine, a -Kurumba shikari, and he told me of a remarkable, in fact, matchless -head." - -"Still on the animal's shoulders?" she enquired airily. - -"I hope so, I've come straight out to pot him." - -"Rather a long aim!" - -"Oh, I think nothing of that. I've gone to Arabia for lions, to Java -for a particular deer. My collection of heads is my hobby." - -"One would think you were a Dyak!" - -"_You_ need not reproach me, dear madam. What are my heads, to your -scalps?" - -"I declare you are becoming quite agreeable and complimentary! but no -doubt you are in great spirits at the prospect of leaving us. You know, -you are longing for the solitude of the deep, hot, smelly jungle; once -there, _we_ cease to exist." - -"I won't agree with that; but the jungle has its allurements, too." -Then suddenly turning to Mallender. "Think of the cool early mornings, -when the birds begin to stir, and the bamboos to whisper; oh, you -society fellows miss a lot! _You_ never see the dense, virgin forests, -peopled with half-tame animals, and impassable, except by game tracks." -He paused, and looked steadily before him, as if his eyes beheld some -rapturous vision. - -Mrs. Villars now rose, carefully brushed the crumbs from her gown, and -said, in her soft drawling voice: - -"There is quite a nice little jungle near this; I explored it this -morning. There are paths, and flowers--possibly, a stray animal or two. -I mean the garden. Come with me, Captain Mallender, and perhaps _I_ -will whisper to you like the bamboos. At any rate, I can introduce you -to lovely views, a fountain, and a summer-house!" - -Mallender promptly accepted the invitation, and as he descended the -steps, in the lady's wake, the old shikari looked after them, and -muttered half aloud, "_Got him!_" - - - - - CHAPTER XIII - - -As Mrs. Villars gracefully proceeded along a path, not wide enough -for two abreast, and offered her companion a full view of a -perfectly-fitting back, and coils of lustrous hair--she had several new -ideas simmering in her head. She liked the handsome boy, now treading -in her footsteps, and had flirted and amused herself with him, as was -her custom; also, because Fanny had given her a somewhat shame-faced -hint to keep Geoffrey fast, and urge him to accompany his friends to -the Hills, adding mysteriously, that there was an important reason -for detaining him. When she had asked for further particulars, Fanny -replied: - -"It is a family matter. Much depends on tying the young man to my, or -rather to _your_ apron strings." - -"And so I am to play the syren?" - -"Yes, my dear, a nice, amiable, harmless syren," and to this she had -agreeably consented. - -But now, as the lady preceded her slave, stepping delicately over the -ground, in her high-heeled grey _suede_ shoes, she asked herself, why -she should not play the syren in real _earnest_? - -Relieved from Sir William's formidable presence, and the questioning -glances of his torpid, but suspicious eyes, she felt once more young, -and free! Of course, there was Sir William's great fortune figuratively -at her feet, but its master was old, unattractive, and irritable; when -they were man and wife, and he had paid her debts, possibly he might -not be so devoted or so docile. - -As for Geoffrey Mallender, dear, simple boy! he was the soul of -chivalry, generosity, and good-humour. He had a fine old place, and -seven or eight thousand a year. Why should she not have, so to speak, -"a new deal," be serious, encourage his timid homage, and marry him? It -was true, that she was fourteen years his senior, but who would suspect -it? Like her family, she had been endowed with the priceless gift of -perennial youth. Fanny, her old school-fellow, who knew her age to a -day, would possibly disapprove, and make difficulties. After all, why -should she consider Fanny Tallboys? Naturally her first object was her -own interest. - -"Do let us sit down here," she said, turning about at last, "and look -at this glorious blue view! Blue mountains, blue valleys, and blue sky, -all in different shades,--and sniff the scent of roses, and heliotrope, -and now, my dear boy, I am going to have a nice little talk with you." - -"That's right, what is it about?" - -"I want you to tell me, why there is such a silent but strenuous effort -to keep you from leaving the Tallboys?" - -Mallender looked at her smiling eyes, broke off a twig of lemon -verbena, but made no reply. - -"Fanny has some particular reason for not allowing you to run away." - -"Has she?" he answered with a bantering air. - -"Don't evade my questions, there's a dear, but tell me the truth? I am -so _safe_. Are you about to ruin your life by a foolish marriage?" - -His reply was a boyish and spontaneous laugh; then seeing her face of -grave reproach, he added: - -"I don't want to go away, you may be sure,--but I may have to leave--as -a duty. I'd tell you all about it, like a shot, but it would not -interest you, you'd only chaff me." - -"_Chaff_ you!" she repeated indignantly. "Do you imagine you are -talking to Nancy Brander? anything that concerns you, will interest -_me_. Won't you tell me?" Suddenly her voice sank to a low enticing -whisper. Behold Mrs. Villars in her most dangerous character. - -"Yes, I will another time," he glanced about. They were not alone in -this exquisite spot. Various other couples were roaming in the lovely -garden. - -"But, Geoffrey, you will never have a better opportunity!" she urged. -"Give me your confidence, and perhaps, if you are very, very good, I -will tell you something, that I know will please you!" and she smiled -at him, with half-closed eyes. - -"All right," he agreed, "confidence for confidence--exchange is no -robbery, my business is about----" - -At this critical moment, when Mrs. Villars was leaning forward with -parted lips, a white figure came prancing towards them! It was -Chinna-Sawmy, holding aloft a telegram between his two thumbs. Here, -indeed, was a most perverse little incident! - -The baffled lady drew back murmuring, "What a bore! well, another -time then," and rose slowly to her feet. "I think I must run in now, -and see what Kemp is doing, and dress for dinner. I believe it is at -the ghastly hour of half-past seven. We will meet in the verandah -later--and continue our little _talk_!" - -"Yes, all right," then he tore open the envelope, unfolded the slip of -paper, and read: - -"_He is found, return to-night. Shumilal._" - -For a moment, Mallender felt stunned, and stared stupidly at the -telegram. Then by degrees he collected his wits and turning to -Chinna-Sawmy, said: - -"Run and find out when the next train leaves." To Anthony who had -followed the wire, "I am going back at once. Put my kit together again, -and send it to the station." - -"Train leaves in one half-hour," was Anthony's prompt reply. "I knowing -the place well,--master will have to be quick." - -Colonel Tallboys shaved twice a day, and was carefully operating with -a new safety razor, when he heard a hurried thump on the door of his -dressing-room, and Geoffrey entered, with a coat on his arm, and a cap -in his hand. - -"I say," he began abruptly, "I've just got a wire, my marching -orders,--and I'm off at last!" - -Colonel Tallboys stood transfixed, razor in hand; one half his face -white, the other pink. If the matter had not been so desperately -serious, Geoffrey would have laughed at the spectacle. - -"Don't be vexed," he urged anxiously, "don't take it so hardly. I -expect I'll get through in a week or two and----" - -His cousin at last found breath and voice. - -"I take it hardly--damned hardly," he burst out in a high shaky key. -"It means your ruin! thanks to your infernal pig-headed obstinacy. Of -course if you _are_ mad, you are your own master--I can't stop you. -Here," stirred by a sudden access of fury, he rushed to the door, and -wrenched it open, "Go--go! I never want to see you, or hear of you, -again!" - -Completely taken aback, Geoffrey stared incredulously at his furious -relative, then walked blindly out of the room, and sought his cousin -Fanny. - -"I'm going," he said, "the telegram is urgent, and I'm just off, I'll -write, of course. Wish me luck, and God bless you, Fan." - -For a moment Mrs. Tallboys surveyed him with amazement. Then she put -her hand on his shoulder, and tears stood in her eyes. - -"So the sword has fallen at last! Oh, Geoffrey, do be careful,--do be -prudent. You have told Fred. I heard his voice just now--I'm afraid he -is vexed." - -"More than vexed, he washes his hands of me!" - -"Oh, that's only his way, when he is angry. He will get over it all -right. Meanwhile, we are always your friends, bear this in mind, and, -Geoffrey," smiling through her tears, "though I hate and fear the -thought of your going, and would do all in my power to hold you back, -yet I don't _blame_ you, and whatever happens, you return to us," and -she kissed him with warm affection. - -After these farewell visits, the parting guest hurried away to the -office, in order to settle his bill--only a half day,--and as he was -gathering up change, a light hand was laid on his arm, and looking -round, he beheld Mrs. Villars, who for some reason appeared to be -strangely unlike herself; she seemed excited, flurried,--and if he -dared to use the word, dishevelled! - -"I _must_ speak to you," she began breathlessly. "Come into the -sitting-room for a moment," and as they entered, she turned round -abruptly, and faced him. "Oh, Geoffrey, what _is_ this I hear? Is it -true, that you are leaving us?" she asked, with tragedy in her voice. - -"Yes, I'm bound to go," he answered decisively. - -"Don't, don't!" she pleaded, "Geoffrey, I implore you to think twice, -before hurling yourself to ruin. Your cousin has told me, he is simply -frantic." - -"But I'm ruined already, if it comes to that, as far as money is -concerned, and I intend to see this thing through." - -"It means beggary, and madness--it does, it does," she reiterated, with -passion. "I ask you, I beg of you, I beseech of you, to stay--stay for -_my_ sake," and she flung her arms round his neck, and gazed into his -face, with two lovely, liquid, irresistible eyes. - -Lena Villars was on her mettle, she was using the most effective -and deadly weapon in her armoury. Should she suffer this young man -to escape, to go headlong his own way, her prestige in her inner -consciousness would be for ever dimmed! - -Such eyes as hers, were powerful persuaders. Mallender was young, with -hot blood racing through his veins; he caught his breath sharply, -and was about to yield. The perfume of the syren's hair, her close -and delicious proximity, intoxicated his senses. At this critical -instant, he beheld a face, and two hands numbering twelve fingers -pressed against the window, making urgent signs. With a firm but gentle -movement he put the sorceress quietly aside, caught up his cap, and ran -out of the hotel. - -As the fugitive hurried to the station, he was aware of fleet footsteps -pattering behind him! he turned to find not Lena, but Nancy Brander, -breathless, bareheaded, and wrapped in a long cloak. - -"I was dressing," she panted, "_don't_ look at me! but I could not let -you go, without a word. Here, I know the way, this is the ticket place, -you will write, won't you?" she continued in gasps, "and be sure, and -let me know what happens!" - -"Yes, of course I'll write, without fail." - -"Tom comes up next week, and if Uncle Fred is still furious, remember -that _we_ will shelter you. Ah, you are just off--good-bye--and the -best of luck!" - -The last friendly face that Mallender beheld was the plain visage of -Nancy, battling between smiles and tears, as she waved him a vigorous -adieu. - - - - - CHAPTER XIV - - -In a totally different spirit to that in which he had quitted them, -Mallender descended to the plains; as in the silvery moonlight, he -caught occasional glimpses of the old road, by which he and Nancy had -ridden up that very morning, his heart felt sick. He was turning his -back on all his friends; on Lena, on a perfect climate, and retracing -his steps to sweltering heat, and an unknown fate. Nevertheless he -assured himself that if in one sense he was going the wrong way, he was -actually on the right road at last! - -Once more in Madras, Mallender, accompanied by his two retainers, put -up at Spencer's Hotel, and as soon as he had rested, and recovered from -the long double journey, set out for 805 Pophams Broadway; here he sent -in his card, and asked to see the principal. - -After some delay, he was ushered upstairs into a large dingy office; -its shelves were packed with immense ledgers, and tin boxes; heaps of -dusty receipts were filed, and stacked on the top of clumsy presses, -the whole place reeked of an odour peculiar to Southern India--a -combination of betel nut, cocoanut oil, aniseed, with a dash of -ground coffee. The visitor was received by an elderly native, with -dignified manners, who wore an enormous white turban of the very finest -muslin, and was seated at a roll-top desk. In the background, were -clerks in velvet skull caps, each and all exhibiting an appearance of -extraordinary industry. - -"Ah, Captain Mallender," said the principal, rising as he closed a huge -account book. "The client of our honoured friends--Jaffer and Co." - -"Yes, I got your wire soon after I arrived at Coonoor,--and returned by -the next train." - -"I'm afraid your friends must have been disappointed," observed -Shumilal, and in his studiously bland voice there lurked the quality of -unction. - -"They were, but my business comes first, and they know that. And so you -have news at last--you have found him?" - -"We must still continue to go very slowly, and wait." - -"_You_ may!" cried Mallender, suddenly losing his temper between heat, -mosquitoes, want of sleep, and annoyance, "but I refuse to do so; I -must go ahead, and set the pace. I've been out here more than three -months, I've paid you a hundred and fifty pounds down----" a clerk at a -distant table raised his head, "I return in answer to an urgent summons -and at great inconvenience, in hopes of immediate success; and you say -I must wait. By Jove, I tell you, that I _won't_ wait!" and a light -shone in his dark eyes. - -"But, my dear sir, we are doing our best," protested the other -soothingly, "you know, it is a strange, and intricate business," he -held out a pair of delicate and appealing hands. - -"Yes, so you always say," continued the young man angrily. "I hope for -your own sakes, that you have not made a fool of me?" - -"Come, come, come, young gentleman, this is not good talk." - -"No, and I won't give you good talk! I'm not out here in this country, -and this furnace of a place, for humbug, and waiting, and 'good talk.' -I'm here for action, for real serious business. I don't care how hard -it is, so that I succeed in the end. If you have--fooled me I'll make -it pretty hot for you, and so I tell you." - -Shumilal drummed for an absent moment on the desk, then answered, with -a coal of fire! - -"Well, Captain Mallender, if you were not so impatient, I was going -to give you first-class news, and inform you, that you are very near -success." - -"Oh! But why not say so before, instead of keeping me on the string?" - -"Yes; and we believe, that he you seek, is close to you, at an old -place twenty miles out; once a depôt for military--but now abandoned. -In one of the bungalows there lives the gentleman you want; he is -over fifty years of age. He shuns all society, he hides some weighty -secret, he has been in India for many years; and if you are patient and -cautious, you are bound to catch him. You will have to go out there, -and put up at the Dâk Bungalow. Better take food, and servants, and -provisions." - -"All right!" said Mallender curtly, "but you haven't told me the -fellow's name?" - -"Smith, Major Smith; his cheques and bills are made out to John Smith." - -"Very well, I shall start this evening. What do you call the place?" - -"Panjeverram; and now that we are talking secretly, tell me, Captain -Mallender, do you expect to find your Uncle?" - -"No, but I hope to secure his murderer; he has had a tremendous start, -and a long respite, but please God, I'll lay my hands on him within a -week." - -"But if this man is not your object--I believe he _is_--but, we are all -liable to mistakes, what then?" - -"Then, I shall still go on searching for the fellow I want, but your -description seems to promise success." - -"That is true. We will send you by hand to your hotel, a formal -letter as a reference, and guide, and," rising, in order to close the -interview, "we shall hear from you no doubt shortly." - -"Yes, without fail," said Mallender, with emphasis. "Don't think me -rude, but I hope I shall have no occasion to call again, and now I will -wish you good day." - -Mallender's next visit was to the bank; here he asked for a statement -of his account, and to know the amount of his balance. After a -considerable delay, a pale, smart-looking young man, came forward, and -said: - -"Your balance in hand, Captain Mallender, is exactly Seventy-two -Pounds, Eighteen Shillings, and Nine-pence." - -These tidings so startled the enquirer, that for a moment he stood -speechless. Of course, on second thoughts there was some monstrous -mistake; he must have at least five or six hundred to his credit. But -no, the practical, clear-headed clerk, produced the big book, and went -steadily through the items. To each of these Mallender assented with a -sinking heart. - -"You see," said the accountant, "nothing has come in since the first of -January,--and you have made some large payments." - -This was the truth. How the money had melted! He glanced over the -column of figures. One hundred and fifty to Shumilal and Co., one -hundred for Miss Sim, fifty lent to Wylie, fifty for a gold bag, one -hundred for outlay of sorts; subscriptions, wages, hire of motor, -presents, tips, one hundred ditto, ditto. Yes, the account was all -right, or rather--all wrong. - -A letter handed to him did not serve to raise his spirits. It came -from his solicitors at home, and in neat type-writing, imparted this -information: - -"The firm of contractors who are now repairing Mallender, require a -final advance, otherwise the work cannot be continued. Times are bad in -the building trade." - -When the advance was paid, his available funds were at an end; he would -have nothing coming in, for another twelve months! This was indeed -heavy news; how was seventy pounds to last a man for a whole year? He -might borrow, the old family lawyer might lend him a few hundreds, -or he could raise a mortgage on Mallender; but was Mallender his to -mortgage? was not the property strictly entailed? - -Mallender's brain,--according to his own account,--worked slowly, and -with difficulty, and he sat for some time, with these questions buzzing -in his aching and bewildered head, then he rose, and with an abstracted -salute departed from the bank, a grave and anxious wanderer. - - - - - CHAPTER XV - - -Accompanied by Anthony and Chinna-Sawmy, his luggage and many bundles, -Mallender left Madras by rail at five o'clock. The carriages were -crammed in the usual fashion; natives of India have an insatiable -passion for travel, and are absolutely regardless of heat, packed -compartments, and semi-suffocation. The train dawdled through the -suburbs, then away across hot dry plains, by palms, villages and -temples, till at length it crawled into Panjeverram. Panjeverram, -although but twenty miles from the City was a silent, forlorn, and -forsaken, old place; there was no sign of life or bustle at its -modest humble station,--not even a _gharry_ in waiting. The luggage -and bundles were therefore placed on a _tailer_ (or hand-cart) and -trundled off to the Dâk Bungalow, through a great avenue of banyan -trees,--so closely meeting overhead, that they constituted a long black -tunnel; only a faint light here and there like fire-flies in a forest -broke its cimmerian gloom. The little party did not encounter a soul, -before they turned over a brick culvert, and found themselves in front -of the rest-house. This was old, and out of repair; its atmosphere, -even that hot March night, felt damp; and the air was heavily -impregnated by an odour of mildew, mushrooms, and bats. - -A visitor was evidently a precious rarity, and the venerable Dâk Matey -was full of rapture, and eager and voluble apologies. He shouted -orders to some unseen subordinate in the back verandah, and proceeded -to light lamps and bustle about. He laid a newspaper as table-cloth, -placed on it two candles in black bottles, and between these, a bunch -of zinnias in a mustard tin; a knife and fork and tumbler, produced -from Mallender's tiffin basket, gave a business-like air to these -preparations; a pat of white butter, and a small bazaar loaf, were -added by Anthony, who casually remarked that "he had just done kill one -big snake, in Master's bathroom!" - -"Very bad that snake, but only coming after water," he explained, as he -moved about unpacking, giving directions in Tamil to the hoary Matey, -and goading him to frenzied exertions. Then turning to Mallender, with -an air of authority, he said: - -"Master better wash, and I bring soup." - -The bedroom proved to be nearly as bare as the immortal cupboard of -Mother Hubbard, and merely contained a charpoy, a chair, a battered -punkah, and cobwebs,--thick as ropes! The dinner also proved a -disappointment; soup of Worcester sauce and hot water, goat chops, the -inevitable anchovy toast, and a small bottle of beer. - -Mallender realised that he must adjust himself to the position, and get -used to this sort of thing! He had fallen into fastidious ways, and -been spoiled, and pampered, by the luxuries of Hooper's Gardens. - -When the meal was over, and the newspaper had been ceremoniously -removed, he drew a candle towards him and proceeded to re-read the -letter of instructions, which had been duly delivered at the Madras -hotel: - - "DEAR SIR, - - "We have now the pleasure to forward by hand the information as - required. Your gentleman, Major Smith, lives at Panjeverram where he - owns a large bungalow, called the Nabob's House, and lives in great - secrecy. The place is surrounded by high walls, and entered by a - heavy wooden gate. Major Smith's affairs are managed by old - servants, who cannot be _bribed_; he is rarely seen, sometimes not - for years, but he is in Panjeverram _now._ He receives no visitors - or letters, no more than if he was _defunct_. We believe that he is - your man, and hope we are correct. We should add, that you will - find it prudent to be on the spot, and that to gain admittance will - be difficult; it may take weeks, or even months." - -Mallender's heart sank. Months!--in this squalid bungalow, the resort -of toddy cats, bats, and snakes. - - "Perseverance must be rewarded," the letter continued. "If your - servants can make friends with Major Smith's servants, it will be - the thin edge of the wedge, but you must push, push, _push_." - -Having folded up this epistle, Mallender lit a cigar, and went out to -pace the verandah, forgetful and regardless of reptiles, till he trod -upon the dead snake, and uttering a word which begins and ends with -"D," he kicked the limp body into the bushes, whereupon Anthony, who -had been summoned, and stood at the doorway at attention, was moved to -say: - -"Master taking care, and never walking out of light. Other snake -_always_ coming, to look for lover!" - -"Hang the snakes' lovers!" cried his master impatiently. "I called you -to say, that I am likely to be here for some time, and you must send -a coolie to Madras early to-morrow, to fetch stores, and other things -from Oakes and Spencer's." - -"Chinna-Sawmy can go," replied Smiler with an air of superb -importance. "I can spare him, plenty things wanted. To-day all hurry -and hurly-burly, no time to arrange. Nothing here, no filter, no -charcoal, no matches, no cocoanut oil, no--" spreading out his hands, -"anything--but one old fool man." - -"There is a bazaar, I presume?" - -"Yes, but for native peoples only and half-castes, who live in the old -bungalows--and never paying no rent. No one ever coming, but sometimes -to see big big temple, and house opposite," pointing dramatically into -the thick darkness, "where one English lady was murdered. Master, chase -with knife, and cut throat!" - -"There is one English gentleman here," said Mallender, "Major Smith. -I want you to make acquaintance with his servants, I wish to meet him -myself." - -"Oh, yes, sir, I understand," replied Anthony, with a whole volume of -significance in his voice. "That I can do! I shall get introduced--then -I will introduce Master." - -"I see you know what I mean,--and now you can go." - -Thus dismissed, Anthony took his noiseless departure, and presently -made one of the corpse-like figures, swathed in white, that were -stretched on the ground--successfully wooing sleep, between the -servants' quarters, and the cook's house. - -Mallender remained alone, pacing to and fro, whilst the candles within -burnt low, a distant pi dog howled, and bats made muffled noises, as -they fluttered in and out of the verandah. - - * * * * * - -Early the next morning, after a truly miserable night,--thanks to heat, -mosquitoes and the skirmishing of toddy cats in the ceiling-cloth, -the adventurer went forth to reconnoitre, and make observations. He -discovered an immensely wide road, with stretches of grass at either -side, lined with magnificent banyans. Here and there a bungalow -arrested the eye; some were large and stately, some were insignificant; -some were thatched, some tiled, many--among a wild tangle of fruit -trees, and long-neglected bushes of oleander, and jasmin--were falling -into ruin; one and all the miserable reminders of the opulence, and -glories of the past. In India the elements assist old Father Time with -amazing zeal and success. The blasting hot winds, the blistering sun, -torrents of tropical downpour and the perpetual ravages of legions -of white ants, soon occasion surprising changes in an uninhabited -dwelling. At a little distance to the left, the explorer noticed a -straggling bazaar; still continuing the main road, he came to a house -standing apart, and surrounded by a high and dignified wall,--such as -might enclose an important monastic institution. The entrance was by a -heavy iron-studded wooden gate, with a small postern. - -Mallender walked slowly past, then turned, and retraced his steps, and -finally halted before the gate. Within, was the man he sought! How -soon would he see him face to face? How soon might he summon the law -to his assistance? Undoubtedly the criminal had found an admirable -hiding-place; here he lay, so to speak, entrenched, far from the -madding crowd. Probably these solid walls had once encompassed the home -and harem of some wealthy "Free" Madras merchant, in the good old times -when Panjeverram was a fashionable resort, and the pagoda tree was -laden with golden fruit. - -For several days nothing happened, save that each morning the heat -steadily increased, and like some bodily force descended upon the -hard, cracked soil, and consumed all moisture. The only breath of air -came from the flat plains behind the station, where spasmodic puffs -of a scorching sirocco, suggested the gasps of some dying monster. -Mallender, a prey to monotony and prickly heat, sat in a stuffy little -darkened room, under a listless old punkah, clad in pyjamas, smoking, -and meditating; listening to the roar of the hot wind, the thin rustle -of whirling dead leaves, and realising that he was in for a long siege! - -But such was his character, the more difficulties that confronted him, -the more his courage and determination hardened. Each evening, he -strolled past the Nabob's House like a policeman on duty, but the big -gate was always shut fast, and the premises were silent as a cemetery. -Meanwhile Anthony was craftily undermining the position, and making -insidious advances to the native household; in short, he exhibited -cunning, which almost rose to the dignity of a talent! - -"I have spoken to Francis the butler," he announced, mysteriously. -"He is a big big man, with red turban and gold watch. He is Roman -Catholic, and knows my father! He say to me, 'Why your Master coming -here?' and he look awfully cross. I say, 'Panjeverram too much -interesting to gentleman, who make photographs to get money.' 'But he -has two servants,' he say, 'and brings Europe stores, and books, from -Madras.--Truly _not_ poor man!'" - -"That must have stumped you, Smiler?" - -"'No, no,' I say, awfullee quick, 'Stores and books _he_ never pay -for. Them a present from one charitable lady gone to the Hills, Mrs. -Tallboys, and as for wages, I telling, Sawmy come as _my_ friend only; -and I only taking eight rupees.'" - -"Why, you sinner, I pay you thirty!" exclaimed his master, aghast at -this string of ready lies. "Anyway, he did not believe you, I'll swear." - -"Suppose, he say I no tell truth, but what can do?" raising his -shoulders to his ears. "If Master will show work, I carry camera, and -we pass bungalow five, six times, a day; then there will be talk, and -Francis, butler, will think, 'That Anthony, good Christian boy; _he_ -never telling lies,' and will believe me!" - -"All right, Smiler, your character shall be cleared. We will start out -this afternoon, and I'll photograph the old temple, and lots of other -objects, and make a reputation in the bazaar." - -According to this arrangement, the big butler had now many -opportunities of beholding the diligent gentleman with his camera and -attendant passing continually to and fro; or taking snapshots of the -most remarkable local objects. The fame of the photographer spread; -Anthony exhibited attractive specimens among his acquaintances, and -the train was fired! Mallender became known as "the picture-catching -master," and not merely "the stranger, who had a _chokra_ with four -thumbs." - -"Excuse me, saar," pleaded the counsellor, "but to-day, I think of -plenty good business. Suppose we go, I and you, and knock loudly on -big gate of Nabob's House, two hours after the midday rice--when all -people have eaten well, and are full and contented; we will ask humble -permission to take photographs. There are young folks within. I gave -the portrait you took of me to their ayah; she liking, very, awfullee -much,--and has doubtless shown to family." - -Mallender thought the programme excellent, and proceeded to act upon -it, that same afternoon. After long and loud hammering on the wooden -postern, it was at last opened by a peon, and a glimpse of the interior -premises was disclosed. - -At the farthest end, stood an imposing red-tiled bungalow; between -this and the gate was a garden, a well, and a tennis-court--where two -boys were playing. Mallender saw no more, as the postern was suddenly -darkened by a large turbaned figure. This presumably was Francis, -looking alarmingly fierce, and majestic, who stepping into the road, -closed the postern behind him with stern significance. - -"Photographs--no," waving a beringed hand; "we do not want them, this -private house only--please not to trouble, and to go _away_." - -The fiat seemed irrevocable, and Geoffrey's hopes sank to zero, when as -Francis reopened the door a child's golden head was thrust out, and -she called in a shrill voice: - -"Francis, why you make all this bobbery? We are going to be done and -_I_ say so!" - -"You go back, missy," he answered angrily. "Naughty girl,--you go back." - -"Yes, we must, we must!" she screamed. The petition was supported by -shouts, and a far-away female voice was heard in shrill expostulation. -Then the door was violently slammed, and the scene in every sense -closed. - -As the defeated schemers were moving slowly homeward, a servant came -panting behind them. - -"You are to come," he called out, breathlessly. "The Miss has given -permission." - -When the impostor and his satellite crossed the vast enclosure, he -noticed fine horses picketed in the open stables, Nellore cows, and a -motor; also flocks of pigeons, a luxuriant well-watered garden, with -patches of luscious green lucerne, and trees of guava, pomegranate, and -bananas. - -In the verandah were two lads, nearly as dark as Chinna-Sawmy, with -sleek black hair, and beaming eager faces. There was also a little girl -with clouds of golden locks, and singularly arresting beauty, a prim -elderly European woman with a long upper lip, and a flat figure encased -in a stiff print gown, and Black Francis--a mute, hostile, presence. -Besides this group on the verandah, there was also a large collection -of retainers, who were apparently not entitled to a footing in the -house. - -"They tell me ye take photographs?" interrogated "the Miss" in a high -lachrymose Cork accent. - -"Yes, all sorts. I came out here to do the temples, but I'm glad of any -job," replied Mallender, now lying with the fluency of Anthony himself. - -"Well, these children have been bothering the life out of me, so I -suppose I bid to let you take them," and she glanced at Francis, who -represented as he stood a living thundercloud. - -This permission was received with rapture by the young people; the boys -made diabolical grimaces at each other, and the little girl flung her -arms round the neck of "the Miss" and nearly strangled her with a hug. - -"Oh, well, ye can do a group," she gasped, "and if it comes out all -right, we may have the bungalow." - -"Yes, and the horses and dogs, and the new motor, and the monkey!" -supplemented the child, as she clapped her hands, and skipped about. - -"Now, Mota, you be quiet," commanded "the Miss"; then turning to -Mallender, and pointing to his portfolio in Anthony's hands, "I'd like -to have a look at your things, young man." - -"Certainly," answered the photographer, "with pleasure." - -"Ye talk like a gentleman, so ye do," she remarked, as she considered -Mallender with a pair of sharp grey eyes. - -"I--I," taken a little aback,--"have been fairly well educated." - -"'Tis more than I have myself," she declared, "but edication on some, -does be like diamond buckles on a pair of brogues; I misdoubt," -glancing at his shabby kharki suit, "that ye have been a nice play -boy!" and with this remark she sat down, and holding the portfolio in -her lap went carefully through its contents, whilst Mota rested her -chin on her shoulder, and the two boys leant over Mota. Fortunately -for the adventurer, they were all three loud and unanimous in their -admiration. - -"Look at the big temple and the one-eyed beggar!" cried Mota, "and see -Soomia with his buffaloes, and the old Dâk Bungalow Matey. Oh, let us -be done at once!" - -"I can take a group now," said Mallender, briskly. - -"Shall I change, Dixie?" enquired the child, "my new lace frock?" - -"No, no, ye will do finely as ye are, get your hair brushed, and you -boys, Paul and Pedro, go and put on your jackets." - -As Mallender adjusted the camera, he made a careful mental photograph -of the situation. At the side of the bungalow, he noticed another -entrance,--doubtless opening on the plains at the rear. The verandah -walls were covered with horns and heads, chiefly of black buck and -sambur; comfortable chairs and tables, laden with books and papers, -gave a homely touch to the scene, and gasping near the water filter, -lay an elderly, well-bred, fox-terrier. - -In the presence of a large and attentive crowd, the operator arranged -his group, placing "the Miss" in the centre. As he allowed her to -choose her own pose, she sat bolt upright, her chin elevated, and a -large hand spread like a star-fish, on either knee. "The Miss" was -supported by a boy on each side, whilst Mota reclined at her feet. -As Mallender scrutinised the party, from under his black velvet -cloth, he realised that the little girl was unquestionably of good -birth,--judging by her delicate features, and well-bred air; the boys -seemed sharp and intelligent, and closely resembled one another, indeed -now that he looked at them again, of course they were twins! - -After a long pause, many injunctions to be "steady" and an -authoritative "hush" from Anthony, his master uttered the word "_Now_," -and the cap was off. - -Another snapshot followed, and then the operator carried away the -plates into a specially darkened bathroom, accompanied by the truculent -and suspicious Francis. As the groups were a success, and their price -was moderate, "the Miss" suggested a view of the bungalow. This was -followed by a full-sized reproduction of the monkey--a deplorable -failure--and the old fox-terrier, who well-marked, and short of leg, -had undoubtedly at some period of his career abandoned the shores of -England. - -With such a collection of plates, Mallender was well content; -he particularly wished to return again, and yet again, until he -encountered and confronted the mysterious master of the Nabob's House. - -It took some time to develop and print the plates, as they were sent to -Madras, and three days had elapsed before the photographer once more -presented himself at the wooden postern. - -Meanwhile he heard from Anthony, that the sahib was at home; for -Chinna-Sawmy had obtained a footing in the go-downs, thanks to thumb -tricks, and his repertoire of new, and improper, Tamil songs! The -photographs were approved, with acclamation, and their bearer received -a boisterous welcome from the boys and Mota, who amazing to relate, was -their own sister! They all became demonstratively friendly, not to say -familiar, and asked Mallender where he came from? how much he earned? -and, last but by no means least, his name? which he informed them was -"Geoffrey." - -"Geoffrey," repeated "the Miss"; "I knew a fellow of that name wance -in the Roifles--his father had a baker's shop in Cork; bedad, he was -a nice bhoy! breaking out of barracks, making away with his kit, -fighting, and playing the fool." - -Her reminiscences were disturbed by the young people, who swarmed -about the camera, begging leave to take snapshots of one another, -or to pull off the cap, and to this the photographer graciously -consented,--anything to linger, and to gain time. - -"Photography is pure foolery," declared "the Miss," "and I would say -against it, only it makes a diversion for them, poor children, and days -do hang terribly heavy in the holidays and the hot weather: the boys -goes to Doveton College, in Madras. Ye might do a single one of Miss -Mota here just as a surprise for her Dada." - -To this suggestion Mallender willingly assented. The ready and -delighted Mota was posed, told to hold up her chin, try and think of -something very _nice_, and make a good picture! - -As the photographer's head was buried under the black cloth, taking -a final look at his pretty little sitter, he heard the sound of a -ringing, spurred, footfall on the verandah, a loud exclamation from -the child, and a gruff voice, asking: - -"What's all _this_?" - -Mallender hastily divested himself of his head covering, and for -once in his life was struck absolutely dumb. The man in riding-kit, -and sun topee, who was staring at him, might be Major Smith, in -Panjeverram,--but in England, he was a certain Major Rochfort, with -whom the photographer was well acquainted! A good-looking, popular, -middle-aged individual,--married to a great heiress. When Mallender was -quartered in York, he had often met him in the hunting field, had dined -at his house, and shot his covers. - -Major Rochfort, for his part, stood transfixed, glaring at the -intruder, as if he could not credit the evidence of his senses! - - - - - CHAPTER XVI - - -Major Rochfort's eyes blazed, his good-looking countenance had become -dark, and congested; at last he found speech, and in a voice choking -with ferocity demanded: - -"What are you doing here, sir? Detective business, eh? You shall -explain this, Mallender," suddenly seizing him by the arm, "come -inside!" As he spoke, he kicked a glass door open with such force, that -one of the panes was loosened, and fell on the flags with a tinkling -crash. - -When the master of the house had carried off the unlucky photographer, -as it were a prey--his children and retainers stood staring at one -another in a dumb amazement--in which curiosity had no small share. - -Leaving his victim to follow, Major Rochfort stalked through a gloomy -central room--studded with old-fashioned black furniture, and carpeted -with a hideous native drugget--into a cheerful airy den, containing a -big writing-table, several luxurious chairs, and many trophies of the -chase. - -"Now," he said, turning savagely on Mallender. "'Pon my soul, I've -a good mind to shoot you! What the devil are you after? What do you -mean, you prying young skunk, by putting your fingers into my private -affairs, eh?" His face was livid, and streaming with heat, he was -almost incoherent from passion. - -"I know nothing--and want to know nothing--of your private affairs," -replied the amateur artist who was white, but perfectly collected. "I -came out here to look after my own business, and by rotten bad luck I -seem to have tumbled into yours!" Then realising that it was desirable -to make a clean breast, he sat down in the nearest arm-chair, and with -the velvet cloth still in his hands, in a few short sentences, and a -slow controlled voice, related the reasons for his trip to India, to -Panjeverram,--and finally to the bungalow itself. - -As he listened, his companion rapidly cooled. He mopped his face -energetically, and exclaimed: - -"I see--I see--a regular mare's nest! Well, your secret will be safe -here, this," with an embarrassed grin, "is the house of secrets; but -yours, is a crazy notion, yes, crazy, and will land you in lots of -awkward situations, as bad or worse, than this." - -"Yet the agent was so absolutely confident, and I have waited three -solid months for information." - -"Well, your agent made a pretty rotten cast! Your Uncle would be at -least ten years my senior--I'm forty-five next June. But natives are -no judge of age, you are either young or old, there is no medium; it's -like the country itself, which has only night, and day--_no_ dusk. But -why go to a native firm at all?" - -"Because I'm told, they always have one ear in the bazaar, where -everything is known; and Europeans are so cut and dried, so -unimaginative, and maddeningly slow." - -After a short silence, Major Rochfort got up, and standing squarely -before his companion, said: - -"Look here, Mallender, I'm most awfully sorry I went for you like that -just now; but naturally, when I came across you incognito and being -extremely anxious to conceal this little--er--establishment, I thought -that by some incredible means Sophy had put you on! Lately, she has -been asking questions, and making me devilish nervous. I began to think -of anonymous letters, or that in some subtle and unexpected form she -smelt a rat!" - -Mallender's thoughts flew to the plain middle-aged lady, with a tribe -of pet dogs, known to the world as Mrs. Rochfort. - -"I can't imagine why you should suspect _me_," he answered stiffly. - -"My dear fellow, when a man's in a deadly funk, he suspects everyone. -You will forgive me, won't you, and dine with me to-night, and we'll -have a good old jaw?" - -At this moment the door opened, and a golden head was thrust in. - -"Go away, Mota, run away," said her father, "I am busy now. You'll -come, won't you?" to Mallender, "to show there is no ill-feeling, and -eat my salt,--as you have done at home?" - -"All right, I'll come at eight, I suppose?" said Mallender rising; then -he went out to join Anthony in the verandah, and the pair departed -together, followed by the eyes of the entire household,--including dog -and monkey. - -Mallender was in low spirits, he felt keenly disappointed, crestfallen, -and dispirited. He had abandoned his best friends, spent a fortnight -in squalid misery, dragged out the secret of another man, and all for -nothing! He began to fear, that he had engaged in a struggle beyond his -powers,--nevertheless he meant to hold on! - -Later, he got into a white evening suit, and preceded by Chinna-Sawmy -with a lantern, once more presented himself at the big bungalow. He now -found it illuminated by many lamps, and was formally received in the -gloomy drawing-room by Rochfort, his children and "the Miss,"--wearing -a gay spotted muslin, and an obtrusive gold watch, and chain. - -Dinner was plain, but excellent; mulligatawny, pomphret, gram-fed -mutton, cheese soufflé and fruit. The talk was loud, general, and -unembarrassed. The boys were evidently devoted to their parent, -and completely free from shyness. Possibly the young lady was a -little spoiled; with crimped hair, and dressed in an elaborate white -frock, she occupied the place of hostess, and flatly and insistently -contradicted her father on more than one occasion. She however was -a lovely child, and looked thoroughbred to the tips of her somewhat -sticky fingers. - -Mallender as he glanced about him, mentally contrasted the present, -with the last occasion on which he had been the guest of his host. -Then, he had sat at a table loaded with wonderful old silver and -hot-house flowers, and was waited on by powdered footmen, in the -company of Rochfort's prim English wife, and her titled county -neighbours. Now, he was eating curried vegetables, under a slowly -moving punkah, attended by black servants, and surrounded by a Madras -family--which included a golden-haired imperious hostess, aged nine -years. - -As she passed her father's chair, dessert being over, Mota said, -"You'll come soon, Daddy?" and she bestowed a patronising pat and kiss -on the top of his somewhat thin hair. "We want to play spoof, so don't -sit talking, talking, smoking, smoking!" and with this command, she -vanished. - -When the servants had also disappeared, Rochfort said: - -"Draw nearer, try that Pondicherry claret, it's very sound, and light -up. I want to talk to you, Mallender." - -"All right," he replied, helping himself to wine, "go ahead." - -"No doubt you are flabbergasted at my double life!--not a Sunday-school -example for a young fellow, eh? At home, I'm Major Rochfort, a -magistrate, married, no family; a busy man on committees, active -in country matters, a preserver of foxes, a chairman at political -meetings, a steward at races and balls, and a model husband," he -paused, deliberately helped himself to another glass of claret, and -then went on: - -"Here in a God-forsaken old Indian backwater, I am Major Smith, an -idle slacker, and a model _father_. Now you shall hear the whole -explanation." - -Mallender threw himself back in his chair, crossed his knees, and -prepared to listen. - -"Twenty years ago, I was a subaltern quartered in Madras, a gay young -bachelor ready for any mortal thing, and at a Sergeants' Ball I made -the acquaintance of Maddalena de Rosa. She was a Eurasian about -sixteen, and quite distractingly pretty. I was not a bad-looking chap -myself,"--he was good-looking still--"and we fell in love on the spot! -I shall never forget Maddie that night, with her pink dress, her little -string of mock pearls, and her wonderful eyes! We talked,--though she -was not much of a talker--her eyes did the business--and we danced -together most of the evening. We met again, of course. I used to go -to Vepery Church on Sundays, and tell the other fellows I was out -duck-shooting. Well, in the long run, her grandmother settled it! There -was no question of marriage,--but it was a real case of love. I took -two months' leave, we went to the Hills, and were as happy as mortals -could be. Later on, I hired a little bungalow, not far from the Fort. -For some time, we had no family, then came twin boys, both unexpectedly -_dark_, and I must confess, I was a good deal startled. Soon after -this, the regiment was ordered home, and poor Maddie nearly broke her -heart. To tell the truth, I felt pretty bad too! but I sold my rifles -and ponies fairly well, and I had come in for a bit of a legacy, so -I settled some money on Maddie, and an old native relative--a soucar -chap,--bought this house for her, for a song! Her people came from -hereabouts, and her grandmother agreed to live with her." - -Major Rochfort paused, and poured himself out yet another glass of -claret, then looked across at Mallender and said: - -"I hope I'm not boring you, am I?" - -"On the contrary, I am much interested. What happened next?" - -"I went home with the regiment, married Sophy Cosby, and left the -service; five years later, I returned to shoot in Travancore, and an -irresistible temptation drove me to look up Maddie. I found she had -remained faithful to her first love, and never married; she was now -twenty-four, and handsomer than ever. Well, on one excuse or other, I -stayed month after month, writing home lies, going for short shooting -trips, but always returning to Maddie. I was awfully fond of her; -somehow she and the boys made me a home,--and I was extraordinarily -happy. She was so simple and gentle, and refined; I'll swear Maddie had -good blood, English or native, in her veins. At last, I was compelled -to leave her, and three months after I got home, I had a letter to say -a girl was born, and that Maddie was dead. The news came as a terrible -shock, but I pulled myself together, indented the coffee estate, and I -came straight back, to fix up things. By great luck, I heard of Mrs. -Dixon, a sergeant's widow, who was respectable and trustworthy, but -stranded, and I engaged her as nurse and housekeeper, and though she -has not much education, she has done me rattling well." - -"Yes, I should say so," agreed Mallender, "and of course you are seldom -at Panjeverram?" - -"No--worse luck! Every two or three years I come out to see my coffee, -that's what I call it. I may tell you, that I don't own a bush! but I -have a planter friend, and confidant, one Hector Fraser. I write from -his estate, but I come here, and live with the children, I get capital -snipe and teal shooting in the paddy fields and tanks hereabouts, and -now and then, I go off, and do a week in the jungle--but, my heart is -with my little family." - -"Yes, naturally." - -"Of late, I've had an awful idea, that Sophy has her suspicions; she -cross-questions me so closely about my coffee and crops. I made a -bargain with her, after Maddie's death, that every three years, I was -free to spend six months on the estate--the--er--the master's eye, you -know! Recently it has seemed to me that my wife has been looking at me -curiously; of course this may only be my own guilty conscience! And she -told me, before we parted, that this is the last time I am coming out -here--_alone_. She wishes to visit the estate, and thinks it must be so -interesting. I'm half afraid she will keep her word, and when she sees -the coffee,--there will be the devil to pay! I dare say she'll divorce -me." - -"Can she? I don't know much about such matters, but I'd say not." - -"Well, she can stop supplies, and make things deuced unpleasant, and -that's not the worst." - -"No? I should have said it was." - -"There's Mota, my little darling girl--she is a beauty, eh?" - -"She is, indeed," agreed Mallender. "No two opinions there!" - -"And looks quite Europe; not like the poor boys. They are bright young -fellows, the image of my father: what would _he_ have thought of his -two copies in black? He was a terribly straight-laced man, long family -prayers, no theatre, no wine--he would not even allow mustard on the -table, because it was a stimulant! I was kept so cruelly tight, that I -broke out, of course. The boys go to Doveton College, and this is their -holidays. They are clever little chaps; I get capital reports of them -both, ultimately they will find good billets, and be all right. It's -little Mota I'm thinking of. She learns next to nothing beyond reading -and writing, and the love of her own way; not a bit like her mother -there--takes after mine. The child ought to go to England, and the boys -too. She'd be accepted; but how could I account for _them_? I've saved -a little, and made my will, but if anything happened to me, what would -become of the children?" - -Rochfort's voice trembled, his eyes were misty. It was difficult to -realise, that here was the identical Rochfort, known at home for his -sunny humour, and natural geniality; or that the cheery smart man of -the world, was the same as this stricken parent, with the anxious face, -and voice shaken with emotion. - -"By Jove, Mallender, it's true, what the Bible says, 'The fathers have -eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge'! Many a -night I lie awake puzzling my head about these kids. You are a sensible -chap,--bar one subject,--and can see into a question better than I, who -am always looking at it; what do _you_ advise?" - -"I advise you to tell your wife!" was Mallender's prompt reply. - -"Just the last thing I'll ever do!" and he banged the table with his -fist, and made the glasses dance. - -"But why not? she is lonely, she has no near relations, heaps of time -on her hands, and seems fond of young people." - -"She would not be fond of Pedro and Paul, she'd lock them up for fear -they should be seen,--or send them to the Zoo!" - -"Well, just think it over! it's what I'd do, if I were in your shoes. -You need not let anyone else into the secret; say they were children of -an old friend--who--er--had married unfortunately. You might even make -her a Begum!" - -"No thank you, my boy, your measures are too drastic. To-morrow you -leave the Dâk Bungalow, and come and stop with me, seeing that you have -drawn this cover blank. Anyway, stay and shoot a week or two; I may be -able to give you a leg up, my butler Francis knows the Presidency to -the bone." - -"You are very kind, Rochfort,--but I ought to be moving on." - -"Yes, you ought," he assented, rising as he spoke, "come along into the -verandah, the children are waiting for us to play games." - - - - - CHAPTER XVII - - -Major Rochfort had not much difficulty in persuading his friend to -abandon the Dâk Bungalow, and take up his quarters with him; and -Geoffrey parted without regret from the mildewed, rat-hunted chamber, -and toothless old matey--whose dishes were invariably seasoned with -a "dirty cloth" taste! As he beheld his belongings installed in a -large comfortably furnished room, containing a cot draped with snowy -mosquito curtains, a writing-table, and an almirah, he asked himself -the question, "Am _I_ too becoming a sponge?" - -The guest was made warmly welcome by "the Miss," or Mrs. Dixon, who -assured him, that "all her born days she loved the Army!" - -"Sure, an' wasn't I reared in the service, and married into the -Roifles," she announced in a high querulous key, "and it does me heart -good, to be in the same house with two fine soldiers, like the Major, -and yourself." - -As for the Smiths, all three had fastened their affections upon -"Jeffie" as they called him; he played tennis with the boys, and taught -them to box, and suffered Mota to take photographs, and learn to print -them. Extravagant was her pride when she produced a picture of her -father, with white eyes, and a perfectly black face! - -Mallender had written to Fanny, and to Mrs. Villars, but so far had -received no reply. And with grief it must be confessed, that for the -first time in their married life, Fred and Fanny had had "a few words," -and these "words" were on the subject of Geoffrey. In answer to his -wife's tearful pleadings, Colonel Tallboys, bubbling over with wrath -replied: - -"Fanny, I forbid you to correspond with that fellow, or to receive -his letters; the pinch of indifference, and some real hardship, will -soon bring the young idiot to his senses! I won't have him pitied, and -coddled. Now, Fan, you need not argue. I won't listen to excuses. After -all, he is _my_ relation--not yours. When did _I_ ever try to come -between you, and the Bonds?" - -This argument was unanswerable, and Fan, who knew that her husband -could be very firm, and "bossy" on occasions, said no more. - -As for Lena Villars, she had done with the young man; his unceremonious -escape, without even a parting word, had wounded her vanity too deeply. -She, who had hitherto believed that no man (and she chose) could resist -her! Added to this, was the wild tale she had heard from Colonel -Tallboys. The lady listened to his grievance with rapt and touching -attention. So this rash obstinate boy was practically penniless, and -had flung himself into a pursuit, that could only overtake derision, -and ruin. He was a charming fellow, when he was sane, and danced like -an angel, but she had no wish to set eyes on him again,--nor would she -ever forget him. - -Mrs. Tallboys dutifully bowed to her lord's commands, and wrote no -letter, but she sent Geoffrey a little registered parcel, containing -her treasured talisman--a curious old Greek coin with a hole in it. -When Mallender unpacked the gift, he said to himself with a broad smile: - -"Surely, between Sawmy's thumbs, and this talisman, I am bound to -succeed!" - -He had interviewed Shumilal, and overwhelmed him with -reproaches,--these ran as lightly off the Agent, as if he were the -proverbial duck!--and for his part, he silenced his client with -clamorous condolences, sympathy, excuses, and dazzling promises of -eventual triumph. - -"We are hard at work on another line," he announced, "and for failure, -_no_ charge is made. We will communicate most important news, at a very -early date." - -"I don't believe in your Jaffer and Co." said Major Rochfort as he -and his guest paced the garden together one moonlight evening, when -the young people had retired. "I'd be a better help myself--on the -principle of set a thief to catch a thief. I am up to lots of dodges, -I understand how to cover my tracks, or to bolt for my hole, like a -rabbit." - -"Yes, I suppose you must be pretty smart," assumed Mallender. - -"I am," he rejoined emphatically. "When Sophy is bound for Egypt--she -generally winters there--I drop her at Port Said and come on to the -estate, put in a couple of days with Fraser, and then double down to -the kids." - -"How often have you been out?" - -"This is my fourth trip, since Mota was born. You see, I hate to miss -the hunting. This year, I'm out a bit late--but I don't want the Smiths -to forget their old Daddy." - -"No, but when they grow up, how will it be?" - -"Ah, that's the rub, when they grow up?--especially when Mota grows up. -My wife is as prim and as starched as they make 'em; she looks like an -old maid; but she loves children, and since she has none, she adopts -dogs. You know the little brown Pom, she calls it her child, and her -baby boy--it's pitiful!" - -"Perhaps she would take to your children?" suggested Mallender. - -"Never! For one thing, she's as jealous as the devil. If I speak to a -good-looking woman more than once, she's down on me like bricks. When -some confounded gossip told her that I was always riding with that -pretty Mrs. Chester--you remember her--by Jove, she took to coming out -herself! The ruling passion, stronger than the fear of death. Sophy -can't ride for nuts, but she's plucky as the deuce. On the other hand, -anything in the shape of a scandal, floors her; she knows nothing of -life, nor of men's lives; poor dear, good woman, she thinks we are -saints. I'm fond of her,--though it was a _mariage de convenance_, and -she has been awfully generous to me; paid my debts, and gives me a free -hand. If the secret of the coffee estate came to her ears, she'd get a -separation like a shot, and I'd be fired out of the country!" - -"So far she has no suspicions?" enquired Mallender. - -"I'm not sure. I hope not. I write regularly from the Renapilly estate, -a fellow there, that I can trust, posts my letters every mail." - -"Do you know, I now remember, when I spent a couple of nights at your -place, Mrs. Rochfort asked me a lot of questions about India, and -especially about Madras; I could not tell her much, nor anything of -coffee estates, or if they were almost inaccessible. She enquired -the easiest way of reaching those in the Hills. I said I supposed on -horseback, or in a chair, carried by coolies." - -"Then, my dear fellow, let me tell you, that unintentionally you did -me a very bad turn," said Rochfort, as he carefully cut the end of a -cigar--"what else?" - -"She asked me the length of the voyage, and for details respecting -insects and snakes." - -"Oh, _she_ knows all about snakes, and scorpions! I rubbed them in -extra well. No, I don't really believe that Sophy will ever get further -east than Egypt--she funks the Red Sea, and cobras. I say! I suppose -you know the Smiths have taken to you uncommonly; it's good for the -boys to meet another Englishman, and I see you've knocked some sound -ideas into their heads. As for Mota, you'll be interested to hear, that -she has decided _to marry_ you!" - -"Well, perhaps I may wait for her! By the way, they are waiting for us -to play badminton in the big room. Shall we adjourn?" - -The weather was warming up, tanks were nearly dry, the grass withered, -and the ground hard as a brick,--consequently there was no shooting. - -Now and then of a late afternoon Major Rochfort motored his friend into -Madras. He had purchased the motor out of some race winnings, chiefly -for the use of the boys going to and fro to college. As most of the -community were in the Hills, or had gone home, or to Australia, no one -recognised Mallender. He and his host went down to the Marina to catch -a breath of the sea breeze, or to the band at the Luz, or to look on -at tennis in the grounds behind the Chepauk Palace. Occasionally they -took a turn in the shops. In one, Mallender was not a little startled -to recognise, ticketed "a bargain," the very gold bag he had presented -to Mrs. Villars. Could there be a mistake? Had it been stolen? he asked -permission to examine it. Yes, it was the same, there were her initials -faintly scratched by his own penknife. - -"How did you come by this?" he enquired of the shop assistant, and the -shop assistant on his dignity, loftily replied: - -"By purchasing it,--we don't receive stolen goods." - -"Of course, I know that. The reason I ask is, that I gave it to a lady, -and I'm sure it's the same." - -"No doubt, and the lady sold it. If you wish, I can give you her name. -She was staying at Hooper's Gardens; she said she did not care about -the pattern, and accepted two hundred and fifty rupees." - -Geoffrey bowed, and walked out of the shop, feeling surprisingly -crestfallen; and all the way back to Panjeverram, he proved a silent -companion. Somehow or other, after this discovery, the magic of Lena -Villars lost its hold upon his memory. - -He had now been a fortnight at the big bungalow, and was enrolled as -one of the household, joined in all their games and interests _con -amore_, and was even accepted by the fox-terrier, and Francis--who had -ceased to regard him with an air of scornful disparagement. - -It was much too hot for any exertion in the daytime, the heat was -fierce, all nature seemed somnolent; even the sparrows were in -retirement, and ugly flying foxes, hung torpid, and motionless in their -hundreds, from the banyan trees. Of an evening, the Smith family -revived. There were cards, puzzle games, and music on the gramophone; -and Mrs. Dixon occasionally obliged with an Irish song; she had still -a sweet haunting voice, and accompanied herself vigorously on the -concertina. Subsequently there was family service,--an institution -unfamiliar to Mallender. Major Rochfort read a chapter and some prayers -to his household, which included Francis, Anthony and several Catholic -servants,--and then the day for the young people was closed. - -Although Mallender was adopted as one of the family, consulted about -domestic affairs, domestic animals, and education, he did not intend -to remain a fixture at the Nabob's House. On the contrary, he was -in a condition of acute unrest; not only was he hoping for tidings -from Jaffer and Co., but was pinning a certain amount of faith on -Francis,--who according to his employer, had friends and relatives in -all parts of the Presidency, and the details of every well-known, or -even merely guessed at, scandal, or disappearance, at his finger-ends. -It was a fact, that Francis and Anthony were laying their heads -together, and elaborating a wonderful itinerary for Anthony's master. - -One sweltering day just after tiffin, Mota brought in the dâk. She gave -several letters to her father, and the Madras _Mail_ to Geoffrey. After -picking out the most interesting items of news, his eye fell casually -on "Arrivals at Spencer's Hotel. Mrs. Rochfort and maid." - -Could it be Rochfort's wife? He was about to draw attention to this -announcement, when a glance at his friend restrained him. He was -reading a letter; his colour had turned a greyish white, and great -beads of perspiration rolled down his face. - -"Good Lord, Mallender, she has come out! and I'm done!" he exclaimed -hoarsely. "This letter, forwarded from the estate, is four days old. -Sophy has been four days at Spencer's Hotel. Here--read it," and as he -offered the letter, the paper rattled in his hand. - - "SPENCER'S HOTEL, MADRAS. - - "DEAREST ROBERT," it began, - - "Won't this be a nice surprise for you? I am actually in Madras; do - come and fetch me as soon as you receive this, for I'm nearly - grilled alive, and poor Parsons is in a state of collapse. We only - arrived to-day, via Colombo and Tuticorin,--such a scorching land - journey! My old friends the Herrapaths who are going round the - world, persuaded me to accompany them from Port Said, so instead - of returning home, I faced the other way. Was I not courageous? I - made up my mind instantly, and just came off--I thought it such a - splendid chance, to visit your wonderful _coffee_ estate. Longing - to see you. - - "Your loving SOPHY." - -"She will have to know, now," remarked Mallender, as he returned the -epistle. "No question of that." - -"Certainly not," rejoined Rochfort, who had partly recovered from the -first shock, "I shall face it out! Take her up to Ooty, tell her there -is small-pox on the estate, and hustle her off home. You don't agree, I -see." - -"No, since you ask me, I don't." - -"After all, it wouldn't work. No, on second thoughts, the Ooty club -is full of planters, and they would give me away, as a rank impostor. -Fraser, my friend, is in Australia; this is not the busy season. I see -no escape," and he turned on his companion the eyes of a desperate man. -"By God, I've a mind to put an end to myself!" - -"What good would that do? you have to think of the Smiths. I see -nothing for it, but to make a clean breast of it," answered Mallender -firmly. - -"Ah, it's easy to talk! I never could face her. I'm awfully sensitive, -I--I--I've no moral courage," and he completely broke down, and -presented a particularly distressing example of sheer cowardice! - -His companion gazed at him in astonishment; Rochfort the smart, -authoritative, society man, a popular fellow, a leader in his own -part of the world; here, on the other side of the globe, faced with a -serious crisis, was weaker than many a woman, and sobbing like a child! - -"Look here, Rochfort," he said at last. "Pull yourself together, write -a letter, and I'll take it to her, this afternoon." - -"Mallender," raising his head, "you _are_ a friend! I warned you, that -you little knew what you were letting yourself in for, when you started -this crazy chase of yours,--here is an instance, you see! I'll get a -stiff peg, and write, if I can, but I'm so confoundedly shaky, I don't -know if I'll be able to form a word, no, 'pon my soul I'm no use at -a crisis like this! an awful thing, that bowls you clean out. Here I -stand between two fires, 'the kids and Sophy,' God knows I love them -both,--but I'm bound to lose one, or the other. If I stick to the kids, -Sophy will get a separation,--or what will come to the same thing; and -if I go home with her, I'll never see the others again. So there it is! -I'm in the devil of a mess," and once more, his voice broke. - -"Write your letter, and confess yourself like a man," urged Geoffrey, -"the longer you leave it, the worse it will be. I'm going out to order -the car." - -"Stop here, my old head on young shoulders! you stay and help me write -it. What can I say? How in God's name am I to begin--I'll never do it." - -"You must," rejoined Mallender, "and it's a job you'll have to take on -alone. I'll give you fifteen minutes, while I have a tub, and change; -don't let it be long; hold nothing back, and whatever you do, _make it -plain_." - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII - - -In Madras City it is generally admitted, that between three and four -o'clock, is the hottest time of day; the sun seems to redouble and -enforce his power, before he sinks beyond the palm trees and banyans in -the west. At this hour, along an arid road, in the scorching malignity -of a hot wind, Mallender sped on his dangerous mission: so flaming was -the air, that even an acclimatised driver felt withered, and blistered -by its blasts! - -Arriving at Spencer's Hotel, more dead than alive, the pallid emissary -enquired for Mrs. Rochfort. - -"Yes, saar, she is in," replied the smart Goanese attendant, "but who -shall I say, saar?" - -"A gentleman to see her--no, I have no card." - -Nevertheless the visitor was ceremoniously ushered into a lift, and -swiftly whirled to the first floor. - -After what seemed a long interval of waiting in an empty sitting-room, -Mrs. Rochfort appeared. The lady had evidently dressed in haste; her -hair was damp,--as if recently dipped in water,--and she was violently -struggling with a blouse button as she entered. The pitiless heat had -undoubtedly tried her more than her visitor; Sophie Rochfort looked -plainer than ever; so old, sallow, and fagged, as she stood for a -moment uncertain,--then held out her hand. - -"Oh, Captain Mallender, of all people!" she exclaimed, "fancy you and I -meeting in India! how _did_ you know I was here? I am expecting Robbie -every instant, do sit down," pointing to a chair. - -"Yes, I heard you had arrived," he began evasively, looking into his -helmet, and wondering what the dickens he should say next? - -"Wasn't I energetic!" she continued volubly, "coming out as a -surprise,--and so late in the season. You see, I was at Port Said, -nearly half-way, and I took it into my head to visit this wonderful -coffee estate. Robbie has always been so keen on it, and so full of it, -now I shall be able to talk of it too, and to share his interest!" - -"Um--yes--of course," murmured her visitor; but his tone was faint and -dubious. - -"Do excuse my toilet!" she chattered on, "I really was not prepared for -this furnace, and until I landed here, I'd no idea of the miseries of -prickly heat!" - -"I know, it's a bad time," agreed her visitor; "mostly everyone is in -the Hills now." - -"The Hills! I'm simply dying for the cool mountain air! if Robbie does -not come soon, I intend to start for his estate this evening, or very -early to-morrow. I have found out the trains, and transport, and am -all packed. I'm afraid my letters have missed him--such a funny casual -post! By the way, I know you have left the service, how do _you_ happen -to be in Madras? Where are you staying?" - -"Now for it!" thought Geoffrey, bracing himself. "I'm staying with -Rochfort just at present--in fact--he sent me to see you." - -"Then," rising hastily, "he is ill! Oh, why did you not say so before? -I know you mean kindly, trying to break it to me, but take me to him at -once! Is it serious--is it--_cholera_?" - -"No, Rochfort is all right, I assure you," said Mallender, also rising; -"you have no cause for any anxiety on that score,--but--I am the bearer -of a letter," slowly producing it as he spoke, "that I am afraid will -rather upset you, and, er--convey something of a shock----" - -"A letter!" she interrupted, "let me have it?" and she almost snatched -it from his hand, "I know, it's about money--Rob had some mysterious -investments we,--we, are ruined!" - -"Whether your husband is ruined, or not, lies entirely with _you_, Mrs. -Rochfort." - -"With me? Impossible! Of course my settlement----" then she tore the -envelope open, and began to read. As she read, she became pale, then -ghastly; at last she gave a long wailing cry, like some wounded animal, -and sat down. - -"Here, let me get you something," said Mallender eagerly; "shall I call -your maid?" - -"No, no," in a strangled voice, "bring me a glass of iced water, and -call no one." - -When he returned with the water, and Mrs. Rochfort had taken a few -sips, she looked up at him and said: - -"Of course _you_ know what he has written?" - -Mallender nodded. He felt as if he had suddenly become old, and -responsible. - -"About the Eurasian woman, and the children, and his--double life. Is -it true?" - -In spite of his own absolutely clear conscience, the young man -coloured, and looked guiltily shame-faced as he answered: - -"I believe it is, I came into his house by accident, and discovered his -secret. He asked me to stay on for a time, and I've been with him a -week or two. He only got your letter a couple of hours ago." - -"Well," setting down the tumbler with a gesture of decision, "there is -only one thing for _me_ to do." - -"To forgive him?" was the bold suggestion. - -"Captain Mallender, for what do you take me?" she demanded with curt -scorn. - -"For a good, kind woman." - -"A good--idiot!" she retorted fiercely. - -"Listen to me, Mrs. Rochfort, for one moment, though I'm a stupid sort -of chap, and no flier at talking. You know very well, that yours is -the stronger character. Rochfort has lots of good points, but he is -weak, and easily influenced. He is devoted to you--that I honestly -believe,--and he is devoted to those kids. He shrinks from an awful -scandal at home, and losing his friends, and position--er--and you." - -"Oh--me!" she exclaimed with an outburst of bitterness. - -"And," continued the pleader steadily, "his heart goes to those -motherless children--you know, that _she_ is dead. He cannot abandon -them, and they adore him." - -"I must say, he has an eloquent advocate!" she gulped. - -"I'm afraid I'm a duffer and not much good; he wants one badly. He is -too broken to speak for himself." - -"Rob--with a family--out here all these years!--and no coffee estate," -she repeated helplessly, "now I can understand _why_ the plantation was -such an absolutely impossible journey for _me_! And I thought I had -Rob's whole confidence, he consulted me about everything. He used to -talk to me, by the hour, about bad crops, and troublesome coolies, and -blight, and bone manure! Oh, why could he not tell me the truth?" - -"Because he funked it," said Mallender simply. - -"Yes, he always shirks disagreeables, and facing a situation, or having -to say no. He gets out of things, or won't think of them. It is I, who -have to speak or write; it was I, who had to give employés notice, -dismiss a head keeper, and interview our nearest neighbour about a -right of way." - -She sat for a long time looking straight before her, and occasionally -wiping away the perspiration that trickled down her wan face. Suddenly -she asked: - -"What are they like?" - -"You mean the children. Wonderful, considering; well-brought-up, nice, -straight, manly boys, that Rochfort says, take after his father--but -very dark." - -"Ah--like their mother!" and there was a faint note of satisfaction in -the tone. - -"No, I believe she was fair; but of course there is native blood, no -denying it; the little girl has golden hair, and is lovely." - -Mrs. Rochfort rose, and began to pace the room. Within the last ten -minutes, her mind, her whole mental outlook, had been completely -changed: amazement, incredulity, outraged confidence, and wounded -affection, were each striving to make themselves heard. She felt as if -her world had suddenly crumbled beneath her feet! That Robbie was a -flirt, was always admitted, he was handsome and gay; he liked women, -they liked him. His foolish little flirtations had undoubtedly vexed -her but they meant nothing.--She knew in her heart, that Rob was fond -of her, that she came first in his life--and now this thunderbolt had -struck her! Robbie had deserted and deceived her; in the first years of -their married life, he had abandoned her for an old love--a half-caste -woman! The horror, the strangeness of the idea, made her giddy to -contemplate. - -He was no longer _her_ Robbie; it was little short of a loss by -death--in future, they must be strangers. In future, she would go -through life alone, and what _would_ people say? For instance, her -prim, old-maidish cousins, who made nasty speeches, about "fortune -hunters" and had been so openly envious of her handsome husband. As the -poor distracted woman endeavoured to clear her mind, she walked to and -fro, unconscious of the young man who stood by the window, following -her movements, with anxious interest. - -"What am I to do?" she moaned. "Oh, what _am_ I to do?" and she wrung -her hands. - -"After all, Mrs. Rochfort, she is dead," urged Mallender; "it's not as -if she were at Panjeverram; those children have been motherless for -nine years. It would be different if he deceived you, and came out to -see _her_--now would it not?" - -Mrs. Rochfort vouchsafed no notice of this appeal, but ceased to pace -the room, and murmured as if to herself, "What _am_ I to do?" - -"Give me a line to take back," suggested the delegate, "and put some -sort of an end to Rochfort's misery. I have a car here, short measures -are the most merciful." - -"Is he really so miserable?" she asked, and she gazed at Mallender with -piteous eyes. - -"You should _see_ him!" he answered forcibly, "I swear you'd hardly -know him; since he got your letter, he looks like an old man!" - -"You say you have a car here?" - -"Yes--I'll get back in something over an hour; the man is on the -rack--and the sooner I am off the better." - -As Mrs. Rochfort stood and surveyed her visitor, her face assumed a -strained, and irresolute expression, after a very long silence--she -drew her hand across her wet forehead, and in a voice strangely thin -and high said: - -"If you will wait five minutes,--I will go with you!" - - - - - CHAPTER XIX - - -It was bright moonlight--an orange hot-weather moon--as Mrs. Rochfort -and her escort, leaving behind them the sound of trams, tom-toms, and -fire-works, sped smoothly out of Madras, and away into the sleepy -country. Naturally everything she beheld was new to the lady, yet in -one sense she saw nothing but her miserable, weak husband, and his -family of half-caste children. What could she say or do? how deal with -the situation? It was true, as this young fellow had declared, that -hers was the stronger character, and before pronouncing judgment she -resolved to see and hear the culprit. - -Mallender for his part instinctively realised the many vital questions -that were being debated in the mind of his rigidly motionless -companion, and maintained a prudent silence. - -At last, the car stopped at the great wooden gate, and before this -could be unfastened, the postern opened quickly, and Mota flew out--a -pretty vision, in her white lace frock, and streaming hair. - -"Oh, Geff, Daddy----" then she paused, as her eyes met Mrs. Rochfort's -basilisk gaze. - -"Run in, Mota, run in, go to Mrs. Dixon. This lady has come from -England, to see your father." - -Almost before Mallender completed the sentence, the child had darted -back to the house, and rushed into her father's den, gasping out: - -"Oh, Dad, Dad, only think! a lady has come from England to see you!" - -Major Rochfort with a violent gesture motioned the messenger to -leave him. He looked so alarmingly unlike himself, so frowning, and -forbidding, that for the first time in her life Mota felt a little -cowed, and ran to her brothers for explanation, and consolation. - -Sophy was bringing the sentence herself--so be it! The culprit rose -unsteadily, as Mallender ushered in his wife--a figure of frozen -dignity--closed the door, and subsequently fought off, and held at bay, -the united curiosity of the family, and Mrs. Dixon. - -For nearly an hour Mallender paced the moonlit compound, conferring -with his thoughts. He seemed to be always entangled in other people's -affairs, and yet never got to grips with his own. First, there was -stranded Miss Sim; now, the unmasked Rochfort. Well, at any rate as -far as lay in his power, he had played the game, and done his best for -them both. He felt a little bitter on the subject of his Cousin Fred, -who had taken no notice of his letters--although Fan had declared -that his hot temper soon subsided. He had now been five long weeks at -Panjeverram, surely this was ample time for the cooling of Freddy's -wrath! Yes, but how could he know, that the embers of his cousin's -anger were stoked and kept aflame by the beautiful Lena. - -For a woman of a cold lymphatic temperament, she had been unusually -roused--and what an escape was hers! Imagine marrying a boy fourteen -years her junior, who was a pauper! In all his complaints, and -grievances, she warmly sympathised with Colonel Fred; to her, he -confided his disappointment, and eagerly accepted her flattering -sympathy--for the topic of Geoffrey was one he never ventured to -discuss with Fan or Nancy. Also, he was secretly vexed, that the boy -having thrown off his leading-strings, had suffered no appropriate -punishment! - -A friend lately "up" from Madras, had remarked: - -"By the way, I saw that young fellow, your cousin, one evening on the -Marina in a fine new motor." - -"Alone?" enquired his kinsman suspiciously. - -"He had a man with him," rejoined the other with a laugh, "a -good-looking chap. I don't seem to be able to place him. As for ladies, -make your mind easy,--it's too hot below, for any of our fair angels." - -Meanwhile a certain lady--no fair angel this--was making it uncommonly -hot for Mallender's host. Ultimately, however, his abject misery, -humility, and penitence, disarmed her! Hers was the tender, protecting, -mother nature! and after all, what was Robert but a big, foolish, -rather stupid boy! It was impossible to withstand his misery; to -witness _this_, hurt her too acutely. Rob must be consoled,--and -forgiven. - -At the end of an hour's confession and conference, Major and Mrs. -Rochfort reappeared,--both somewhat shattered by the recent interview. -She however soon rallied, and as usual took the initiative. - -Addressing the petrified Mrs. Dixon in a cool practical tone, she said: - -"Mrs. Dixon, I think I had better tell you at once, that I am your -master's wife." - -Mrs. Dixon shrank back against the wall, and ejaculated: - -"God bless me! an' didn't I think he was a widower!" - -"No, and I must also explain, that he is Major _Rochfort_. I am Mrs. -Rochfort. He took the name of Smith, out here--for--for--for family -reasons----" and she swallowed some impediment in her throat. - -"Now did he?" ejaculated Mrs. Dixon with open-mouthed surprise. - -"Yes," replied the lady with a look of fierce decision--"He has -been telling me, how invaluable you are; so upright, sensible, and -trustworthy, and that you have been a mother to his motherless -children." - -Mrs. Dixon answered not a word, she was endeavouring to grasp several -new ideas, and felt completely bewildered, and _bouleversée_. - -"I want you to tell the children, that I am their step-mother from -England, and that I should like to see them." - -The two youths, with neatly brushed hair, were presently -introduced--both a little shy; it was the first time they had ever -seen a lady in their own house. She was old, and not pretty, but -had a pale, kind, face. Then Mota appeared, in her best evening -frock, offering a beautiful contrasting picture to her dusky, but -clever-looking brothers. At this enchanting vision, Mrs. Rochfort -completely lost her head, and held out a pair of trembling hands; and -the child, in answer to an irresistible summons in the lady's eager -face, climbed into her lap, and kissed her. Thus, all these somewhat -unexpected introductions were harmoniously accomplished. - -Meanwhile Major Rochfort had drawn his guest aside, and said: - -"She is a saint, Mallender, and you were right. Oh, _why_ did I not -speak ages ago! It would have saved me years of worry, misery, and -anxiety; but I was a coward; I can face a stiff country, but an awkward -situation. _No!_ Sophy has forgiven me, I start to-day with a clean -slate, and she is going to take the children." - -"I say! that's splendid! She is a brick!" - -"I think what melted Sophy, was a glimpse of Mota at the gate, but -I may be wrong--and it was just her own goodness. We have talked it -all out! The boys stay here with Dixon, and continue their education, -for the present. Later, they will be well launched. We intend to take -Mota home, first going to the Hills. Sophy finds this heat killing, -and wants to get off at once. I expect it will be a terrible rush. -She's explained about the different names--that's a bit awkward of -course,--but Dixon is a good unsuspicious soul, and will make no -trouble." - -"Daddy, supper is ready," a clear young voice called out, and -Mota entered hand in hand with Mrs. Rochfort. "Is the new lady to -stay?--_may_ she?" - -Rochfort glanced at his wife, and she promptly answered: - -"Yes--I should like to, Rob, but Mota must take me to wash my hands, -and make myself tidy." Exit Mota, with an air of importance, solemnly -leading the new lady to her own apartment, the nursery. - -The supper was cold, and excellent; if "the new lady" ate little, she -absorbed a good deal. The homely comfort, the good plain food (and -Robert always so difficult to please, and so fastidious at home!), the -bright young people, with their complete absence of self-consciousness. -They carried on most of the conversation, chiefly about tennis, -photographs, and the demise of the dhoby's cow. Mota offered the guest -a mango, not merely off her own tree, but her own plate! Pedro gave -her a vivid description of the latest college cricket match, where he -had made four runs! Mallender gravely considered the little party, and -the chief guest. The children were doing their utmost to entertain -Daddy's friend from England--the plain middle-aged childless woman, -who discoursed with painful effort, on prickly heat, punkahs, and the -miseries of a journey by rail, with the thermometer at 99. - -The Major was evidently upset, his nerves were on wires; he sipped -an iced peg, and talked spasmodically, but was as a rule silent, and -unquestionably ill at ease. Mrs. Dixon found herself still bewildered. -She was not accustomed to sit at the same table with soft-voiced, -distinguished ladies, who wore diamond rings, and pearls the size of -peas; moreover she felt instinctively, that this unexpected visitor was -the forerunner of a break-up! - -Mallender had been a guest at many suppers; suppers gay, and suppers -grave, but never at one that for electrical atmosphere, awkwardness, or -dramatic possibilities, approached the present meal! - -He observed the long stealthy glances, cast by Mrs. Rochfort, at a -large coloured photograph which hung exactly opposite to her seat; -the portrait of a lovely young woman, dressed in the fashion of ten -years previously--the face was so vivid, and so radiantly happy, that -it seemed impossible to think of the original, as lying under a flat -gravestone, in Panjeverram cemetery. It was a picture of Maddalena de -Rosa, the mother of the three lively children who sat at table with -Sophy Rochfort and her faithless husband. - -Mota--who for her age, was preternaturally sharp--had intercepted the -new lady's furtive glances, and exclaimed: - -"Oh--I see you are looking at the picture; it is our pretty mother; she -is dead this long, long, time, before I was born"--the Major shifted -uneasily in his chair, and was about to interpose, but the child -chattered on in her shrill piping treble, "An old woman comes here -sometimes. The ayah knows her, she is her friend, and she gives ayah -money, she says, she is our _great_-grandmother, and brings flowers, -and lays them before the picture, and cries and moans, and cracks her -fingers over my head; she is _very_ black--and----" - -At this moment, Mallender with a jerk of his elbow, knocked over his -tumbler and wine-glasses; the subsequent commotion, and his voluble -apologies, changed the topic--and possibly saved his host from an -apoplectic seizure! Immediately after this exploit, the gallant -guest (determined to give no further opening for Mota's disclosures) -embarked on a series of animated questions, respecting Mrs. Rochfort's -celebrated "Poms"; their prizes, weight, age, and the various shows at -which they had been triumphantly exhibited; his assumed enthusiasm and -Mrs. Rochfort's explanations, carried them on safely, till the end of -the meal. - -Immediately after supper, the master of the household motored his wife -back to the Madras hotel, and when he returned in the middle of the -night, he found his guest still awaiting him. - -"Well--it's all settled!" he began at once, "and I've to thank _you_. -If I'd followed my own instinct, I believe I'd have thrown up the -sponge and cut and run, to Australia. We propose to stay in the Hills -till September, and then go home. Sophy is crazy about Mota, and -intends to pass her off as the orphan of a very dear friend, no one -would ever suspect the child of anything but pure English blood." - -That was true, thought Mallender, but her children?--what of them? They -might resemble her brothers, or her grandmother! However, naturally he -made no remark. Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof. - -"And what about you?" resumed Rochfort. "I must settle about you." - -"Oh, I'll be all right, don't bother about me! I'll go into Madras, and -wait upon events." - -"Not you, in this sweltering heat! it's bad enough here, but the walls -are thick, and the old house is cool. You make this your home, as long -as ever you like; stay with Dixon and the boys, and use the car, and -horses. Do you realise all you have accomplished for Sophy, and me?" - -"Oh, no--that was her doing!" - -"But she says not; says _you influenced her_! and I believe Sophy; -Mallender, you have been a trump! What's the good of your mock modesty -and playing the ostrich----? Well, I understand that Francis is full of -grand schemes he and your fellow have hatched out between them, and I -expect they will put you on to something, before long." - -"All right, I'll remain here for a little, as my head-quarters, if I -may, but you must let me pay my bazaar, and consider myself a P.G." - -"Do you want to _insult_ me?" cried Rochfort angrily. - -"Nonsense, you know I don't, but----" - -"Then say no more about it--that's my last word!" - -To this injunction Mallender tamely agreed; but he secretly resolved, -after his host had departed, to come to a financial understanding with -"the Miss." - - - - - CHAPTER XX - - -Mrs. Rochfort, a clever and practical woman, promptly took matters into -her own hands; sent Parsons home--lest peradventure she might learn -too much--and then, with her husband and adopted daughter, started -for Ootacamund. Within a short time, Mallender also departed on an -active, "personally conducted" search. He was anxious to make up for -four weeks', nay four months' idleness; instigated by information -from Francis, he put his shoulder stoutly to the wheel, and set out -for Vellore, where he believed he had a clue, and pursued and ran to -earth an elderly man, who proved to be merely a bankrupt horse-dealer. -From Vellore, it was but a short journey to Bangalore, from Bangalore, -he followed various wills-o'-the-wisp, to Mysore, Mercara, and -Trichinopoly. - -Delicacy forbids one to linger on the intrusions into family affairs -effected by Mallender; the skeletons he dragged from their cupboards, -the black sheep he disturbed; the fugitives hiding from their -creditors, "or their wives." Over these unpleasant successes, it is -permitted to draw a veil. Failure merely roused him to still more -active exertions; week after week passed and still Mallender prosecuted -the quest, with unabated zeal; by rail or tonga, bullock-cart, or on -horseback, accompanied by the camera, and Anthony--his ever sympathetic -adviser, adjutant, and confidant--he travelled wide and far. - -September found him once more in Panjeverram, foiled, but still -hopeful. The wayfarer's face was haggard, and weather-beaten, he had -experienced several "go's" of fever, his clothes were considerably the -worse for wear, his smart appearance had become eclipsed by sun, dust, -privation, and anxiety. After a couple of days' rest at Panjeverram, -he presented himself at Shumilal's office, and was received by the -principal with upraised hands, and greeted as a long-lost friend! - -"The very young gentleman we wanted, where have you been?" enquired -Shumilal, eyeing him critically, and noting his altered looks. - -"Only doing a little on my own, up in Mysore, and Coorg." - -"No results?" - -"None so far,--but I've discovered a lot of things, that might be -useful to other people." - -"Ah, no doubt," agreed Shumilal with a look of grim amusement. Then -leaning forward confidentially, "I think we have got him--at last!" - -"Um, yes--I'll believe it, when I see him." - -"You shall see him this time, I guarantee," declared the other with -dignified confidence. "I will send your plan of action to Panjeverram, -where you are staying at present." - -"But why not give it to me now?" - -"Oh, there are wheels within wheels," replied the other nodding his -head, and looking wise, and inscrutable. - -"Precious slow ones!" exclaimed the visitor. "Well, mind I shall expect -to hear from you, in not later than a week!" - -"I promise for a fortnight, on my honour," said Shumilal; he rose as -he spoke, and bowed his client out of the room, and down the stairs. -Apparently his time was invaluable. Was his honour of the same quality? - -Although to Mallender, Madras had once seemed to be the city of -friends, he now felt lonely, and depressed, as he walked slowly along -Pophams Broadway. The regiment he had known had been moved up country, -and replaced by another from Singapore. He avoided the Club, and the -polo ground--in a month the Hill people would descend in force. Somehow -he experienced an instinctive reluctance in presenting himself in a -circle, where once he had been welcomed with open arms, as a relative -of the Tallboys--since the Tallboys had now cast him off! Fortunately -he had no idea of, or any means of hearing, the whispers respecting him -that Mrs. Fiske poured into the ears of her confidantes. To these, her -information would be imparted after this fashion: - -"_I_ always thought there was something fishy about young Mallender; -his sudden arrival was rather queer to start with, and I know for a -fact, he had an intrigue with that wretched Ada Sim, and _paid_ to get -her out of the country! I heard this from Mrs. Wylie, whose husband was -Mallender's confidant; and then he got into another mysterious scrape, -which must have been pretty _bad_, as the Tallboys turned him out of -their hotel the very day they arrived in Coonoor. A friend of mine met -him flying for the train with all his baggage, and his two servants, -and Nancy Brander chasing him like a mad woman! I'm told he has been -seen knocking about Madras, looking dreadfully seedy and shabby--serves -him right. _I_ took his measure. _I_ knew he was an upstart, and -impostor, sponging on the Tallboys!" - -Luckily Mallender did not hear this version of his character; but he -had an intuition that there was something hostile in the social air, -and held himself in solitude, and retirement. - -The rainy season still continued, though the violence of the monsoon -had abated; everything in the shape of vegetation was now so refreshed -and resuscitated, that one might almost imagine they could see the -plants sprouting, hear the sap running, and the leaves unfolding in the -tropical surroundings of Panjeverram. The great banyans had renewed -their youth; ferns, arums, bamboos, plantains, glistened and dripped -and grew; the sun-baked yellow plains were now a vivid green, dotted -with lean appreciative herds, yet the actual atmosphere of the place -was steamy, and enervating. Flying ants, snakes, and other crawling -objects, were all, in their several ways, obtrusively active,--and the -land brought forth frogs! - -As the two Smith boys were at college, and only came home for -week-ends, Mallender, and Mrs. Dixon, had the house more or less to -themselves. In the mornings, he exercised the horses, or waded after -teal and snipe in the marshy land that lay within a couple of miles -to the west; after dinner, he and Mrs. Dixon foregathered in the den; -she sewed and mended, whilst he smoked, or read. Occasionally he -read aloud interesting local events, or what his companion specially -enjoyed--accidents and tragedies. She was a fluent talker, and thus -this couple so curiously thrown together, wiled away the moist sultry -evenings. - -Mallender rather enjoyed listening to Mrs. Dixon's long-drawn tales; -they diverted a somewhat embittered mind from its own affairs. He -learnt, that she had married at sixteen a sergeant in her father's -regiment, "the Roifles," and gone home with him to the depôt then. -There he had ill-treated her, led her a miserable life, and ultimately -drank himself to death. Subsequently--and as is so usual in similar -cases--she had again become the wife of a sergeant, and once more a -sergeant in "the Roifles," a good man, who had made her very happy; -but they had buried all their children; one in Bellary and three in -Kamptee. Then her husband fell ill, and was sent to Madras Hospital, -to be under special doctors,--and there he died, leaving her all his -savings. Soon after she became a widow, every single penny was lost -in the failure of a House or Bank, and she was almost destitute; the -regiment was good to her, but of course she had to turn to and work, -so she put a humble-like advertisement in the paper, and Major Smith -engaged her at once; it was a few weeks after Mrs. Smith died, and Mota -was an infant. - -"Oh, and hadn't I work to rear her!" she exclaimed, "among these divils -of milkmen--such milk for a baby, just blue with water. I had the cow -milked afore me, so there could be no deceit, and still and all, her -milk was like skim; one day I came round the corner unexpected, and -there was the chap, after me seeing him milk, and him going to the -butler with the can--hadn't he the great turban off his head--yards of -it--soaking and heavy with water, and wasn't he squeezing it into the -milk for the dear life? See now, ye never could be up to them blacks! -After that, we had our fine Nellore cow, and I milked her with my own -two hands, till the child had cut her teeth." - -"I believe you have been here nearly nine years," said Mallender. - -"I have so, and it's me own fault, that I'm not married out of it. Some -of the fellows suspicion I have big savings--but I'll not stir a toe -out of the house till I'm no longer wanted, and at fifty-five year -of age, if I were to marry again, I'd be a nice old fool! Anyway, my -savings is for the boys." - -"That's very kind of you, Mrs. Dixon." - -"Ye see, I'm fond of them, especially Pedro; there's a real gentleman -for ye, and so loving; if you was to put your eyes on sticks, that -fellow could not tell a lie! I'm wishful, I had some eddication for the -children's sakes; I can talk Tamil and Telagu, but I only went to the -regimental school, and was never to say smart. Sewing and housekeeping, -and keeping order and decency, is just all I'm good for." - -"I think it's pretty well," observed her companion. - -"I taught Mota her reading, writing and sewing, but latterly we had -a young woman from Madras three days a week, with a high character -as governess; she was just a streel of a young thing, and found the -child mighty wild, and could make no hand of her, unless I sat with -them at the lessons. Mota is terribly imparious for a little girl of -nine, and that has never seen no company. Now and then, we do go in to -Madras for shopping, and to the band, and every couple of Sundays, we -make out church at Monaghary, but the Major he won't have no visitors -whatever; not even children, much less the parson. Faix, it's a queer -sort of life, is not it?" and she looked across at her companion for -confirmation; but he suffered the pause to lapse without comment. -"Well," she added--drawing a long sigh, "every cripple has his own way -of walking!--and it's not for the likes of _me_, to interfere." - -Mallender nodded, then he said: "Of course not--it's a--personal -affair." - -"'Tis so," she agreed, "and the Major made a bargain wid me the day I -engaged, and a bargain is a bargain! and so though it goes to me heart, -I keep a shut door, and a closed mouth. Anyhow Society don't trouble -Panjeverram; it's the leavings of everywhere; just an overgrown, -forgotten old place, and cram full of snakes, and ghosts." - -"Ghosts! Surely you don't believe in that sort of rot, Mrs. Dixon?" - -"Do you, sir?" - -"Certainly not, though they say I have a ghost of my own at home." - -"Then Captain Mallender, dear, if it's the last word I'll spake--_I've -seen one_!" - -"You don't mean that," and he laughed incredulously, "let me hear all -about it!" - -"Well now, I declare, it's the pure truth I'm going to tell ye," -said Mrs. Dixon laying down her work, "when I was a girlie of about -fifteen, the Roifles was lying in Madras Fort, and my father was a -Quarter-master-Sergeant. Our quarters were fine and big, and near the -North Gate; somehow or other, I never felt very easy in our living -room; for people--that is the blacks--give out it was haunted by a -woman who had hanged herself from the punkah, years and years before." - -"Did she? What a foolish thing to do." - -"That's as it may be, we don't know the ins and outs! Well, one morning -very early, I got up for a drink of water, and as I went past the room, -by the verandah, it had a strange sort of appearance, and as far as -I could make out, in the dim light,--there was _someone_ in it. And -by me faith there was! I thought my heart would lepp out of me mouth, -when I saw a woman hanging from the punkah, which was moving slowly -backwards and forwards, and backwards and forwards. Her head was all -to one side, lying on her shoulder, her arms hung down stiff like, and -her dress was going with a sort of 'swish, swish,' that would make -your skin creep. For a while, I stood there just paralysed, and then I -screeched to me father and mother; and bedad, and I'll tell ye no lie, -they saw her too. With the first squint of dawn she faded away, and -there was nothing whatever there, but the barrack furniture, and the -great heavy old punkah! I tell ye we moved off pretty smartly, though -they were fine airy rooms, and I'll lay me life she is hanging there in -Sergeants' Quarters A Block to this day." - -"No, no, Mrs. Dixon," said her companion, "that _would_ be hard lines -on the poor creature! It was just a joke, that someone played on you." - -"Is it a joke?" she repeated shrilly. "Didn't I see her face, and by my -faith, I'll never forget it.--I see you don't believe; there does be -people that cannot see shapes, and lucky for them! There is something -here too," she added triumphantly. - -"What, in this house?" said Mallender, sitting erect. - -"So the servants say. I've not come across it, but there does be -strange stories about bad folk, that lived in the bungalow long long -ago. Whatever it is, it's in your room." - -"Oh, I don't mind, as long as it's not a cobra. I'd like to meet a -ghost, and question it!" - -"Now, Captain Mallender dear, _don't_ talk that way," she urged, once -more laying down her work, and surveying him gravely--"it brings ill -luck; ill luck, and no mistake." - -"Can't bring me much more than I've had!" he answered bitterly. - -"Oh, hould yer tongue for goodness' sake!" she protested with a scared -expression; then after a short silence, added: - -"I heard from the Major to-day, they will soon be moving. He says Mota -is looking splendid, and making a terrible stir at children's parties, -and Mrs. Rochfort wrapped up in her, as if she was a thousand times -her own. I can't rightly get my tongue round _Rochfort_, him living -here so long as Major Smith--it's a bit confusing, but I expect he -was ashamed of his first marriage, and kep' it a secret." She looked -interrogatively at Mallender, who merely nodded his head; _he_ was not -going to let Rochfort down. - -"He says, he is writing to you to-morrow, and so is Mota, and now -Captain," rising and folding up her mending, "there is ten o'clock -striking, and I'll wish you good luck and a good night," and she went -away. - -But Mallender did not move for another hour, he was reading Orme's -"History of India," and deeply interested. The night was warm and -muggy after rain; the moon shone fitfully above the black banyan trees, -as he lay with his door to the verandah wide open, listening to the -night's mysterious sounds; the uncertain dripping from the mango trees, -the chaunting of frogs, and the far, far-away cry of a jackal. For a -long time he remained awake, worried by his own conflicting thoughts. -Finally he decided, that if his next venture failed, he must abandon -his search,--driven to the extremity by a process of exhaustion. He -would wait till after Christmas, in order to put in a full twelve -months, and then go home,--defeated. He had his house to see to, a -home, which for all he knew to the contrary, he held on sufferance. He -must find some employment, that would bring him in two or three hundred -a year. Oh, if he was only still in the service!--yes, but how to live -on his pay? and the problematical rent of Mallender! - -At last sleep claimed him. He seemed to have slept for a long time, but -it was really not more than a couple of hours, when he suddenly awoke -with the conviction that there was someone creeping stealthily about -the room. His heart gave a violent lurch--was this the ghost, come to -answer his challenge? - -Whatever it was, it was disagreeably near, for he could distinctly hear -its hurried breathing. - -"Who's there?--what do you want?" he demanded in a sharp "on parade" -tone of voice. No answer, so he hastily put out his hand to reach the -matches, overset a small lamp, and was immediately rewarded by an -atrocious odour of kerosene oil. Helpless, he stared steadily into the -gloom; the moon had sunk, and the room was dark as pitch. Gradually -by degrees, he discerned, that the outline of the door, was a shade -lighter, and it seemed to him, as he gazed, that a shadow flitted -through and melted away into the surrounding gloom. He had no light, -and no slippers--otherwise, he would have risked the fatal chance of a -cobra under foot, and pursued the intruder. - -As he sat erect, staring hard, a faint glimmer of dawn became apparent; -and at this moment, a cock crew!--evidently a young and inexperienced -bird, whose note was weak and discordant. - -"So it _was_ the ghost!" muttered Mallender. "He might have given me -a tip," and he threw himself back on the pillows, and was soon fast -asleep. - - - - - CHAPTER XXI - - -Within a fortnight, the promised information arrived by special coolie. -On this occasion, Mallender's destination was one hundred and fifty -miles from Madras, and described as Wellunga, an old cantonment, twice -decimated by cholera, and long abandoned. "Here," announced the letter, -"you will meet your Uncle, who now goes by the name of Beamish, and is -a benevolent gentleman, of wealth and caprice." - -Two days later, found the adventurer and his suite once more _en -route_. The first eighty miles of the journey were accomplished by -rail, the latter part by dâk, in a tonga behind lean and ill-tempered -ponies, who were changed amid sensational scenes every ten miles. This -was by no means a comfortable expedition, but Mallender's resources -were nearly exhausted, and he was obliged to study economy. Researches -in Mysore, Coorg, and Travancore,--though planned with the most -rigid prudence,--had proved unexpectedly expensive. Fascinated by -the allurement of pursuit, Mallender had parted with his guns, and -watch, and thanks to Anthony's exertions, obtained a fair price. This -transaction had brought home to Anthony the painful fact that his -master was short of money; and he was now keener than ever in quest of -his fortunes. Mallender had applied to his family lawyers in London -questioning the stoppage of his income; but their answer had not been -satisfactory; in formal terms, they reminded him that his father had -agreed to certain stipulations, and by these he was bound to abide; -unless he preferred to embark on a costly law-suit, and compel his -Uncle to come forward, and establish his identity. - -"We believe that he is alive," added the firm, "and if you continue -to press, and harass him, he may possibly close on the park and -house,--which are legally his property. The outlay on repairs, which is -to be met by your mother's fortune, is, as we advised at the time, a -serious and costly mistake. The alterations proceed very slowly, and it -will be six months before the workmen are out. - - "We remain, dear Sir, - Yours faithfully, - SCRIVEN, SWAN AND CO." - -This letter was in his pocket, its contents in his head, as Mallender -in a crazy old tonga was being jolted over a country, hopelessly -empty, monotonous and level. Late in the afternoon as he approached -Wellunga, gradually there came into view the gaunt outline of ruined -barracks and bungalows, thrown into sharp relief by a splendid sunset. -The general effect was such a flaming blaze of red and gold, that it -looked as if molten fire were endeavouring to burn up the river, and -a great straggling bazaar, which lay between the cantonment and the -water--probably the cause of the cholera, which had twice emptied the -station. - -The whole place was set in sterile surroundings of brick-coloured -soil, rocks, and scrubby jungle, presenting a depressing appearance of -forlornness and solitude. - -Approaching their journey's end, the wayfarers were rattled past the -remains of a once imposing, but now roofless mess-house; the bare -rafters of its verandahs stuck out on all sides like rows of grinning -teeth. Near by, stood at intervals, various dilapidated dwellings -surrounded by jungle, from which emerged here and there, a sturdy -mango, a pomegranate tree, or even a half-strangled acacia,--the hardy -survivors of a garden. One of these old bungalows, rescued from the -hand of Time, proved to be the official Rest House, here the tonga -and its smoking ponies came to a halt, and the stranger was welcomed -by a cheery old man, wearing a clean white turban and a faded red -tunic,--once the property of some regimental officer. - -His reception was so effusive, that it was evident guests were an -agreeable novelty. The venerable butler bustled about, and presently -the new arrival was experiencing the benefits of a hot bath, and an -appetising meal. - -Subsequently, when he strolled into the little verandah to smoke, he -found that the moon had risen, and by its cold white light he surveyed -Wellunga; noticed the solid masonry of the dead cantonment, its air -of utter isolation and desolation, made still more evident by the -pitiless full-faced moon. The young man was impressed by the remarkable -coincidence that once more his search had brought him amidst ruins, and -solitude; but naturally people who abandon the world, take refuge in -the waste places of the earth. - -"No one living here?" he enquired, addressing the hovering -attendant,--who had been a sepoy of the 15th Madras Native Infantry, -and was inclined to be communicative. - -"No, saar, only some half-castes, and road officials. Once long ago, -this plenty big place, many soldiers in barrack, then cholera coming, -and all the houses empty, and tumble-down. One officer only here still." - -"Who is he?" - -"General Beamish, saar, very old, living in General's quarters." - -"Been here long?" - -"Twenty-four years, never going away, never seeing friends, twice every -day, drive same road, same time." - -Mallender's heart sank. If Rochfort was too young, here was possibly -the other extreme! but remembering Rochfort's opinion, he clung to -hope. A native's idea of age was so vague; he would wait, and judge for -himself. - -The next morning, as he sat at _chotah-hazri_, attended by the -assiduous butler, he questioned him further. - -"This bungalow of yours is newly whitewashed and well kept, you have -spoons, and good crockery. How is this--when I see that the last entry -in your book of guests was five years ago?" - -"It is the General's orders," was the prompt reply. "He likes any -gentlemans stopping here, to be all right; therefore I getting spoons -and sheets from his house, and sending over for your honour's dinner. -Behold, he passes now!" - -A large landau drawn by a pair of fine walers, came slowly into view; -it was driven by a magnificent coachman, and preceded by running syces, -waving silver-mounted yâk tails, or chowries. Propped high in the -carriage, sat an aged bent man, with a long white beard. Beside him, -was a stout elderly woman, her round, good-natured face half hidden by -a hideous mushroom topee. - -"It is his Honour the General, and Mrs. General Beamish," explained -the butler. The announcement was the knell of Mallender's hopes. -That venerable and decrepit figure was at least eighty years of age. -Here was another failure! He had no luck, of what use to go on? He -felt hopeless and despondent; in spite of all his effort and outlay, -it seemed as if some tremendous, but fantastic force, was striving -against him; luring him to out-of-the-way places, there to abandon him -in perplexity and disappointment; and for the first time since he had -begun his search, he was pricked by a suspicion of being purposely led -astray! But before taking steps for immediate departure, he decided to -have a look round the strangest environment in which he had yet found -himself, and seizing his topee and stick,--in case of snakes,--he set -out to explore. - -As he gazed about dispiritedly, he distinguished the parade ground, the -old horse lines, and a vast walled enclosure, which proved to be the -cemetery. Is anything in the world more forsaken and forgotten, than an -up-country burial-place in India, where rest unremembered and unknown, -the unconscious builders of Empire? Here, the explorer aimlessly -wandered, among flat gravestones, huge tombs of various forms, and -sizes, pyramidal, bomb-shaped, or square, all of either stucco or -red sandstone, and all gradually crumbling in the fierce tropical -sun. Mallender was impressed by two facts; the dimensions of this -well-peopled enclosure, in comparison to the size of the cantonment, -and the perfect order in which it was maintained. The walks were -weedless, the inscriptions legible and undefaced. Who, in this dead -station, undertook "_Le culte des morts_?" - -Another remarkable fact was the _youth_ of the departed! Scarcely one -of these had seen thirty years. Many headstones bore no names; but a -gigantic red tomb, recorded the intelligence that seventy-eight of the -men, and non-commissioned officers of the Green Dragon Regiment, who -died of cholera, were there interred. - -The stranger paused, arrested by his own name, and read on a slab: - -"Sacred to the memory of Geoffrey Hailes, of the 30th Regt. M.N.S. -wantonly shot by a Sepoy of his company on the 5th Dec. 1831 aged -twenty-seven years." - -Near by lay "the mortal remains of Alidora Pegler, who died August -the 9th 1785, aged twenty-one years." Underneath was this quaint -information, "She was a young woman of most engaging manners." - -Not far from Alidora, was the grave of "Dorothea Sumers, a dutiful -daughter, a loving wife, and a happy mother, but departed this life, -one day after the birth of her son, May 22nd 1796, aged nineteen -years." The poor girl had not been granted much time to realise the -happiness of motherhood. - -From this grave, Mallender passed to that of "Richard Horsley of the -Honourable Company's Service, cut off on the night of June 4th 1772, by -the hand of an unknown assassin, aged twenty-three years." - -Next, was a tall stone erected to the memory of six young officers "who -were suddenly swept into eternity, by the plague of cholera." - -An imposing obelisk, which towered over all the tombs, bore the name of: - -"Mrs. Charlotte Travers, whose soul, perfect in all earthly ordained -virtue, departed at the call of its guardian Author, for its next -assigned function in the Eternal Kingdom." - -Not far from this paragon, was a modest slab recording the fact, that -"the officer who lay beneath it, was killed most suddenly in a duel on -Christmas day 1802." - -The spirit of the environment had taken hold of Mallender, and the -oppressive silence, save for the twittering of a sparrow, the rustle -of a lizard, weighed heavily upon his consciousness. Year after year -a pitiless Eastern sun beat down on this forlorn enclosure, and -it seemed to Mallender as if these dead folk,--his countrymen and -women,--appealed to him from their graves, to at _least_ read their -names, and the manner of their deaths. With a mind attuned to this -melancholy inspection, he was turning the corner of a colossal tomb, -when he all but collided with a girl carrying a large wreath! At a -glance, he noticed that she was young and slim. He also received an -impression that she was handsome. - -"I--I beg your pardon," he stammered in his bewilderment. - -She stared blankly at him for a moment, and then exclaimed, "Oh, -oh--it's all right," and stepping back, motioned him to proceed. From a -little distance, a male voice bellowed: - -"Come on, come on, Tara--what the dickens is keeping you?" and he -presently heard the swish of skirts, and light footsteps running away. - -Now that "Tara" had departed, Mallender retraced his way, consumed with -curiosity to know, where she had deposited the wreath? He discovered it -on a flat stone, which bore the name, - -"Robert Gordon, Surgeon. He was good to all. He died of Cholera July -1st 1839." - -Over seventy years had elapsed, and this man was _still_ remembered! -Wellunga was undoubtedly an outlandish, other world place! - -As Mallender left the cemetery, he noticed the girl, and a -square-shouldered young man, walking rapidly away in the direction of -the native town. - -Returning to the Dâk Bungalow, the guest found a good solid breakfast -awaiting him: Dâl curry, eggs, home-made bread, fresh butter, coffee, -and fruit. So in spite of himself, he still sponged! - -"I suppose all this comes from the big house?" he enquired addressing -the butler,--a despotic old person, who for some unexplained reason, -would not suffer Anthony to wait, and had set Chinna-Sawmy to wash the -kitchen dish-cloths! - -"Yes, saar, that is the order--everything in Wellunga is as the General -commands; this bungalow is kept ready and in good repair; the old -places of course are ruins--but no one may touch one bit of wood, or -one brick--though many wanting them for house, and cattle sheds; and -plenty good dhoby stones, and curry stones, in _cemetery_--but once he -goes--_all_ goes!" - -"Including yourself?" - -"Yes, your honour, I also depart to my own country--Quilon." - -"I saw a young lady to-day, and a young man, who are they?" - -"Miss Tara and Mr. Tom, the General's son and daughter." - -Mallender put down his fork, and stared at the speaker in genuine -surprise. - -"Oh, yes. Miss Jessie, she is older; the General married two times, -first family all gone Europe--he never going, too much liking this -country, his people calling him always--all no use. His wife die, then -he marry one English woman, not proper family; but taking great care of -old man. He still getting big pension," he added with a significance -that was entirely wasted on his listener. "The General, has all he -wants; now he sits hours in big verandah looking at India, and always -thinking, thinking, then he go for drive, then put to bed, same like -child. He has his senses, he can walk, and see, only too old, and a -little deaf." - -"Why does he live at Wellunga?" - -"That I cannot surely tell; but when young officer he was here with -regiment. I have seen him get out of carriage at Mess House, and go in, -and sit there, long, long, time. When he come out, he look shaking and -plenty sorry, because all, all gone, everyone--and he only is left." - -"And do his family remain always, in this dead place?" - -"Oh, no, Master Tom has fine big coffee estate on Hills, and the -Missies go there, when here it is too hot. The General is very rich, he -shut eyes to Europe family--only liking Indian family." - -"Perhaps he has forgotten the others?" suggested Mallender. - -"Oh, no, memory good, not to-day, but for long ago; nothing he do not -know, nothing he cannot tell, he got plenty medals and plenty fighting. -The old gentleman keeps fine horses, and many syces and peons, same -like as if _real_ General, and station full; but inside bungalow, is as -the Missus pleases, and no show, no spending. Counting eggs, and gram, -and charcoal, same like sergeant's wife!" - -"Well, I believe I shall be leaving you to-morrow," said the visitor. -"I suppose I can get hold of some sort of tonga in the bazaar. Tell my -boy to bring my writing things." - -When Anthony had placed these on the table, he coughed significantly, -and said: - -"_This_ place no use for master, and master soon, soon going,--but -first must see the General. He is old, and knows much." - -"Yes, but the General does not receive visitors," objected his -employer, "and I cannot thrust myself upon him." - -"That _I_ will arrange," replied Anthony with colossal assurance, then -before Mallender could fitly reply, and rebuke, he had turned on his -bare brown heel, and effected a swift departure. - - - - - CHAPTER XXII - - -Although Mallender sat with his writing case open before him, his -eyes wandered over the wide prospect commanded by the bungalow. What -a picture of tragic solitude! In the foreground a mass of overgrown -ruins, beyond these, the sun-baked plain, with its harsh orange -soil, and far-away range of dim blue hills,--the whole a scene of -ardent melancholy. His thoughts now turned to his own affairs, and -his reflections were gloomy; he realised that his impulsive desire -for results, had driven him to waste time and energies in hopeless -directions,--of which the present situation was a specimen! Why, why, -had fate singled him out for this adventure? He was not one inch -"forrader" than months ago when full of high hopes he had embarked in -Tilbury Docks. Well, he must pull himself together, decide upon a plan -of action, and get out of this God-forsaken place as soon as possible: -drawing the paper towards him, he began to write. Just at this moment, -a visitor appeared between the stone piers of entrance to the little -compound; a sturdy broad-shouldered man of thirty, dressed in kharki. -He had a pleasant clean-shaven face, a square chin, and resolute jaw; -as he took off his topee, he displayed a crop of thick brown hair, cut -"_en brosse_." - -"I say," he began rather awkwardly, "you'll excuse me I hope, but my -father, General Beamish, heard of your arrival--of course everything -is known in this place," and he grinned, "and that you were a British -officer; so he sent me over to ask if you would be so good as to call -and see him?" - -"I shall be delighted," declared Mallender, in his clear, high-bred -voice, "but I must not go under false pretences, I'm no longer in the -service." - -"That does not matter a button--you've been in it, and the old man -craves for a talk with one of his own profession. Although he is -ninety-five, he is still drawing the pension of a Major-General. I -expect the authorities are pretty sick! Eh?" - -"Won't you sit down?" said Mallender, bringing forward a chair. "No -doubt your father has seen a lot of service?" - -"Oh, yes, volunteered for every campaign or scrap, that was going in -his day. He is feeble on his pins, and a bit deaf, but his mind is as -clear as ever. He likes to talk of old times, when he is in the humour, -and he loves anything to do with soldiers. He doesn't come across many -soldier-men here, as you may suppose, and he is mad keen on seeing -_you_." - -"All right--when shall I go over?" - -"About six, when he is rested after his drive, and my mother says, will -you stay to supper?" - -"Thank you, I shall be delighted." - -"You'll find Wellunga a mighty weird sort of billet," resumed the -visitor, "not much of a field for your camera. Your rum little _chokra_ -told me you were a photographer." - -"Yes, and he is my understudy, and very smart. How do you put in time -here?" - -"I don't put in much, I'm a planter--I've an estate up in Mysore, and -manage another; but I run down to see the family, and this is the slack -season for coffee. My sisters come up for the hot weather, but the old -folks never stir, a couple of salamanders!" - -"If it's not an impertinent question, what induced your father to -settle here?" - -"Oh, lots of things; sentiment for one, and to get out of the reach of -his Europe relations, for another. You see he was married before, and -my half-brothers and sisters tormented him to go back to England. He -loves India, it's in his very bones, and this was the first place he -came to, after he landed in the country." - -"It must be pretty deadly for your sisters." - -"They don't mind. Jessie is mad about poultry and tennis, and Tara--she -is much younger than we are--has her books, and her horse, and is the -sort of girl that's happy anywhere. Well, I notice you are writing for -the dâk, it goes out at twelve, so I'll take myself off. See you this -evening?" and Tom Beamish rose, jammed his pith "mushroom" on his head, -and lumbered forth. - -Some time after the carriage had returned, Mallender went over to -the General's quarters; a fine stone-built two-storeyed abode, and -well-preserved specimen of its time. It stood in a spacious compound -with two gateless entrances, which met in a sweep under a high-tiled -porch; many comfortable-looking buff fowls were pecking and promenading -round the premises,--which wore an air of solid ease and leisure. Two -gorgeous peons with scarlet belts, brass badges and enormous turbans, -were in waiting and salaamed profoundly. Having shouted the usual -summons "Boy!" a brisk servant appeared, salaamed, and said, "Please to -come this way," and led the visitor across a centre room into a wide -verandah, commanding an extensive view of river, bazaar, and distant -plain and hills. Here in a high-backed chair sat or hybernated, the -venerable survivor of other days; a still fine-looking old man with the -remnants of a magnificent physique; his noble head was now somewhat -sunken on his shoulders; attached to his white drill coat, he wore the -tarnished badge of his rank, and on his breast a row of war medals. -General Richard Beamish did not look his age, not by ten years--his -skin was wonderfully smooth, his blue eyes keen and bright; his limbs, -however, were shrunken, and his bony hands displayed the dark knotted -veins of age. - -"I'm glad to see ye," he called out in a shaky and excited voice, a -voice unexpectedly strong, "a stranger is a great event here--what's -your name, young sir?" - -"Geoffrey Mallender." - -"God bless me! I knew a Geoffrey Mallender thirty years ago, he was -drowned--or something--there was a sort of mystery." - -"He was my Uncle," announced the stranger, whose hopes were once more -kindled. - -"Mallender, this is my wife, Sally," he called to someone who had -entered, "here is Captain Mallender; I knew his Uncle long ago." - -The visitor turned and bowed, but Mrs. Beamish put out a large -useful-looking hand, and gave him a motherly smile. "Motherly" was the -adjective that best expressed Sally Beamish! a woman of over fifty, -with a pulpy corsetless figure, a kind sensible face, a little short -nose, a pair of sympathetic eyes, a drab complexion. Her abundant brown -hair was combed over her ears and gathered into a tight knot, she wore -a stuff skirt, a loose white jacket fastened by a magnificent diamond -brooch, and berlin wool slippers. - -"You will take your supper with us," she said; her accent was common, -but her face radiated benevolence. "It is the Beauforts' evening, but -that's no matter: and you must come over to us whenever you find it -dull. It is dull alone. Now I am going to leave you, to have a chat -with the General." Then suddenly dropping her voice, "He was just crazy -to see you,--let the old man talk, it's so good for him, and mind, he -don't like to be interrupted." - -"What's she saying? What's she saying?" demanded her husband, -suspiciously. His eyes had been watching her moving lips. - -"That she is leaving me to have a good old talk with you, sir," -explained Mallender, as the purdah swung behind a solid form. - -"A good woman, a good woman! My third wife, country born, country bred, -no country blood--just an apothecary's daughter, and a trained nurse; -but I did not marry her for _that_. No, no. Come now, young fellow, -draw your chair nearer, for I want to question you about England, and -the Army, and many other things." - -"All right, sir, but I left the Army this time last year." - -"And you could desert the colours, you a fine, strong young man?" and -he considered his visitor with reproachful blue eyes. - -"I had no choice, sir," replied Mallender. "I was terribly sorry to go. -I hate being out of the Service." - -"Aye, my lad, and when I hung up my sword after nearly fifty years, it -broke my heart. I am very old, look at me. I'm ninety-five! I was born -in the year of our Lord 1818, when people talked of Waterloo, and Bony -was on St. Helena! When I first arrived, a 'Griffin' as they called us -then, I met an officer who had known Clive--think of it! He told me, he -seemed silent and morose, it was his last spell out here, and he was -full of trouble and disappointment--the man who won India!" - -"He put an end to himself, did he not?" - -"Yes, in his house in Berkeley Square, with a penknife. I've seen great -things in my day, but if I related them, people would say I was in my -dotage, and I have no witnesses _now_ to bear me out; I just sit here -and look out over the plains that never change, and think of all the -fine comrades I had, and their lives and deaths, and wonder if we will -ever fall in together again? Well, I'll know before long--I may get the -route any day! I'm just waiting for death." - -Mallender hastened to turn the old man's mind to a more cheerful -subject, and said: - -"You must have seen a lot of service, sir?" - -"Yes," and he touched his medals. "I put these on to do you honour. I -only wear 'em Sundays, and Mrs. Beamish she got out her fine brooch. -Here, you see, Moodkee--Aliwal--Rangoon--Pegu--and the Mutiny medals, I -was all through that," he paused, and looked fixedly before him. - -"Yes, I marched up to Delhi, with the first Madras Regiment, and I -was in the first Brigade, under McNeil. McNeil was a hard man; hard -on himself, as well as others; the forced marches were terrible; and -in those days we wore shakos--no pith helmets then! At most of our -halts, we had a firing-party, and left a couple or more graves. I -served at the Siege of Delhi--I saw Cawnpore, when one hundred and -sixty-five women and children were in the well. I--Well, young man, for -all our sakes, native and British, those times are best _forgotten_. -Afterwards, I served in Afghanistan, and was recommended for the Cross, -but the Brigadier knew I was hard up, and I took a sum of money, and -sold my glory, to pay bazaar bills." - -"But surely, sir, you have had good appointments?" - -"Oh, yes, after a time I had fine billets; but I was always up to my -neck in debt, and half my pay went to the soucars. I was like a man -in a quicksand, the more I struggled, the deeper I went. Well, now -I want to hear from one who has been on the spot, what is going on -at head-quarters at home? Tell me about the Army--begad, it's only a -handful,--this brand-new Army of the day. I read, and I'm read to, but -I want to hear by word of mouth." - -The old officer then proceeded to put his companion--who patiently -submitted--to a severe, not to say drastic, examination on the subject -of the new guns, new regulations, and drill; the uniform, soldiers' -kit, the benefit, or otherwise, of Royal Commissions; particulars of -the new signalling, and airships. He listened as to a fairy-tale, when -Mallender described a field instrument that can tap, or interrupt a -telegraph message--as well as telephone! - -"Oh, if we'd had that in my time, we'd have done real wonders, -miracles--sir, miracles!" - -"Yes, and you had not a rifle warranted to kill at two miles, had you?" -said Mallender. - -"No, only good old brown Bess. And those motors and aeroplanes that I -shall never see--no more than if I had lived in the Middle Ages!" - -"You could easily see a motor, sir," replied his visitor, "but I'm not -so sure of an aeroplane," and as he had made an ascent, he proceeded -to relate his experience. To this, the old man listened with hands on -knees, parted lips, and an air of almost passionate attention. - -"Ah!" he exclaimed, as he leant back with a sigh of satisfaction, "at -last I seem to understand the hang of the thing; you have put it before -me, and I can almost imagine, that I'm sitting on a nasty cramped seat, -rising steadily into the air, while all the world is falling away below -me. Here is Mrs. Beamish coming to tell us that supper is waiting, and -I've been keeping you. We are punctual folk--military time, sir! Come -to-morrow, come to tiffin. Sally, my dear, this young fellow has done -me no end of good; my mind is chock full of brand-new ideas." Then -rising with tremulous difficulty, assisted by his wife, and a servant, -the old veteran nodded his head, and tottered out of the verandah. - -When Mallender was ushered into the dining-room, he was rather -surprised to find the table almost surrounded, and supper already well -started. Tom, who was apparently master of the ceremonies, jumped up -and said, "Hello--here you are at last! the governor froze on to you. -Captain Mallender, this is Tara, my youngest sister,"--the girl he had -encountered in the cemetery--"and this is Jessie," indicating a thin -plain young woman, with high cheek bones, and a bright pink blouse, -actively engaged in carving a piece of cold beef. Jessie nodded, -and beamed--she had her mother's smile. "Let me introduce Captain -Beaufort," continued Tom waving his hand towards an enormously stout, -bullet-headed man, with a massive red face, and heavy grey moustache. -Captain Beaufort gave the visitor a martial look--rose, as it were at -attention, shuffled his feet, and muttered a greeting. - -"Miss Blanche and Miss Lily Beaufort," resumed Tom, glancing at two -pretty tittering girls, with dusky complexions, elaborate white -blouses, and coral necklaces and earrings. - -"Now we are all acquainted, what will you have?" enquired Jessie. "Cold -hump, curried fowl, or stuffed tomatoes?" - -"Try the cold hump, Captain," urged Beaufort,--Beaufort was thoroughly, -and aggressively, at home--"and this mango chutney is not to be sneezed -at, I can tell you! and the beer is A1." - -The board was spread with an ample repast, and decorated with vases of -zinnias and marigolds. Miss Tara was officiating with an old French -coffee-pot of the time of Louis XV., that would have brought tears -of envy to the eyes of Fanny Tallboys. In fact, the appointments -and surroundings were a curious and remarkable mixture; here, were -rat-tailed spoons, Charles the First sugar bowls, superb candelabra, -holding cheap candles (twelve to the pound), a coarse mission -table-cloth, and bazaar crockery. The aristocratic side-board, and a -book-case, were undoubtedly of the days of Count Lally, and seemed -to shrivel up, and hold themselves aloof from the coarse "maistrey" -furniture, and jail carpets,--their associates. - -The company was also strangely assorted. The two Beaufort girls with -the black tresses, and lovely liquid eyes, had unquestionably "four -annas in the rupee." Their parent was a rough-hewn ranker. Mrs. -Beamish, Jessie and Tom were a kindly commonplace trio, of the lower -middle class, and Tara, who did not bear even the faintest resemblance -to her relations, was of a totally different type and race, evidently a -"throw back" to some of the General's ancestors. She carried her slight -figure with grace, her small stag-like head was set on a long neck, her -little proud face was illuminated by a pair of dark granite-grey eyes; -she had beautiful taper hands,--whilst those of Jessie looked as if her -fingers had been cut off at the second joint. - -"I think we met this morning," said the guest, addressing her, as she -paused from her labours. - -"Oh, yes, in the cemetery. I go there every other day to put flowers on -the graves of Daddy's friends. At first, I thought _you_ were one of -them--one of the young men who had come back to look for something." - -"You startled me too, I must confess. I understood Wellunga was -entirely deserted." - -"Not at all, Captain, not at all!" broke in Beaufort, speaking with -his mouth full. "We are quite a nice little family party here; besides -the General,--who is our Commander-in-Chief, and his good lady, and -belongings; there is myself, and my girls, and my subordinate Perez. -Then we have a Police Officer, who comes and goes, a very smart good -sort of fellow." - -"Indeed," exclaimed Mallender, who was evidently expected to say -something. - -"Oh, yes, and a Chaplain two or three times in the cold weather; I read -the Service on Sunday, since the General resigned, and an inspecting -Engineer, my boss, not much of a chap, in _my_ humble opinion; all for -new jims and ways and worrying his subordinates." - -"Have you no doctor?" enquired the new-comer. - -"No, but a first-rate native apothecary and dresser,--Dorosawny is as -clever as they make them!" - -"My mother is the doctor," put in Tom. "She's first-class, had a -training in hospital, got diplomas, and all that sort of thing." - -"What do you think of the place?" softly enquired Blanche, whose brown -velvet eyes had never been removed from the stranger. - -"He has not seen it yet!" rejoined Mrs. Beamish, who had just bustled -in, found a seat, and was being pressed to partake of her own good -things by Captain Beaufort, "and I'm afraid there is very little to -see." - -"I hear you take photographs," said Tara. "I do wish, you would do my -horse Rustum, he is such a beauty." - -"The General got him down from Bombay," announced Captain Beaufort, -"a Damascus Arab, out of Abdul Rayman's stables. They wanted him for -racing, and so I need not tell you his price was pretty _stiff_!" - -"Tara is crazy about him," supplemented her sister. "As for me, I do -not ride." - -"Only your hobby, buff cochins!" put in her brother. - -"Now do be quiet, Tom; you are too silly!" - -"The General has a stable full of splendid animals," continued -Beaufort, who evidently desired to impress the visitor. "He was a fine -rider once, so was _I_," and he gave a laugh that shook not only his -whole frame--but also the table. "Who'd think it!" - -"You come from Madras, I believe?" murmured Blanche; who was -irresistibly fascinated by this stranger, who had dropped into their -circle, as from the skies. - -"Yes, I arrived yesterday evening." - -"Everyone is still in the Hills," observed Tara. "I know Ooty well, I -was at school there for seven years." - -"Oo-ah, yes, and so accomplished," volunteered Blanche, with effusion. -"Tara can do lovelee lace work, and play the piano, and sing--oh, soa -beautifullee!" - -"There, that will do, Blanche," interrupted Tara, impatiently. To -Mallender, "I'm not really accomplished, not like the girls at home." - -"At home!" echoed Blanche the irrepressible, "that, of course, is -another thing, oh, my! how I do long to go home!" - -"You'd hate it," declared the youngest Miss Beamish, with startling -abruptness, and poor Blanche was once more chastened and crushed. Her -father, who had finished an excellent and hearty meal, now broke in. - -"You must see our great bazaar and native city, Captain, down by the -river; if the cantonment is dead, the bazaar is alive and kicking, -that I can tell you; it's chock full of money and rich natives. There -is one chap called Rakar, who is rolling in rupees and gold mohurs. He -has grand nautches--I've seen them," and he winked expressively, "the -best girls from Travancore; and he keeps fighting cocks, and fighting -partridges, and all sorts of horses. One of them is a holy terror; he -got him from some big Rajah, a sort of processional brute, seventeen -hands high, a splendid animal to look at, but a man eater, he has -killed half a dozen--at least, so I'm told." - -"The native city is tremendously old," broke in Tom, anxious to -contribute information. "People give it fifteen hundred years, it's -said to be full of _loot_. I've seen some wonderful coins and jewels -myself. It was right in the middle of lots of fighting, and grew rich -on plunder--of course no Europeans live there." - -"I can't say I'm surprised at that," remarked Mallender, dryly. - -"But there were plenty here once," said Jessie. "Two or three -regiments; first there was a mutiny, then cholera, after that the -county became settled, and all the soldiers went away." - -"I like Wellunga," announced Tara; "I was born here; but I must admit -that it is an outlandish place." - -"We have queer stories about the big battles around," added her -brother. "There was a heap of fighting all over this country, and the -natives say, it is full of hidden treasure--guarded by devils." - -"Yes," agreed Beaufort, "there is the grave of an English officer about -twenty miles out, with the date 1809; I've seen it. He is worshipped as -a demon, and natives bring him brandy and cheroots." - -"That is true," corroborated Tara. "I sometimes ride that way, but I -think they only offer arrack, and bazaar tobacco _now_." - -"And I can tell you something," added Blanche, with wide-open eyes -(Blanche who was extremely superstitious). "It is said, that in some -directions, at sundown, or by moonlight, you can see great big camps, -with men, and horses, and elephants, and standards, and hear shouts and -bugles, and drums," and as she concluded, she gazed at Mallender, and -shuddered affectedly. - -"I've heard the drums!" was Tara's unexpected remark. - -"Tara child, what nonsense you are telling," protested her mother, "you -make me quite ashamed." - -"No, no Mummy, no fear of that, you will never be ashamed of _me_," and -she patted her arm affectionately. "Now shall we go into the next room -and play bridge--we can have two tables to-night, no cut-throat!" - -"Oh, all right, that will be so nice," agreed the Beaufort girls, in -a breath, rising precipitately; but alas, their expectations were -speedily extinguished. - -"Let me see how we will play?" said Tara, looking about her. "Captain -Mallender, Captain Beaufort, Jessie and I, and you two girls may have -Tom and mother," and so it fell out! It was evident by many little -signs and tokens, that the youngest Miss Beamish dominated the company, -and was the lawgiver in her own household. They all seemed devoted to -the girl, and so naïvely proud of her grace and beauty. - -Two card tables were quickly arranged, and as they sat down and cut for -partners, Tara announced: - -"We play four annas a hundred, we used to play only for love--but love -is _so_ stupid!" - -"Tar, I'm surprised at you! Is that your opinion?" shouted her brother, -who had overheard this speech. - -"Now, Tom," said she, blushing deeply, "do not mind us--please attend -to your company, or--I will talk to you about Miss _M_." - -This threat had the immediate effect of silencing Tom, who sat upon -his hands,--a trick of his, and looked excessively sheepish and out of -countenance. - -Tara's command might well have been addressed to the Misses Beaufort, -whose eyes were fixed on the young lady and her partner, with long -looks of unrestrained interest, and low be it spoken--envy. - -Bridge, at Wellunga, was played with impressive gravity, and not a -little ignorance; here, there was no joking, no scolding, no glances of -interrogative dismay. The only thing that upset the composure of the -players was, when an enormous black, able-bodied insect, came booming -in from outside, and endeavoured to dash itself against the candle -shades. - -"If my ayah were here," screamed Blanche, whose attention was almost -entirely given to this quartette, "she would say that was the spirit of -one who had lived in this bungalow long ago----" - -"I'm glad to say your ayah is _not_ here!" retorted Tara, turning her -head, and speaking with indignation, "_we_ don't entertain the sweeper -caste!" and poor Blanche was once more temporarily quenched. - -At the end of an hour, Tara and Geoffrey rose, the losers of one rupee. -The beautiful and imperious Tara was distinctly ruffled; she liked and -always expected to be victorious, and first. - -"Here, Jessie," she said to her sister, with a lofty air, "I give you -the price of two fine fowls. Well, you must make the most of your -gambling time, for when you are married to Samuel, you won't even _see_ -a card!" - -"Tara, you wild girl!" protested Jessie, now a brick-dust colour, "how -can you say such foolish things? You know, I shall go my own way, as to -games." - -"But it's true; your only cards will be collecting cards--you will see." - -Mrs. Beamish now interposed her pleasant personality, saying: - -"Tara, what a tease you are!" Then to Mallender, "She was always -so, since she was a baby. She gets all her fun out of other people. -Remember we expect you over to-morrow--as early as ever you please." - -The party was breaking up, the Misses Beaufort and Tom were laughing -and scuffling about their wraps, and eventually Mallender and Tom -escorted the ladies home. This attention appeared to be a fixed -custom--as was also the bi-weekly supper and bridge. - -Mallender and Captain Beaufort paired off together, despite the bold -manœuvres of the Captain's daughters, and indeed it was outrageously -selfish of him, to appropriate the company of the interesting -new-comer! Between Papa and Tara, these unfortunate damsels had no -opportunities of improving their acquaintance with the handsome -stranger. - -As the two men walked ahead, Beaufort said, in a bluff off-hand way: - -"Of course, I'm not a 'pucka' Captain; they just give me the rank here. -I was a military man--now I'm in civil employ. Since the old General -has failed, _I_ take things in hand a bit. What was your regiment?" - -"The Warlock Hussars." - -"Oh, indeed," slightly abashed. "I never came across them. Well, if you -are making any stay, I hope I and my girls will see a _lot_ of you. A -new face up here does us _all_ good." - -When they had arrived at their domain, once the Chaplain's -Quarters, the Misses Beaufort--their father making a spacious -background--overwhelmed the recent arrival with a loud and simultaneous -invitation "to tea, pot luck--or tennis, whatever he pleased," to which -he returned a polite, but indefinite reply. Such was the clamour and -urgency of talk, that it was some time before he and Tom were able to -effect their departure, and as they turned towards the Dâk Bungalow, -Tom said: - -"Those two are a topping good sort, and stand any amount of chaff. The -most kind-hearted girls in India; they can dance and play tennis, and -make scrumptious native sweets and curries. Captain Beaufort has to do -with the Roads, his wife is never on show, I fancy she is a bit too -dark--these people get darker as they age. It's awfully rough on them, -I must say!" - -"Have your sisters no other companions?" enquired Mallender. - -"Not in Wellunga, but lots in the Hills. I may as well tell you, they -won't be here long. Jessie is engaged to a missionary in Tinnevelly, -and Tara is going to marry a young planter--a friend of my own. As -the baby of the family, she may strike a stranger as a little bit -spoiled--but she's as good as gold, and as good as she looks." - -"She is uncommonly handsome, if you do not mind my saying so." - -"No, why shouldn't you? Sometimes she carries on like a great lady, and -has uncommonly high notions, I can tell you! and where she _gets_ them, -beats me." - -This remark brought them to the Dâk Bungalow, where a yawning Anthony -awaited his master, and as his master took leave of Tom Beamish, he -said: - -"Can you help me to get a trap and ponies, that will take me back to -the railway?" - -"To be sure I can," he replied, "but not yet. You must stop with us for -a little, and talk to the General; you brighten him up, and give him -such pleasure,--and he has so little pleasure in life now, poor old -boy. After a bit, I'll lay a dâk for you, and drive you the sixty miles -myself--yes, and with the General's best horses. Come now, don't say -no, see you to-morrow!" and before Mallender could argue or reply, he -received a heavy thump on the back,--suggestive of ease and intimacy, -and Tom Beamish was gone. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIII - - -The following morning, as soon as General Beamish had returned from his -drive, he despatched a messenger to summon his new acquaintance; who on -this occasion was received in the drawing-room--a curious apartment! -The walls coloured a sickly pink, were decorated with horns and heads, -fine damascened arms, various spotty sporting prints, and many faded -photographs in shabby Oxford frames. After a little desultory talk, the -venerable officer fixing his steely blue eyes on the visitor, said: - -"Young man, you gave me a deal of information yesterday, but begad, you -never told me _what_ has brought you to Wellunga?" - -"Oh, that is too long a story, sir, and would only bore you to death." - -"Bore away, and fire away! I really want to hear it!" - -Mallender, who was now disinclined to disclose his mission, began the -recital with obvious reluctance, and made it as brief as possible, -whilst the old man, with a hand to his ear, listened eagerly to the -outline of his many failures; when he concluded, he said: - -"I remember meeting your Uncle in the Ooty Club, and hearing him say -how he hated India! I suppose it has stuck in my gizzard, because I -felt vexed--you see I always loved the country, and I can sympathise -with the old Mem Sahib, who hankered after 'the whiff of a huka, and -the smell of a bazaar.' I took to the East from the moment I put a foot -in it, and felt the sun on my back, and saw the palms, and the Arab -horses--it was all Arabs in my time! It's funny, how clearly I recall -things of fifty years ago, yet cannot for the life of me tell you what -happened last week," he concluded, with a hopeless sigh. - -"Then you remember my Uncle's disappearance?" - -"Why, of course. I read all about it in the papers." - -"Has it ever occurred to you that he might still be alive?" - -"Well, no--but after all, why not? The fellow may have had his own -reasons for hiding." - -"What possible reason could he have? He had heaps of money, and as you -say, detested India; why remain for thirty years hiding his identity in -exile?" - -"Oh, for that matter," rejoined the General, and he gave a little -cackling laugh, "I'm in exile, I'm hiding too,--and I've managed pretty -cleverly; I've another family in England. I'm hiding from _them_!" - -Mallender murmured his assent. - -"Yes, I suppose Tom has told you! Well, now you have no idea of your -Uncle's reasons for concealing himself, and you shall hear _mine_, I'll -tell you my history, for you have an honest, upright look," and he -stared into the tanned, high-bred face of his visitor. - -"There are the cheroots, help yourself, and listen to me." - -As Mallender selected a Trichy, he said to himself: - -"This old gentleman much prefers talking about his own past, to -discussing my present. How is it that people are always telling me -their affairs, and mine get no forrader?" and he resigned himself -accordingly. - -"I came out young," began the General, after clearing his throat. "I -married young; my Colonel's daughter, a girl of eighteen, but within a -year she died of cholera. It nearly broke my heart. Think of it! All I -had, taken from me within twelve hours. As I had been out some time, -I took furlough, and went home, feeling as if I could never hold up -my head again; but kind friends roused me, and made much of me, and -by degrees I went out among people. After a bit I came across a very -pretty,--I may say, amazingly beautiful girl, full of animation and -gaiety. Her liveliness appealed to me, and raised my spirits; she was -of old family, but hadn't a penny of fortune. Well, sir, we married, -and came out here. Living was half what it is now--or less; eighty -seers of gram to the rupee--think of that! I had good pay, and we -set up in style with a carriage and pair, and gave dinners. My first -home was on a modest scale, but admirably managed; here, there was no -management at all! only dirty, idle, thievish servants, and enormous -bills. However, my wife was always the belle of the station, and in -extraordinary request for balls, theatricals, and picnics. Then came -the children--three of them, hard on one another's heels, and Julia -decided to take them home. I was not sorry to be rid of her! Hoping -to get a chance to economise, and save. Every month, I remitted -money, but it was never enough; and my wife was so restless; if she -was six months at home, she longed to come back to India, and if she -came out--in six weeks' time she was dying for London! Sir," suddenly -sitting erect, "her extravagance was incredible! I've known Julia to -have three furnished houses on hand; if she tired of one, she took -another; she had maids, and governesses, and a carriage; no doubt -people supposed I was a very rich man, instead of a miserable poor -devil, with little beside his pay. I tell you, my boy, I dreaded her -letters and enclosures so much, that sometimes I've left them unopened -for _days_--they took the heart out of me," and his old voice broke, -and quavered. - -"If this distresses you, sir, I beg you won't go on," urged his -listener. - -"No, no," he protested peevishly, "let me finish! Then came a grand -smash, and Julia fled out here in order to escape her creditors. As -I was responsible, I had to borrow, and raise money at a ruinous -interest, and settle most of her debts--but I was in the money-lenders' -clutches for life. She returned home, cleared--whilst I was bound hand -and foot; you see, part of my pay was sequestrated, and I was chained -to the country! And after twenty years in the East, without a break, I -got out of English ways, and lost sight of my old friends." - -"And what about your children, sir?" - -"Oh, they were educated regardless of expense, and thanks to Julia's -fine connections well started in the world; but I never saw them; no, -not since they were with their ayah, and I put them aboard a mail -steamer in Madras Roads, when the eldest was only four. Meanwhile, I -was up to my neck in debt, and although commanding a regiment, worse -off than a junior subaltern. I was positively ashamed of my uniform, my -chargers, and my stinginess--but what could I do? Tell me that?" - -"Er--well, nothing, I suppose," murmured the young man. - -"No, I was too deep in the soucars' books, ever to get my head above -water; socially I was dead, with a stone round my neck. Well, my boys -got professions, the girl married well. Then my wife died; we had not -met for years, but she wrote to me regularly every mail, and sent me -newspapers.--I had thoughts of going home." - -"And so you went at last?" - -"No, though I had retired, and got my pension; an old comrade persuaded -me to join him in the Hills, and something else held me back--it -was India herself. Twice I took my passage, and twice I changed my -mind--eventually I lived with my friend till he died. He left me all he -had; plate, books, and a large fortune--the result of loot, and good -investments--besides this, I have twelve hundred a year pension, and -savings, and am at this moment a wealthy man. You'd never suspect it, -would you?" and he waved his withered hand at the ugly pink walls, old -black furniture, and threadbare Bangalore carpet. - -"No, sir, I must say I would not." - -"No, I'm like a native chap, who may live in a sort of open cupboard in -the bazaar, and yet own lakhs of rupees. The tidings of my riches soon -reached my family, and they bombarded me with letters and cables, and -were desperately anxious to get the old man home! They were afraid he -might fall under an undesirable influence, or do something foolish; but -my pal forbid me ever to let them have a penny of his money; he used to -say 'Your family only know you by your signature on a cheque, you've -done your share, educated them, put them out in the world and they are -strangers.'" - -"And so you married again!" - -"Yes, yes, yes," was the irritable response. "Don't you hurry me--don't -you hurry me! I'm too old for that! I did the _foolish_ thing my sons -dreaded, and married a woman who had nursed my friend, Tom Maitland. -After three or four years, the Hills became too smart and fashionable -for a retired old Indian, who had married a nurse--my lady neighbours -would not know Mrs. Beamish, and the young generation of soldiers had -never heard of _me_. My family plagued me incessantly, and more than -once hinted at the effects of a climate on my brain. After all, I was -only seventy, and stout and hale, still well able for a day's shooting -in the sholahs, or hunting on the downs; so I just disappeared down -the Seegoor Ghat, taking all my goods and chattels, and leaving no -address. You can cover up tracks when you like,--it is only a question -of _money_." - -"You mean bribes?" - -"I mean just money. Your Uncle was rich, and thanks to that, he has -hidden himself successfully." - -"Then you really think he _is_ hidden?" asked Mallender, eagerly. - -"Not a doubt of it, and if you will take the advice of an old man, you -will waste no more time on searching for a will-o'-the-wisp, but just -go home quietly." - -"Oh--do you advise that!" - -"Yes; though I funked going home myself! but that was different, I had -spent the best of my life out here, and the country would not release -me. You may think me a queer sort of lunatic, but my case is not -uncommon; quite a number of old retired officers, and officials, remain -in India after their work is done; they are out of touch with England, -and life is easier here. You find them in the Doon, and in parts of the -Himalayas, in the Neilgherries, the Shevaroys, and not men alone,--but -women too." - -"Women?" repeated Mallender, and his tone was incredulous. - -"Yes, forty years ago in Bangalore, there was an old lady, the widow of -the Colonel of a Madras regiment. I remember her well; she accompanied -the 86th M.N.I. in all their moves. She used to ride a venerable white -charger, and wear a mushroom hat with rosettes over her ears, and come -up on the _maidan_ soon after sunrise, and before the crowd appeared. -I've seen her of an evening, driving her little ponies shopping, or at -the band,--when it was _her_ band. She never mixed in Society, but went -to church, and to field days when her regiment was out. She spent most -of her pension on the lines, and the men adored her, and called her -their mother; the regiment was her home. Her people, like mine, were -scandalized; but, after all, why should not everyone lead the life they -prefer--if they do no harm to their fellows? And now about this puzzle, -your Uncle--a life here was obviously not one that he preferred, the -country had no hold on him, no,--yet he is here. Brown and Co. are not -a firm to make foolish mistakes. My advice to you is, to go home, where -time, friends, and fortune are all before you." - -"Not fortune," protested Geoffrey. "I forfeited that when I undertook -this enterprise, but then I was sure that I was dealing with an -impostor." - -"And would not listen to Brown and Co.,--that, I may tell you, was -foolish." - -"No, neither to them, or anyone." - -"Ah, but you will listen to your past experience, and to _me_," and the -weary old figure leant abruptly forward in its chair. - -"I can't bear to be beaten, sir, but what do you advise?" - -"As I've said--arrange for your return. In the meantime, make your -head-quarters here; there is a good horse for you, Tom and Tara will -take you out, and show you the country, and of an evening come and sit -and talk to me--give me a week or two--as a great favour to an old -fellow, who has not spoken to another red coat for thirty years." - -Mallender hesitated a moment, then he said, "You are very kind, sir." - -"Not a bit of it--only kind to myself. There is a new brown, stud-bred, -up from Ussour, that will carry you well. This is an historical part of -the world, although it looks so tame now--the children know every inch -of it for miles. Tell me, are you interested in Indian history?" - -"I can't say I am, sir, I know very little about it. -Clive--Plassy--Warren Hastings--that's all." - -"I was the same myself, till I was tied here by the leg, and had to -take to books. I've read a lot--especially of those dealing with this -country--its history begins with the invasion of Alexander, nearly -three hundred years before Christ, then came the Moghul Empire, and the -Cholas, they _all_ made their way into these parts." - -"Not much sign of them now, is there?" - -"No, and I dare say there won't be much sign of _us_ after a couple -of thousand years. We shall leave no great monuments, temples and -fortresses, such as still recall ancient Hindustan." - -And then, with surprising animation, he suddenly poured forth a brief -description of campaigns, marches, victories, and defeats. - -"Think," he cried, "of a desperate siege that lasted ten years--think -of the loot and treasure. Why, when Bednur fell, they took twenty -millions in gold--gold worth a thousand times more then than now, not -to speak of jewels, elephants and slaves." Coming to later days, he -spoke of "Haidir Ali," Lally, and Tippoo. - -"Haidir was an adventurer--a nobody--but a brave man. His son Tippoo, -was just a mad fanatic. For close on two hundred years battles and -struggles have swept across these plains. Please God, we have seen the -last of them! Well, well, well, I'm a doddering old fellow, and I'm -boring you; but you must ride about the country, with Tara and Tom, -and see it for yourself! Ah!" as his visitor stood up, "you are not -off yet! Before you go, let me show you my Europe family--give me that -sandal-wood box from the whatnot." - -When this was placed in his hands, he opened it, and turned over its -contents with tremulous deliberation. - -"Here," exhibiting a stout elderly man in uniform, "is my son Arnold; -he married money. This is my daughter Agatha, in court train. She is -the Honble. Mrs. Dashell. This is my lawyer son, who threatens me with -the Lunacy Commissioners," exhibiting a man with a clever hard face, -and a sunken determined mouth. "All capital photos, you see, sent to -_tempt_ the old fellow home! If anything could tempt me, it would be -this," and after a little fumbling, he placed a striking vignette -of Mrs. Villars in the hand of his amazed companion. "Here is my -grand-daughter, Lena." - -"Mrs. Villars!--why, I know her!" exclaimed Mallender. "Is _she_ -your grand-daughter? She was staying in Madras, with my cousins the -Tallboys." - -"So she said; she writes distracted letters asking for money, they all -ask for that; one to send a boy to Eton, another to settle a son on a -ranche, a third to pay bills; but of the whole pack, Lena is the most -hungry and shameless. You see, I get their letters forwarded through my -agent. They amuse me,--and they tell on one another. Lena is a beauty. -Eh?" - -"Yes, and this does not flatter her in the least." - -"Lena is like her grandmother, but handsomer, and has the same mad -craze for spending. She married a man, a good fellow too, I was told, -and ruined him with her extravagance. They say Lena is one of those who -must have luxuries,--no matter who goes without; and four years ago, -poor Villars put an end to himself, and his troubles, with an overdose -of chloral. She writes to me now for a couple of thousand to pay some -debts, as she is at her wits' end. Begad, I believe she really came out -here to poke about and find _me_!" the idea tickled the old gentleman, -and he gave a shrill cackling laugh, "and got as far as Madras, where -she has spent the winter with an old school-fellow." - -"Yes, with my cousin Fanny Tallboys, but surely they were not -school-fellows--it is impossible, why, Fanny is forty-two!" - -"Oh, Lena is getting on; Lena is no chicken!" declared her grandfather, -"though I dare say she looks years younger than her age. She writes -begging letters, and implores me to assist her, as she is likely to -make a brilliant marriage. Heaven help the unfortunate beggar!--for a -beggar he will _be_." - -"She does not mention his name, I suppose?" - -"No, but I presume he is rich; his money will run through her -hands like water. Mrs. Beamish is dead set against my pretty -grand-daughter--she cannot bear her, and wanted to burn the photograph. -I believe she is afraid Lena may turn up here, and get round _me_. Ha! -ha! ha! If Lena only knew what _I_ do, about a certain treasure!" - -"You mean a hidden one?" - -"Yes, India is full of such hoards, especially before the days of -banks. The inherited habit of accumulating and hiding gold and jewels, -is in the blood. A native whose life I saved, a cultivator and poor, -told me the secret of a great cache, he said he could not meddle with -it himself--an old man with no sons, he would be robbed, and murdered. -Buried within twenty miles of where you and I are sitting, is a mass -of gold and jewels, silver horse trappings, and arms. Well! well! the -world is rich enough. Money is the root of all evil!" - -"But some of the world is poor enough--desperately poor," protested -Mallender. "Think of what all this wealth, lying useless and unclaimed, -would do." - -"Some would do good; more would stick to greedy palms. I do give a -help at home, and out here--dispensaries, and wells, and things. No, -no, I'll not touch the great spoil, I've enough to leave my family in -comfort. If Lena got her claws into this treasure, she'd squander even -it, in ten years. I may tell you that this horde was hidden away in -the troubled times of the eighteenth century. I suppose you know that -Tippoo's pearls were never discovered?" - -"No! Well, I wish _I_ could find them!" - -"Oh, you are no good at finding!" scoffed the old man. "You can't even -find your own Uncle." - -"Now, Richard, you have talked too much," interposed Mrs. Beamish, -who had entered in her noiseless slippers. "Your voice is as weak as -a thread, come away: Captain Mallender will give you a pull up--it's -_long_ past the time for your midday sleep, and you've never touched -your bread and milk, you bad old man!" - - - - - CHAPTER XXIV - - -"Tom and I are going to take you round the place this afternoon," -announced Tara. "We want to show you the old remains; afterwards we -will go through the native city, and bazaar, and wind up with tennis. -How will that be?" - -"Quite a gay programme, I do declare!" replied Mallender. - -"Yes, and to-morrow you shall see the country. Can you ride?" - -"Rather!" was his prompt answer. - -"Oh, I'm glad you say 'rather' in that tone,--for Sepoy, the new brown, -is a hard puller." - -"I prefer a hard puller. Gives you something to hold on to," rejoined -the new-comer with a laugh. - -As soon as the sun began to slant a little towards the west, Mallender -set out on a tour of inspection, escorted by his two companions. First, -they came to the officers' bungalows; of these, many of the roofs had -fallen in, the gardens were a high jungle of tall grasses, custard -apples, and guava trees; the only signs of a human abode were the -tottering gate piers,--still sentries to a dead home--and the outline -of a long-choked well. Before the most obliterated, Tom halted and said: - -"The Governor has often been to parties and tiffins here. He says the -prettiest woman in the regiment lived in this bungalow, with the whole -station at her feet." - -Some of the quarters were still standing, in spite of great chasms in -their tiled roofs. Into one of these, Tara led the way, explaining: - -"We call this 'Lucia's Bungalow,' for here on this window-frame is -carved--'Lucia' and a heart. See?" - -Yes, there it was, still distinctly legible, inscribed by a firm male -hand. - -"Her grave is in the cemetery," added the girl. "She was only twenty, I -put flowers on it every Sunday, and many on others too--but they seem -_all_ asking me to care for them--poor forgotten people!" - -"Now let us go on to the barracks," urged Tom, the ever-restless, -leading the way from Lucia's Bungalow. "The General joined the regiment -there seventy-seven years ago. They say that Government was going to -pull the place down, only it would cost too much money, and they have -no use for the stone,--there being no railway." - -"Can you believe that this was once full of soldiers?" enquired Tara, -as they entered and gazed upon a vast open square. The building was -more of a fortress than barracks, having been erected in the days -when the country was overrun by Mysorians and Mahrattas. The outer -walls were pierced for guns, the windows and verandahs faced inwards -to the parade-ground--now overgrown with jungle, and coarse yellow -grass, where grazed a couple of lethargic buffaloes. Part of the -men's quarters were hopelessly dilapidated, but other portions still -exhibited time-defying teak stairs, heavy teakwood doors, and solid -chunam pillars. - -"It's pretty safe, shall we go up?" suggested Tom, and he led the -way along its echoing upper verandahs--from whence they peered into -forlorn, bat-haunted barrack-rooms--still exhibiting the marks of where -punkahs had once hung. Down below in the square, there was now no sound -of voices, tramping feet, or bugle calls, nothing but a steady "crop, -crop" of the buffaloes, and from the distant city the faint complacent -throbbing of a tom-tom. - -Tom and Tara were engaged in a prolonged altercation on the subject -of "manners," the two were frequently at loggerheads,--though they -never actually quarrelled--she accused him of rudely pushing up the -stairs before her, whilst he apostrophised her as "a silly ass." -Meanwhile, Mallender stood somewhat apart, gazing through a broken -aperture, over the sun-steeped outlook, with its rose-tinted plains, -and shadowy blue horizon. As he gazed, he began faintly to realise the -fascination of this old mysterious land, with its subtle appeal, that -baffles all attempts at description. His thoughts instinctively turned -to the General's tales of camps, and combats, marches and victories; -to "old-forgotten, far-off things, and battles long ago"; through the -evening's golden haze his mind's eye seemed to behold the approach -of an imposing train of war elephants, careering horsemen, streaming -standards, and ponderous guns. The vision was abruptly dispelled by a -vigorous thump on the back. - -"I say! You seem to be moonstruck or something," exclaimed Tom. "If we -are to play tennis, we must look sharp. It's past four o'clock, and the -Beaufort girls will be coming to fetch us with ropes and lanterns." - -"Oh, all right," agreed Mallender, "but, mind you, I'm an awful duffer -at tennis," and he followed Tara and her brother down the steep -resounding stairs. - -Tennis was played on two large kunker courts, not far from Beaufort's -quarters, and close by on an ancient bandstand were disposed chairs and -a table, with tea, lemonade and pegs, presided over by the General's -bearded butler. As anticipated, the explorers proved to be the last -arrivals, and found awaiting them two anxious Miss Beauforts, racquets -in hand; looking wonderfully sleek and smiling in spotless white frocks. - -Captain Beaufort was arrayed in a gaudy flannel suit, and a sailor hat -at least three sizes too small. Miss Lily presented with _empressement_ -a thin, dark youth wearing a red satin tie, and many gilt rings, as -Alonzo Perez; also a bluff police officer, whose name Mallender did not -catch, and as Miss Lily called him "Chorlie" every two minutes, he was -compelled to do the same! - -Tennis proved strenuous indeed. The new-comer was out of practice, and -he and Tara were easily disposed of by Blanche and "Chorlie." Humble -and defeated, Mallender withdrew to a seat on the bandstand, and -proceeded to watch a hard-fought contest between Tom and Lily, Perez -and Jessie. Jessie's service was as that of a strong and determined -man--her volleys were deadly, her activity tireless--apparently she was -made of wire and india-rubber,--a matchless lady champion! - -Presently Blanche approached, then she sat down, sidled nearer to the -onlooker, and began to question him, with her soft, see-saw voice, -and liquid, enraptured eyes. Almost before he was aware, Mallender -found himself promising to write in her album, to take her photograph, -and give one of his own in exchange. Alas, poor Blanche! being dark -herself, this reserved young man--who served so stupidly into the -net--only admires blue eyes and fair hair, so your innocent coquetry is -entirely wasted. - -When the dusk fell with its Eastern suddenness, the party went off to -play badminton by lamp-light in the old racket court, but Mallender, -with the excuse that he had letters to write, returned to the Dâk -Bungalow. Here he was received by the Maty with a soup-plate in his -hand, on which lay two letters. One was in a strange handwriting, the -other from Nancy Brander. He opened the latter first, and calling for a -candle, sat down to read it. - - "DEAR GEOFFREY," it began, - - "I do wonder where you are, and what you are doing? The other day I - met a Major and Mrs. Rochfort, and their lovely little girl; they - are all three devoted to you, and told me that you had stayed with - them recently,--of course in England. It seems rather late for them - to bring a child out here, and--though it was not my business, with - my usual audacity I offered Mrs. Rochfort my opinion gratis. Uncle - and Aunt are going strong; she often talks of you, and asks me for - your news. He never--this is so unlike the little man, who is not - naturally dour, or unforgiving; but, my dear twenty-first cousin, - I now understand that it is not so much 'the cutting of your own - throat,' as he calls it, that he objects to,--he has a far more - serious charge against you, which Fanny breathed to me only - yesterday. Our kindly Mrs. Fiske has informed him, that the passage - money for Ada Sim was paid by _you_, and as I write with one hand I - cover my blushes with the other, since I must add, that Mrs. F. - solemnly assured Uncle Fred, that you had your own very good - reasons for getting Miss Sim out of the country! Mrs. Fiske, ever - ready to impute base motives, had the story absolutely pat; she was - told it by Mrs. Wylie, whose husband came upon you in the shrubbery. - He said Miss Sim was crying like blazes, and had her arms wound - about your neck! He also overheard you arrange for another merry - meeting, and added, that he was in Cook's office when you paid for - the lady's passage. _That_ was like your generosity, and I believe - in it, and nothing else,--neither does Fan, but Fred is peculiarly - sensitive about a man's good name--especially when his name is - Mallender--and he always thought you a sort of Galahad, and in fact - most frightfully respectable. Now he has changed his mind. Hence - his silence. This really is a hateful story, and the telling of it - has afforded Mrs. Fiske some very delicious minutes. However, I had - the satisfaction of assuring her, that bar the generosity to an - unfortunate, homeless girl, the rest was lies,--and so she cuts me, - and has returned me a whole sheaf of my own visiting-cards! - - "Our latest fashionable intelligence is--let me prepare you for a - shock--the engagement of Lena Villars to Sir Billy. He is the envy - of all men in our upper world; she, of the women. He has given her - such diamonds! I fancy, all the same, that the Sea Lion will keep - the Syren in subjection, and chain her to a rock; at any rate, - round dances and men's Christian names are now barred. - - "No news of your Uncle, I presume? How I should like to put the - thumb-screw on Brown and Brown! Is it not maddening to feel that - they _know_! Tom sends his salaams. He believes your Uncle is - 'purdah' somewhere, and asks me to tell you that he is looking - forward to your paying us a long visit before you go home. You have - only to send a wire, and your room will be ready. We go down the - 15th, leaving Babs with Auntie,--for the present she will be her - only girl! I hope she won't betroth her to some eligible little - boy. By the way, I hear that _you_ are bespoke by Mota Rochfort! - Be sure and write to me soon, and tell me of _all_ your adventures. - - "Yours sincerely, - "NANCY BRANDER." - -Mallender turned over the letter, and looked at the date, it was a -month old. He read it through once more, with compressed lips, a -knitted brow, and somewhat embittered memories. - -What a meddling fool he was! always doing the wrong thing. He had -carried out his father's wishes, and come to most unholy grief. He had -tried to help a wretched girl, and had the worst construction put upon -his action. - -And Fred believed these lies! As for that cad Wylie, he would like to -wring his neck. After quite a long interval, he picked up and opened -letter Number 2, which was written in a weak uncertain hand, and -glanced at the signature, "Ever most gratefully yours, Ada Sim." - -By Jove, here was a coincidence! What had _she_ got to say for herself? -A slip of paper fell out,--a cheque, a cheque for one hundred pounds, -"payable to Captain Geoffrey Mallender"; a sum as unexpected as it was -welcome. This would take him nicely down country, and pay _his_ passage -to England! - - "CRAIG BIRNIE, - "INVERNESS-SHIRE, N.B. - - "DEAR CAPTAIN MALLENDER, - - "I have been very ill--or would have written to you long before. As - it is, this is my first attempt at writing letters for two months. - I have great pleasure in enclosing a cheque for £100, the money you - so generously lent me. - - "You may wonder how I came by it? I do think my ill-luck has turned - at last. I travelled home with a man who knew my bachelor Uncle--Mr. - Andrew Campbell--my mother's brother,--he and my father had a - quarrel, and never forgave one another--he was very rich, father - very poor and proud, and so it was never made up! My kind - fellow-passenger put in a good word for _me_, with the result that - I had an interview with Uncle Andrew in London, and after spending - two days together, he offered to adopt me as his daughter, and give - me a home. Immediately after this unexpected good fortune, and just - as I had arrived here, I had typhoid fever badly, and have been at - death's door, but am now out of danger, and sitting up. - - "My Uncle asks me to send you his most heartfelt thanks, and to say - that when next you cross the Border, he hopes to see you at Craig - Birnie, and can promise you the best of shooting. As for me, I - _never_ can thank you. That afternoon, when you found me in the - shrubbery, I had come to the end of _everything_. If you see Mrs. - Tallboys, and Mrs. Brander, please give them my love. They shall - hear from me shortly. I hope you will be able to read this pencil - scrawl. It has taken me two days to write. - - "Ever most gratefully yours, - ADA SIM." - -This letter, evidently written with effort, and by a feeble hand, was -as balm to Mallender's wounded feelings. So there _was_ some good in -the world after all! Acting on the impulse of the moment, he enclosed -the epistle in a sheet of paper marked "Private," thrust it into an -envelope which he addressed to Mrs. Brander. At any rate, he would -clear himself in her eyes--yes, and in Fanny's; and having handed his -exculpation over to Anthony, and told him to post it without fail, he -scribbled a note of apology to Mrs. Beamish, and dined at home, on -curried vegetables, and the contents of his dâk. - - - - - CHAPTER XXV - - -A vast crowd, assembled about the south verandah, astonished Mallender, -as he walked up to the General's quarters in order to fetch his horse. -On approaching nearer, he discovered that this gathering was not, as -he had feared, the scene of an accident, but a multitude of the blind, -halt, and lame, all waiting to be treated by the kind hands of Mrs. -Beamish. It proved to be an army composed of woeful cases; here a man -with elephantiasis,--his leg the size and shape of a pillar; there a -woman, with a child in her arms, a prey to ophthalmia, a sickening -spectacle; people suffering from fever, and ague, and even leprosy, -abounded. - -Invested in a mushroom topee, and loose white jacket, seated behind a -large table Mrs. Beamish reigned supreme; interviewing and prescribing -for her patients--one by one; whilst two sharp-looking servants -assisted her. Dozens and dozens of bottles of all sorts, and sizes, -from a soda-water to a scent bottle, were being promptly filled, -corked, and delivered. - -"This is my dispensary morning," she called out to Mallender, over the -heads of the crowd. "I have a certificate, and know something about the -dispensing of drugs." She beckoned him to come up the steps. "Look at -my clients--has any doctor in Harley Street such a practice?" - -"No, I am sure he has not," replied the young man, as his glance swept -over the crowd;--at the moment the eyes of all the patients were -centred on himself.--"What misery!" he exclaimed, "isn't it _too_ -awful?" - -"Misery? yes, and what patience! I do what I can, but it's not much," -and she gazed at her surroundings with a wistful expression. "Well now, -I cannot have you taking up my precious time, _you_ do not need to -consult me! The children, and the horses, are waiting for you by the -back verandah, don't let them break any of your bones. My hands, as you -see, are full, I do not want another job!" - -"Let us first of all take a turn round the race-course," said Tara, as -the trio pranced out of the compound--the lady riding a beautiful bay -Arab, Tom a sturdy New Zealand cob, and the guest a fine stud-bred from -Ossour. - -"Race-course!" he echoed, "I did not think there was one nearer than -Bangalore." - -"But there is," replied the girl, "and what is more, I will race you -from the stand to the red Sawmy stone; it is exactly one mile." - -"All right," he agreed, "it's a match!" - -"The General remembered the whereabouts," explained Tom, "and got the -course a bit cleared for us to exercise on--but it's little better than -the ordinary _maidan_, though it has no nullahs, and not many holes." - -"Sounds like good going!" rejoined Mallender, with a laugh, "You'll let -me know when we come to it, won't you?" - -This information was necessary, as the course was but vaguely indicated -by a few scattered white posts. - -"Here we are," suddenly announced Tara, "that big mound you see over -there, was once the grand stand--shall we make it the starting-post? -Tom, you can start us!" - -The trio trotted across the lumpy ground to the so-called "post," and -after a short delay Tom gave a shrill whistle, and the match commenced. -Sepoy, the stud-bred, was boisterously fresh; he bucked and did his -best to get his head down, but it was no use--on this occasion he had -a master on his back--and presently gave up the struggle, and settled -into his stride. He was fast, the blood of Orme was in his veins, and -he had the legs of the bounding bay Arab. As the riders galloped along, -the cool morning wind blowing past their ears sang a gay duet with the -thudding hoofs; and Mallender felt roused to real enjoyment. After all, -his wanderings had now and then _one_ bright moment,--a few gleams of -compensation, such as this! Finally the brown won with ridiculous ease, -passing the post ten lengths ahead of Rustum. - -"Oh, dear, so you've beaten us!" and Rustum's rider, looking rather -crestfallen, her linen habit spattered with foam, joined Mallender. -"_I_ have always beaten Tom!" she gasped out breathlessly. - -"Yes," added Tom, storming up on the excited cob, "but I'm a couple of -stone heavier than Mallender for one thing, and the brown plays cup and -ball--and goes as he likes, with _me_!" - -"Captain Mallender rides as well as Archie," admitted Tara, with a -bright blush. - -"Archie," echoed her brother, "is not in the same field--don't hit me, -Tar! but," turning to Mallender, "I expect you have been used to horses -all your life?" - -"Yes; and I've hunted, and played a good deal of polo." - -"And ridden races, I'll bet?" - -"Only regimental," was the modest reply. - -"Poor Tar, what a chance _you_ had!" jeered her brother. "Now let us -get away into the open country." - -"Then you don't call this open?" questioned the stranger. - -"Oh, no, wait till you see the real plains." - -In a short time the trio were cantering over the coarse hard grass, -through scrubby jungle, past great red boulders, across sandy -river-beds, and dry water-courses, occasionally avoiding a yawning -nullah, that looked as if it opened into the very bowels of the earth. -Once, on a flat rock, they descried a large bright green snake coiled -up asleep. Once, they skirted a shrine, where a worshipper had just -sacrificed a kid to "Kali." Tara it was who led the way, skimming -along, on her light-footed Arab, riding with a certain wild grace, but -it was not the same horsewomanship as exhibited by Barbie Miller--that -was a masterful, and finished performance! - -Walking and talking, cantering and galloping, the little party covered -about twelve miles, and then in the golden morning turned their faces -homewards, Mallender carrying with him the impression of wide yellowish -plains with purple shadows, scattered rocks and jungle, one or two -deserted temples, and a melancholy sense of space and desolation. - -"This is the wild side," explained Tara, "at the other, they grow -crops; heaps of cotton, ragi, cholum and oil seed, and send it down -country. This evening we will introduce you to the great bazaar, a -native town--and you will see what rich neighbours we have." - -The only bazaar that Mallender had yet explored, was the Gorah Bazaar, -in Madras; this, at Wellunga, was entirely different. In the first -place, although it was teeming with human life, there was not a single -European to be seen, nor even a Eurasian,--all were natives of the -country. Truly here was "India for the Indians!" The stalls displayed -no Western requirements; but grain, condiments, strange sweets, -coloured cottons, and muslins, piles of silk of local manufacture in -vermilion, orange, indigo, pink and green; also turbans, and tinselled -caps of all colours. Here, were working jewellers with their little -braziers; huka makers, weavers of spells, and public letter writers. -The long narrow streets reeked with the intangible but familiar bazaar -odour (a mixture of oil, grain, aromatic spices, and raw cotton). -Crowds were chaffing, gossiping, or strolling along. Here and there, a -tall, bold-looking woman covered with jewellery, and painted with khol, -passed with a defiant glare; gaily caparisoned horses with jewelled -girths, and head-bands--their manes and tails dyed rose colour, were -led snorting by, disturbing the little sacred bulls, who were poking -wet black noses into the open gram baskets. - -"Those are Raka's stud!" explained Tom, "he likes to show them off. -They are bitted up, poor brutes, till their necks are nearly broken. -No wonder they are vicious! I hear he is getting two motor-cars from -Madras." - -"In that case," declared Tara, "his rival will send for four. Rakar and -he are outward friends, and deadly enemies; both are grain merchants, -money-lenders, and enormously rich. Here is Rakar now!" as an obviously -important individual appeared, riding a prancing horse--held with -evident difficulty by two men,--a gigantic white Khatiawari, his mane -and tail a glowing pink, a band of gold and stones flashed above his -furious eyes; his nostrils were scarlet, figuratively they breathed -fire and slaughter, and the great animal appeared ready to break loose, -and rend the whole bazaar! - -Rakar, a keen-looking man of forty, salaamed with both hands as he -passed by on his demonstrative charger. - -"In old days, he would have had to get off his horse, when he met -_us_," said Tara, as she scanned him with haughty eyes. - -"I think he feels safer where he is; the horse would probably eat him," -rejoined Mallender. He was secretly uncomfortable, and anxious to get -Miss Beamish out of this highly-spiced, staring crowd,--but he had no -occasion for misgiving and uneasiness. The General and all his house -were held in high favour, and respect, in the native city. - -"I think it is time for me to pay my evening visit to your father," he -remarked at last. - -"So it is," agreed Tom, "I saw the parents drive home a good while ago; -all right, let us get a move on." For this manœuvre, Tom was always -prepared. - -"So I hear you've done the bazaar," said the old man, to Mallender, as -he entered. "What do you think of it?" - -"Well, sir, it gives me an idea of what India is--without _us_. It -might still be 1700, for all the signs of advancement--I saw people -wearing horn spectacles, writing with wood, and buying spells! But I -hear that Rakar, the rich merchant, is getting motors,--the roads are -capital, I wonder you never thought of one, you can travel over a good -bit of country, and without fatigue." - -"I declare it's strange, that it never occurred to me! but begad, yes, -I'll have one! it will be a change from our three miles out, three -miles in. Why, man, I'll get down to Seringapatam, Mysore, Bangalore! -How can I buy a car, a good one?" - -"In Madras. If I go down, I can choose it for you." - -"So you can, but you are not gone yet. Tell me your plans, my boy. Have -you made them?--and how are you off for money?" - -"All right, thank you." - -"Now, that is nonsense," he answered, querulously. "I know your Uncle -cut your income, and the house swallowed your capital. How will you -live?--you must let the old man give you a hand." - -"I'll let the place, and get some interest that way; the shooting is -poor, but it's a fine old house and park, and might bring in a few -hundreds a year, so I shan't starve, but I hate having nothing to do. -I'll try and get into the Territorials, or some other billet." - -"Yes, and then I suppose you'll marry! Well, take my advice, young man, -benefit by _my_ experience--and look well before you leap!" - - * * * * * - -The morning rides were sometimes postponed till afternoon,--especially -now that there was a beautiful moon, and one day Tara said: - -"This evening, you must come to the haunted battlefield, Captain -Mallender,--then you will hear something that will surprise you." - -"Oh, I often hear things that surprise me; no later than this morning -at tennis, Miss Blanche told me, that she was in 'a state of nature!'" - -"Poor girl! you must not laugh at her. They have had a scanty -education, but are wonderfully adaptable and quick at picking up -things. When--when," colouring faintly, "I live in the Hills, I shall -ask them on a visit; even a little station will be gay to them." - -"Lily will not leave home," declared Tom, "she could not tear herself -away from Perez. That will be a match, you will see." - -"Never mind Lily, but do look at the sunset," urged Tara; the little -party had made their way westward, and were approaching the scene -of more than one desperate struggle and conflict. As her companions -raised their eyes, they found themselves contemplating a transcendent -scene--extraordinary even in that land of sunsets: soft roseate clouds -set jewel-wise in an ocean of dazzling gold. - -A jealous full moon was stealthily creeping up, and an evening breeze -that accompanied her gently swayed the long coarse grass and cotton -plants. Presently and almost abruptly, the dying sun turned from a -beauteous rose to a vivid and tragic red,--the shade of blood and -death!--it filled the plains and pools of water with its sinister and -terrible reflection, and the soft evening zephyr, struck suddenly chill. - -"Here is the place, stand still, my steed!" quoted the girl. "I know -it by the block, that looks like a pillar and is covered with figures. -They say it's an 'Asoka' stone, and very old. It is just about here, on -this sandy stretch, that you can hear them." - -"Hear what? Scorpions or snakes?" asked Mallender in a chaffing way. - -Tara ignored his question with an air of affronted dignity. -Occasionally she could assume an amazingly proud, exclusive air,--and -turning to her brother, said: - -"Tom, if you will hold the horses, Captain Mallender can come with -me. Please to follow," commanded the young lady, as soon as she had -alighted. "You may hear nothing, as you are so unbelieving, but again, -you may hear something that you will never forget." - -After they had walked about a hundred yards, she turned abruptly to -face her companion, and said: - -"Now, you must take off your cap and kneel down here and listen." -As she spoke, she sank bareheaded on the sand, and without a word, -Mallender meekly followed her example. - -What an extraordinary girl! Was she playing him a trick? Tara was given -to mild practical jokes, but it was going rather too far; to bring him -fifteen miles, and plant him on his knees in the middle of an empty -plain. For some time there was no sound, beyond the impatient stamping -of the horses and jingling of their bits, and at the end of ten minutes -Mallender ventured a protest. - -"I say, Miss Tara, is not this getting a bit monotonous? I expect they -have another engagement." - -"Hush! Hush!" she answered authoritatively. "Don't speak! -Wait!--They--are coming." - -Mallender was inclined to whistle, "The Campbells are coming," but -was afraid of the young lady's displeasure. Her occasional air of -aloofness and command impressed and surprised, though it entirely -failed to crush him. - -What an awful ass he must look! Why was not Tom roaring with laughter? -As he bent his head nearer to the ground, a noxious carrion bird swept -so obtrusively close to him that he started involuntarily, and was -sensible of an extraordinary sensation of sickening repulsion. What was -that? A bugle-call! Yes, he heard it distinctly; from the far distance -came another, immediately followed by a brisk roll of drums, then drums -and fifes--accompanied by the tramp and thunder of an approaching host. -The ground seemed to tremble and vibrate under the tread of a large -body of troops who were rapidly advancing,--and yet, amazing sensation, -these troops were nowhere to be seen. - -Mallender stared about in stupefied bewilderment; not a soldier -was visible, merely the empty moon-flooded plains, that appeared -to be suddenly bereft of all warmth and life--and although there -was not a breath of wind, the long grass and cotton plants, were -shivering.--_Why?_ As gradually as they approached, so gradually did -the sound of tramping feet become fainter, yet fainter, and finally -died away; one far-distant bugle-call sounded a piercing, lingering, -almost agonized challenge--then followed complete, absolute, and -ghastly silence. - -Geoffrey Mallender was sensible of being unaccountably chilled and -overawed; he felt as if he had suddenly stirred the springs of some -obscure dread--had been brought to the edge of another sphere! Possibly -the experience would pass, would soon be explained, derided, and -forgotten; but for a moment this glimpse of the unknown had made his -heart beat unusually fast, and his dark hair to lie in damp rings upon -his clammy forehead. As he rose hastily to his feet and looked at his -companion, Tara's hands dropped from her face, her great grey eyes -were fixed upon him with an expression of awe, as they confronted one -another in the mystic brilliancy of moonlight. At last she said: - -"Now you know what I mean by _them_." - -"I do indeed," he replied with undeniable sincerity. "The most -extraordinary experience; a British column on the march! Did you hear -the drums and fifes?" - -"Yes, of course, and always at the time you think the tune is -familiar--and yet never, never,--try as you will, can you recall it." - -"But what does it all mean?" - -"Who knows? Some say, a body of troops passed here to their death, -others, that that is folly, and the sounds have a natural explanation; -something to do with the air and echoes and refraction. All I can tell -you for certain is, that if you come here when the moon is at the third -quarter, and only then, between sunset and eight o'clock, you can hear -the troops go by. Tom has heard them, so have Mr. Strong and Perez, and -I, and now you! Never Jessie, or the Beauforts, because they cannot -ride at all--much less fifteen miles." - -"And you think----?" - -"That it is a part of Lord Cornwallis's old army, who were led into an -ambush, and butchered; what do you say?" - -"I will let Shakespeare answer, 'There are more things in earth and -heaven, than are dreamt of in our philosophy.'" - -"At any rate, you will allow that it is neither scorpions or snakes, -but something uncanny." - -"I allow that," said Mallender with emphasis. "I will even admit I felt -thoroughly scared. That last bugle-call made me shake all over!" - -"So you heard them?" enquired Tom, as they joined him. - -"Yes, and it's the most weird hearing, bar none, I've ever experienced!" - -"No doubt there are mysterious happenings in this blessed old country. -Things no one can explain; black magic and spells, and devil worship. -Well, while you two have been listening to the march of ghostly -soldiers, I've had a high old time with these three brutes. Now we must -be getting home. I'm starving, and we have a good fifteen miles between -us and supper." As he concluded, Tom turned about, and put his cob into -a sharp canter. - - - - - CHAPTER XXVI - - -The dâk had been duly laid with six good horses, and Mallender's -departure definitely fixed for the morrow. To celebrate his last ride -at Wellunga, the little party had ridden unusually far afield,--indeed -so far that on a certain eminence Tara pointed out to him a faint grey -line on the horizon which she believed to be Seringapatam! But the -young lady was mistaken. Through the golden haze of distance, the eyes -of her imagination had merely descried a city in the air! It was late -as the riders approached Wellunga, the sun was hot, and the animals -were pretty well done, when within a couple of hundred yards of the -General's bungalow, they heard frenzied yells from the direction of the -bazaar, and coming from the same quarter, beheld a rolling cloud of -yellow dust. As the dust gradually dispersed, there emerged from its -shelter no less a sight than the processional horse--and man eater! -He was loose, and rapidly approaching with streaming pink mane and -tail. At first, he seemed only affected by the delight and abandonment -of utter freedom, as he galloped headlong, kicking, squealing, and -uttering a shrill equine war cry! but soon he descried the three -horses, and Rustum, being of high degree, flung back a defiant -challenge. In a second, the Khatiawari was chasing him open-mouthed, -and Tara, frantically lashing her Arab, turned to fly; but Rustum was -tired, the pursuer fresh, and full of pride and gram. Screaming and -open-mouthed, he drove his prey right on to the brink of a deep nullah. -Here he intended to overtake and destroy him,--for the Khatiawari came -of an old native stock, who were bred and trained to kill, in the -hideous horse-fights, so popular with the Rajahs of a bygone time. - -Mallender instantly grasped the situation! There was not half a second -to be lost; he wheeled about, drove his spurs into the brown, and with -the intention of "riding him off," dashed between the monster and his -victim. - -The great white charger came thundering on, like some overwhelming, -relentless force, and flung himself furiously with all his weight -upon the intervener; there was a second's scrambling and scuffling, a -crash of loose stones, and the next moment, the man and two horses had -vanished,--been swallowed up by the yawning chasm. - -The shrieks of the brutes were weird and blood-curdling, a mixture -of rage, hate and agony. Meanwhile a howling, excited mob had come -swarming out of the native town, and gathered round the scene; but -no one appeared to be capable of doing anything beyond shout. Tara -had dismounted, so had Tom! His face pale as death--of a dull shining -whiteness; he looked dazed, and miserably uncertain what to do. As for -Mrs. Beamish, the mainspring of the household, she sat in the verandah, -facing the scene, with her apron over her head, her fingers in her ears -endeavouring to deaden those ghastly sounds from the nullah; and truly, -these were enough to freeze the marrow of the bones. - -At this moment, an unexpected figure in every sense rose to the -occasion. The old General, who for a long time had been unable to move -unassisted, suddenly walked out into the compound, waving a stick--his -scarlet dressing-gown fluttering behind him. To the spectators, it -was almost as if the dead had returned to life!--This aged tottering -veteran had suddenly cast off the weight of years, and once more taken -the field. The sight was as startling to the crowd as the recent, and -still hideously audible, horror. A ghost among living men, Richard -Beamish stood perfectly erect, his old eyes flamed, his old voice -shouted orders, he was as one inspired with a great spirit,--surely a -miracle was wrought before their eyes! - -In obedience to his orders, a peon ran to Tom with a loaded revolver, a -number of men fetched well-ropes, a doolie was sent for, the apothecary -summoned; all was done promptly, and by word of command. Presently Tom -was lowered by ropes into the nullah, where he shot the Khatiawari -through the brain;--the brown stud-bred was dead already. Next came -the delicate and difficult task of extricating Mallender, and bringing -him to the surface. Once there, and now that the screaming horses were -no more, Mrs. Beamish became her normal self; a firm, well-trained, -certificated nurse, and a messenger on the fastest horse in Wellunga -was despatched to summon a doctor from a station fifty miles away. When -the doolie was carried into the bungalow, bearing a still breathing -man, the guiding spirit vanished; it was as if a bright flame had burst -out, shone for a short time, flickered down, and expired. - -The General was assisted to his chair, and once more relapsed into a -huddled heap, a feeble old creature, who looked as if his backbone was -shrunken and withered, shaking all over, from the reaction of an almost -super-natural exertion. - -His eyes fell on Tara,--white, stricken, and trembling. - -"The child, thank God, is spared," and he lifted up his bony hands, -"but the young fellow who saved her?" - -"He is not dead, Richard," said his wife. "I have good hopes, and a -surgeon will be here to-morrow. You have done wonders, and exhausted -yourself; you must let Jessie and the _chokra_ put you to bed, and I -will give you a sedative." - -"Bed--bed!" he muttered peevishly. "Bed at ten o'clock! Well, begad, -it's all I'm fit for _now_!" - -Mrs. Beamish devoted the whole of her time and attention to the injured -man, and summoned Tara to assist her with sponges and bandages; but -when the girl saw the ghastly death-like face, and the stream of -blood that pattered on to the matting, she fainted away, and the -breathless "dresser," who had just appeared, succeeded to her post. In -a miraculously short time the doctor arrived in a motor--the first that -had ever penetrated into those parts--and after a careful examination -of the patient, expressed his opinion that Mrs. Beamish and her -assistant had done all that was immediately needful; the twisted ankle, -the fractured arm, and the bites, might not have serious developments. - -"The injury to the head is what I fear; it's in a dangerous place, and -we may have inflammation, and suppuration," and he nodded gravely; -"however, we will hope for the best. He looks a fine, healthy young -fellow--all muscle. What's his name?" - -"Mallender--Captain Mallender." - -"What, the polo player?" - -"I don't know; he rides splendidly, they say." - -"He won't have a stick in his hand for many a day--if ever. I had -better prepare you, and tell you that this crack in the back of his -head may have an effect on the brain. He has had an uncommonly narrow -squeak. Go on with the remedies, and I'll come again in two days." Then -in another voice, he added, "I say, Mrs. Beamish, what a rum place you -live in! My chauffeur had never heard of it, no more had I!" - -"Yes, but it suits the old General--he prefers to be out of the world." - -"Ah--'the world forgetting, by the world forgot!'" - -"Oh, yes, we don't bother about society. Now, you must come and have -some tiffin," added Mrs. Beamish hospitably. "It's all ready. I'm sorry -you won't see my husband,--he is asleep." - -"A great age, I understand." - -"Yes, ninety-five next birthday." - -"Well, ma'am, that speaks volumes for our much-abused Indian climate, -doesn't it?" - -"That is true, but then the General has a fine constitution, and a good -conscience," declared his wife, with dignified complacency. - -Thanks to the skilled nursing of Mrs. Beamish and Anthony's faithful -attendance, Mallender, by slow degrees, crept back to this world--men -in the prime and vigour of their youth do not die easily.--At first, -his memory appeared to be a mere glimmering of things half seen, he -took no interest in life, and was curiously lethargic. - -When the doctor paid a final visit, he said to Mrs. Beamish: - -"The young fellow is not fit to go to England; his head would never -stand the journey. Try and rouse him, keep him interested and amused, -then get him by easy stages to some place in the Hills. In a couple of -months, he may be all right." - -"We can move him up to my coffee estate," suggested Tom. "It's an easy -road, and only a hundred miles from this; bearers and a doolie will do -it in twenty-four hours." - -"The very thing!" agreed the doctor, "but don't leave him alone; try -and make him talk, talk to him,--and _rouse_ him." - -This was by no means a simple prescription! Nothing seemed to rouse the -invalid; not dogs, or picture papers, or even the prolonged visits of -the good-natured Beaufort girls, who deafened the sufferer with their -chatter, and loaded him with flowers and sympathy; but one day, after -Tara had quitted the room, he said suddenly: - -"Why is she so unlike--the others?" - -"Bless me! That's a funny question," exclaimed Mrs. Beamish, laying -down her sewing and surveying him critically. - -"No," raising himself on his elbow. "Quite--quite--quite--what's the -word? She is different from--all of you--why?" - -Mrs. Beamish reflected for a moment, as she carefully threaded her -needle; her patient exhibited interest for the first time, should she -tell him something that would possibly startle and stir his stagnant -mind?--or not? - -"Well, then you shall hear," she answered, after a long pause. "But -it's a secret, and I know you can keep one." - -He nodded indifferently, with closed eyes. - -"Will you be surprised when I tell you that Tara is not our daughter?" - -"No," slowly opening his eyes, "more surprised if she _was_!" - -"She is no more related to us than you are, and that's the solemn -truth!" - -"But how--why? Where did she come from?" - -Mrs. Beamish made a hasty sign with her hand. - -"Now I'm going to tell you, what's only known to three people; if it -came to Tara's ears she'd break her heart, she is so proud--so awfully -proud. The Beamish's are a very good old family, and she sets great -store by that." - -"Go on, please," he urged with unexpected animation. - -Mrs. Beamish rose and went over and carefully shut a lofty double door, -then looked out into the verandah, finally sat down satisfied,--and -began. - -"It's over nineteen years and more, since the General being uncommonly -hale and busy, I took a holiday to see my sister Susan, who was in bad -health at Bangalore. Her husband was a missionary; they lived a bit out -of the way, up towards the Arab lines, where rents were cheap. Well, -I was nursing her through a bad go of fever, and one evening I heard -a carriage rumble under the porch. I thought it might be someone for -James; for he was a good kind man, and well known.--People often coming -to him about charity, or to consult him when in trouble; so I thought -nothing whatever of it, till I saw the ayah walking into the room -with a very young baby in her arms! She was a queer flighty sort of -creature, but honest and kind-hearted. She told me that a _gharry_ with -two horses had driven up, and the boy being busy in the cook-house she -went out. There was only one person in the carriage, a stern-looking -lady with diamonds in her ears, greyish hair, and proud eyes. She had -an infant on her lap. - -"'I want to leave this little baby with Mrs. Haines for a day or two,' -she said, 'as we have sickness in the house,' and with that she handed -out the child, and its bottle, and a parcel of clothes. As soon as the -ayah had it in her arms, the lady called out to the 'garriwan,' who -drove away at a terrible pace. The night was pitch dark, but the ayah -thought that they went towards Trinity Road. - -"Well, from that day to this, no one ever called for the baby. We did -all we could to trace her belongings, but it was just as if the whole -thing had been a _dream_. Susan, my sister, did not like to send the -poor child down to the Home in Madras, she was so sweetly pretty, and -evidently came of gentle folk; though her clothes were not very grand, -a fine diamond ring was tied up among them, and three hundred rupees in -notes." - -Mrs. Beamish paused for a moment; she noticed that her companion's -attention was captured at last. - -"I wrote to the General, and asked him what I was to do? Susan's -health was poor, and James Haines did not take to a young infant; I -must confess she cried a lot, and he had terribly broken nights; so -Richard said, 'Bring her along, and pass her off as ours. Up here, no -one will know, and another in the family makes no difference.' She -was christened Tara, after a girl in a book that the General thought -a lot of. He was for calling her Dora, after his first wife, but when -he came to look into it, he said his wife Dora might not like to have -him thinking of another Dora, and the poor baby a _nobody_--but we -look on her, and love her, as our own--indeed, if the old man _has_ a -favourite, it's Tar!" - -"So Tom and Jessie are not in the secret?" - -"No one is in it out here but the General and myself, for Susan and -James are dead; but some day I must tell Archie Murray." - -"I never heard of anything so strange! I wonder if her people will ever -trace and claim her?" - -"Not likely; but if they did, we would not give her up--unless she -wished it. I believe Tara comes of high folk, however low their morals -were," added Mrs. Beamish. "Just you look at her hand and foot, and the -turn of her neck; and she has a sort of mocking imperious way at times, -is a great stickler for manners, and always a wish to be _first_. The -girl wants a strong hand, and Archie Murray has that. Tara has a warm -loving heart, a great courage, and is extraordinarily generous. She'd -give you her last morsel, but she expects a high place and a lot of -ceremony." - -"Well, now," folding up her work, "I've left you something new to think -of, haven't I? and I must go and see if my old man has taken his soup." - -Mrs. Beamish had indeed given her patient something to reflect on; and -so the beautiful, imperious, indulged Tara was a nameless foundling; -rescued and brought up by this good, charitable woman, as her very own! - - * * * * * - -When the invalid was sufficiently recovered to creep about with a -stick, and his arm in a sling, he often sat in the west verandah beside -the General, whose sunken wistful eyes untiringly surveyed his beloved -India and who liked to have Mallender near him,--although they rarely -spoke. One was living in the past, the other's mind,--still somewhat -blurred,--was anxiously scanning the future. At last even Mrs. Beamish -admitted that Mallender was strong enough to adventure a journey, and -it had come as on a previous occasion, to his last day. - -Sitting beside the old man, he was astonished to hear him ask Tom -to take down his sword, and bring it to him;--it was of an obsolete -pattern with a hacked and dented brass scabbard, and its former wearer -gazed at it, with a face drawn with emotion, then he said: - -"My father gave me this in the year of our Lord, Eighteen hundred -and thirty-five. I was a lad then; it has seen its share of service, -and never, I thank God, been disgraced. I value it, next to my -family here, more than anything in the wide world." Reaching feebly -forward, and laying it across the invalid's knees, he said, "See here, -Mallender, I give it to _you_." - -"To me, sir!" he exclaimed, in astonishment. "Oh, no--no. The sword -must remain in the family as an heirloom, it should belong to Tom. You -offer me a great honour, but----" - -"But Tom is not a soldier," interrupted the General impatiently, -"and he wishes it to go to you. Many and many a mile has that sword -travelled, and clanked and jingled beside me," and the old man's head -fell on his breast. "I'd like to know that at last, it will return to -England,--and you will hang it up in your home, and now and then look -at it, and think of the old, old soldier who wore it in India for fifty -years." Suddenly his voice broke, and the hero of Lucknow, Aliwal, -Gwalior and Jhansi, wept. - - * * * * * - -Even outlandish Wellunga boasted its own correspondent; a certain -scribbling baboo, had a brother in the newspaper office of a little rag -in Madras, and now and then at long intervals supplied him with a par. -or two of fashionable intelligence. - -About five weeks after Mallender had reached Tom Beamish's coffee -estate, the following appeared in the said little rag. - - "Fearful panic occurred here lately on the occasion of a most - alarming affair. A terrible man-eating horse, value Rs. 2000, the - property of our honourable Mr. Rakar, broke loose, and all was - terror and screams; he chased the Arab ridden by our beautiful Miss - Beamish, and would have torn them limb from limb, but a young - mister rode between, and accepted the rage of the wild beast, who - knocked him and horse into a pitch dark nullah, and there devoured - them. The young man saved the lady's life, and was taken up - dead,--but breathing. His name is G. Mallender, and it is said, - that he comes from England." - - - - - CHAPTER XXVII - - -The Bonagherry estate, to which Mallender was transported, stood at the -head of a slope, overlooking an open park-like distance; immediately -round the long low house was a garden full of English flowers, roses, -mignonette, violets,--subsequently extending into mere vegetables, such -as lettuce, artichokes and tomatoes; further back, were the stables, -drying grounds, coolie lines, and the premises were invested on all -sides by coffee. It was October; a busy time for planters, and almost -wherever the eye rested were dark brown coolies picking the crop. -Mallender, luxuriously reclining in a long chair in the verandah, -enjoyed the animated scene, and abandoned himself to his environment; a -cool sea breeze coming over the Western Ghauts, the perfume of familiar -flowers seemed to whisper of renewed vitality and the joy of living. - -He had now been a week at Bonagherry, and felt better, and could creep -up and down the verandah with the aid of a stick. - -The injury to his head occasionally clouded his brain,--and at times -he suffered agony; but things were coming back by degrees, and though -his mind sometimes dwelt on home, and his prospective voyage, he seemed -to have no bodily or mental energy. He was content to sit in the sun, -imbibing thin, delicious air, waited on by his kind, sympathetic -friends, Jessie and Tom, as well as the invaluable Anthony. - -Tom was engaged all day, from the time the "ginty" or horn sounded to -summon the coolies, till long after sundown, when he would come into -the verandah, and cast his weary frame into a chair, and tell the -invalid of his doings. - -"It will be a good crop," he answered, in reply to Mallender's -questions, "the picking goes well, but coffee isn't what it was--worth -a hundred pounds a ton. Now we are lucky if we get fifty--Brazil is -ruining us, and we have ninety miles' carting to do, before we get the -rail. Of course I have the old man at my back, but I must say I like to -make; and anyhow it's a free life." - -"All work, and no play?" suggested his guest. - -"No, not always; there's still some shooting, and lots of good fellows -within a ride. We generally have tennis on Sunday." - -"No parson?" - -"Lord love you, no! Our little cemetery is not even consecrated; -however, people don't die up here, the climate holds them. As soon as -you are fit, I'll take you round the neighbours. My nearest is a woman." - -"A woman! What's she doing on a coffee estate?" - -"Running a big plantation for all it's worth,--and working like a -Trojan. I'm her adviser. Her husband, Major Bourne, died four years -ago, a good, unpractical, easy-going Army man, and left her with a -heavily-mortgaged property, two boys, and not a penny." - -"By Jove!" - -"Well, she faced the situation, sold off her jewellery, piano, and -ponies, and started to make the place pay. She bought cows, and -supplies good butter, she set up a bakery, and makes bread and cakes; -knits socks, and sells them, and has lots of custom. I never saw a more -determined or hard-working creature. Now the boys are at school; some -mortgages are paid off; she has engaged a lady-help, and is going ahead -like steam. It was rather expected she'd marry again, but she's not -that sort--her mind is dead set on Harvey and Jim." - -A week later, on a Sunday afternoon, Tom drove his friend over to -Kartairi to call on Mrs. Bourne, who being a popular and influential -lady, received the whole countryside on that day. The verandah was -crowded with visitors; nearly all planters, and nearly all talking -shop or sport,--whilst the hostess dispensed tea, and her celebrated -hot cakes. Most of the assembled company looked forward to "Mrs. B.'s -Sundays." Here they met their fellows and had tennis; here they were -sure of a warm welcome, of sympathy, or a little doctoring, or even a -little advice, if required. To many an exile, Kartairi represented a -sort of local home. - -Mallender was duly presented to Mrs. Bourne; a lady of forty with a -slim figure, a pair of very bright brown eyes, and a firm chin. She -wore a well-fitting white lace blouse, a black skirt, and an air of -inexhaustible energy and will power. - -The hostess was inclined, as it is expressed, to "make a fuss," with -the invalid; to get an arm-chair, and cushions, and place him near -herself; but the guest declined her good offices rather brusquely, -and backed away into the outer circle of the company,--where amid -inquisitive glances he found a seat, and a retreat. - -"Best leave him alone," growled Tom, "he is all abroad still, and -hates talking," and with a regretful glance at the distant figure so -conspicuously aloof, she nodded in assent. - -Mallender's head ached with sharp stabbing pains, the recent jolting in -the bamboo cart was no doubt the cause of this; he felt ill and slack, -and all this coffee-planter talk bored him to death. As he sat morosely -apart--thinking that it would be better he were dead than a helpless -log, and a burden to himself and his friends, someone came through a -door beside him, carrying two plates piled with cake; he looked up, and -was surprised to recognise Barbie Miller! Such a smiling Barbie, with a -brilliant complexion and happy eyes. - -She passed on her errand, and presently in answer to a whisper from -Mrs. Bourne, approached Mallender with a cup of tea. He was so -shockingly altered, that she could hardly believe that this was the -same gay and good-looking young officer whom she had known six months -previously. - -His head had been shaven, his face was drawn and colourless, his once -merry eyes looked lustreless; they had a strained expression, and were -sunken in deep hollows. As she put out her hand, he gazed at her -listlessly. - -"How do you do, Captain Mallender, I hope you remember me?" - -"Er--yes--I think so," he answered uncertainly, "in--in Madras, was it? -You rode the chestnut polo pony"; he made no attempt to take her hand, -nevertheless she drew up a chair, and sat down beside him. - -"Where is he?" he asked, after a silence, during which, as she surveyed -him, the girl told herself that Death on the pale horse was swiftly -approaching her companion! poor, poor fellow! and her eyes suddenly -filled with unexpected tears. - -"Where is he?" he persisted. "What have you done with him--the old -buffer with the fat neck?" - -"I don't know who you are talking about," she answered, softly. "If it -is my father, he died--he----" - -"No, no," he interrupted, peevishly, "I mean the other--the one you -married?" - -"But I'm not married," she answered, colouring. - -"So I see you and Miss Miller are old friends," said Tom, now joining -the little party, and drawing up a chair. - -"Oh, I don't know about--_friends_," rejoined Mallender, with rude -significance. "I say, old chap, can you get me out of this? I can't -stand all this jabbering and jaw!" and totally ignoring the existence -of Barbie, he rose unsteadily to his feet, and stumbled down the steps. - -"Don't mind him, his head is all wrong still," whispered Tom, "come -over as soon as you can, and help us to cheer him a bit. Jessie has -been expecting you every day." - -"Yes, I know, but it's been such a heavy week with the butter, sixty -pounds," throwing out her pretty hands. "I'll come the first spare -hour. Hurry, hurry--don't let him drive!" indicating Mallender, who -was already in the tum-tum, and had taken up the reins; and Tom justly -alarmed instantly dashed out of the verandah and scrambled headlong -into the cart. - -Three days later, Mrs. Bourne and her lady-help rode over to -Bonagherry, and found Jessie and the invalid on the verandah. He looked -better, and actually went down to assist the ladies from their ponies. -Subsequently he made himself useful at the tea-table in handing cups -and cakes. Apparently he had recovered his poise, and his manners! - -After tea, Jessie took Mrs. Bourne away to consult with her about a -sick calf, and Mallender and Barbie were left alone. - -"I'm sure I owe you an apology, Miss Miller," he suddenly began. "I've -a sort of blurred idea, that I was extraordinarily rude to you on -Sunday. You see, I have had a knock on the head--like what you had the -time the old Nizam came down with you, and at times I am a bit foggy." - -"I quite understand. Don't think of it, please!" - -"But I must. I've thought of it a good deal; on Sunday the drive upset -my blessed head, and I hardly knew where I was, or what I was doing." - -"Then is the pain so bad?" - -"Awful, sometimes; but don't let on to the Beamishes." - -"Why not? Oh, I believe I can guess. I've heard how you saved Tara from -a terrible death." - -"No, not death, you see _I_ am still here,--and of course it had to be -one of us. Tara is so young and pretty, and all her people so fond of -her, and no one would miss _me_. She's engaged to be married too." - -"I know, and as for Archie Murray, he can't speak of it without -choking." - -"The engagement?" - -"How can you joke? You know perfectly well what I mean, he is longing -to come over to thank you." - -"Miss Miller, as you love me!--no--I--I--whatever you do, don't let -him. I hate thanks, if he comes I'll have another relapse! He'd have -done just the same, if he was in my place." - -"Very well, then, I'll do my best to protect you from Archie Murray, -but it won't be easy! Have you heard from the Tallboys lately?" - -"No, not for ages. I'm sorry to say I'm in Fred's black books; and that -reminds me to ask, what I had done to be posted in yours, during the -latter end of my stay in Madras?" - -He paused for a reply, but none came. Miss Miller had become -brilliantly pink, and was looking distinctly uncomfortable. - -"Come now," he continued, "if I was rude to you the other day, I had -some excuse,--but I shall be glad to hear what you have to say for -cutting me dead, over and over again?" - -"I--I don't know _how_ I'm to tell you," she began, speaking very fast. -"I believed I had a good reason, and--later, I found out, that I had -been misinformed. I was very sorry, and ashamed--too; but you had left -Madras, and so I could not apologise. May I apologise now?" - -"If I had some idea of what you were apologising for." - -"Oh, it was a wicked, unfounded, cruel scandal, and Ada has written to -me, and told me all you did for her,--and that was your reward!" - -"They say virtue is its own reward," he answered, with a smile. "I have -been out of society, and heard no gossip, and I can't for the life of -me see how there could be any scandal about Miss Sim and myself. Well, -anyway, it's all right now, you and I have put matters straight between -us. How do you come to be in these parts?" - -"Father and mother went home last March, and--and----" suddenly her -voice seemed to fail her. - -"So you did _not_ marry Colonel Harris?" - -"No, I simply couldn't! I screwed up my courage, and told him so, -one day when mother sent us to look at a bungalow. At first, he was -incredulous, then shocked, finally--as I was determined, furious;--so -was mother. Within an hour she packed up my clothes, and sent me off in -a _gharry_ to the chaplain's wife in the Fort, with a letter to ask -her to get me into some charitable institution, as my parents disowned -me. I believe there were other dreadful things in the letter. Father -was kinder, he came to see me and say good-bye, and gave me a little -money, and told me to write to him at home to care of Grindlay and -Co.--and said, 'this is none of _my_ doing, Barbie--but your mother is -too strong for us!'" - -"By Jove!" ejaculated Mallender; "strong is not the word----" - -"Poor father, he died of heat apoplexy in the Red Sea. Of course, Mrs. -Tallboys came to my rescue, and found me this happy home. I've not many -friends out here, but those I have, are _splendid_!" - -"I have not many either. Look here, Miss Miller, shall you and I be -pals? What do you say?" - -"Yes," she answered, simply. This poor haggard fellow would not long be -in need of pals. - -"Then give me your hand on that!" he said, eagerly. - -She gave it, and he was still holding it with an emphatic and lingering -clasp, as Mrs. Bourne and Jessie re-entered the verandah. - -"Miss Miller and I have been squaring up old scores," announced -Mallender, "signing a treaty of peace; for in Madras, we were dead -cuts, and now we intend to be allies." - -Later that same evening, when Tom and Jessie compared notes, they -agreed, that the visit from Kartairi had wakened up Geoffrey in a -surprising way, and done him a world of good! - - - - - CHAPTER XXVIII - - -A whole month had elapsed since his arrival at Bonagherry, and the -invalid was now convalescent. He walked and rode about the estate with -Tom, was unaffectedly interested in the crop, and its prospects, and -wildly excited, when a panther took the "writer's" cow,--almost from -under his roof! Vainly did he beg, pray, and argue for a stalk. This -was inflexibly denied him, but he was permitted to visit, and mark, -the well-known and respected "track" that like a glorified "cat's run" -passed right through the estate. - -The idler saw to the feeding and exercise of the pack of nondescript -dogs,--such as are kept on most coffee plantations--generally the -abandoned pets of people who have left the Hills and departed -to England. Among this mixed multitude was a brown retriever, a -respectable Aberdeen, a self-conscious pug, a Scotch deer-hound, a -beagle, several terriers, and various hounds of low degree. The pug -and the Aberdeen were adopted by Jessie, but the remainder of the pack -were frequently summoned to hunt wild pig or sambur, in the thickest of -adjacent sholahs. - -Every Sunday the Bonagherry party went over to Kartairi, where Tom and -Jessie were conspicuous and victorious at tennis, whilst Mallender sat -and applauded, and talked to Mrs. Bourne, who was also a looker-on. -He liked her; the popular enterprising widow, had a wonderful power -of drawing out the best that was in a man, and offering her help and -sympathy. She had learned from Tom, that his friend was returning to -England as soon as he was fit; that he had come to India, on some sort -of forlorn hope, and signally failed in finding what he sought; and -thanks to his recklessness, had lost friends, health, and fortune. - -To her guest Mrs. Bourne intimated that she was _au courant_ with the -outline of his little history, and was kind and comforting after her -own elder-sister fashion. - -"Yes, this time last year you would not have known me!" he said, "I was -as strong as a horse, and fairly well off. Now, I am horribly poor and -look like some sickly, broken-down loafer, and--it's more or less my -own doing!" - -"Nonsense," she answered, "your accident has made you take gloomy views -of yourself; in another month you will be all right;--this air has -worked wonders, and if you really are hard up, why not start coffee?" - -"Yes, as a creeper?" and he laughed, "that's what you call a beginner, -don't you? Well, I'll think of it, Mrs. Bourne. I must say, I like an -open-air life, and Tom will shove me along. I might do worse." - -To which she replied, "If you ask me, I don't think you can do better. -Coffee has been _my_ friend!" - - * * * * * - -About this time, Anthony came to his master with a grave, portentous -air, and said: - -"I beg your pardon, saar, that Chinna-Sawmy boy no use here, and doing -no good." - -"Oh, yes, he helps Miss Beamish, she likes him; he's a smart little -chap. I like him too." - -"Still better go," rejoined Anthony, unmoved. - -"Why?" - -"No luck bringing. Master never catching Uncle. Master near losing -life. Master no money got." - -"But that's not Sawmy's fault, poor beggar!" - -"I beg your pardon, saar, better he go, nothing doing here, but feed -chickens, make dog food, and such like fool work--Master poor man." - -"Six rupees a month won't break me; but does Chinna-Sawmy wish to -retire?" - -"As Master pleases," then after a pause, "Yes, so I think--Sawmy has -one uncle, who is maistrey on coffee estate; that man Mootosawmy plenty -money got, and he calling for Chinna-Sawmy." - -"Well, I shall soon be going to England, and if Sawmy thinks he can -better himself, send him here." - -Presently Chinna-Sawmy appeared, all glittering eyes and white teeth. - -"So you wish to take leave, Sawmy?" - -"No, saar, I spending every day, _always_ with Master,--only that boy -Anthony, he say 'Better go.'" - -"Oh, he is your patron, I know. You've been a good little chap, and I -want to give you a present." - -Chinna-Sawmy's attitude stiffened. - -"What would you like?" - -A long and thoughtful pause ensued--during which Chinna-Sawmy twisted -his toes, with incredible flexibility. - -"May I tell the plain truth?" he asked at last. - -"Of course, what else?" - -"Then Master please, I taking camera!" - -Here was a most unexpected request! Mallender had visions of making -a donation of ten rupees, or an old, but useful silver watch. The -camera, bought in extravagant days, had cost ten pounds. Well, after -all, he would not want it again. No need to lug the thing to England. -Chinna-Sawmy was an expert now (the extra thumbs were surprisingly -useful) and could make his livelihood as a photographer. The camera -would represent his fortune; and the boy had been wonderfully attentive -in illness; lying outside his door ready for a call, day or night. - -"All right, Chinna-Sawmy," he said, "it is yours." - -Then Chinna-Sawmy straightway fell down upon his knees, and kissed his -master's boots. - -A week later, Mallender received the amazing intelligence from Anthony. - -"That Chinna-Sawmy boy done get married! Plenty good business--camera -catching wife!" - -"Why, what nonsense!" protested his master with a laugh, "he is only a -child! Has he been kidnapped?" - -"He is sixteen, saar, very small size; the girl, she is four years old, -Hindoo low caste. Chinna-Sawmy's rich uncle, he this marriage making, -and plenty big feast, and fire-works giving." - -Two days later, the bridegroom appeared, to make his obeisance and -acknowledgments to his late employer, and the Beamish household. He -looked (a surprising experience) almost shame-faced, as he rode up -on a lean cow-hocked pony, with a profusion of yellow garlands round -his neck, accompanied by a large cortège, and a band, so to speak, of -tom-toms. After an interchange of compliments and good wishes, with -gifts of fruit, cigarettes, and sweets, Chinna-Sawmy and suite were -dismissed from the scene, in order to carouse, generally make merry, -dance and gamble, in the servants' go-downs. - -It has been mooted that Chinna-Sawmy has recently set up a little -studio in Georgetown, Madras, under the name of "Charley Sammy, British -Photographer from Oxford Street, London." May he prosper! Anthony, -however, is sore displeased (and perhaps a little jealous), and quotes -a native proverb, to the effect that "the higher the monkey climbs, the -more he shows his tail!" - -Early one delicious dewy morning, Mallender was awoke by noises, and an -unusual bustle in the verandah; he hastily threw on some clothes, and -looked out. There was Tom, reading a letter, and Jessie in her flannel -dressing-gown, sitting on the steps, crying in short convulsive sobs, -whilst a coolie stood stolidly aloof. He was a messenger sent on foot -from Wellunga, to inform his children that the General was dead. - -"Well," exclaimed Tom, "the old man is gone at last!--found in his -chair, where he always liked to sit, facing west. They thought he was -asleep, and did not disturb him." - -"I am very sorry," said Mallender. - -"We must leave at once, Jess and I. I'll have a lot to see to, my -mother is broken up, and there's only Tara,--who is no good in a -crisis." - -"It will make a tremendous change at Wellunga?" - -"Yes; everything will tumble to pieces now; and the people will have -their will at last! My mother must come and live up here, and the old -place will stand empty. I say, Jess," to his sister, "you must take a -pull at yourself. Hurry up and have breakfast, and pack. If we start -soon we get down to-night, coolies and ponies were ordered by the -runner, and oh--about you, Mallender, you can't stop here alone!" - -"Why not! Of course I can. I'm not a nervous young lady. I'll be your -overseer, understudy, and general bottle-washer!" - -"No, no, you'd never have the right food, or care. You must go over to -Kartairi, and stay with Mrs. Bourne." - -"Pretty cool cheek, she'd think it!" - -"Not she--nothing she likes better, than nursing and mothering sick -fellows. I'll send her a line by the garden coolie." - -His guest immediately made a mental note to the effect that _no_ -messenger should go to Kartairi that day; fancy allowing himself to -be foisted on two women!--and he craftily turned the conversation, by -asking for employment, and instructions. - -"I'm rather a duffer," he concluded, "but I can keep an eye on things, -and overawe the slackers." - -"Yes; there will be lots for you to do," answered Tom. "You have a -good head for figures, and you can make up the writer's books, do the -roll-call, ride over the estate, look stern and important, and give the -maistrey reason to believe that you are up to every mortal dodge!" - -"Which I'm not!" protested Mallender, "I hardly know chick coffee from -the real article. However, I'll poke about, and look after the picking, -and the pulping-house, and do my best and 'bluff' like auction bridge." - -"Right you are! Mind that the children that do the ground picking -get one pice a seer, and now I must go and put my traps together," -concluded Tom, who seized this opportunity to scribble a chit to Mrs. -Bourne, and expedited matters so successfully, that by eight o'clock, -he and his sister were ready to start. They took leave of their guest -in a duet of injunctions, with respect to his health. How he was not -to ride too far, or expose himself to sun, or rain, and assuring him -of their return within a week; then one in a chair, and the other on a -pony, they took their way down the long winding ghât road, which led to -the plains. - -After breakfast Mallender, now "monarch of all he surveyed," visited -the dogs, inspected the cattle, and held a solemn conference with the -head maistrey. In the afternoon, he invested his head in a monstrous -pith topee, and rode about the estate; it was four o'clock, when he -returned to the bungalow for a tub and tea, but to his amazement, -neither were forthcoming; he found instead, a little note from Mrs. -Bourne, which said: - -"Your luggage and servant are awaiting you at Kartairi. Tea is at 4.30. -Yours sincerely, Emily Bourne." - -"Well, if this does not take the entire biscuit! Of all the cool -proceedings!" muttered Geoffrey, as he re-read the chit, and scratched -his head. - -"I suppose there's nothing else for it. The bedding is gone, I must -stick to my sponge, and razors," and he followed them to Kartairi. - -"I'm afraid, you think me a most arbitrary lady," said Mrs. Bourne, as -she welcomed her guest, "but I was so afraid you'd make excuses, and -entrench yourself alone at Bonagherry, that I sent over, and _raided_ -your room!" - -"Awfully kind of you," he murmured. - -"I daresay you are awfully vexed, but you really are not yet out of the -wood. Barbie and I will look after you, and you will find we are not -_too_ bad to live with. Your bath is prepared, and tea will be ready in -a quarter of an hour." - -The Beamishes were absent not for one, but three weeks, and during the -time, their late inmate found himself agreeably at home at Kartairi. -The house was run on more English lines than Bonagherry. A certain -amount of admirable cooking was accomplished at a little oil-stove -in the back verandah, lights in bedrooms were not the old oil and -wick in tumblers, but neat hand lamps. Those in the drawing-room wore -pretty silk shades, and the effect was eminently restful. Here flowers -abounded, there were luxurious, chintz-covered chairs, a piano, many -sketches and photographs, and an ample supply of books and magazines. - -As an officer's wife, Mrs. Bourne had visited various countries, and -picked up a number of little portable treasures; she had taste too, -and a marvellous knack of making any home comfortable, and refined. -As the handsome, accomplished daughter of well-born people, it had -been expected, that Emily La Haye (whose French ancestor had taken San -Thomé) would contract a brilliant marriage; but to the disappointment -of her parents, she "threw herself away" on a good-looking Captain in -a line regiment,--an unpractical, extravagant, but popular fellow, who -had no money sense whatever; and here she was left with two boys, and a -pension of seventy pounds a year, struggling to make a living out of a -coffee estate in Southern India. - -Her connections figuratively lifted up their voices, and wept, -when they talked of "Poor Emmie," and agreed, that she had made an -awful mess of her life, and had become very proud, and independent. -Nevertheless they posted her _The Queen_, and the _Weekly Times_ with -affectionate regularity, and welcomed her boys for their holidays. - -Mrs. Bourne's tastes did not take the form of cake and -butter-making,--nor even of knitting stockings, and superintending -coffee picking. She was naturally artistic, and fond of music, and -books, she even wrote a little--and occasionally a bright and amusing -article signed by "Chick" appeared in the Indian journals; and now -that Barbie Miller was her assistant, the busy lady enjoyed some -leisure for her favourite pursuits. Barbie had no responsibilities -connected with coffee, but undertook the housekeeping, butter, cakes, -and poultry,--such an able energetic little creature, a delightful -companion, with a sweet unselfish character, and a sunny face. Into -this modest _ménage_ a third had unexpectedly entered; to do him -justice, Mallender gave no trouble; on the contrary, his servant -Anthony was a valuable acquisition; a priceless treasure! He could make -delicious coffee, carpenter, wait at table, paper a room, and sew! - -Anthony's master spent most of the day over at Bonagherry, reappearing -in time for tea, so that that crushing incubus, "an idle man in the -house," was spared the two ladies. He assisted Mrs. Bourne too, -undertook certain business interviews--in which a man was secretly -respected, and a woman set at nought! He overlooked accounts,--for -Emily Bourne like many artistic people, had no head for figures,--and -set an excellent example of energy and early rising. Mallender enjoyed -this life amazingly. Open-air employment, the consciousness of having -put in a good day's work, and of being worth his salt, afforded him a -certain amount of satisfaction, and self-approval. - -In the evening, the busy workers were at liberty for rest and -enjoyment. They sat together in the charming sitting-room, and occupied -themselves with music, books, poker, patience, and mere conversation. -Sometimes Mallender read aloud, whilst the ladies worked; and as he -now and then stole a glance over his book at his companions,--both so -daintily dressed, so busy, and so interested, and in the case of one, -so young and lovely,--he assured himself, that for the first time for -years and years, he felt absolutely happy, and at home! - -But he was not by any means so happy, when the several admirers of Miss -Miller presented themselves upon the scene; riding over on Sunday, or -casually dropping in to tea. There were several _prétendants_--(poor -Tom Beamish had been among the crowd, but had confided to his friend, -that as he knew Miss Barbie would never look at him, though he had -lots of money, and would worship her all his life; he gave up, and -retired). The individual Mallender most disliked and feared, was a -man of the name of MacKenzie, known as "Mack," who owned a fine and -flourishing estate, had a worn, handsome face, and looked romantic! -He was about thirty-five years of age, and a person of substance, and -standing, among other planters. Anyone could see with half an eye, that -Mack was head over ears in love with little Miss Miller. So alas! was -Mallender--there was no mistake about the fact. He was aware that a -new phase in his life had opened, and felt strangely stirred. Little -fair-haired Barbie, had enthralled him; he had been her slave, ever -since the day at Bonagherry, when she had given him her hand, and -promise; and each hour, but served to rivet his chains. Chains he was -compelled to hug in secret, he dared not declare himself; a fellow -without a roof to offer, or a penny in his pocket--that is to say -beyond his passage money to England. As soon as he had returned home, -and looked into matters, and found out exactly where he stood, he would -come straight out, and ask her to marry him.--Meanwhile, what of _Mack_? - -Another obstacle, was his own invincible reluctance to move, although -now strong and well, thanks to these Hills, and their clear vitalizing -air; he could not bring himself to leave them--how tear himself away? -Nevertheless go he must, and he assured himself, that he was in honour -bound to depart, and make no sign. - -And Barbie--did she guess? how could she? He laughed and chaffed -with her, joined in duets, to Mrs. Bourne's accompaniment, rode, -played tennis, and card games, just as if she was nothing at all to -him--instead of being everything in the world. As for Barbie? The busy -young lady, no longer under the blight of her mother's rule, found -herself most unaccountably happy, and asked no more. Possibly the cause -of her happiness, was not far to seek;--but she had no idea of making -a search,--possibly she had a feeling, that if she looked too closely -into her possession, the enchanting vision might fade and disappear, -like some beautiful mirage of the desert. - -As for Mrs. Bourne, she calmly and dispassionately surveyed the -situation, with the eye of sympathy and experience. She had long -guessed Mallender's secret,--naturally a simple affair to such a -clever woman. She liked Geoffrey; in fact, liked him so much, that she -hoped her own boys would be of the same stuff; thoughtful for others, -modest, and manly, and he had such nice frank eyes! What a pity, this -wild scheme had ruined him! She took upon herself to scold him roundly -for his obstinacy, and optimism, and concluded an animated lecture by -saying: - -"After your interview with Brown and Co., you should have turned -straight round, and taken the first steamer for England." - -"Then I should never have come to Mysore and met you, Mrs. Bourne," -he answered gaily. "However, better late than never; as soon as the -Beamishes return, I'll hand over, and be off to see what I can scrape -together! Precious little, I'm afraid; for I've sunk my own money in -what is my Uncle's property; repairs to the house, and to some of the -farms, have swallowed up almost all I possess. Well, whatever I can -pick up, I'll bring back here, buy a little estate, and start as a -planter." - -"Will you--I wonder?" murmured Mrs. Bourne looking at him meditatively. -To herself, she said, "If he returns, and finds Barbie married to Lewis -MacKenzie, he won't remain twenty-four hours!" - - - - - CHAPTER XXIX - - -Two or three times a week, Mrs. Bourne and her young friends mounted -their ponies, and went for extensive excursions in the neighbourhood. -Mallender rode a stout brown cobby animal from Bonagherry, known as -"The Duffer," the lady of Kartairi, a well-bred chestnut who had -played polo, and Barbie, a wiry flea-bitten grey, whose propensity for -thieving, and agility in climbing, had earned for her the name of "The -Cat." Kartairi stood amid what might be termed a sea of coffee bushes, -extending for many acres; at first, the little party were obliged to -ride along the narrow coolie tracks in Indian file; they had also to -pass through that deplorable spectacle, an abandoned estate. Here the -land was overrun with a climbing prickly plant, the desolate bungalow -was dismantled, and the pulping-house a ruin--all this, to the credit -of the planter's deadly enemy the "Borer" Worm. - -Emerging at last from among lucent green bushes, the riders came by -degrees upon grassy uplands, and the great silent spaces, which are -bounded by the Western Ghauts. Here were glades, downs, and clumps of -trees recalling English parks; and in the cool clear air, the little -party enjoyed many a delightful and invigorating gallop. - -Once the riders made their way into another country, and a warm and -steamy climate; descending by break-neck paths, and wet sedgy glades, -dropping cautiously from terrace to terrace into the rich forest lands -above Canara, and avoiding with care "the special reserve"--a peculiar -feature of the West; sacred groves dedicated to the ancestral gods, -into which the foot of shikari, woodman or herdsman may not penetrate. -The ancestral gods are supposed to hunt in these regions, and woe -betide the luckless mortal who encounters them! Owing to the rainfall, -the extraordinarily luxuriant growth in this part of the world must -be seen to be realised. Bamboos of enormous size, great teak trees, -with their glossy leaves, gigantic plantains, sandal wood, and the -sago palm, flourish here in wildest profusion. As for flowers, the -riders found themselves in a fairy garden, amid a wealth of blooms and -perfumes, undreamt of in colder climes; their ponies' hoofs ruthlessly -trampled on lilies, begonias, orchids, and maiden hair, and pressing -along the narrow game tracks, thrust themselves between masses of -convolvuli, and sweet flowering shrubs. In the warm scented atmosphere -the perfume of the "Niddo" was almost overpowering. - -From several directions the most promising vistas were unapproachable, -owing to the density of the thorny undergrowth, and tangled ropes of -the flame-coloured "Elephant Creeper," that so to speak held the trees -of the forest in a bondage of flowers. - -"The old Portuguese were well acquainted with this part of the world," -remarked Mrs. Bourne, as she halted to feast her eyes on a riot of -contrasting colours. - -"No wonder they called it 'The Gorgeous East.'" - -"No wonder, indeed!" assented Mallender. - -"This paradise, however, has its serpent," she continued. "I don't -allude to the cobras among the bamboos, nor even the tiger, and -leopards, that abound in the reserves,--but the terror of these -forests, is--the _leech_!" - -"I'd much sooner face thousands of leeches, than one leopard," declared -Barbie. - -"Yes, so would I; but you have no idea how those abominations can drain -the lives of man and beast--there are half a dozen on The Cat's legs, -at this moment!" - -Mallender instantly sprang off, to the rescue of The Cat. - -"The only method is this," said the provident matron, handing him as -she spoke a little parcel of salt, "I always carry it, when I come -down into these regions, and I never remain long. I only wish we -could; for of an evening, the fire-flies are a wonder to behold, their -illuminations, incredibly magnificent--but we must be going." - -"I think, I'd trust the fire-flies to my imagination," said Barbie, -"although this is the most marvellous, dreamland, sort of place I've -ever seen!" - -"Yes, a real tropical forest; and the vegetation is even more dense and -splendid in the reserves." - -"How I should like to have a day's shooting in one of them," said -Geoffrey, "I daresay I'd get a brace of tiger, an elephant, and a -bison." - -"You'd also get into frightful trouble with the Government; even -supposing the wild beasts let you off! The sacred groves _are_ sacred!" - -"It makes one think of the Old Testament," said Barbie, "of Baal, and -sacrifices, groves, and high places." - -"Yes, and they are held in the same superstitious veneration. A small -portion of Lewis MacKenzie's estate encroaches on one of these holy -places called 'Devera-Rudu,' and he has to pay a heavy indemnity. I -believe there is no doubt, that not so very long ago these groves were -the scenes of human sacrifices--even now, it is whispered that horrors -take place in out-of-the-way holes and corners, under the cloak of -fanaticism and secrecy." - -"But what about the long arm of the law, and the police?" enquired -Mallender. - -"Oh, the police cannot have their eyes everywhere, certainly not in -the depths of almost impenetrable forests. Some of these sacrifices -are mistaken for murder, or even suicide; of course, I _may_ be -wrong, and these reserves, spotlessly innocent of anything worse than -incantations, devil worship, and black magic." - -"I see you have a pretty bad opinion of them!" rejoined Mallender, with -a cheerful laugh. - -"They look harmless enough, and what a glorious show of forest trees -and jungle. I only wish I could get a 'permit' to shoot and I'd face -anything, from wild dogs, to black magic!" - -Occasionally the riding party was augmented by one or two neighbours, -and tiffin or tea was despatched to some favourite rendezvous. - -On a certain lovely afternoon, arrangements were made for a meeting -at a celebrated spot, known as "The Window in the West," there to -admire the prospect, subsequently enjoy a cold repast, and ride home -by the light of a full moon. The Window of the West was sixteen miles -from Kartairi, through oceans of luxuriant coffee, deep valleys, and -dense sholahs, by narrow winding paths, ending in a long precipitous -ascent--and then the view! - -"It is well worth while," declared Mrs. Bourne, "though I must confess, -I have only twice made this excursion; it's such an abominably bad -road. When you reach a certain point, you arrive at an abrupt break -in the mountains and look sheer down upon the plains, stretching away -to the Indian Ocean. Coming out of a tangle of high rocks, ravines, -and jungle, this view of the sea--is so sudden and _unexpected_, that -for a moment it takes your breath away! You feel positively startled, -and as if it was a sight you had _never_ seen before. Humboldt, the -traveller, who visited many lands, considered the prospect from -MacCourty's Peak,--which is similar to our 'Window'--the finest in all -the Universe, and I believe he is right." - -"But what of the Himalayas?" questioned Mallender, "and the glories of -the snows?" - -"Oh, yes, I know; I've seen them from Darjeeling--the 'Roof of the -World.' They are mighty, majestic, and overwhelming; but so aloof, and -frozen, you cannot approach within forty miles of their footstool--they -are almost as inaccessible as the stars! Here in Old Madras, in the -midst of our soft blue mountains, you enter upon a land of sun and -enchantment, you take your stand upon a carpet of flowers, and gaze -across tropical forests, and rolling plains, to the far-away glittering -sea! I remember the first time _I_ looked out of the 'Window,'--I -actually cried. Perhaps because the ocean lying within view, drew my -thoughts towards home, and England--perhaps, because I seemed to catch -a glimpse of Heaven!" - -In a steep zig-zag path resembling a dried watercourse, Mrs. Bourne's -pony cast a shoe. This was indeed a calamity, for Ibex had brittle -hoofs, and had lost a fore shoe, such bad luck, and yet owing to this -circumstance, the fate of Geoffrey and Barbie received a little push! - -"It's a good two miles to the 'Window'--I dare not try it, unless I -walk," said Mrs. Bourne, "the last bit is ghastly; so I'll just stop -here, waylay the coolies, and make preparations for supper. I expect -you will find Mr. Mack, and the Kennedys, and young Reekie, there -before you. Of course, Barbie, you and Captain Mallender are to go on." - -"What! and leave you here, all alone," objected Mallender, "certainly -not." - -"I'm not afraid; it's not the tiger season, and anyway, he'd take the -pony first. Come, come, good people, don't waste time--the sun sets in -half an hour." - -"I intend to stay with you," said Barbie, "and we can take turns on The -Cat, riding home." - -"Be off at once, Barbie,", urged her friend authoritatively, "you had -better ride up as far as possible, and Captain Mallender can leave The -Duffer here, with the syce; if you go now, you will just be in time for -the sunset,--and see it sinking into the sea." - -So Barbie departed, escorted by Mallender. It proved a rugged climb, -through slippery mossy rocks, tree roots, and shale. At last, quite -suddenly, they arrived at a space, and stood as it were at the open -casement of some high castle. - -Barbie had dismounted from her pony, and the two remained momentarily -transfixed, gazing on the evergreen forests which clothed the long roll -downwards, to the undulating teeming plains; steeped in all the glamour -of the tropics, a world of absolute peace and plenty lay at their feet. -Beyond the plains, shimmering in the sunset, shone the sea: over all, -there was a peculiar quality, which is best described as radiance, and -the scene, the atmosphere, and spirit of the ocean, seemed somehow to -grip one's heart. - -Mallender continued to gaze for a long time in silence. It was the girl -who spoke first. - -"How wonderful! how exquisite! It's like the setting of a fairy-tale. -It makes one feel----" she hesitated in search of an appropriate -expression. - -"And it makes one _think_," he supplemented. - -"I believe I could guess your thoughts." - -"Do, if you can," turning to her. - -"As you looked at the sea, you felt a great, great, great longing to go -home." - -"I was watching that little black speck of a steamer, and I confess I'd -like to go, for some reasons, in fact, I must go soon." - -"Yes, and Mrs. Bourne has taken her passage for March, so as to be in -time for the boys' Easter holidays." - -"And you, Miss Miller?" - -"Oh, as for me," striving to speak cheerfully, "I shall never see -England again." - -"But why not?" - -"I have no home there; my mother has disowned me." - -Mallender looked at Barbie the homeless; noticed her delicate -profile, clear-cut against the sky, the sunlight catching the light -in her loosened hair, the little sad, wistful mouth, the tears on -her eyelashes; looked and cast all prudence figuratively out of the -"Window," and to the four winds! - -It was true that she had no home, nor had he. Well, all the same, he -would ask her to share his life. - -"Look here, Miss Miller--Barbie----" he began impulsively, "suppose you -come home with me--or--or--if you will wait, I'll return, and make you -a home out here." - -"But I," growing very red, "don't understand." - -"Of course, as usual, I'm a blundering ass, I am asking you to marry -me." - -Barbie was conscious of the quick throbbing of her heart, and a minute -of silence stretched itself out into what seemed to Mallender an -interminable period. At last she said: - -"You are not in earnest?" - -"I swear I am, and in deadly earnest. Barbie, my little Barbie, you -don't know how I love you; or how desperately hard I have found it to -hold my tongue. I thought I ought to wait, till I'd some sort of home -to offer you; but whether it is seeing the sea again, or seeing your -tears, or what--I've _had_ to speak!" - -Here the uninterested "Cat," anxiously desiring to graze, and bored by -this talk, wrenched herself violently away. - -"Of course," chucking the animal's head, "I'm not much of a chap. I've -made an awful muddle of my affairs, and I'm hideously poor. Just now, -I've no money." - -"But I like you so much better without it," was Barbie's startling -declaration. - -"Oh, come, that's encouraging, but why?" - -"When you were rich, you never took any notice of me,--till the day you -picked me up on the _maidan_. You were always a sort of lofty glorified -individual, who was a favourite at Government House, barred girls, -and----" - -"But, I say," he interrupted, "what a frightful accusation! I spotted -you the very first night I dined at Fred's. You ask Nancy Brander; -she told me you were engaged. That naturally put me off; and then -afterwards, you know, you gave me the cold shoulder, didn't you?" - -"Yes--I suppose I did," she admitted. - -"And now," and he drew a long breath, "now I am asking you to give me -yourself; it's a tall order, I know." - -Barbie made no reply, but something more radiant than the afterglow -flooded her soul, and filled her eyes with happy tears. From the -first, she had felt irresistibly drawn to this young man, who stood -before her bareheaded; and she asked no greater gift than that in him -she might find a lover and a husband. Golden silence can be eloquent! -Barbie's charming, expressive face spoke for her, and Mallender drew -her unresisting towards him. Was anything in life comparable to the -exquisite happiness of the moment, when her lips met his? - -For an instant they stood hand in hand, and in expressive and rapturous -silence. The whole thing was like a heavenly dream, from which however -they were rudely aroused, by the sound of grumbling voices, scrambling -feet, and scattering stones. In another moment Mr. MacKenzie and his -young apprentice, Andrew Reekie (a merry-eyed Army failure, whose -sunburnt face and violently red hair, had earned him the name of "the -Blood Orange") were with them. - -"So here you are!" gasped MacKenzie, as he took off his hat, and -mopped his hot face, "by Jove, it's a stiff pull!--grand scene, -though, grand!" as his eyes roved over the wonderful panorama, that -fell from their feet; the teeming forests, the masses of palms, and -thickets of bamboos. The sun was sinking into the west, and a rose and -gold afterglow was reflected in the shining sea with indescribable -effulgence. - -"Yes," added MacKenzie when he had recovered his breath, "this view -would take a good bit of beating. I wish the 'Window' was in Scotland, -I'd run the show for tourists, and make a fortune! Hullo, where's -Mallender gone to?" - -"I think, to catch my pony, she has strayed away," said Barbie. - -"Strayed away," repeated MacKenzie. "I'm afraid you were not looking -after her, Miss Miller, too much taken up with the view, eh?" - -"Yes, I confess I forgot all about her," was her truthful answer, -"but The Cat is such a cunning creature; she knows how to take care -of herself. Ah, I see she has been captured," as Mallender emerged, -triumphantly leading an aggrieved animal, with her mouth full of -succulent green food. - -"Perhaps we had better be moving," suggested MacKenzie, "Mrs. Bourne -gave us three-quarters of an hour to get here, and back to supper, and -I think we shall just about do it! Of course, you won't ride down, Miss -Miller; it's bad going, like broken stairs--Mallender can look after -The Cat, and I'll take care of _you_." - -The cold supper in a dell, lit by the moon, proved a right merry -meal; the syces and servants had made a big fire, boiled the kettle, -and under Mrs. Bourne's directions, spread a substantial repast on a -table-cloth on the moss. Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy arriving rather late, had -shirked the last two miles, and kept her company. They were a cheery -young Irish couple, who always made an affair go off. - -As from afar they descried Barbie and her escort, in the van of the -sight-seers, Mrs. Kennedy remarked: - -"I'm thinking, you'll be having a wedding at Kartairi, before long, -Mrs. Bourne." - -"Do you say so--who?" - -"Is it who? Why, little Miss Miller and Mack, to be sure! He is a rich -man by all accounts, and you will have to be looking round for another -lady-help." - -"Faith, and Mrs. Bourne will look a long time, before she comes across -as pretty a girl as Barbie," said Mr. Kennedy, "the beauty of these -Hills; her complexion would shame a rose!" - -"I think you are both talking the greatest nonsense," declared Mrs. -Bourne, who was busily cutting up cold roast guinea-fowl. - -"Yes, Paddy is; it's his normal state," asserted his wife with a laugh, -"I don't allow him to rave about other young women, and I shall give -him six nice little strokes of my whip when I have him to myself at -home--not that I don't agree with him about Barbie!" - -The supper-party broke up about eight o'clock, and the revellers set -out for the fourteen-mile ride. Mrs. Bourne mounted Geoffrey's pony, -Ibex was led by a syce, and "The Blood Orange" and Geoffrey, took it -in turns to ride the latter's hairy slave. Taking advantage of some -discussion, argument, and the consequent delay, Mr. MacKenzie (always -king of his company) led off with Barbie. He appeared to think, that -owing to his standing and weight in the neighbourhood, he had an -undisputed claim to the first place, and choice of partners. - -Geoffrey looked after the pair, as they gradually disappeared into -a steep valley. Well, it did not matter if Mack rode a few miles in -the moonlight with Barbie,--though he sincerely wished himself in his -place. Barbie was pledged to _him_. - -The poor girl had a truly anxious and uncomfortable ride, and found -extreme difficulty in warding off, and eluding, a second proposal -within a couple of hours. Over and over again, the conversation became -personal; and on each occasion, she called her woman's wit to her -assistance, and guided the subject into generalities. Finally being at -the end of her resources, the deceitful little creature pleaded such -toothache, that she could not talk, and Mack more than ever in love, -and impressed by her maidenly diffidence, reserved his declaration for -a future occasion. How little he dreamt, that the girl's whole heart -and thoughts were with the man he had nicknamed "the loafer," who was -leading a lame pony a mile or two in their rear. - -Mrs. Bourne received from Barbie the surpassing news, almost before she -had time to change from her habit,--and strange to say, exhibited no -surprise whatever. - -"I like him very much, dear," she said, as she embraced her, "and you -will, I believe, both be happy. My little Barbie will make a capital -wife for a poor man!" - -For the next few evenings, there was more conversation than music; -plans were exhaustively discussed, coffee estates, crops, and furniture -took the place of the most thrilling news of the day. There was also a -certain amount of sitting _tête-à-tête_ in the verandah, overlooking -the moon-flooded estate, whilst kind Mrs. Bourne, wrote letters -indoors, and made detailed arrangements for a trip to Madras, and -home. These were evenings of beautiful happenings, magnificent castle -building, close sympathies, and the thrill of touching hands. - -The air was pure and cool, the nights were so still, that the whole -world seemed to be at rest, not a sound disturbed the deep silence, but -two young voices. - -"I think you are _very_ brave, Barbie," said Mallender, "you know, we -shall be paupers!" - -"Yes, and Mrs. Bourne says I shall make a splendid wife for a pauper, I -manage so economically, and keep down the ghee, and charcoal. The cook -is quite _afraid_ of me!" - -Her fiancé burst into a derisive laugh. "As if any man, woman or child, -would be afraid of _you_! I'll work tremendously hard, and take that -little estate Tom recommends, and we will have a jolly life, keep a -couple of ponies, lots of dogs, and run down to Bangalore in the slack -time. How will that be?" - -"Delightful. I see, you have thought it all out!" - -"Why not? We have no one to please, but ourselves--you have no consent -to ask for, nor have I. Of course, I'll tell Fan and Fred. I know he -adores you, partly I think--because you never gave Naughty Mary a sore -back! You shall go and interview him, and melt his heart, and ask him -to give you away?" - -"If he were to see your scarred head, and thin sunken cheeks, that -would be far more likely to touch him." - -"Well, the Beamishes return in a few days, and I'll beard him when I go -down to make arrangements for my run home. It will be awfully hard to -leave you behind, Barbie." - -"Yes; but I always think the one who is left has the worst of it!" - -"No, no, no. However, hang it all, we are not going to grouse--three -months will soon go by, and I shall be back before Mrs. Bourne starts, -and take you over, Barbie, with _all_ your liabilities." - -These much-discussed plans of the young couple, were presently upset by -a letter to Mallender, which said: - - "DEAR SIR, - - "We are writing to request you to come to Madras immediately. If - you can make it convenient to arrive by the mail at four o'clock on - Tuesday next, the 11th inst., you will there be met by a messenger, - and hear of something greatly to your advantage. - - "We remain, dear Sir, - "Yours faithfully, - "BROWN, BROWN AND CO." - -"Just look at this!" said Mallender tossing it to Barbie, "the same -old bait; but I'm not going to be had this time! I've been made a fool -of too often, and you will not be surprised to hear, that I feel a -pardonable misgiving. The burnt child dreads the fire!" - -"But this is not from Jaffer," protested Barbie, "I see it is from -Brown and Brown. I believe it is '_pucka_'--and you are going to hear, -or to see,--something at last!" - -"Not I!" - -"May I?" and Mrs. Bourne extended a hand. After glancing at the note, -she said: - -"Barbie is right, I am sure this won't be an April Fool's errand. I -think you will have to go." - -"But if I do, I must start to-morrow!" he protested. - -"How I wish I might go too!" said Barbie, "I feel certain, that -something tremendous is about to happen." - -"Something tremendous _will_ happen, if you don't see to the churning, -Barbie. I must get as much work out of you as I can, dear, as I'm -afraid I won't have you this time next year!" - -"Next year!" echoed Mallender, "not likely! Long before that, Barbie -will be making butter for _me_." - -"And as for you, young man, you are to take the grey pony, and ride -over to Sarma, and send a wire to say you arrive in Madras on Tuesday, -without fail." - -And in this imperious and high-handed fashion, Mrs. Bourne disposed of -the happy couple in opposite directions. - - - - - CHAPTER XXX - - -It was growing dark as the train from Bangalore rolled into Madras -Station, and the ceaseless moaning of the surf fell once more upon the -ears of Mallender, who promptly descended from his carriage, and looked -eagerly about him; as he did so, he noticed the stately approach of a -gorgeous peon, who with a deep salaam enquired: - -"Is it Captain Mallender?" - -"Yes--all right." - -"Then, please your honour, to come with me." - -"What about my luggage?" indicating bag and suit-case. - -"That we will send to cloak-room." - -"Evidently I am not expected to stay the night," thought the -traveller, with amusement. When his baggage had been disposed of, he -accompanied his guide, to where a fine closed motor was waiting to -receive him; as soon as he was seated the peon mounted beside the -chauffeur, and they glided swiftly away. It was a magnificent car, -evidently of great horse-power! Mallender noted its luxurious and -expensive equipment, as he leant back and lit a cigarette, with the air -of a man who has not a care in the world! - -"This," he said to himself, "is the rummiest thing, that has happened -yet! I'm in someone's two thousand guinea car, and I have not the -faintest notion of who it belongs to,--or where I am going!" - -He was undoubtedly on the track of an adventure; and this agreeable -beginning, was much more auspicious than his various other openings. - -Madras at this hour was crowded. The World had now descended from the -Hills and Society was once more abroad. Many cars and carriages were -flitting to and fro. Mallender noticed that he was not about to visit -"fresh fields, and pastures new," but was being taken along a familiar -road in the direction of Hooper's Gardens. Surely not there? No--they -swept smoothly by the entrance, and as they passed, he looked out, and -noticed, that there were lights in the house. So the Tallboys were at -home! The next moment, the car came to a sudden stop, and then turned -into a dark and densely overgrown drive; in places, the crowding shrubs -seemed to lash, and oppose the motor; as it moved steadily forward, -Mallender caught casual glimpses of a vast compound, and an impression -of cattle, and tethered horses. The house, as they approached it, had -an air of gloom and reserve, but when the car came to a standstill -under the portico, he noticed a crowd of men, numerous as a Royal Body -Guard, who were assembled in the lower verandah. Most of them were -smoking and playing cards, but one was evidently doing "sentry go." - -Undoubtedly this was the residence of some wealthy native. Why, how -stupid of him! how infernally stupid, not to recognise the premises -of the relative of the Prince of Gulberga; that pungent atmosphere -of green burning wood, huka smoke, and boiling gram, had frequently -assailed his nostrils, when he occupied a tent in the neighbourhood. - -The door of the car was flung open, as Mallender alighted the sentry -presented arms, and he was invited to ascend to the verandah. A peon -held a flaming lamp at the head of the marble stairs, where stood -a tall slender woman, evidently awaiting him. She wore a richly -embroidered satin _sari_, and massive gold ornaments. In this dress, -the now experienced eye of the traveller recognised the costume of a -high-born Coorg lady, or Princess. - -As she turned, and the light fell on her face, he saw that she was no -longer young, but still preserved the remains of astonishing beauty. -The nose was delicate and clear-cut, the skin like ivory, the drooping -lips, and dark tragic eyes, told a tale of sorrow,--yes, on the whole, -here was the most striking personality that the young man had ever -beheld. - -"So you have come," she said, speaking English in a low full voice. -"You will be very gentle and patient, will you not? Remember that your -Uncle has not spoken to a kinsman, nor an English officer, for many -years." - -"So then my Uncle _is_ here?" cried Mallender excitedly. - -"Yes," she assented, "now you shall see him," and with wonderful grace, -she glided out of the verandah, and across an antechamber, pushed open -a door into a large dim apartment,--and there abandoned him. - -Mallender stood for a moment gazing vaguely about. In size and shape -the room was a counterpart of the familiar drawing-room next door -(the houses were precisely alike) only there, was brilliant electric -light in the French chandeliers,--here, on a table, two candles in -old-fashioned shades merely made the darkness visible. The room -appeared to be almost entirely empty of furniture, and saturated with -novel and aromatic odours; but as the visitor's eyes became accustomed -to the twilight, he gradually made out some shadowy divans along the -wall, a few rugs on the floor, and--he gave a slight start, as he -discerned an arm-chair, and an outline of the spare stooping figure -of a man in Europe dress. As he continued to stare, he noticed that -he was wearing a black skull cap, a short black beard, and a pair of -black-rimmed spectacles. - -"You have arrived, Geoffrey Mallender!" said the figure in a harsh but -muffled voice. - -"Yes, I'm here," he answered boldly. - -"Grope," continued the bearded man, "and you will find an arm-chair, -draw it up to the table, and sit down." - -Geoffrey obeyed without a word. - -"So I have found you. You never found _me_," continued the mysterious -individual, and he chuckled audibly. - -"Do you mean to say that you are my Uncle?" enquired Mallender -brusquely. - -"I am." - -"How am I to be sure of that? You see, I've been let in pretty often." - -To this statement, a loud discordant laugh was the sole immediate -response; after an appreciable pause, the bearded man added, "Ask me -some questions, my doubting Thomas?" - -"All right then. Tell me the address of our old town house?" - -"Two hundred and ninety Bruton Street. Your father was born there." - -"Good. Now the best fox cover at Opershaw?" - -"Tylney Corner," was the prompt reply. - -"And my grandmother's name?" - -"Althea Chandos, she brought a beautiful foot into the family." - -"Right, but perhaps you are a medium--or a clairvoyant or something." - -"No--nor a tom-fool," he answered, "I am your Uncle Geoffrey." - -Something in the accent--was it a faint resemblance to his father's -voice?--carried conviction, and there came to Mallender, a keen sense -of the importance of this revelation and interview. - -"Now we are together," resumed his Uncle, "I may as well inform you, -that you have provided me with an extraordinary amount of interest and -amusement, during this last year." - -"How was that?" asked his visitor sharply. - -"_I_ pulled all the strings, and you danced beautifully, my good -puppet! I had Jaffer in my pay, and of course Shumilal his agent; it -was I, who sent you on all those crazy excursions; for instance, to -terrify Rochfort, and amuse old Beamish. I remember him thirty years -ago: a splendid fellow even then. Poor chap, he still clings like a -limpet to an outworn past. You see, I live behind the scenes; it is my -rôle in every sense; I am a wire-puller. I have assisted at meetings. -_I_ was the writer who sat with his back to you in Shumilal's office, -I was next door to you over the wall, when you stayed with Fred; I -paid you a visit one night at Panjeverram. This sort of half-light -existence, the life of a bat or an owl, is all that is left to me now." - -He ceased to speak, evidently expecting his listener to make some -remark, but Mallender remained dumb; he was furiously angry with his -Uncle, and could not trust himself with words. - -"I don't know how long I should have continued to amuse myself at -your expense. I intended to pass you on next, to a miserable devil of -a lunatic, who believes he has committed a murder, and has lived in -hiding for years--but you were spared that, by a paragraph in a little -local rag." - -"Oh!" - -"It mentioned that you had met with a frightful accident, and were -at the point of death; so then I realised that I had gone too far. -I despatched a special messenger to Wellunga, tracked you to the -Hills, and summoned you at last. I must confess, that the news of your -accident gave me a shock. I sent the paper in next door--of course by -post. I did not see why Fred should not have a bad shock too!" - -Mallender made no reply, his heart was hot within him. So all the time -he had been--as his Uncle declared,--a mere plaything, or puppet, who -was made to dance for his amusement! Probably his companion was struck -by his silence, and the judicial attitude of his young relative. - -Leaning suddenly forward in his chair he said, "And now I am going to -unveil the mystery; a mystery unexplained for a lifetime. Only for -you, it would never have been cleared up,--and I confess, that your -eagerness and determination to find either my murderer, or myself, has -touched, and flattered me. There was a smack of romance about the whole -thing! You have shown extraordinary pertinacity, and in spite of all -sorts of obstacles, and many failures, have held on with the grip of -a bulldog, or grim death. It's going to be a fairly long story, so if -you smoke--I know you do--pull out the drawer in the table, and help -yourself to cigarettes." - -Geoffrey deliberately did as suggested, produced matches, struck one on -the sole of his boot, and throwing himself back in his chair, prepared -to listen to his Uncle's disclosure. - - - - - CHAPTER XXXI - - -"Of course, the old story, of how I disappeared in the hot weather -of '81, is well known to you," began Captain Mallender senior, as he -moved his chair a little nearer to his nephew. "We had capital sport -in Coorg,--it's shot out now.--I was fond of exploring all over the -place, when my lazy pals were lying on their backs, reading novels, -and smoking. In this way, I happened on a lady and her servants, who -were in a bad fix; their bullock carriage got stuck in crossing a -ford, and I came to their rescue. It turned out, that the lady was of -the Royal house of Coorg, an Ikeri Princess; her name was Puvaka 'the -flower sister.'--She has since been baptised Alida. The Princess was -sixteen years of age, and amazingly beautiful; never had I seen such -a face, and I fell madly in love with her, on the spot. The Princess -Puvaka spoke a little English, I, a little Canarese, and well--I leave -the details to your imagination. We had several moonlight meetings. -I was absolutely infatuated, so, poor child, was she. I knew very -well that her people would never consent to our marriage,--nor mine -either, for that matter, but I threw such trifles to the winds! As for -my family, my regiment, and my future, I never gave them a thought. -Speaking dispassionately, and as an old man--there is no question, that -such love, is undoubtedly a species of insanity! I decided to elope to -Madras, there to get married, and see what turned up? I had money, she -had astounding beauty. We were both young, and the world was before us! -Our plans were on the point of maturing, when one moonlight night, we -suddenly found ourselves betrayed, and surprised. Alida's infuriated -kinsmen fell upon me like savages, I made a hard fight--but it was no -good, one to fifty; when they had overpowered me and bound me fast, -they cut off my nose, ears, eyelids, and upper lip. The Coorgs have a -special instrument for this operation,--a sort of slicing knife called -an 'Odu Katti.'" - -Mallender had hastily risen to his feet, and in a strange hoarse voice -exclaimed, "Good Lord, _now_--I understand!" - -"Sit down--sit down!" snapped his Uncle. "Yes, death would have -been far better; but the Coorg capital punishment,--trampling with -elephants,--was not at the moment available. I was left mutilated, -and all but dead. Alida escaped her brother's vengeance, they simply -cast her off. She and her woman, and an old man, carried me to a -hiding-place, and with native herbs and oils, gradually healed my -wounds; but I was, and am, a frightful and repulsive object; for theirs -was no gentle operation, but a frenzied hacking, and hewing. Naturally, -it was impossible for me to return, or ever again show my _face_ in -England! At first, when I realised all I had lost, I was determined -to put an end to myself,--but Alida barred that way. She has been my -good angel, a miracle of patience, and forbearance, has made me a home, -cultivated the English language, and mitigated my life in death. We -live here under a native name, for part of the year, and in the hot -weather we go into camp out in Mysore, or to Bangalore, where I have -a large house, near the Fort. Time, and money, have blunted the raw -edge of my misery; I have my luxuries, shooting, horses, motors, yes! -the rupees are a wonderful balm. I take a keen interest in native and -European life, and am acquainted with many matters that are hidden from -my countrymen, and I pull various strings for my country's good. I -have had my eye on you, Geoffrey, my namesake. You take after me, and -are bold, and enterprising--not like your father, who was dreamy and -bookish, poor fellow, and naturally stagnant." - -"But, you know, I came out here to look for you, by _his_ wish." - -"So I understood." - -"He was full of remorse; because he had not answered your letter in -person." - -"To what good?" demanded his brother, with a touch of passion, "I -was done for. I have paid the price of my folly; and yet Alida is a -treasure. She endures my fits of depression, my irritable, exacting, -temper. Sometimes I tell myself, that _her_ fate has been the worst. -We were married by a missionary,--since dead,--and she is your lawful -Aunt, Alida Mallender. I know, you have a stout heart, nephew. Would -you care to carry out your bold intention, and see me really face to -face?" - -"Yes," of course, was the confident answer. "Many a time, I have sat -gazing at your picture in the dining-room at home." - -"Ah, I'm glad I'll go down to posterity, as that good-looking young -fellow. Now, you shall see the original," and Captain Mallender--late -of the Blue Hussars--fumbled for a moment with spectacles and beard, -then rose, and slowly advanced into the full light of the two candles. - -Geoffrey braced himself, and rising from his place stood up to meet his -ordeal. - -He looked over at the man who confronted him across the table, yet in -spite of strong nerves, and a certain amount of preparation, he gave a -sharp involuntary cry. What he beheld, was a grey bent old man, wearing -a black skull cap; his withered cheeks were deeply sunken, his scanty -beard, was white, and oh, the awful noseless face, the bare grinning -teeth, the lidless eyeballs,--expressing mute agonised interrogation, -and years of hopeless anguish. - -The sweat stood out on Mallender's forehead, as his eyes were set in a -fixed, and horror-stricken stare. - -"You could not blame me for _hiding_?" asked his Uncle thickly, "could -you?" - -Mallender caught his breath in a sort of sob, and stammered: - -"No." - -Then the expatriated victim, turning his back, and resuming his -disguise, once more seated himself, and there ensued an eloquent -silence. Mallender the younger, was so severely and unexpectedly -shaken, that for some moments he could not articulate; he felt -completely stunned, and incapable alike of speech or coherent thought. -At last he said in a broken voice: - -"Oh, Uncle Geoffrey, I can't express--what I feel for you!" - -"Thank you, my boy," came the answer in a husky tone, "now that you -have had your wish, you understand, don't you?" - -"Yes, oh my God, I do!" responded his nephew. - -"Few are acquainted with this horror--my fate," resumed Captain -Mallender senior. "Some devoted Coorg dependents, screen us from the -world, and their fellow-servants. I pose as a wealthy native who has -made a fortune in tobacco, and am related to the old princely family of -Gulberga, now, I may tell you, extinct." - -"But isn't it impossible to personate a native?" - -"Not at all. I had always a talent for languages, I speak Tamil, and -Canarese like my mother tongue. I pretend, that I was educated in -England--this accounts for my English tastes, my books, manner of -riding, choice of food, and so on. I have an English sitting-room, with -English arm-chairs, and lined with books, here and at Bangalore. It is -looked upon as one of my numerous eccentricities. On the other hand, I -smoke a huka, I maintain a royal reserve, and state; I give to the poor -with both hands, and I tolerate at least a hundred parasites." - -"And what of Brown and Brown? How much do _they_ know?" - -"They know everything," was the startling rejoinder. "Never withhold -secrets from your men of business; and besides, in my case, they are -necessary to manage my affairs, remit money, receive letters, and keep -me in touch with England." - -"Yes, I can see that, they did not give me much of a welcome--a pair of -sun-dried old scorpions!" - -"Don't be hard on them, Geoffrey. Your unexpected descent naturally put -us out terribly. Probably you can now imagine how very uneasy you made -me feel, until I discovered that your methods were childish." - -"The whole thing was childish on my part." - -"No, I won't allow that. I am more than thankful that you came. You -have roused and shaken me out of a groove; to know, that a real live -nephew, had so far exerted himself, as to come to India to find me! -made me once more think of myself, as Geoffrey Mallender, and not as -the Nawab Dooloo of Idacotta. And now tell me something about yourself?" - -Geoffrey had not yet weathered the shock of his Uncle's history and its -illustration; in a few halting sentences he spoke of his upbringing, -his having left the service, and his hitherto uneventful career. - -"Well, out here, your career has been fairly eventful, thanks to _me_," -said his Uncle. "I intend to make up to you, for your hardships. I -expect you are in pretty low water with regard to money, eh, my boy?" - -"Yes, I am afraid so; however, I have enough to take me home." - -"You have. Brown and Co. have executed a deed in which Mallender is -made over to you altogether. Of what use is it to a man like me? it is -now yours absolutely." - -"But that would never do! I could not accept it," protested Geoffrey, -"what are you to live on? If you will continue the allowance you made -my father----" - -"Don't worry about me," interrupted his Uncle, "I am not a poor man, -even minus Mallender. For thirty years, my expenses have been moderate. -I've no society to entertain, no clubs, no cards, no racers, no polo -ponies. Like old Beamish, I have put by, and invested large sums, most -of which will go to you after my death and Alida's. I've left some -legacies to servants, and pensioners, and a trifle to Freddy; what a -stiff-necked little beggar it is!" - -"Yes, but as far as I'm concerned, I don't blame him." - -"Little does he guess, that _I_ am his obnoxious next-door neighbour! -or how I like to hear him storming at me, for a nuisance, when we burn -weeds and woods, and the wind is his way; nor does he imagine, that I -am often in Madras. I wear a pair of goggles, and sometimes drive my -own car, and get about a good deal. I go to races, and cricket matches, -I was at the polo, and witnessed your performance. When I appear in -public, I wear a turban and beard, and sit well back in the car like a -'Gosha' woman, so as to keep up my reputation, of an eccentric native -gentleman of high degree. You ride well, Geoffrey, and I intend to -give you a horse to take home; a splendid black Arab called 'Baber.' I -shall like to think that he who has carried me out here, later on, will -gallop round the old park, and the place where I was born." - -"Surely something could be done for you, Uncle Geoffrey?" said -Mallender. "Why not come home yourself? In these days, surgeons and -science seem to work miracles." - -"My good nephew! I now see that Fred has some ground for saying you -have a strain of madness in your brain. I'm beyond human help. Here, I -have dree'd my weird,--here I'll die. Supposing I were to accompany you -home,--and my old heart leaps at the thought!--what do you think people -would say? They'd swear I was a rank impostor. Mallender of the Blue -Hussars, was drowned years and years ago." - -"But you could do the same as out here, take another name?" urged -Geoffrey the persistent. - -"Always optimistic, and full of schemes, I see! No, no, the Nawab will -bide in Madras." - -Then rising from his place he came nearer, a strange but not horrifying -object, with false nose and beard, the eyeballs looking out from the -black-rimmed glasses wore a soft expression as he said: - -"You must make it up with Fred, tell him, you've carried out -your project and seen me, are reinstated, and sole owner of -Mallender,--park, property, house, and its contents down to the very -teaspoons!" - -"But listen to me, Uncle Geoffrey. I really cannot take it all like -that, in your lifetime." - -"You can, in short, there's no help for it. Mallender is yours now, as -much as the coat on your back." - -The new owner of Mallender was about to expostulate, but his Uncle held -up his hand. - -"To let you into a secret, Geoffrey--I am proud of you!" - -"It's awfully good of you to say so, Uncle, but although I meant well, -I've been more or less, of a pig-headed idiot." - -"As for that, I happen to know, how you came to the rescue of that -unfortunate girl, Miss Sim; packed her off home, and paid her passage. -It was you, who faced Rochfort's wife, stifled a terrible scandal, and -made peace. Finally, I'm told that you saved the life of old Beamish's -daughter, and nearly lost your own. Now for each of these deeds, I give -you a good mark." - -Mallender laughed uncomfortably. - -"Your next exploit, must be to find a really nice girl--and marry her." - -"I have found her." - -"What! Who? Not Tara Beamish? No--no." - -"Miss Miller--you may have seen her?" - -"Yes, a pretty little fair girl, rides like a bird--had a narrow escape -of marrying her father's old pal. That young woman has grit; I give you -my consent, and she shall have a suitable wedding present. I'm glad you -did not fall in love with the other!" - -"Then you've seen the youngest Miss Beamish?" - -"Yes, in Bangalore--a beautiful creature, with wild, blue blood in her -veins. I've also seen her mother--that was many years ago.--And I knew -more of the girl's history, than her adopted parents; but then, as I've -told you, I live behind the scenes and hold many secrets. Well, there -is no mystery about your future wife, and I wish you joy. The moon is -favourable, and to-night, we shall celebrate two great events; your -visit to me, and your engagement. I shall inaugurate a big Tamasha -and my retainers will call it the feast of the full moon; but to me, -it will be the fête of Geoffrey, and his little lady! Now, my boy, -this has been a trying interview; I know," and his voice broke, "that -you feel for me; but you'd better go now, and come again--I'm rather -played out. I know I need not ask you, to keep my secret," again his -voice failed, and he sat down, and struck a little hand bell. Instantly -the door opened, and the Coorg Princess appeared beckoning from the -threshold. - -"It has been an amazing exertion," she said as she and Geoffrey stood -together in the verandah, "I'm thankful it is over." - -"Yes," assented her companion, "so am I." - -"He likes you so much, you have been such a great interest to him, and -made him so proud and happy, for you have always been an honourable -gentleman. We heard of you up in Coorg, my country, and in beautiful -Mysore. I am your Aunt Alida." - -Mallender bowed assent, then as he looked into her face, stirred by an -inexplicable impulse, he stooped, and lifted her hand to his lips. Why -not? She was his Uncle's wife, and she held herself like royalty. For a -moment, she surveyed him earnestly with her burning black eyes, noting -as she did so, that the young man was woefully thin; his cheeks were -sunken, his clothes worn, and almost shabby. Undoubtedly, he had tasted -both sickness and poverty. - -"You have had a hard time," she murmured gently, "but if one leaves the -beaten road,--one has to pay!" - -As Geoffrey gazed into her worn but beautiful face, he realised with a -pang, that this low-voiced Aunt, who had abandoned a beaten road,--had -paid, heavily. - -"You will come again," she urged, "we will arrange with Brown and -Brown; they forward letters; the motor waits to take you wherever you -please. Good-bye!" and turning towards the drawing-room, she waved him -farewell. - - - - - CHAPTER XXXII - - -His Aunt's offer of the splendid Panhard was not accepted by Geoffrey; -he preferred to depart on foot, realising that after his recent -experience, he must get away alone, into some quiet retreat, there to -steady his mind, and nerves. As he descended the steps, even in the dim -ill-lighted premises, he received the impression of an atmosphere of -wealth, extravagance, and a certain amount of slackness, secrecy, and -state; moreover an establishment crowded with retainers. The servants' -liveries were gorgeous, the massive ill-trimmed hanging lamps, of -beaten silver, splendid Persian rugs were carelessly strewn on the -flagged portico, and that curious smell, beyond analysis, that belongs -to the East hung in the air. From the rear, came the bitter pungent -odour of wood fires, cooking the evening meal, the cries of children, -the shrill whinny of horses. What, Mallender asked himself, was _he_ -doing in this native _milieu_? He seemed to be under some spell of -unreality! Still walking as in a dream, he passed through a group of -salaaming peons, into the dark overgrown avenue. There he encountered -many vague stealthy figures, going or coming, and was presently -overtaken by three men; mounted Sowars, on fine horses, who clattered -by, in haste,--evidently bound on some important errand. Arrived once -more at the shabby entrance he halted, and looked about, standing out -of the traffic, under the shade of a great tamarind tree. As yet, he -could not bring himself to face his next door relatives, or enter their -well-ordered, well-illuminated English home; the contrast was so sharp -between the household of his Uncle, and his cousin--that even to think -of it made him flinch. - -For nearly an hour, he slowly paced the dusty road; enclosed within -high walls which lay between two entrances; where one, his nearest -relative lived, cut off from his own people, surrounded by mystery and -natives; whilst the other, great garden house, was no doubt as usual, -overflowing with gay, appreciative guests, the cream of Madras society. - -As he strolled along, his hands in his pockets, his eyes on the -ground, he was haunted by the face of his Uncle; that awful mutilated -countenance, with its jagged mouth, and wild bare eyeballs; he -shuddered more than once, that warm still evening, and tried to thrust -the hideous memory from his mental vision. Had such a fate overtaken -him, how would he have borne it? He could not, would not, survive--no, -even Barbie should not prevail. He endeavoured to put himself into his -Uncle's place,--as a young man of his own age and profession, full -of life, energy and expectation, suddenly shut out from his kindred, -friends, and nation. Left alone, to struggle as best he might, with an -absolutely hopeless future; abandoned to an existence of isolation and -pretence. Why, why, should fate exact through years of misery, such -remorseless punishment, for _one_ folly? - -Undoubtedly Alida represented some mitigation of the sentence; but a -woman of another race and outlook. No doubt, she had been an angel of -mercy, yet could even Alida replace a wasted youth?--a lost world? - -Those first years must have represented the torment of Hades! they made -Mallender think of quivering flesh, and a fiery furnace, of a blind -lark in a tiny cage, of a starving old thoroughbred in a cheap coal -cart. - -What could _he_ do to relieve a miserable existence? Yet if his Uncle -were to be believed, he had already--if unconsciously--contributed a -certain amount of interest and amusement to brighten some dark days. -Doubtless sensibilities become deadened by time--for to a man of -eight-and-twenty, thirty years seem an age;--perhaps his Uncle was -right to stick to India, and a disguise, since Mallender of the Blue -Hussars could never reclaim his former identity. It was close on eight -o'clock, when Geoffrey at last gathered his forces together, and turned -towards Hooper's Gardens. Here was a wide trim enclosure, guiltless of -jungle, cattle, or even goats, an admirably kept well-lighted "Europe" -establishment, from whence came the faint sounds of a piano, and a -woman's voice. - -Under the portico, the stout and stately butler received the visitor -with a beaming countenance; possibly this was an indication of -gratitude for past generosity--possibly, merely a token of welcome and -good-will. This particular young man was well spoken of in the go-downs. - -Mallender ran up the steps, into the familiar verandah, and immediately -came face to face with Nancy Brander in evening dress. - -"Geoffrey!" she exclaimed, lifting her hands in astonishment. "Oh, my -dear boy, how thankful I am to see you again!" - -"The same to you," he answered gravely. - -"We have been in _such_ misery about you. When Fred saw that notice -in the papers, he was utterly crushed; he blames himself for -everything--for allowing you, a mere innocent, to go off alone. He -says he should never have let you out of his sight,--even if he had to -accompany you, and take _Fanny_! Where have you come from?" - -"A coffee estate in Mysore. I'm all right now. I suppose the house is -crammed as usual?" - -"No, indeed, we are alone. Fan and Fred are in no spirits for company, -they wired for me, and I arrived two days ago. Tom says I live here; -but on this occasion, my visit lies at your door!" - -"Nancy, Nan!" came a voice from within, "who are you talking to out -there? Why don't you bring them in?" - -"I must break it gently," she whispered. "Shall I go first, and prepare -them?" - -"Do, do," he urged, and stood aside, as she swept into the drawing-room. - -Freddy was sitting near a lamp, pince-nez on nose, holding a paper in a -limp hand. Fan was knitting with an abstracted air. They looked up when -Nancy entered. - -"My dear people, I bring you good news," she proclaimed, "very good -news! Geoffrey is all right--he is coming!" They had both risen to -their feet, when she added, "He is here!" - -Knitting and paper were hastily discarded, as the prodigal nephew -followed his herald into the drawing-room. His welcome was rapturous; -what a scene for the stage! Freddy nearly dragged his arm off. Fanny -sobbed and shed happy tears, but the many things she would have -uttered, choked in her throat. - -"A nice fright you gave us, my boy!" said his cousin blowing his nose, -"that note in the _Royàpetta Star_--you see, we had not had news for -months--my fault! my fault! and when I saw this, I telegraphed off to -General Beamish, but got no reply; though I wired three times, answer -prepaid; then I tried the postmaster, and he said you were dead." - -"He mixed us up," said Geoffrey, "General Beamish is dead,--he died a -month ago." - -"Yes, so we heard to-day, and that you had been taken away somewhere." - -"You are all right again, are you, Geoffrey?" asked Fanny, as she -scanned him critically. She, like her next door neighbour, the Coorg -Princess, noticed that he looked thin, haggard, and shabby, in -comparison to the Geoffrey of old days. - -"You want feeding up, that I can see," she remarked with emphasis, -"eggs and milk,--and early hours." - -"There's dinner," exclaimed her husband, "come along with me, Geoffrey, -and wash your hands in my room; your own will be ready in a brace of -shakes. Where's your luggage?" - -"I've very little, but that's at the station, most of my kit is still -here." - -"That's all right. Anthony can get it out, and unpack." - -"Oh, I did not bring him down with me, but I'll wire for him to-morrow." - -(He had left Anthony at Kartairi by the advice of Mrs. Bourne, who said: - -"I believe that you will come to the end of the mystery this time, and -if so, you don't want to take the whole bazaar into your confidence. I -am aware of Smiler's good qualities--but I would not trust him with a -family secret, till you know all about it first.") - -"I expect you are starving," said Fan to Geoffrey, as he entered, and -occupied his old place. - -"Yes, famishing. I had breakfast at ten o'clock at Jollapett." - -"Then you must have got in at four!" said Nancy, "But why didn't -you come up at once?--where have you been?" In Geoffrey's opinion -this was Nancy's one shortcoming, her mental eye was extraordinarily -penetrating,--she was much _too_ sharp. - -"I had some business to attend to. I'll tell you all about it -afterwards," and the traveller glanced significantly at the eager-eyed -attendants, who were as anxious to hear Captain Mallender's news, as -any of the company. Why all this bobbery and trouble, and coming and -going? What had he been doing? they asked one another, and there was -unfortunately no Anthony to set their minds at rest. - -"We are a small party," said Colonel Tallboys, "we had invited a lot of -people, but we put them off." - -"Any of last year's lot?" - -"No, Sir William and Lady Bream are at home," said Fanny, "he has -just bought a place in the country, miles from everywhere, which she -loathes, poor dear! She wants a house in Mayfair, and a smart villa at -Roque-Brune." - -"I have made some discoveries about Lady Bream," announced Geoffrey, -"she is the grand-daughter of old General Beamish, and was your -school-fellow, Fan. It, excuse me,--seems incredible!" - -"Yes," replied Fred, "didn't I keep the secret well. I wonder what -Bream will say, when he learns the sum-total of her age, and debts!" - -"As for her debts, he may possibly hear the truth," said her -school-fellow, "but Lena is so ridiculously sensitive about her age. -She likes to pass for eight-and-twenty, and would not reveal that she -was forty-two last October--no, not if she were agonising on the rack!" - -"Oh, well, everyone is the age she looks," said Nancy cheerily. "Our -dear friends, the Wylies, who were here with you, Geoffrey, are now in -Japan, the guests of an American millionaire." - -"I'm not interested in the Wylies," said Mallender, "I hope I may never -come across them again." - -"You will--if you ever become rich, they will both be devoted to you!" - -"I need hardly tell you, that I'm dying to hear all your adventures," -said Fan. "We have not seen you for eight whole months." - -"No, and I've lots to tell you, important news too, but I'll wait, if I -may, till we are in the smoking-room, with no audience." - -"Meanwhile, I am on pins and needles," said Nancy, "and my imagination -is filling in the most wonderful adventures and scenes." - -"I saw some wonderful scenes when I was up in Coorg, and Mysore," and -the traveller proceeded to give brief descriptions of his excursions, -and experiences--omitting, however, all mention of Panjeverram, as he -had no desire to bring Major Rochfort's past into the supremely happy -present. - -"You were somewhere near Madras once," said Colonel Tallboys, "for -Proudfoot saw you, several times." - -"Yes, I was after, what turned out to be a mare's nest!" - -"I suppose you heard in the Hills of our anxiety and enquiries, and -came down at once, like the good fellow you are?" - -"Ye-e-s--that is to say, I had to come anyway." - -"Oh, the usual thing, I suppose, eh?" said his cousin with a sly smile. - -"The usual thing," repeated Geoffrey, but instead of a smile, a -momentary spasm crossed his face. - -"Now do begin at once, and open the budget," urged Fanny, when they had -all disposed themselves comfortably in the smoking-room, and the butler -had withdrawn, bearing the empty coffee cups. Mallender had not found -himself a seat, but walked about restlessly, with an unlighted cigar -between his fingers. At last, he came to a standstill before Fanny, and -said: - -"Well, my first piece of news is, that I am going to marry Barbie -Miller!" - -"Barbie!" echoed Mrs. Tallboys, then after a moment's pause, "Oh, my -dear boy, I am so glad, so glad!" and she rose from her chair, and -embraced him. - -"I would follow suit," said Nancy putting down her cigarette, "and kiss -you too, but Barbie might not like it." - -"I call it a very sound choice," said Colonel Tallboys, "and I -congratulate you, my boy. Yes, though there's no money, and a terrible -mother, Barbie is the nicest little girl I know, what hair, and what -hands!" - -"I never noticed her hands," said Nancy, "_I_ always look at feet, she -has such pretty feet!" - -"Hands, on a horse's mouth." - -"But," resumed Nancy, sitting very erect, "I thought----" - -"Yes, yes, I know," interrupted Mallender precipitately, "that's all -right now." - -"Nothing like beginning, or going on, with a little aversion?" - -"There was no aversion on either side. I admired Barbie from the first -moment I saw her." - -"So did I. I was always fond of her, she is a darling; but oh, my poor -Geoffrey, have you thought of your mother-in-law?" - -"No, and I am not going to think of her!" - -"Is anything settled?" inquired Fanny, the matchmaker. - -"Mrs. Bourne and Barbie are coming down next week, and something will -be arranged then." - -"They stay here, of course," promptly put in Colonel Tallboys. "Fanny, -you will write at once." - -Geoffrey, who had taken another turn round the room, again came to a -halt, and said: - -"There is something else I have to tell you." After a momentary pause, -he added: - -"I have found my Uncle." - -"God bless me, you don't say so!" ejaculated Colonel Tallboys, leaning -both hands on the arms of his chair, and rising slowly to his feet. - -"You have found him," echoed Nancy, "then Peary must hide his -diminished head!" - -"Where is he? Why does he conceal himself?" demanded Colonel Tallboys -excitedly. - -To this double-barrelled question, Geoffrey at first made no reply, -then he said, "That is his secret, and one which I am bound to respect." - -"There's no disgraceful element in the matter?" - -"None. But please don't question me, for I can tell you nothing." - -"I think it remarkably strange, that _I_ am to be kept in the dark," -said Colonel Tallboys speaking with a pink complexion, and rising -temper. "How is he? At least I suppose you may answer _that_. Is he -much changed--eh?" - -"You forget that until lately I had never seen him." - -"Yes, that's true. I knew him long ago! Such a smart handsome young -fellow, full of go and enterprise, and very popular. Lord! _how_ I -admired and envied him!" - -"I think I may say, that he is fairly well in health, that he will -never leave India, was glad to see me, and to hear I was going to be -married." - -"And I am delighted that you have carried out your undertaking," added -Fan, "and not had all your searching and trouble for nothing!" - -"On the contrary, my trouble, as you call it, has been rewarded by a -fortune; my Uncle has made Mallender over to me altogether." - -"Hurrah! Hurrah!" cried Freddy clapping his hands, and once more -the soul of good-humour. "This is something like news! So you are -actually now, as you stand there, in your shabby serge, and disgraceful -'chuklers'' boots, Mallender of Mallender, with eight thousand a year!" - -"Yes, I suppose I am." - -"I presume Brown and Co. have arranged everything, and made out the -deeds; if you'd like _me_ to go and look into matters, you know, my -dear boy, you have only to say the word and I am heartily at your -service!" - -"Thank you. I believe it's all right, I've not heard any details, but -I'll let you know later on how things stand." - -"And so _this_, was your business in Madras, my rich young adventurer?" - -"Partly." - -"What a match for Barbie!" suddenly exclaimed Nancy, "dear little -simple girl. But only think of Mrs Miller!" she added with a touch of -light-hearted cruelty. "She will be lying in wait for you at Victoria -Station--if she is not arranging the house for your reception at -Mallender, with triumphal arches, and a band." - -"Don't mind her, Geoffrey," said his cousin, "she is only trying to -draw you. I should be sorry to think you were not able to grapple with -Mother Miller." - -"It is really incredible, what a change a couple of hours can make," -said Fan. "This evening, I felt so utterly miserable and depressed, I -would have thoroughly enjoyed a good cry; now, only it would be too -remarkable, I'd like to run out into the compound, and _sing_! We must -fill up the house at once, I'll wire first thing to-morrow for Mrs. -Bourne and Barbie. Nan, my dear, we shall have a right merry Christmas!" - -"Talking of singing in the compound, and a merry time," said Colonel -Tallboys, who had stepped into the verandah, "I'm blessed if the old -boy next door isn't sending up rockets, and fire balloons!--the best -sort too!--it's worth your while to come out, all of you! There must be -some big Tamasha in his family,--probably a wedding!" - - - - - CHAPTER XXXIII - - -The wedding of Captain Mallender and Miss Barbara Miller, was one of -the most popular functions of the Madras season. Scores of invitations -were issued from hospitable Hooper's Gardens, and not only was the -house crammed for the occasion, but the supplementary encampment was -on such a scale, that it might have been mistaken for a Durbar. Among -the guests, were the three Beamishes. Tom and Jessie were commonplace -enough, and appeared to be not a little bewildered by their gay -surroundings, but Tara, their bridesmaid sister, created a profound -sensation. Her beauty, lofty carriage, air of distinction and absolute -self-possession, found hosts of admirers; these were struck dumb when -they learned that this young Royal, and Imperial Highness, was merely -the daughter of old Beamish, and his third wife,--an homely humble -body, whose father had been an hospital dresser. The girl presented -an almost ludicrous contrast to her relatives! Tom passed as a young -planter, a rough diamond in his way, and a good sort: he soon made -friends; but Miss Beamish, who was shy and ill-dressed, did not know -what to talk about, or what to do with her hands--and grand climax, -impartially distributed little pink tracts, dealing with the souls of -the heathen! - -Her sister, on the contrary, wore her clothes with admirable grace, and -seemed not merely to find herself at ease, but to dominate the company! -As people looked at Tara, a fragile aristocrat seated with nonchalant -dignity in the midst of her Court, and then at Jessie, bashful and -self-conscious, perched on the edge of a chair, feverishly twisting her -ugly fingers, they decided that "Heredity" was an amazing factor in -human life,--and enchanting Miss Tara a most remarkable "throw back." - -But Mrs. Fiske, who had recently descended on Madras, put an entirely -different construction on the case; one alas! that was not creditable -to the virtue of Mrs. Beamish. - -In his mysterious excursions through the Presidency, it was evident -that Captain Mallender had picked up some strange acquaintances--this -was another of Mrs. Fiske's pronouncements. On the afternoon of -the wedding, amidst the fashionable crowd in the Cathedral, were -two youths, who were almost black, and an elderly European woman, -conspicuous in green velveteen, yellow silk gloves, and an appalling -hat. Yet to the trio, the bridegroom, whilst awaiting the bride, most -particularly addressed himself. What could he possibly have in common -with such low people? Here even Mrs. Fiske's lurid imagination was -at fault; and besides these undesirables, close to the entrance, and -completely in the background, Mrs. Fiske was amazed to descry, two -_natives_! A black-bearded man, wearing spectacles and an immense -turban, and a lady who was closely veiled. Apparently, anxious to shun -recognition, they were the last to arrive, and effected a stealthy -departure before the Wedding March burst forth, and the bridal -procession left the altar. - -Barbie, who looked lovely, and wore wonderful pearls, and a lace train -and veil, was given away by Colonel Tallboys, whilst Captain Byng -supported his friend. There were eight charming bridesmaids, many -brilliant toilettes and smart uniforms, and it was pronounced to be the -prettiest and most popular wedding that had been celebrated in Madras -for years. - -Subsequently, the reception was held at Hooper's Gardens; here the -presents were on view; these were numerous and varied; from an -Annamulley cane, and a bamboo tiffin basket, to a moon-shaped amulet -set in brilliants, and a string of magnificent pearls. - -When, a few weeks later, the happy couple sailed for home, their -departure was deplored by many,--even although they had faithfully -promised to return ere long. - -Pending this fulfilment, Anthony had accepted service with Colonel -Tallboys; he talks much in cook-house, and pantry, of his master, the -Captain, and boasts, that before he went away, he paid in one hundred -pounds for him, Anthony, to the Madras Bank. "Two thousand five hundred -rupees, all for me, and my services. My master thinking plenty much of -_me_ therefore, fortune giving." - -This as it happened was the truth; but his jealous associates comforted -one another with the statement, that it was only one of Anthony's many -lies! - -On the day of departure, the Tallboys, accompanied by the Branders, -ascended to the flat roof of Hooper's Gardens, in order to see the very -last of the steamer that was bearing their relatives to England. Their -eyes followed it, or rather its smoke, till it dwindled and dwindled by -degrees, and as the little speck finally faded below the horizon Nancy -turned, with a dramatic gesture, and addressed her companions: - -"They're gone, and only think of it! just one year ago, Geoffrey -came out here, on a wild-goose chase, a stranger in the land, and -empty-handed,--for his allowance was cut off from the day he arrived. -Behold, now, he returns, leaving crowds of Indian friends--not to -mention a weeping Anthony--and carries away with him, a sword, a horse, -a fortune, and a bride!" - - - THE END - - - _Printed at The Chapel River Press, Kingston, Surrey._ - - * * * * * - -MABEL BARNES-GRUNDY has rapidly come to the front as one of -our most successful novelists. Her stories excel in wit, humour, -observation and characterisation. The complete and uniform edition of -her novels, as under, will be published, at short intervals, during -the Spring and early Summer, at the popular price of 1/-. - - - By - - MABEL BARNES-GRUNDY - - _Each bound in cloth, with most attractive picture wrapper, 1/-net._ - - An Undressed Heroine - Marguerite's Wonderful Year - Hilary on Her Own - Two in a Tent--and Jane - The Third Miss Wenderby - Patricia Plays a Part - Candytuft--I mean Veronica - The Vacillations of Hazel - - Like Gertrude Page's Shilling Novels, published in 1916, Mabel - Barnes-Grundy's Shilling Novels for 1917 will be the outstanding - success of the year. - - - London: HUTCHINSON & CO., Paternoster Row. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IN OLD MADRAS *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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M. Croker</p> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: In Old Madras</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: B. M. Croker</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: November 18, 2022 [eBook #69383]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: MWS, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IN OLD MADRAS ***</div> - -<div class="titlepage"> - -<h1><span class="smcap">In Old Madras</span></h1> - -<h2>By B. M. Croker</h2> - -<p>"<i>When you've 'eard the East a-calling<br /> -You never 'eed nought else.</i>"<br /> -<i>KIPLING.</i></p> - -<p><i>LONDON: HUTCHINSON & CO.</i><br /> -<i>PATERNOSTER ROW</i></p> - -<p><i>BY THE SAME AUTHOR</i></p> - -<p>WHAT SHE OVERHEARD<br /> -THE SERPENT'S TOOTH<br /> -A RASH EXPERIMENT<br /> -THE YOUNGEST MISS MOWBRAY</p> - -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>IN OLD MADRAS</h2> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">CHAPTER I</p> - - -<p>A heavy tropical surf boomed on the shingle, with the precision and -monotony of minute guns, and a fierce clammy breeze raged from the sea, -where Massulah boats and small shipping rocked uneasily. The same wind, -circulating inland, drove whirling clouds of brick-red dust through -Madras City, and vigorously swept the long Mount Road,—ere it died -with a whisper, among distant paddy fields.</p> - -<p>By ten o'clock on this detestable morning, all troops had returned to -barracks, signallers and golfers deserted the Island, riding-parties -were no longer abroad, but under languid punkahs, or tireless electric -fans, the military, civil, and mercantile element were still actively -engaged.</p> - -<p>Among the latter, the wealthy house of Brown, Brown and Co. stood -prominent as one of the oldest firms in India.</p> - -<p>Established in the humble early days of John Company, it had acquired -name and fame, expanded and flourished. Undisturbed by wars, unshaken -by mutinies, or famine, its grim, hard-featured offices continued to -frown upon the first line of beach. Possibly those storm-beaten walls, -and gloomy flagged passages, had echoed to the voice and footsteps of a -visitor from "Writer's Buildings"—the future hero of Arcot and Plassy, -a junior clerk, named Robert Clive. Who knows?</p> - -<p>At present, within the inhospitable waiting-room (a lofty -slate-coloured apartment, with heavily barred windows), a well set-up -young Englishman was unnecessarily pacing the worn cocoanut matting. -His thin cashmere suit, and Panama hat, indicated the recent efforts of -a London tailor to cope with a warm climate. The white-covered umbrella -which he carried in his hand was also new—indeed, its owner himself -was new to the country, having arrived the previous evening.</p> - -<p>At the moment, the stranger was impatiently awaiting an interview with -the acting representatives of Brown and Brown—but apparently these -were in no hurry to receive him.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, in a spacious inner office, Mr. Fleming, a stout, sleek -personage with a bald head and heavy face, had been handed a -visiting-card by his partner Mr. Parr—a shrivelled little gentleman, -known indifferently as "Monkey Parr," or "Old Nick," for Anglo-India -delights in nicknames.</p> - -<p>"Captain Mallender, Army and Navy Club," he read aloud, then staring -hard at his companion, gave a low and distinctly unofficial whistle.</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes," responded Mr. Parr, removing his pince-nez with a decisive -click. "Same name, same club. I can tell you, that it gave <i>me</i> a nasty -shock; but, of course, here is the heir, now his father is dead, come -out to nose about, and make enquiries."</p> - -<p>"He may enquire till he's blue—he will find that he has undertaken a -fool's errand. Why can't the young ass leave well alone?" demanded Mr. -Fleming testily.</p> - -<p>"Because he doesn't believe things <i>are</i> well," sharply rejoined his -partner.</p> - -<p>"And intends to better them, eh? If he is not mighty careful, he will -lose his half-loaf; and anyway it's a deuced nuisance; a very awkward -business—we shall have the fellow in and out all day, bothering for -information."</p> - -<p>"Well, he won't get it!" declared Mr. Fleming. "Let's send for him, -and see what he is like? Here, Parsons!" he shouted to a pallid clerk; -"just ask the gentleman to step this way."</p> - -<p>In less than two minutes, the said gentleman, alert, well-groomed, and -self-possessed, was bowing to the firm.</p> - -<p>"Very glad to see you, Captain Mallender," lied Mr. Parr, the more -prominent of the partners. "Just arrived, find it rather sultry, eh?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," agreed the caller in a pleasant manly voice, "it's a bit of a -change from an English winter—can't say much for your climate!"</p> - -<p>"Won't you take a chair?" suavely suggested Mr. Fleming. "I suppose you -have come out with the usual battery of rifles, to shoot big game?"</p> - -<p>"Shoot big game! No," replied Mallender, as he seated himself, placed -his hat carefully beside him on the dusty matting, and then in a clear -decided tone, promptly announced his mission. "The fact is, I'm here -to make enquiries about my Uncle and namesake, an officer in the Blue -Hussars, who disappeared mysteriously about thirty years ago, when -camping up in Coorg."</p> - -<p>Mr. Parr nodded gravely, and considered the speaker with a sharp -appraising eye—a veritable rat's eye. His partner merely exhibited -a detached and judicial attitude, as he twisted the visitor's card -between his bleached, fat fingers.</p> - -<p>"He was supposed to have been drowned in the Cauvery, or carried off -by a tiger," continued the young man, "and after the family had put on -mourning, and the step had gone in the regiment, he wrote to my father, -to say that although dead to the world, he was still in the land of the -living—I have this letter in my possession."</p> - -<p>Here the speaker hesitated for a moment, and looked expectantly at -his audience; but the representatives of the house of Brown and Brown -maintained an unsympathetic and professional silence, only broken by -the ticking of a typewriter, and the creaking of a punkah.</p> - -<p>"The letter," resumed Mallender, "stated that my Uncle would draw -half his income through your firm, the other half would be paid to my -father, as the price of his silence; and on condition that he made no -attempt to trace his brother, or allowed it to be known that he was -still alive. After considerable reluctance and delay, my father agreed. -You follow me?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes—we follow you," assented Mr. Fleming, with a bland calmness, -almost feline in its composure.</p> - -<p>"My father died two months ago; before the end, he told me of the -existence of his brother and the source of the greater part of his -income; he also spoke of his promise—a promise he deeply regretted. -However, a pledge given before I was born has no hold on me. If my -Uncle is alive, I am determined to find him, and speak to him face to -face."</p> - -<p>Having made this declaration, Captain Mallender paused, and leaning on -the knob of his umbrella, gravely contemplated his companions.</p> - -<p>"Ah, so that's your plan!" exclaimed Mr. Fleming, as he dabbed his -forehead with a silk handkerchief—he suffered severely from heat.</p> - -<p>"Have you seen my Uncle since he wrote that letter?" inquired Mallender.</p> - -<p>"No. We have never seen him, and we cannot tell you anything about -him," was the brusque and unsatisfactory reply.</p> - -<p>"But I presume you know where he is to be found? You must have some -address?"</p> - -<p>"Which we are bound never to divulge; and in your case, my dear sir, -is it not imprudent to risk the loss of four thousand a year—in fact, -most of your income?"</p> - -<p>Mr. Parr broke off dramatically, in order to allow the fact to soak -into the mind of this good-looking lunatic.</p> - -<p>"Possibly you may not be disturbed in the house or park," supplemented -his partner, "but it is from sound investments that the bulk of the -money comes. Formerly, interest was higher, but securities fluctuate. -We have done our best—yes, we have done our best."</p> - -<p>Here Mr. Fleming folded his hands across his capacious cummerbund, and -assumed an expression of benign satisfaction.</p> - -<p>"Oh, your best, of course," quickly assented Mallender. "I did not -come out here with an eye to <i>money</i>. What brought me to India was -to find my Uncle," and his umbrella struck the matting with such a -vigorous thump, that it raised a little puff of dust. "I have my own -ideas. I've given this business a great deal of—er—consideration, and -I don't mind telling you, I firmly believe my Uncle to be dead, and -that some infernal scoundrel is impersonating him, and living on half -his fortune. Our share was just a bribe to shut our mouths and stifle -inquiries. Now," suddenly appealing to Mr. Parr, "what do you say?"</p> - -<p>"Well, Captain Mallender," and he gave a laugh of ironical amusement, -"if I must give an opinion, <i>I</i> say, that your idea would make a -valuable plot for a sixpenny shocker, but that is all there is in it."</p> - -<p>"There is everything in it," replied the young man forcibly. "By all -accounts my Uncle was remarkable for his high spirits and energy, a -keen soldier—but not attached to the East. <i>He</i> heard the <i>West</i> -a-calling, and was always looking forward to returning home; his -letters were full of it. I've read them myself. So I ask you why—if -alive—he should cut adrift from all he cared for, and bury himself in -a country that he loathed?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes, I must admit there is something in what you say," conceded -Mr. Parr. "He was a handsome, headstrong, young officer. I saw him -once, in this very office, when I was a junior—but—but——" and he -pursed up his thin purple lips, "things happen, changes take place in -people's characters, as well as in their constitutions. We have all to -reckon with the unexpected; at any rate, we have Captain Mallender's -instructions, and in his handwriting."</p> - -<p>"Ah, probably a forgery! By all accounts, a highly cultivated native -art."</p> - -<p>"There is no question of imposture," rejoined Mr. Parr emphatically.</p> - -<p>"I am afraid I must differ with you. I believe there has been foul -play, and I am determined to remain in India, till I have got to the -bottom of this affair."</p> - -<p>As the man of business listened to this announcement, his whole -expression changed oddly, his withered face seemed to tighten—but in -another second the look had faded.</p> - -<p>"Can you give me any particulars?" resumed Mallender.</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, I can certainly do that," acquiesced Mr. Parr now, clearing -his throat, and crossing a pair of startlingly thin legs. "The -simple facts were these. Captain Mallender and two brother officers -went on a shooting trip from Bangalore in the beginning of the hot -weather, 1881. They worked up through Mysore, into Coorg; one morning -shortly before their leave expired, Captain Mallender's tent was -found to be empty—the bed had not been slept in, his belongings were -scattered about, a novel and a half-written letter lay open beside his -cigar-case. Apparently, he had gone for a stroll before turning in. -They said he was a restless young fellow, always eager to be doing -something: fishing, bathing, shooting, exploring, and twice as active -as his comrades; it looked as if he had wandered out, on one of his -erratic rambles, and come to an untimely end. Some thought, he had been -drowned in the Cauvery, but his body was not recovered—and dead or -alive, he was never seen again."</p> - -<p>"No, of course not!" assented his nephew with significant emphasis.</p> - -<p>"Such disappearances are not altogether unknown," supplemented Mr. -Fleming, with an air of imparting instruction to juvenile ignorance. -"Oriental life has an irresistible fascination for some natures; the -glamour, the relief from convention and the tyranny of the starched -collar, the lure of attractive and voluptuous women, idleness, ease, -luxury, <i>drugs</i>! I could tell you of an officer who went crazy about -a beautiful Kashmeri, and actually abandoned his regiment and his -nationality, in order to live as a native! Twice his friends came -from England to fetch him home, and each time he escaped—even at the -eleventh hour in Bombay, plunged into the bazaars, hid his identity, -and was lost, in <i>every</i> sense!"</p> - -<p>"I'll swear my Uncle wasn't that sort," protested Mallender. "He was a -sportsman, and as hard as nails; a soft sleepy existence among divans -and hukas, would never appeal to him. I am absolutely convinced, that -he was decoyed out of his tent, and murdered; and as I've already -told you, I do not intend to return home, till I have unravelled the -mystery, and run the impostor to ground—to this I stick!" and once -more he thumped his umbrella, and disturbed the dust of weeks.</p> - -<p>"Then in that case, I'm afraid you will make a lifelong stay in India," -rejoined Mr. Parr—smiling as one smiles at the absurd pretensions of a -child.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps so," assented the young man shortly; "I intend to see this -affair through—and my time is now my own. I conclude that you feel -bound not to assist me, or give me the name of the town where the -letters are posted?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, no objection, Captain Mallender, no objection whatever," Mr. -Fleming responded with effusion; "the letters are posted in different -places all over the country, within, say, a radius of four hundred -miles. For instance, we may receive one communication from Georgetown -here in Madras, the next from Bangalore, from an obscure post office in -the hills, or a remote village in the plains. Let me think: the last -was from a railway station called Erode—so you see, my dear sir, that -your Uncle's movements are erratic, and his address is vague. Accept -a piece of absolutely disinterested advice," and here the speaker -tendered a soft, empty hand. "You will do no good out here, you will -only waste time and money, without results. Give up the quest, and -return home!"</p> - -<p>"No," and Mallender's eyes flashed. "What you say more than ever -convinces me that the man who writes to you is a criminal, who goes in -abject fear of his life, and is hiding from justice."</p> - -<p>"Oh, very well, Captain Mallender, <i>very</i> well!" gobbled Mr. Fleming, -and his tone was throaty and offended, "there is no more to be said—it -is not our business to argue; we merely state facts. You say, you have -no doubt that your relative is dead. You may also rest assured, that -from the day it is made known to our client that you are determined to -trace him—the allowance, as paid through our firm, will cease."</p> - -<p>"Well, I'll take all risks," declared this rash adventurer. "And there -is one thing I can promise you. I intend to put the fear of death into -your—er—correspondent! Some fellows come out to India for what they -call 'Shikar'; this business is <i>my</i> shikar—instead of bison, tiger, -or elephants—and mind you, it's not Uncle I am bent on tracking, but -your unseen client, the murderous ruffian who impersonates him!" Then, -rising after a somewhat prolonged and hostile silence:</p> - -<p>"Gentlemen, I see you are not disposed to wish me luck, so I must do -my best to worry through alone. I shall call on you before I leave the -country, and I'll let you know if I have any success. All letters to -the Bank of Madras will be forwarded."</p> - -<p>An extraordinary snorting noise, and the waving of a fin-like hand, -was the only adieu vouchsafed by Mr. Fleming, but his partner jerked -himself out of his seat, and said:</p> - -<p>"All right, Captain Mallender, and I make no doubt that if you persist -in your 'shikar,' we shall be communicating with you at an early date."</p> - -<p>"Oh, you mean about the money? So be it," and with a hasty farewell, -the visitor effected a rapid exit, ran down the worn stone stairs, -flung himself into his <i>gharry</i>, and commanded the driver to take him -to the Brigade Office in St. George's Fort.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile Mr. Fleming lay back in his office chair, mopping his -glistening pink face, and gasped out:</p> - -<p>"That young fellow is going to give trouble!"</p> - -<p>To which unpleasant suggestion, his companion calmly replied:</p> - -<p>"Trouble for himself—yes! He will burn his fingers badly, without -money he is tethered, and cannot move far. I bet you what you like," -rapping his glasses on the desk, "that we shall have him here before -the rains borrowing the coin to take him to England."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">CHAPTER II</p> - - -<p>Colonel Frederick Tallboys, Mallender Tallboys, to give him his -complete name, held a high official appointment, and occupied suitable -quarters in St. George's Fort. He belonged to a distant branch of -the Mallender family, was head of a department, and the husband of a -wealthy and worshipping wife. All his life—now numbering over fifty -years—"Freddy" had been steady, hard-working, and far-seeing; passed -his examinations creditably,—if without distinction,—and from an -English regiment entered the good old Madras Staff Corps, and worked -his way up from adjutant to wing officer, till he had at last succeeded -in climbing into a comfortable berth in the secretariat.</p> - -<p>His climb was possibly accelerated by an attractive personality, -a buoyant manner, and a remarkable skill in horsemanship. For -years "Freddy T." had been the most notable gentleman rider in the -Presidency; indeed, such was his fame, that it extended to Lucknow, the -Punjab, and had even oozed into far Cashmere; but now, this wise little -man had discarded his racing colours, and was resting on well-earned -laurels.</p> - -<p>"Freddy T." was short, well-made, and remarkably dapper, with a pair -of twinkling grey eyes—eyes quick to notice a misplaced badge, a -woman's dress, or a breach of etiquette. He had a handsome nose, an -imposing moustache, was always admirably turned-out, and carried his -well-groomed upright person with considerable dignity. In spite of -certain insignificant foibles—a hot temper, and a vein of dogged -obstinacy, he was popular all over the Presidency. Most people had a -cordial word for "Freddy T.," who was known to be a smart officer, and -as influential and good-natured as he was straight, and safe! During -his years of expatriation, Tallboys had never lost his interest in -Mallender of Mallender—the head of his house; unfortunately, like -other old families, the race was now almost extinct. Geoffrey was the -last of the direct line, and failing him, and an aged and decrepit -cousin, this high official in Madras Fort was the next heir! But it -was not on this account that Colonel Tallboys' interest in the family -had been kept alight. As a raw youth from Bedford and Sandhurst, he -had visited at Mallender, and never forgotten the charm and kindness -of his lovely hostess; or how she had talked to, drawn out, and -encouraged, a callow, awkward boy; the wise and witty things she -said to him in those far-off days were still green in his memory; -for her he had broken the ice of his reserve, and imparted to Mollie -Mallender many opinions and aspirations that were withheld from his -own widowed mother,—a helpless, faded lady, who spent half her days -in bed, reading novelettes—the other half in bemoaning her health, -her fate, and her servants. But this exquisite Irish cousin with -her brilliant complexion, irresistible charm, eloquent dark eyes, -and impulsive manner, was a divinity to whom the stiff shy youth -immediately surrendered his heart and confidence. Cousin Mollie gave -him self-respect, wise advice, courage, and an everlasting reverence -for all womenkind—her sisters. In a secret pocket in his battered -dressing-case (known only to his bearer) there still reposed a little -gold pencil-case, her gift, and several old and well-worn letters. Mrs. -Mallender's influence was far-reaching, and radiated over two parishes; -her generosity, energy, and high spirits were infectious. The prim -old-fashioned "Court" became the centre of activity and gaiety. Edgar -Mallender himself,—inclined to be misanthropic and morose,—expanded -in such domestic sunshine, and took a prominent part in county -business, and the affairs of his tenants and property; ably maintaining -the family traditions, until the sudden death of his adorable wife. -After this crushing loss, he became a changed man, declaring that a -light had gone out, and left him for the rest of his life in outer -darkness. Gradually, he sank from the sight of his neighbours, -neglected his estates and his duties, and lived among his books, his -memories, and his servants, the life of an eccentric, and recluse.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The most ardent flatterer could not pretend that Colonel Tallboys -looked "good-natured" this morning, as he sat before his big office -table, gold spectacles on nose, reading a private letter; it was one -which Geoffrey Mallender had despatched the week before he left for -India, and as his relative perused it, his eyebrows knit, till they -almost met over the bridge of his well-shaped nose; obviously he became -every moment more and more astonished and annoyed. This missive said:</p> - -<p>"I have decided to take up the question of my Uncle's disappearance, -and to thoroughly investigate the case."</p> - -<p>"The boy's mad!" muttered Colonel Tallboys, as he hastily whirled over -a page.</p> - -<p>"I am starting for Madras by the next mail, and hope to arrive a week -after you receive this."</p> - -<p>"Why," glancing at the date, "it missed the mail. He may be here -to-day—Good Lord!"</p> - -<p>"I will look you up at once," continued the writer, "and trust you -will give me a helping hand, as you know the Presidency so well."</p> - -<p>"Stark staring mad!" exclaimed Colonel Tallboys, pushing away the -letter with a gesture of irritation. "Never heard of such an idea, -never. <i>Help!</i>" The words seemed to choke him. "Well, I must put all -this bother out of my head, and set to work," and he reached for -a large bundle of official documents, in which he became speedily -absorbed.</p> - -<p>For an hour, he sat intent on his correspondence, glancing through -papers, and making pencil notes; suddenly there was a sound of steps, -and talking, he heard the door open, and a young and cheerful voice -saying:</p> - -<p>"All right, thanks, give Colonel Tallboys my card."</p> - -<p>It was Geoffrey. He sprang to his feet, tore off his glasses, and -turned to receive him.</p> - -<p>"Hullo, Geoff!" shaking him warmly by the hand, "I'm glad to see you. -Do you know, I only got your letter an hour ago—and so you have come -out!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, here I am."</p> - -<p>Colonel Tallboys surveyed his kinsman with critical appraisement—in -his opinion, appearance ranked high. A well-bred, well set-up young -fellow, with the clear-cut Mallender nose, and his mother's dark eyes. -Yes. An excellent specimen of the average good-looking Englishman!</p> - -<p>"I've not seen you for years. How long ago is it?"</p> - -<p>"Not since you came down to Eton on the 4th of June, and gave me a -jolly good tip."</p> - -<p>"Did I?—ha! ha! You have a long memory. Well, where are you staying? -Or did you come straight from the station?"</p> - -<p>"No; I arrived last night. I'm at a pot-house that calls itself 'Hotel -St. George,' and reeks of rancid cocoanut oil. My driver introduced me."</p> - -<p>"Good Lord, it's in Blacktown! I beg its pardon—Georgetown! Of course, -you come to us at once. I'll send over a fellow to pack, and bring your -kit. We are pretty full, as this is the season, but Fanny will find -you a corner."</p> - -<p>"Oh, don't you bother about <i>me</i>," protested his cousin, "I'm only -going to stop in Madras for two or three days, just to see you, get the -hang of the country, and benefit of your experience—I expect you can -give me lots of tips, and I want to arrange about money and letters, -before I go off on my travels!"</p> - -<p>"But, my dear boy," said Colonel Tallboys, sitting down as he spoke, -and pointing to a chair, "you don't mean to tell me, that you are -really <i>serious</i> about this business? You are not in earnest, in -starting on such a wild-goose chase?"</p> - -<p>"But of course I am, and in deadly earnest; that is what brought me out -here, in the middle of the hunting season."</p> - -<p>The young fellow with his mother's eyes, and her impulsive and -warm-hearted nature, had also inherited his father's square jaw, and -(cold thought) possibly been cursed with Edgar's stubborn will,—and -curious strain of eccentricity!</p> - -<p>For a few seconds Colonel Tallboys surveyed his visitor in grave -speculative silence. At last he said:</p> - -<p>"Well, look here, Geoffrey; you may as well spend two or three weeks -with us, and see how the poor benighted Presidency enjoys itself? There -are a couple of balls, a big gymkhana, and the polo tournament coming -off. This is our cold weather."</p> - -<p>"Is it?" and he laughed ironically. "Well, I'm glad you mentioned it!"</p> - -<p>"Of course this is a particularly nasty day! Don't sample us by a -beastly long-shore wind. By the by, you play polo—your regiment had a -strong team. I used to see your name in matches. I'll find you ponies."</p> - -<p>"It's most awfully good of you, Cousin Fred; polo and dances are all -right—but you know what I'm out for, and <i>they</i> are not my job."</p> - -<p>"No, but after a lapse of thirty years, a few weeks one way or the -other can't possibly matter, and Fanny and I would be mortally hurt -if you start off without paying us a visit. We want to get to know -you—and you want to get to know something of this blessed old country."</p> - -<p>As the young man looked half persuaded he continued:</p> - -<p>"Anyway, my dear fellow, you will never find your Uncle, and you may -take my word for it. I've not lived out here for twenty-nine years -without knowing what I am talking about. Now tell me something about -yourself, and Mallender, and your poor father."</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes! Well, you see, he had been ailing the last five years—the -result of a bad fall from his horse—and he was greatly changed -latterly. He could not bear to see anyone, would lie all day staring -before him, and took no interest in any mortal thing!"</p> - -<p>"No, not since your mother died, <i>that</i> I can well understand. You -remember her, of course?"</p> - -<p>The next moment Colonel Tallboys, who was proud of his tact, could have -kicked himself. Why, the boy was fifteen when she died! Geoffrey made -no reply, but he suddenly looked down, and his face seemed to quiver, -and go white.</p> - -<p>"What a lovely face! yes, and a lovely soul! There never was anyone -like her." The speaker's voice sounded a little husky.</p> - -<p>From the moment this sentence fell from his lips, Geoffrey entertained -another feeling,—a sudden warm glow of personal affection,—for his -dapper little kinsman, and instantly made up his mind to accept the -invitation to spend some weeks in his company.</p> - -<p>"And what does the old place look like now?" resumed Colonel Tallboys -in a livelier key.</p> - -<p>"It looks frightfully dilapidated. You see, the pater let things -slide—the grounds, and the gardens, and the shooting. He only occupied -a few rooms, and the rest of the house was given up to rats and damp; -the paper was peeling off the walls, the roof leaked like a sieve, and -drains required to be overhauled. I'm getting the house done up."</p> - -<p>"That will cost you a pretty penny!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I'm afraid so—it will mop up all my bit of capital."</p> - -<p>"And so you chucked the service at seven-and-twenty! How was that?"</p> - -<p>"Well, you see, my father made a point of it; the regiment was ordered -to Egypt, and I could not get much leave, and anyway, I was all he had; -but I don't mind telling you, Cousin Fred, that it was a wrench—I was -most desperately sorry to go. Those bugles this morning in the Fort -gave me—er—a horrible lump in my throat. Now I want to talk to you, -if I am not taking up too much of your time."</p> - -<p>"My time is my own," rejoined the little man rather grandly, "and -anyway, it's not every day I have a call from <i>you</i>, Geoff."</p> - -<p>"Then look here," tilting his chair nearer, "it's about this -business—I want to know your opinion about Uncle Geoffrey."</p> - -<p>"My opinion is, that he is dead—dead as a door-nail this thirty -years," replied Colonel Tallboys with prompt decision.</p> - -<p>"He certainly was not dead twenty-nine years ago, and supposing for the -sake of argument he was still alive—I ask you just to look at the case -from that point of view?"</p> - -<p>"Possibly, but improbably, he got into some big scrape—and found it -necessary to disappear."</p> - -<p>"But by all accounts, he was straight as a die—no debts—no scandals," -argued the young man.</p> - -<p>"He is most certainly dead this many a day—or——" and the little -Colonel pursed up his lips, and stonily contemplated the opposite wall.</p> - -<p>"Or?" repeated Mallender eagerly.</p> - -<p>"Oh, I could tell you queer stories. If Geoffrey is alive, I can solve -the puzzle in six letters—'<i>a woman</i>.'"</p> - -<p>"What—a black woman! Oh, rats! you're not serious? though I've been -to Brown and Co., and they hinted at the same thing."</p> - -<p>"You did not get much change out of them, did you?"</p> - -<p>"No, but I gathered that the man who impersonates my Uncle moves about -within a radius of three hundred miles, more or less—and if he is to -be found, I mean to have a good try. I told the old boys quite plainly, -and they did not like it, no, not a little bit. I left them with their -hackles up." He paused abruptly, for Colonel Tallboys—who had been -lounging in his chair, nursing a remarkably neat foot and ankle—now -sat erect, stiff as a ramrod; his face had assumed an entirely -different aspect, it wore the expression of the President of a district -court martial, who listens to some vital and unexpected evidence.</p> - -<p>"I give you my solemn word of honour, Geoffrey, that I have not the -vaguest idea of what you are talking about—a man who impersonates your -Uncle—did you say?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, of course I forgot that you had not heard anything. My father -never told me, till a few weeks before he died."</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes, yes, go on," urged his listener impatiently.</p> - -<p>"You will see all about it in this," now producing a pocket-book, from -which he carefully extracted a thin flimsy letter. "Our lawyers at home -know of this, so do Brown and Co., but no one else."</p> - -<p>Colonel Tallboys resumed his spectacles, and slowly read and re-read -the contents of a single sheet of paper. Here was the second startling -episode, which had come before him that morning. As he studied the -faded lines, he was thinking hard, and swiftly making up his mind. So -Geoffrey the elder was alive, and Geoffrey the younger, in spite of his -mandate, had come out to search for him—and thereby risk the loss of -the whole of his income. Of course, such madness must be put a stop to: -he would look after Mollie Mallender's boy, and save him from himself. -With the alertness of a mental gymnast, his active and well-trained -brain was already weaving schemes, and like a character in ancient -melodrama he promptly decided to "dissemble."</p> - -<p>"By Jove! so your Uncle is actually alive, and in India! I am -completely bowled out—what an amazing thing!" As he tenderly refolded -the frail letter he added: "Bazaar paper, and bazaar ink. I say! if you -hunt him down, you forfeit four thousand a year, eh? It's rather a wild -enterprise!"</p> - -<p>"It would be if my Uncle were alive, but I believe this travelling -criminal is the man who has made away with him."</p> - -<p>"So you are determined to run your head against a brick wall—obstinacy -is a family trait."</p> - -<p>"If you call my father's last wish a brick wall, I am here to deal with -it," and he sat back, as if to study the effect of his announcement.</p> - -<p>"Oh, well, well, poor fellow," mumbled Colonel Tallboys, "no doubt he -was in a weak state."</p> - -<p>"Bodily, yes; but his mind was stronger than it had been for a long -time. He had a vivid dream about his brother." Geoffrey paused and -coloured, noticing his listener's expression of amused, but tolerant, -disdain. "I say! you are not laughing, are you?"</p> - -<p>"No, my dear boy—go on, go on."</p> - -<p>"He said he saw him beckoning to him with one hand, whilst he held the -other over his eyes—it was always the same dream—he dreamt it many -times, and he felt, when he was helpless and dying, that he had made a -mistake in not setting this letter aside, and coming straight out here; -but, you see, he was in love with my mother, and there was the money, -and other things, and so he stayed at home; but the affair preyed on -his conscience more and more every year; till at last it became an -obsession. Latterly, he could talk of nothing else; he said he was -a miserable coward, who had deserted his only brother, and that my -mother's death was his punishment; he worked himself up into a fearful -state of excitement, and made me swear to undertake a duty in which he -had failed."</p> - -<p>"But God bless me, Geoffrey! there is this letter in black and white, -forbidding any search—as plain as plain can be."</p> - -<p>"Yes, but my father thought the letter was a forgery."</p> - -<p>"What do Brown and Brown say?"</p> - -<p>"They declare the letter to be genuine."</p> - -<p>"Ah, and I agree with them! Your father's mind was undoubtedly unhinged -by a long illness."</p> - -<p>"But mine is not, Cousin Fred. At first, I must confess, I was rather -reluctant to come out,—though, of course, I intended to keep my word; -but by degrees, when I was all alone at Mallender, the idea grew upon -me; <i>I</i> had no dreams, but I had the picture of Uncle Geoffrey always -facing me in the dining-room—an oil-painting in uniform, done before -he left England—and it seemed to me that he not only took his meals -with me, but rode, and walked, and sat with me as well; and I knew I'd -never shake off the delusion—if it was a delusion—till I had left no -stone unturned out here—and here I am! I see you think I'm <i>crazy</i>? -Stark mad. Eh?"</p> - -<p>"And have you any plans?" asked his cousin abruptly.</p> - -<p>"Not anything very definite. I know that my Uncle or his double is in -this Presidency—within about three hundred miles of Madras City."</p> - -<p>"Then what is your scheme? your proposed campaign? Surely you won't -advertise in the press, and have every filthy European loafer claiming -a beloved nephew, and howling on his neck?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly not," replied Mallender, who looked a little nettled; "I -consulted a firm of smart lawyers, as our own old stick-in-the-muds -were dead against my trip, and they put me on to a private enquiry firm -of the name of Jaffer, who live in the City of Hyderabad in the Deccan."</p> - -<p>"By George, they must do a great business! The city is full of the bad -characters of every nation, people, and tongue. Well, go on."</p> - -<p>"And Jaffer and Co. believe they can help me; and say that a good many -men disappear in India much in the same way; but, of course, they don't -know it is not my Uncle I expect to find—I'm afraid you look upon me -as a lunatic?"</p> - -<p>"No, no. I see that you feel the claims of kinship as keenly as I do -myself; but you are wrong in starting on this crazy quest. If your -Uncle is alive—I believe he has gone <i>native</i>. Take my advice," and he -looked full into Mallender's grave face, "let sleeping dogs lie."</p> - -<p>"Not this sleeping dog!" rejoined the young man, with unexpected -energy. "The clever brute who murdered my Uncle draws his money and -forges his name!"</p> - -<p>"Well, well, Geoffrey, the weather is far too muggy for argument, we -must agree to differ. One thing is certain; you cannot go up-country as -ignorant as a new-born Europe babe; you must give us a couple of months -at least—till we start for the Neilgherries."</p> - -<p>"It's most awfully kind of you; and I'd like to stay with you for a few -weeks and learn a little experience."</p> - -<p>"Then that's settled," said Colonel Tallboys aloud. To himself: "Fan -will easily keep this headstrong fellow amused, perhaps entangle him in -a matrimonial engagement, and drive this lunacy out of his head."</p> - -<p>"Just one word more, my dear boy. For God's sake, don't let a soul know -of your <i>real</i> reason for your trip to this country. If it ever got -out, you'd be the laughing-stock of all Madras!"</p> - -<p>At this painful announcement Geoffrey coloured up to his crisp brown -hair.</p> - -<p>"Come now," he continued, "put it before yourself impartially. What -would <i>you</i> think of a fellow coming to India to hunt for a lost -relative, when he had been expressly warned that if he made a search he -would lose four thousand a year?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I admit that it sounds fairly mad; so I'll keep all particulars -dark; but mad or not, nothing shall stop me—or choke me off!" declared -Mallender with vehement sincerity.</p> - -<p>"All right, all right, meanwhile we will give out that you are -interested in coffee in Mysore, or gold mines—yes, that is best—it's -more <i>vague</i>," added Colonel Tallboys, with a grin. "And now, the first -thing to do is to find you a first-class boy."</p> - -<p>"Boy?"</p> - -<p>"A servant—a full-grown man; anything up to eighty years of age is a -boy here. I know of one, Anthony, he speaks Telagu, Canarese, Tamil, -English, and at a pinch French! He will cook for you, valet you, wait -on you, and generally run you, and do for you—he is just out of a -place—his master went home last mail."</p> - -<p>"But I only want a smart, honest chap that can rough it a bit," -protested the new-comer.</p> - -<p>"Oh, Anthony has often been in camp, and on shooting trips; he is a -capital servant. My bearer will get hold of him at once, and now I'll -'phone for the car, and take you to the Club for tiffin—there you -shall taste for the first time in your life the real, true, and only -prawn curry."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">CHAPTER III</p> - - -<p>With a quick, assured step Colonel Tallboys led the way along matted -corridors, past salaaming peons, to a fine Napier car, in which he and -his guest seated themselves; and escorted by a roaring wind, and clouds -of thick red dust, thundered through the Wallajah gate, and sped past -the Island towards the hub of Madras—its far-famed Club.</p> - -<p>"We are rather full just now, with a crowd down from Bangalore, and -one or two of Fan's English friends; Sir William Bream, a distant -cousin, and Mrs. Villars, a smart lady, doing India," explained Colonel -Tallboys; "you won't mind if we stick you in a tent for a day or two, -will you?"</p> - -<p>"On the contrary, I shall enjoy it of all things—I like camp life."</p> - -<p>"You mean the manœuvres at home, all rain and mud, galloping and -shouting—my little camp is another sort of show. Well, here we -are," as they glided into a vast compound and drew up at the Club -entrance. "Come along," said Colonel Tallboys briskly, "this way to the -dining-room."</p> - -<p>As they went upstairs, and moved forward, Mallender's popular pioneer -scattered friendly greetings here and there among his acquaintances, -who did not fail to notice the good-looking stranger in his -wake—undoubtedly a soldier, with an easy cavalry lounge. <i>En route</i> to -a favourite table Colonel Tallboys encountered a particular chum, to -whom he introduced his cousin, murmuring in a low aside:</p> - -<p>"Just out from home—place under repair—come to have a look round -before he settles."</p> - -<p>When repeating this information to a neighbour the friend supplemented:</p> - -<p>"He need not trouble himself; Mrs. Tallboys will undertake his -<i>settling</i>, and marry him off out here!"</p> - -<p>The prospect amused them, and they laughed heartily.</p> - -<p>Tiffin was excellent, the prawn curry maintained its high reputation; -Mallender, who had breakfasted on sour grey bread, buffalo butter, and -bad coffee, was ravenously hungry, and thoroughly appreciated this his -first genuine meal in India, served, too, in a cool, lofty dining-room, -with tempered sea-breezes, and deft, white-clad waiters.</p> - -<p>"A fine Club, is it not?" said Colonel Tallboys with the air of a -proud proprietor. "The oldest in India; we can dine three hundred, -the reading-room is the same size, now we have an annexe—a ladies' -club—'The Morghi Khana'—where they assemble for tea, and bridge."</p> - -<p>"You don't allow them in here! Eh?"</p> - -<p>"No, these premises are sacred—we are uncommonly strict and exclusive. -Do you notice the servants' quaint dress? Real old Madras fashion, and -the quantities of chutney offered—another speciality—but soon you -will know your way about, and become acquainted with our bar trick, and -Saturday's prunes and cream."</p> - -<p>When cheese and fruit had been despatched, a move was made to the great -lounge; here, reclining in a long chair, they discovered a disconsolate -young man, whose bowed head and limp attitude proclaimed some recent -affliction.</p> - -<p>"Hullo, Byng, you seem a bit off colour, what's up?" demanded Colonel -Tallboys; "all the ponies gone lame, or dead?"</p> - -<p>"Nearly as bad," answered Captain Byng—A.D.C. to His Excellency the -Governor—as he rose and unfolded a tall, slim figure; "Grafton has -broken his arm playing some fool's trick over the mess table, and he -was our mainstay."</p> - -<p>"By Jove, that's a calamity! But"—looking round—"here is a substitute -for you; my cousin, Captain Mallender, who arrived yesterday, plays -polo. Geoffrey, this is Captain Byng, captain of the Chaffinches."</p> - -<p>"Mallender! You are Mallender of the Warlocks, I'm sure," said the -A.D.C. eagerly. "You played back in the team; I've seen you at Barnes -and Hurlingham,—this <i>is</i> a piece of luck!"</p> - -<p>"But I'm quite out of practice," Mallender declared; "haven't had a -stick in my hand for months! Besides, I've no ponies. You are very -kind, but I'm no use."</p> - -<p>Long before he had ceased to speak his protest was drowned in an -animated duet between two voices, discussing ways and means.</p> - -<p>Colonel Tallboys was anxious to secure a congenial occupation for his -elusive guest, and Captain Byng, in this hard-hitting player, saw -visions of victory instead of defeat. At least he was now assured of -making a strong fight against the Chokras from Ooty and the famous -Marauders from Bangalore.</p> - -<p>Within three minutes the matter had been decided; Mallender's -objections were offered to deaf ears; the question of ponies, -practice, and, if it came to that, kit, was disposed of with almost -contemptible ease!</p> - -<p>"I'll expect you out at Guindy to practice to-morrow at six-thirty -sharp," was Byng's authoritative announcement; "you shall try some -jolly good ponies, Malabar and Chutney and Cossack—eh, Colonel? What's -your weight?"</p> - -<p>"Eleven stone—I'm afraid I put up something on board ship."</p> - -<p>"Oh, you'll be all right; we have a nice ground in topping order, and -our men are as keen as mustard. I," drawing a long breath, "breathe -again."</p> - -<p>Byng's enthusiasm proved infectious; Mallender, a lover of the game, -soon threw himself into the subject with the zest and simplicity -of a schoolboy, and listened with the profoundest interest to all -particulars concerning the five competing teams.</p> - -<p>"With a week's hard practice I might be useful," he admitted, "anyway, -I'll do my very best. I suppose you play eight minutes a chukker?"</p> - -<p>Colonel Tallboys, who had been a silent and attentive looker-on, now -interposed.</p> - -<p>"I say, Byng, I'll leave Mallender in your hands for racquets, -billiards, and talk. I've got a heap of work to do, very important -letters, and must get back to the office at once. Geoffrey, I'll call -here for you at half-past five—or six. Keep your eye on him, Byng!" he -added with a laugh as he hurried out of the smoking-room.</p> - -<p>"Your cousin?" said Byng, as he offered a box of Trichis.</p> - -<p>"Yes, one of my few relations—I've not seen him for fourteen years."</p> - -<p>"Ah! I wish to goodness I could say the same of some of <i>mine</i>!" -rejoined the A.D.C., throwing himself back in his luxurious club chair, -and striking a match. "Let me tell you that your kinsman is a rare -good sort—one of the real, sporting, open-handed lot that, I'm sorry -to say, are getting a bit scarce. He does you rattling well, likes to -have his house full—sometimes the guests overflow into tents! He's -awfully popular, too, and it's <i>not</i> cupboard love! Latterly he has -given up riding races, and his Missus bars polo; but he is a capital -racquet player, and as for dancing, there isn't a girl in the place -who wouldn't throw me over for a turn with <i>him</i>. You are staying -there—Hooper's Gardens."</p> - -<p>"Is that what it's called?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, but mind you, it's not like our Grosvenor Gardens, or -Chesterfield Gardens, at home; these houses—sort of nabobs' -palaces—built by merchants in the Fort, were where they took refuge -during the long-shore winds, such as we have to-day. There is a big -dinner on to-night. By the way, you have seen Mrs. Tallboys?"</p> - -<p>"No, not yet."</p> - -<p>"One of the best! Awfully rich, but, bar the hospitality, you'd swear -she had not a <i>sou</i>; keeps a sort of Home of Rest for Invalids, and a -Matrimonial Agency for girls; what she gives to charity on the quiet -would pay for a polo club—or run a racing stable."</p> - -<p>"Great Scott!" ejaculated Mallender.</p> - -<p>"Well, to-morrow I'll expect you out at Guindy, A.D.C.'s quarters. We -will have a practice, you can write your name in the book, and in the -cool of the evening I'll drive you in—how's that?"</p> - -<p>"All right, you're very kind."</p> - -<p>"Not a bit of it, you are going to get me out of a big hole. The season -is in full swing, you are just in the nick of time."</p> - -<p>"But I'm not here for society; I'm going up-country on—er—business."</p> - -<p>"Not you!" with a derisive laugh. "Mrs. Tallboys will freeze on to you, -you'll be one of her boys, she loves boys and girls, and is a shameless -matchmaker, married off two of her own plain nieces—and both into the -Civil Service! You'll find a wonderful atmosphere of joy and gladness -about the house, such go, and good fellowship. By Jove, it flies to -your head, and you have a near shave of losing it!"</p> - -<p>"Then it's a risky place?"</p> - -<p>"Rather; it ought to be marked with a red triangle, 'Dangerous to -Bachelors.' Mrs. Tallboys has a knack of assembling original and -amusing people, not to speak of the poor, and friendless. I believe -she has a large assortment this week from Bangalore and Trichy. Among -the collection is Mrs. Villars; she is jolly good-looking, one of the -prettiest women I've ever set eyes on. I hope I shall take her in to -dinner to-night."</p> - -<p>"I hope you may," was the generous reply.</p> - -<p>"Well, we can't sit here all day; it's too hot for racquets," said -Byng, laying down the stump of his cigar; "shall we go and have a game -of billiards?—I'll play you a hundred up."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">CHAPTER IV</p> - - -<p>On his way to his office—and important correspondence—Colonel -Tallboys made a long détour to Egmore, in order to advise, and take -council with, Fanny his wife. Arrived at Hooper's Gardens, he ran up -the marble stairs with enviable activity, and dashed into the boudoir, -calling:</p> - -<p>"Fan—Fan—I say, where are you, Fan?"</p> - -<p>In immediate response, a door opened, and Mrs. Tallboys appeared; a -stately figure, clad in a flowing white dressing-gown; yet, in spite -of her deshabille, this lady must be accorded a formal, and particular -introduction.</p> - -<p>Ten years previously, when at home on leave, Major Tallboys elected -to take the waters at Harrogate—more as a precaution than otherwise. -Here, an idle stranger in the smoking-room of a great hotel, he -foregathered with a good-looking, genial neighbour; he liked his -face, approved his clothes, and admired his boots. They discussed the -weather, racing, and forthcoming meetings, and finally drifted into -that absorbing and dangerous mäelstrom—politics. Luckily they were -of the same mind, and the unanimity of their opinions, the warmth -of their convictions, and mutual detestations, firmly cemented the -acquaintance. The agreeable stranger turned out to be Mr. Joseph -Bond, a cotton broker from Liverpool, who subsequently presented -Major Tallboys to his party. The party was composed of his wife, her -sister, Mrs. Tubbs, and a cousin; the latter a pale, lank, dejected -lady in mourning. Mrs. Bond and Mrs. Tubbs were of a different type; -fine big women, boisterous, and loud of voice, who dressed in the last -shriek of fashion, and smoked cigarettes at all hours of the day. When -her hilarious companions departed for long motor trips, Miss Bond, -abandoned to her own resources, sat reading or sewing in the lounge—or -sedately paced the grounds in an unbecoming hat, heavily swathed in -<i>crêpe</i>. Major Tallboys, confined to the town by the exigencies of -a strict cure,—being naturally sociable and talkative,—made civil -overtures to this neglected, and solitary damsel. His manner was -attractive, his appearance prepossessing, and as the pair strolled -about, he gathered that she had recently experienced a bereavement, and -was now alone in the world.</p> - -<p>For his part, the dapper little officer volunteered copious information -respecting India, and his experiences; he enjoyed the sound of his -own voice, whether on parade or otherwise, and in Fanny Bond found -an eager, and enraptured listener. As her companion described the -glories of the East, its dawns and sunsets, people and pleasures, and -drew vivid pictures of marches up-country, and the racing triumphs -and hair-breadth adventures of his youth, the lady's interest was -gratifying and profound.</p> - -<p>In an irresponsible burst of confidence she confided to him, that it -had ever been the dream of her life to see the world, and, above all, -India.</p> - -<p>Day after day, these walks and monologues were prolonged. Her cousins, -who had not failed to notice the said walks and talks, tormented their -helpless victim with winks, nudges, and vulgar and incessant chaff, -that made poor Fanny blush to tears.</p> - -<p>When discussing family matters in the privacy of her bedroom, Mrs. Bond -had said to her sister: "If the dandy little officer has taken a fancy -to Fan—it will be a very good business!"</p> - -<p>"Too good to be true," interjected Mrs. Tubbs. "No such luck."</p> - -<p>"It's rather a puzzle to know what to do with her; she can't go back to -that awful little house in Tranmere, and, besides, she's too young to -live alone, and set up a cat and a parrot."</p> - -<p>"Yes, poor thing, she's had a starved life, and is as timid as a mouse."</p> - -<p>"No wonder, after her awful time with Uncle James," declared Mrs. Bond; -"such pinching and screwing, and scolding, and badgering, as was never -known. You leave the business to me, and I'll have a little talk with -her friend, and let him know that Fan has a bit of money—and no near -relations!"</p> - -<p>In order to carry out her project, that same evening, after dinner, -Major Tallboys' particular horror—the loudest and showiest of the -sisters—invited him to come into the conservatory for a smoke, and -tell <i>her</i> something about India.</p> - -<p>He obeyed with prompt gallantry,—though secretly alarmed. This -bold-eyed matron with a voice of brass had, undoubtedly, something up -her sleeve.</p> - -<p>After a few vague enquiries respecting heat, and snakes, Mrs. Bond, -assuming a more confidential attitude, took the plunge.</p> - -<p>"Do you know, Major Tallboys, you have made Cousin Fanny just crazy -about India. Poor dear, she has seen so little of the world."</p> - -<p>"So I gather from what she told me."</p> - -<p>"I'll bet you a pair of gloves she never told you the reason," the lady -went on impressively, "or that she has been a slave and a martyr to a -terrible old father for ten years! Poor Fan was his drudge and nurse, -and yet she never complained—though it was a dog's life."</p> - -<p>"Some dogs haven't half a bad time," argued her companion (who was -thinking of his own happy pack and their assiduous "dog boy").</p> - -<p>"Not those that are chained in back yards," declared the matchmaker. -"Fan was always on the chain."</p> - -<p>"Did no one interfere?"</p> - -<p>"What can you do, between a father and a daughter?—though he was -a Pharaoh—not a father. Besides, we were all mortally afraid of -Uncle James, and never went near him. His temper was something -frightful—just like a tiger with the toothache!"</p> - -<p>"How exceedingly unpleasant! Was he always in this deplorable -condition?" enquired Major Tallboys.</p> - -<p>"No, he lost a lot of money in some shipping firm, and that soured -him for life. He dropped all his friends, and gave up a fine house -in Prince's Park, Liverpool, and went over to a dingy little terrace -in Tranmere. We never could make out, if he was very poor, or just a -miser. I know, he only took a weekly paper, and gave Fan ten pounds a -year to dress on. Now she is free, and her own mistress, she does not -know what to do with her liberty, and believes she is grieving for the -old man."</p> - -<p>Here Mrs. Bond paused for breath, and to dab the stump of her cigarette -in the ash-tray.</p> - -<p>"His affairs were in a shocking state," she resumed, "one would think a -monkey had kept his books; but my Joe says there will be a good bit of -money, and that Fan will have between four and five hundred a year!"</p> - -<p>Major Tallboys liked Fan for herself, and had hitherto believed her to -be of the genus "poor relation." He noticed that she was the Cinderella -of the family, who ran messages, was left out of expeditions, and -evidently held of no account. Four or five hundred a year would be an -agreeable addition to a major's pay and allowances. He chucked the end -of his cigar into a shrub, and looked Mrs. Bond squarely in the face.</p> - -<p>"And I tell you this," she continued eagerly, "Fan is the kindest, -simplest, and most unselfish of women; whoever gets her"—patting his -sleeve with a hateful significance—"will have the best of wives!"</p> - -<p>"I am sure of that," he agreed in a studiously bland voice, but his air -was cold and detached, his eyes gleamed frostily, under his somewhat -heavy brows. He was fond of Fanny, but he had no intention of being -managed and rushed by this great, blowsy woman, and abruptly turned the -conversation by remarking:</p> - -<p>"I see by the evening paper they have a heat wave in Berlin; how -fortunate <i>we</i> are in our weather!"</p> - -<p>"It was no go," the disconcerted matron whispered to her sister; "I did -my big best, but he wouldn't rise—no, not even when I mentioned her -income! He got quite lofty, and shut me up by talking of the <i>weather</i>. -So now I can see Fan in our spare back, at Waterloo, for life; I shall -charge her four guineas a week, and laundry. After all, she will be -useful! Since Nan has her hair up she is a regular handful, and must -have some sort of keeper or chaperone to take her to her classes in -Liverpool."</p> - -<p>"Nan is as clever as they make 'em, and no fool," remarked her aunt. -"Pity she's so ugly," she added with that unaffected candour habitual -among near relatives; "I'm afraid you'll never get her off—no more -than Fan—she's so cocksey, and so blunt."</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, behind a newspaper in the smoking-room, Major Tallboys was -holding a serious mental debate. Of late, as he made his leisured and -fastidious toilet, and preened himself before a glass, he noticed with -grief and pain the deeper furrows in his forehead, and the whitening of -his brown hair. Yes, he was getting on, and if he ever meant to marry, -there was no time to be lost! His mind's eye cast a nervous glance -towards the army of elderly and old men who rented rooms near the -Club—their only home; men, without family ties or affection, their -whole interest bounded by the daily press; desolate poor fellows, who -were tended in sickness by a landlady, or a professional nurse, and -passed out of life, unsped, and unwept.</p> - -<p>Fanny Bond was amiable and sympathetic; amazingly well read too!—a -free library had been her only solace and joy. Children and dogs adored -her; her appreciation of himself was unquestionable! She had a slim, -graceful figure, a certain amount of good looks—masses of dark hair, -a pair of confiding brown eyes, slightly prominent, but otherwise -perfect teeth. Her relatives however were a serious drawback;—in fact, -Mrs. Bond's impudent interference had gone near to shattering her -cousin's prospects—but down in his little battered heart there was a -warm corner for Fanny; and a nice-looking, unselfish woman, with five -hundred a year, was by no means to be despised.</p> - -<p>Night brings wisdom, and the morning after his interview with Mrs. -Joe, arrayed in a creaseless suit and wearing his most becoming tie, -Major Tallboys invited Miss Bond "to come for a turn in the garden?" By -degrees, he conducted the conversation to her favourite subject, travel.</p> - -<p>"I believe we are going to Switzerland this winter," she announced, -"and I cannot tell you how much I look forward to my first trip abroad."</p> - -<p>The pair were now pacing a retired walk, overshadowed by a rustic -pergola veiled in masses of pink roses,—one of the glories of the -hotel garden. Major Tallboys, casting a searching glance over his -surroundings, came to an abrupt halt. Although a ladies' man, and the -hero of countless flirtations, the good-looking, agreeable little -soldier was about to make his first serious proposal!</p> - -<p>This resolution had been hardening in his mind ever since he had -swallowed his early morning cup of tea.</p> - -<p>"How would you like to go to India?" he enquired of his companion.</p> - -<p>Colouring vividly, she exclaimed, "Oh, I should like it better than -anything in the world, but I shall never get the chance!"</p> - -<p>She looked surprisingly handsome, with her glowing cheeks, and soft -dark eyes; the plain, ill-made alpaca entirely failed to conceal her -slender grace.</p> - -<p>"Well, Miss Bond," clearing his throat and looking at her steadily, -"I offer you the chance here and now. Fanny, I am greatly attached to -you—will you be my wife?" and he tendered a thin, sun-dried hand.</p> - -<p>For a moment Fanny felt stunned; she stared at her suitor with -stupefied incredulity, then burst into tears.</p> - -<p>This sudden opening of the gates of the world and life, so far -transcended her humble hopes. In spite of her cousins' crude and brutal -chaff, Fanny had never thought of the Major's attentions as otherwise -than the good-nature of an idle man, who noticed that she was forlorn, -and a little out of it—the word "neglected" never occurred to her -simple heart.</p> - -<p>Tears such as Miss Bond's are quickly dried—on this occasion they -were dealt with by the Major's own delicate silk handkerchief. For -some time, she and her companion remained talking very earnestly to -one another under the pergola, but what they said was known only to -eavesdropping "Dorothy Perkins" and her pretty sisters.</p> - -<p>Within half an hour, an engaged couple—each decorated with a pink -rose—turned their happy faces towards the hotel. As they approached -with lagging steps, they were "spotted" by Mrs. Joe, who happened to -be extended in a verandah chair, smoking the inevitable cigarette, and -mentally selecting her autumn toilette. In a second, she had realised -the situation, and springing to her feet, upsetting an ink-bottle and -ash-tray, she clapped her hands in noisy acclamation.</p> - -<p>It was arranged that the wedding was to take place within a -month—since there was really nothing to wait for, and the bridegroom -wished the bride to see something of her own country, before sailing -for India.</p> - -<p>Bond himself was a good fellow, but his wife, sister-in-law, and -mother-in-law—no. To Major Tallboys it was unbearable that he should -be called "Freddy," in season and out of season, and publicly chaffed -and <i>kissed</i>, by the overwhelming Mrs. Joe. The trousseau was selected -in Liverpool—that city of fine shops—and Major Tallboys gave his -fiancée a diamond ring, an unpretentious pendant, and much valuable -advice. The honeymoon was spent in London, with excursions to Devon, -Oxford, and Warwickshire; the newly married pair also made a round of -the theatres, picture galleries, and museums. Great indeed are the -marvels that dress, and a good conceit of oneself, can achieve. Joe -Bond, meeting his cousin in a shop, actually failed to recognise in -this elegant lady, with rustling skirts, a black-feathered hat, white -gloves, and beautifully dressed hair, the dowdy and deprecating Fan!</p> - -<p>Shortly before they sailed, the happy couple received intelligence -calculated to still further increase their bliss.</p> - -<p>The affairs of the late James Bond, merchant and shipmaster, had been -wound up, and proved that he had been a miser, and, like his kind, -had died a wealthy man. "Frances Ann," his only child, was heiress to -something over five thousand a year.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Tallboys' relatives received these tidings with unaffected -consternation, and annoyance. Here was Fanny, a rich woman, married -to a stuck-up little dandy who was carrying her and her fine fortune -out of the country. The capital of this fortune would have made a -noble bulwark to the house of "Bond, Tubbs, and Co." cotton brokers, -and enabled them to extend their business into hitherto undreamt of -regions. Had the Major any inkling of this hidden treasure when he -proposed to Fan? The base suspicion was unfounded—nevertheless it -rankled. Freddy Tallboys was equally thunderstruck by this amazing -windfall; as for his wife—recalling long years of grey poverty—she -could not realise her tens of thousands, and felt as if the whole -world had been turned upside down! However, her clever and practical -husband promptly grasped the change in their circumstances, interviewed -lawyers, bankers, stockbrokers, purchased for Fan a string of pearls, -a superb landau, and a supply of plate and china,—suitable for -entertaining on a generous scale.</p> - -<p>Arriving from furlough with a bride whose fortune had been magnified -to millions, his many friends welcomed and applauded clever Freddy. -He had waited to some purpose! At one time it had been feared that -he was about to be snapped up by a girl from Bellary, a hard-riding, -red-haired spin, without a pice!</p> - -<p>The return to India, a familiar environment, and a full and busy life, -had worked a transformation in Fanny's husband, and placed him before -her in a still more dazzling light.</p> - -<p>On furlough, this naturally keen and busy officer found himself a -nobody!—idle, bored, unrecognised, and consequently inclined to be -irritable, super-critical, and dyspeptic. Once more in harness (a -nice staff appointment) and surrounded by familiar scenes and old -associates, he was a different person full of high spirits, buoyant -energy, and bonhomie.</p> - -<p>His bride recognised his importance in his own circle, his popularity -among men, and looked with awe upon orderlies, brass-bound chuprassies, -long official envelopes, and the ever-arriving telegram. A Freddy, -wearing a clanking sword and gold spurs, was new to her, and indeed -Major Tallboys in full-dress uniform (a pattern to his rank) presented -a remarkably dignified, and soldier-like, appearance.</p> - -<p>After a short stay in Madras, a bungalow in the Neilgherries was -Fanny's first home. It was at Ooty that she engaged her Indian retinue, -unpacked her glass and china, and set up her own dog. Her husband's -friends, so well known by name, had unanimously offered her a hearty -welcome; these were mostly military people, with easy, agreeable -manners. Her garden was fragrant with roses and violets, the view from -the verandah of Cranford Hall was unsurpassed, and how the sun shone! -Caught into a whirl of congenial society, Frances Ann found herself in -another world.</p> - -<p>She realised that she owed this translation from suburbia and gloom -to sunshine and happiness, to Freddy, and worshipped him accordingly. -To behold him of a hunting morning, red-coated, admirably mounted, -"witching the field with matchless horsemanship," was a sight that -filled his wife with a pride and admiration, she was at no pains to -conceal.</p> - -<p>Under her husband's guidance and encouragement, Fanny cast away her -shyness, and learnt to play tennis, to drive a pair of hard-mouthed -ponies, and to entertain with self-confidence and grace. So adaptable -was she, that by the end of a year, there was no more popular hostess -than Mrs. Tallboys.</p> - -<p>Her kind heart, the memory of her dreary youth, and gratitude -for present good fortune, combined to make her tenderly -sympathetic,—especially towards forlorn, friendless girls, and all -sorts, and conditions, of her own sex.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Meanwhile, Mrs. Tallboys is figuratively waiting in the doorway, -her long dark hair hanging in two thick plaits, her eyes fixed -interrogatively upon her lord and master.</p> - -<p>"I've had such a morning!" she began, "going through the rooms, -arranging for people, sending the new-comers into dinner according to -precedence, doing the flowers and menus, that I'm dead, and am taking -forty winks before they all arrive. Is there anything you want altered, -Freddy?"</p> - -<p>"No, no, my love; I've just rushed in for a second to tell you about -young Mallender. I couldn't say much on the telephone," and in a couple -of pithy sentences, he had laid before her Geoffrey's extraordinary -enterprise.</p> - -<p>"Of course, it must be stopped! He is mad to start off at once. I've -handed him over to Byng at the Club, and stuck him to play in the -tournament; this will give us breathing-time."</p> - -<p>"Breathing-time," repeated his wife, whose astonishment had carried her -into an arm-chair.</p> - -<p>"Here, read this," handing her the precious letter, "and you will -understand the whole position. I know you are safe, Fan, and can be -trusted with a family secret."</p> - -<p>For a moment he stood watching her closely as she sat engrossed in the -sheet of thin yellow paper; then he fidgetted restlessly round the -room, straightening a book here, an ornament there.</p> - -<p>"What astounding news!" she exclaimed at last; "can you believe it? Do -you think it's <i>pucka</i>? or a practical joke?"</p> - -<p>"I believe the letter to be genuine," he answered decisively, "and if -the boy—a very nice young fellow—persists in his folly, he will be -made to pay for it! Four thousand a year is no blind nut, and I intend -to put every possible obstacle in his way; not merely because I am -heir, but because I like him."</p> - -<p>"What sort of obstacles do you suggest, Freddy?"</p> - -<p>"Amusements, distractions, polo, balls, pretty faces. We will knock -this nonsense out of his head, and take him to the Hills when we move; -there he can shoot and hunt, and you might marry him off to some -nice girl; by the time the roof is on, they can return and live at -Mallender!"</p> - -<p>"Ah, so that's your programme!" exclaimed his wife. "Well, of course, I -shall be only too delighted to help; but perhaps your cousin is not so -easily managed, and married off, as you suppose!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, he'll be all right. I fancy he got a bit hipped, living all alone. -I leave you to tackle him, Fan; this sort of job is your speciality. -Keep the boy incessantly occupied and entertained, and, whatever you -do, my dear girl, don't let him slip through your fingers!"</p> - -<p>And with this emphatic injunction Colonel Tallboys waved a valedictory -hand, and disappeared.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">CHAPTER V</p> - - -<p>Surrounded by a group to whom Byng had introduced him, Mallender was -enjoying himself thoroughly, listening and talking to keen young men of -the same upbringing and service—his contemporaries.</p> - -<p>Six months at Mallender had undoubtedly depressed his spirits. After -the death of his father, lawyers, surveyors, and contractors were his -sole associates; for of late years the Court had fallen into oblivion; -old friends had died or removed to other neighbourhoods, and a new -generation arisen which knew not the heir. It was out of the question -to invite guests to his shabby dilapidated home, where the water -streamed through the roof, and there was no shooting. This unexpected -change to a bright glimpse of his former life, proved inexpressibly -welcome to Geoffrey: here were men well known to him by name, and -actually an old school-fellow, who was quartered in the Fort. As they -sat smoking, and discussing shop, racing, polo, and mutual friends, in -such congenial atmosphere, the new-comer had for the moment completely -lost sight of what he mentally called "his job." Colonel Tallboys, when -he arrived, instantly grasped the situation. Here was Geoffrey full -of animation and enthusiasm, debating and criticising the entries for -Punchestown. This was as it should be—the lure was already working!</p> - -<p>To tell the truth, although Mallender had spent five happy hours within -the Club, these hours had passed so rapidly, that it seemed incredible -when his cousin announced that "it was after six o'clock, and time to -make a start."</p> - -<p>The transformation of the outward scene appeared equally surprising. -The wind had died away, the breakers merely sobbed softly on the -beach; a clear Eastern night was full of stars, and the light of -electric lamps penetrated into every corner. Numbers of motors were -parked in the vast compound; in some sat various gay and smart ladies, -sipping iced drinks, eating devilled biscuits, and holding informal -meetings with their men friends. Now and then a car would slip out of -the crowd, and take the Mem Sahib and her cavalier for a turn up the -Guindy Road, or along the marine front,—whilst the lady's husband -was finishing an interminable rubber of auction bridge. It had been -one o'clock when Mallender left the Fort—at an hour when all Madras -was under the spell of noonday quiet; servants were "eating rice," -animals resting, the very crows and hawks temporarily suppressed—but -now the city was awake; the Gorah bazaar, and Georgetown, were humming -like bee-hives, heavily-laden trams, crammed with passengers, clanged -and rumbled up and down the Mount Road, the old established "Europe" -shops, such as Orr's, Spencer's, and Oak's, were brilliantly alight -and filled with customers; motors and bicycles skimmed hither and -thither—luxurious carriages drawn by steppers rolled by, whilst -picturesque foot-passengers, Jutkas, and leisurely bullock-carts gave a -touch of local colour to the scene.</p> - -<p>Such was the traffic, that it was a considerable time before Colonel -Tallboys' Napier could extricate itself and thread its smooth way by -Royàpetta towards Egmore. As the car turned sharply through an entrance -gate and up the long drive to Hooper's Gardens, Mallender was both -impressed and surprised. Here was no mere bungalow, but the lofty -stately dwelling of a one-time merchant prince—reared in an age when -space, and rupees, were amply available.</p> - -<p>"Hooper's Gardens" stood surrounded by fifty acres of short, coarse -grass, a white, two-storied mansion with pillared verandahs, a flat -roof, and imposing portico. Against a dense background of palms and -shrubberies were pitched a group of tents.</p> - -<p>"We are a bit on the outside skirts of fashion," explained Colonel -Tallboys, "but it's a noble, spacious old house—built in spacious -times. One or two wealthy natives live hereabouts in others of the -same class. My neighbour is a Prince of the family of Gulberga. His -premises are a jungle, the whole place is disgracefully kept, full of -horses, mountebanks, and squalid retainers. The fellow is a <i>terrible</i> -drawback, I must confess. Well, here we are," he added as the car -stopped; "I expect we shall find Fanny in the drawing-room."</p> - -<p>In another moment he had ushered his relative into a lofty apartment, -lit by carefully shaded electric lights. As Mallender advanced, he was -aware of a number of people standing in a group. One of these, a tall -lady, now came sweeping towards him, with an outstretched hand, and -said:</p> - -<p>"I am sure you are Fred's cousin. I am so pleased to see you."</p> - -<p>Mallender felt instinctively attracted—few could resist Fanny -Tallboys, and her kindly, warm-hearted smile.</p> - -<p>After they had exchanged a few words, Colonel Tallboys broke in fussily:</p> - -<p>"Come along, Geoffrey, and I'll show you your quarters. Fan," to his -wife, "you'd better look sharp and dress; you know the General, like -the Duke of Wellington, is always a quarter of an hour before his time."</p> - -<p>Mallender's quarters were in the encampment, and in his host's wake -he stumbled his way among ropes and lanterns into a large comfortable -"Hill" tent. Here he discovered that all his belongings had already -been unpacked. On the bed, lay his evening clothes, shirt, socks, and -handkerchief; on a little table beside it, were piously arranged his -Prayer Book, and the photographs of his father and mother.</p> - -<p>A rather undersized native, with an intelligent, smiling face, wearing -a tweed coat, cord breeches, and leggings, had hastily risen to his -feet and salaamed.</p> - -<p>"Here is Anthony," said Colonel Tallboys, with a wave of the hand. -"Hullo, what's this? What tom-fool clothes are these?" he sternly -demanded.</p> - -<p>"Major Morant, saar, that very kind gentleman going England, giving me -polo kit, and one cricket suit, one fancy dress, and one mess jacket," -replied Anthony with voluble respect.</p> - -<p>"And you are showing off your new duds! Mind, in service you've got -to wear your white coat and trousers—<i>no</i> fancy costume. Geoffrey, -you will have to keep an eye on this fellow. Well, I must be off, it's -uniform night, on account of the General, but you'll be all right in -black."</p> - -<p>Mallender felt inclined to declare that "he felt all wrong in black," -but already his host was out of earshot, and Anthony and his new -employer were alone.</p> - -<p>"Master liking to see my characters?" he asked, producing what looked -like a silk <i>hussif</i>, from which he unrolled and offered a variety of -sheets of crested paper.</p> - -<p>Mallender took them and, sitting on the side of his cot, glanced -over the bundle. These "chits" were as a whole favourable; some were -serious, and even grateful; two were humorous, one was in rhyme, and -another conveyed the information that "Anthony, i.e. 'Smiler,' was -capable and trustworthy, very inquisitive, vain, and a great talker, -and that the writer would not be willing to buy him at his own price, -and sell him at market value."</p> - -<p>"All right, Anthony," said Mallender, as he returned the precious -documents, "Colonel Tallboys knows you, and that is the main thing."</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, saar, and <i>I</i> know the Colonel, since I was a <i>chokra</i>, and -can speak plenty well of him. That very good gentlemans, all servants -liking him; though very quick, quick, quick, and particular; getting -always all shirts washed in England—three dozen going, three dozen -coming, three dozen wearing!"</p> - -<p>"That will do, that will do," sternly interrupted his new master. -"Don't <i>talk</i>. I am going to Guindy to-morrow early, call me at five -sharp, and order the car for half-past," and Anthony was temporarily -silenced, and suppressed.</p> - -<p>The hint of the General's premature arrival accelerated Mallender's -movements. He was the very first to appear in the vast drawing-room, -and had now an opportunity of making a leisurely survey of its -contents. He did not fail to notice the great chunam pillars—gleaming -like white marble—the polished teak floors, Eastern rugs, carefully -placed screens, and profusion of delicately scented flowers; the whole -atmosphere exhaled a cultivated taste, and subdued magnificence. -What particularly struck the stranger was the accumulation of old -furniture; objects he recognised from seeing their counterparts -in great houses—or indeed in a lesser degree, his own. Here were -chairs, mirrors, settees, and cabinets—enclosing curiosities and old -china. Mallender was no judge, but realised that he was surrounded by -many rare and valuable treasures, and was in the act of examining a -cabinet, when he caught the sound of soft rustling, a light footstep, -and turning about saw his hostess approaching. She carried herself -well, and wore a pale yellow gown, with diamonds shining in her dark -hair. Who would recognise in this dignified matron, the Fanny Bond of -Martello Terrace, Tranmere?</p> - -<p>"Oh, so you are the first!" she exclaimed. "This <i>is</i> nice—I'm so -glad, for now we can have a little talk before the crowd arrive."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Tallboys was sincerely pleased with Fred's cousin—a handsome -young fellow with easy manners, and a pleasant manly voice. There was -something chivalrous in his air, as well as his amazing enterprise; how -well he looked in admirably cut evening clothes!</p> - -<p>"Come and sit by me on this sofa," indicating a place, "and let us get -to know one another better."</p> - -<p>As he accepted her invitation, she added with a significant smile:</p> - -<p>"Fred has told me all about you: I am quite what is called 'in the -know,' and I can keep a secret."</p> - -<p>"What do you think of my venture?" he enquired.</p> - -<p>"It's the most generous and romantic I've ever known, resembling, -though in a different spirit, the impulse that carried the flower -of England to the Crusades; but I'm afraid you will have the same -ending—failure."</p> - -<p>"Ah, I'm sorry to see you won't encourage me, Mrs. Tallboys."</p> - -<p>"You are to call me Fanny; you and Fred are cousins, and cousins hold -on to one another out here. Now I want to tell you, that as long as you -are in India you are to look upon our house as your head-quarters—and -home."</p> - -<p>"Oh, thank you—you are most awfully kind, but I must not settle down -to enjoy myself, until I've accomplished what you call my crusade."</p> - -<p>"At any rate, you need not embark yet awhile! Surely you can spare us -a few weeks?" Then diplomatically changing the subject, "I saw you -looking at my china and curios!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I'm no judge, but you seem to have a wonderful collection."</p> - -<p>"You will call it more wonderful still, when you hear that every object -you see—they are all dear to me—has been picked up in the Madras -Presidency! Oh, yes, you may well stare; and now I'll tell you all -about it. Once upon a time—say a hundred and fifty years ago, and even -before then—furniture and household goods were imported from England, -France, and Holland, by merchants, nabobs, or military adventurers—all -more or less rich. As time advanced, those palmy days passed, and the -Victorian Age dawned; old, so-called 'rubbish' went out of fashion and -fell into disgrace. The new craze had not set in thirty years ago, and -you could pick up treasures that it makes my mouth water to think of, -in the thieving bazaar, or at Franck's auction rooms in the Mount Road."</p> - -<p>"Yes, but you were not here thirty years ago—you were in a -perambulator," objected her listener.</p> - -<p>"No," she corrected, "a pigtail! I am forty-two. However, Fred was on -the spot; even as a young sub. he had a taste for old things. He was -well laughed at and called a muff, and an old woman, but he had quite a -nice little collection, when <i>I</i> came on the scene. That lovely Empire -couch, he rescued from being chopped up for firewood—the poor thing -had only two legs. The Chippendale chairs, he routed out of a mouldy -old bungalow on the top of Palaveram Hill. I discovered that charming -satinwood table, in a <i>dirzee's</i> shop of Blacktown; some of the -furniture has made journeys all over the Presidency on bullock-carts -when regiments were on the move, and has been battered and cracked and -auctioned over and over again, for nearly two centuries!"</p> - -<p>"Then I wonder there is a stick left!" exclaimed Mallender.</p> - -<p>"Well, yes; of course, some invaluable treasures have gone to boil -cooltie, or gram, but many fine seasoned travellers still survive. My -collection is my craze, my chief weakness, and my tongue once started -cannot stop; every bit has its own history. Those Sèvres vases I bought -from a Toda in the Hills; that ugly gilt jar in the same cabinet, I -purchased as an act of charity from a beggar, a poor Eurasian woman, -and gave her twenty rupees—believing it was brass. Long afterwards -it turned out to be solid gold—a bit of loot from Seringapatam. I -tried to trace the woman, but she had disappeared. That priceless vase -of 'Sang de Bœuf' held pipe-clay in my back verandah! The exquisite -dessert service you will eat off to-night, I unearthed at the back -of Hadji Kareem's shop in Bangalore, smothered under years of dust, -and I'd be <i>ashamed</i> to tell you what I paid for it! I have also a -marvellous talisman—oh! I think I hear a motor! Would you mind turning -on the light in the big chandelier—another find—tell you about it -afterwards. I only have it lit at the last moment, as I cannot endure -the glare."</p> - -<p>Mallender rose to obey, and the splendid old French piece instantly -burst into a blaze that flooded the entire room, and seemed to -appropriately herald the approach of a dark-eyed lady, wearing a -shimmering gown of blue and silver, and a long rope of pearls—who thus -made an involuntary, but impressive stage entrance.</p> - -<p>For a moment she halted, and put her hand to her eyes, then murmured -with a plaintive smile:</p> - -<p>"I declare I am quite dazzled!"</p> - -<p>"So are we!" responded Mrs. Tallboys with flattering significance. -"Lena, let me introduce Captain Mallender; Geoffrey, this is my old -friend Mrs. Villars, who is spending the cold weather with us. You are -to take her in to dinner—your seats are on the left."</p> - -<p>Here the arrival of the General, his wife and his A.D.C., cut short -further explanation. The remainder of the company rapidly poured in, -and as Mallender stood by his partner watching the crowd, he was -struck by the elegance of the ladies' frocks, their fashionable air, -and their diamonds; among men, the military element predominated; from -the General's scarlet and bemedalled coat, to uniforms of sombre rifle -green or gorgeous Indian cavalry—altogether a gay and goodly gathering.</p> - -<p>When the very last couple had overwhelmed their hostess with apologies, -a tall turbaned butler, picturesque in white and gold, entered, and -with a profound salaam announced:</p> - -<p>"Dinner is served!"</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">CHAPTER VI</p> - - -<p>Captain Mallender and his partner formed up into the Noah's Ark -procession—headed by Colonel Tallboys and the General's wife—and -presently found themselves in a room corresponding in height and size -to the one they had just quitted, and steered successfully into their -respective places at an oval table, glittering with crystal and silver -and embellished by exquisite flowers and fruit. In the background stood -a row of well-drilled attendants, commanded and marshalled by the gold -and white butler.</p> - -<p>The new-comer noted the dainty appointments and careful details, -painted menus, crested Venetian glass, and three superb -epergnes—surely these had not been rescued from some filthy go-down? -As he withdrew his gaze, he encountered the glorious eyes of his -companion.</p> - -<p>"Rather nice, isn't it?" she murmured; "you see, we are quite -up-to-date out here."</p> - -<p>"Quite," he agreed.</p> - -<p>"By the way, when did you arrive?"</p> - -<p>"Last night—from Bombay."</p> - -<p>"And how are all the dear old folks at home?"</p> - -<p>"More or less cold and coughing—it's been a hard winter."</p> - -<p>"And you came out to escape from it?" she questioned.</p> - -<p>"Well—not exactly," he answered, after a momentary hesitation.</p> - -<p>"Would it be too, <i>too</i> rude, to enquire what <i>did</i> bring you?"</p> - -<p>Mallender found it impossible to impart to this charming lady, with -the soft voice and alluring eyes, the real, true, and only reason, for -his presence in the country. As he looked back at her, he realised how -ridiculous and preposterous his errand would appear.</p> - -<p>"My house is under repair"—sudden happy thought—"and I really am -without a roof!"</p> - -<p>"Then you are a wanderer like myself," she exclaimed. "I have spent -eight months in India, and I must soon be thinking of 'Home, sweet -Home.'"</p> - -<p>"And no doubt your husband—but, of course, he is with you——" -Mallender stopped short; in an illuminating flash he recognised his -blunder. The lady's face had suddenly stiffened, her expression -undergone a curious change. She looked away for a moment, and then, -still looking away, let fall the deliberate words:</p> - -<p>"I am a widow."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I say! I do beg your pardon," he pleaded impetuously. "I'm most -frightfully sorry—I—er—I did not know——"</p> - -<p>"Oh, how could you?" she interrupted; "in a country where grass widows -abound, a real widow is almost unknown. I suppose you are out for the -usual thing—to shoot big game?"</p> - -<p>"No, I'm only out—er—just to have a look round."</p> - -<p>Here, alas, was another lie!</p> - -<p>"Ah, a looker-on, something like myself; since my loss, I have just -looked on—and envied happier people."</p> - -<p>Mallender glanced at the fair speaker; she wore no outward sign of woe, -not even a mourning ring; he noticed her expressive hands, blazing with -diamonds, the studied perfection of her toilet; at the moment she was -thoughtfully scanning the menu, and he had an excellent opportunity -of critically observing her extraordinary good looks; the long black -lashes, resting on a delicate cheek, smooth as ivory; the chiselled -nose, clean-cut lips, and masses of dark auburn hair—which exhaled a -faint, and exquisite perfume.</p> - -<p>"I've been up north, and to Simla and Calcutta," she resumed, when she -had replaced the menu with a little contented sigh, "and then I came -down to Madras to see dear old Fanny. I arrived three months ago—and -feel <i>rooted</i>!"</p> - -<p>Mallender's raised brows indicated his amazement.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I like this poor despised old city and its ways," here she cast a -glance round the circle of guests, the band of well-trained servants, -the delicacies that were being offered, and the champagne that, like a -popular novel, was enjoying a brisk circulation.</p> - -<p>"I do love it; it's all so leisurely and so comfortable. Give <i>me</i> -comfort, and I ask no more!"</p> - -<p>"Comfort!" thought her listener; "if this is merely comfort, what can -be her idea of luxury?"</p> - -<p>"I appreciate the large houses," she continued, "the food, the -servants, who all speak English; though, of course, no stretch of -imagination can give Madras a cold weather!"</p> - -<p>"No, I understand that this is their winter," rejoined Mallender, "and -to-day, you could have fried an egg on the roof of my <i>gharry</i>."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I daresay, and yet I like Madras. My father was born out here, -and his father served most of his life in the Presidency—there must be -something in heredity."</p> - -<p>"I believe there is no doubt of that. Do you happen to know the old man -opposite, who is staring so fixedly?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, Sir William Bream, a connection of Fanny's; enormously rich, -and immensely interested in cotton."</p> - -<p>"I thought for a moment that he was immensely interested in us—or -rather, I should say, in you."</p> - -<p>"Oh," spreading out her hand with a gesture of sudden confidence, "he -generally sits beside me—we are rather pals."</p> - -<p>"The young lady next to him looks ill," observed Mallender, as he -glanced at a pale, thin girl with sunken eyes, and a frock that had -seen its best days.</p> - -<p>"You mean Miss Sim; I don't think she is ill—only miserable." Mrs. -Villars helped herself to a salted almond, nibbled it daintily, and -then added unconcernedly, "You see, she has no belongings—and no home."</p> - -<p>"How does she happen to be out here?"</p> - -<p>"I fancy she had a pretty dull time in England, and they do say, -snatched at an invitation to Bombay, you know, one of those vague -things, that mean <i>nothing</i>! She contrived to get a passage, and -presented herself before the horrified people as a staying—not -paying—guest! Naturally, they passed her on, and she has been passing -on ever since, like the Queen in Old Maid," and unfeeling Mrs. Villars -gave a low amused laugh.</p> - -<p>"But why doesn't she go home?" enquired Mallender.</p> - -<p>"For the simple reason that she has no money."</p> - -<p>"Poor girl!" he muttered. "What an awful situation!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, isn't it?" the lady assented. "I'm afraid she's a dreadful -sponge, and not particularly interesting—let us talk of something -else. Do you notice the man near the end, with the fine head and beard? -He is Rolf, the celebrated artist, who has come out to paint the Rajah -of Gondalcond, and various other native nobles."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I think I've seen his pictures in the Academy."</p> - -<p>"I wonder if you saw <i>my</i> picture there last year—painted by Le -Grande?"</p> - -<p>"No, I'm sure I did not," and he smiled significantly.</p> - -<p>"Because you would remember it—oh, yes!" and she showed her pretty -teeth.</p> - -<p>"Was it a great success?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, absolutely; not merely as a work of art, and a marvellous -likeness, but you know they say Le Grande has some mysterious psychical -power, and can discover and expose startling deficiencies, or -unsuspected traits, in the characters of his sitters," then, leaning a -little nearer, and looking up into Mallender's eyes, she dropped her -voice to a whisper, and breathed, "as for myself—he has painted my -<i>soul</i>!"</p> - -<p>"What! You don't say so, how extraordinary!" stammered her companion, -not a little amazed. "I should like to see the picture—where is it?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, Sir William bought it; it was a commission of his. I believe the -price was fabulous"; then, in quite a different key, "do have some of -this delicious iced asparagus!"</p> - -<p>As Mrs. Villars conversed on various subjects, Mallender gathered that -his beautiful neighbour was a woman of wide travel and experience, -well-versed in all the social jargon of the day. Scotch moors, -Norwegian fishings, foreign spas, had in turn been illuminated by her -presence—and it was evident from her talk that she was as rich and -extravagant as she was lovely and fascinating. There was a temporary -silence as she helped herself to a dish, and a gay voice on his left -addressed him.</p> - -<p>The voice belonged to a lady who had preceded him to the dining-room; -he had noticed her slim, graceful figure, and well-set-on head, with -its coils of dark hair; the countenance now turned to him, though full -of force and life, was disappointingly plain; it displayed a large -mouth, a too <i>retroussé</i> nose, and a pair of wide-open grey eyes.</p> - -<p>"I've been longing to get in a word edgeways," she began; "but now that -Major de Lacey has captured the ear of a woman who usually obliterates -the rest of the company, here is <i>my</i> chance! Let me introduce myself; -I am Mrs. Brander, <i>née</i> Nancy Bond. Mrs. Tallboys is my aunt, and -since Freddy is your relative, we are some sort of connection—shall we -say twenty-first cousins?" and she looked at him persuasively.</p> - -<p>"I shall be only too delighted, and proud," he answered with a bow.</p> - -<p>"I was exported to Fan years ago, and she married me off—wasn't she -clever?" As Mrs. Brander asked the question, her grey eyes twinkled -mischievously.</p> - -<p>"Clever?" repeated Mallender; "I don't quite know what you mean?"</p> - -<p>"Clever because I'm so ugly!" was the brisk rejoinder. "Do you realise -that your lot has been cast between a celebrated beauty, and the -opposite extreme?"</p> - -<p>"Come, I can't allow you to say that!" he protested uncomfortably.</p> - -<p>"Well, of course; some of us must be plain, as foils to show off the -others; if everyone were handsome, think how dull it would be! Tom, -that is my husband, is accustomed to me, and my nose has always been a -source of amusement to my family."</p> - -<p>Mallender, who was at a complete loss for words, merely stared, as she -rattled on.</p> - -<p>"I am spending a holiday with Aunt Fan—I've come for a bit of the -season."</p> - -<p>"I hope you will enjoy it," he said lamely.</p> - -<p>"Thank you, I'm blessed with the enjoying temperament, and have an -infinite capacity for taking pleasure—in short, a very frivolous -inferior sort of person, you are not married I believe?"</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>"You said that No, as if you were most truly thankful, but wait, Aunt -Fanny loves match-making, and if you are not very clever and <i>cunning</i>, -she will soon dispose of you!"</p> - -<p>"She won't have a chance," he answered, "I'm off, the moment the polo -tournament is over."</p> - -<p>"Are you really?" and she gazed at him interrogatively. "Well, Aunt Fan -can do great things in a week. Of course this is your first visit to -India?"</p> - -<p>"No, I was up in the North-west, eight years ago."</p> - -<p>"At school?"</p> - -<p>"I am older than you suppose. I joined the Warlocks at Lucknow, and -after a couple of months had a bad go of typhoid, and was sent home. -However, the regiment followed next reliefs."</p> - -<p>"They <i>must</i> have been attached to you!" she exclaimed with an air of -grave conviction.</p> - -<p>Mallender burst into a spontaneous laugh, then he said:</p> - -<p>"And now here I am, in the benighted Presidency!"</p> - -<p>"May I give you one little hint?" she whispered.</p> - -<p>"A dozen—twenty dozen."</p> - -<p>"Never say a word against Madras to Freddy, or he will boil over! He -is an infatuated Madrassi; talks very big of Clive, Charnock, Warren -Hastings—and his lady friend, Mrs. Anna Maria Imhoff, who lived in his -house at the Mount; also of Yale in the Fort, and others, precisely -as if they were all here to-day! He is so jealous, for the old, old, -original Presidency, and loves every temple, and toddy tree, between -this and Ceylon. I won't ask what you think of us <i>yet</i>."</p> - -<p>"No, you must give me a longer start than one day; however, I have -experienced your wind and dust—both horrible!"</p> - -<p>"Admitted," she answered with a nod, "but we Britons need not give -ourselves airs, for it is a well-known historical fact, that the Romans -fled out of our country, because they couldn't stand the climate!"</p> - -<p>"Mrs. Brander, you are the latest from school, so I dare not presume to -argue, but hitherto I have been under the impression, that an incursion -of the Huns, recalled the legions."</p> - -<p>"Well, don't let us quarrel over such a trifle," she rejoined with a -shrug. "This is your first dinner in Madras—I wonder what strikes you -particularly?"</p> - -<p>"I'm afraid you'll be shocked, and think I'm frightfully greedy, when I -answer, the <i>dinner</i> itself! We might be at the 'Ritz,' or Buckingham -Palace."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I see you are not aware that this old city is celebrated for its -cuisine, and Sunday tiffins. The native is a born cook, and our French -predecessors instilled into him some very sound ideas, with respect to -sauces, soups, <i>soufflés</i>, and omelettes. No doubt, formerly, the nabob -who lived here, regaled himself and friends on rich food, mountainous -<i>pilaws</i>, and molten curries. Those days are gone; also the times when -the very boldest woman dared not enter that chamber of horrors,—her -cook-house."</p> - -<p>"Why?"</p> - -<p>"For fear of what she might discover! I pass over the story of -'master's sock,' and other well-authenticated details. The hand of the -butler no longer inscribes a startling menu, and you are spared the -alarming promise of 'Cold Roast Lion, and D——d Turkey'!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, come, I say!" ejaculated Mallender.</p> - -<p>"I could tell you of still worse items, but <i>nous avons changé tout -cela</i>. Now, the menu is in French, and the food is of the daintiest -description. To me, the best of it all is, that the sudden incursion of -half a dozen unexpected guests at a moment's notice has no appreciable -effect on the <i>chef's</i> temper! Everything comes up to time, and there -is neither fuss nor skimping. I may whisper to you, that it is a good -thing to encourage your cook, put him on his mettle, and, so to speak, -<i>lard</i> him with flattery! So much for cooks, and for their employers! I -suppose you know scarcely any of the present company?"</p> - -<p>"No, but I'll be most grateful for information. I've made one awful -blunder already."</p> - -<p>"Oh, have you! Do tell me all about it?" she asked eagerly.</p> - -<p>Seldom had Mallender seen a face of such gay animation; for all its -snub nose, it was more piquante, attractive, and vivid, than that of -many a placid beauty. As he merely smiled, and shook his head, she -continued: "Then I'll be generous, and tell you what happened to <i>me</i>, -at my first Indian dinner-party. I was sent in with a young man—fairer -than either of us. He was just out from home, and made himself -agreeable, and when I enquired if he knew any of the guests? and he -said 'yes,' I immediately indicated two women opposite, and said, 'they -are as black as my ayah, who are they?' and he promptly replied, 'The -stout lady is my grandmother—the thin one, my mother.'</p> - -<p>"I shrieked with laughter, at what I took to be a joke; but when at the -end of the evening I saw him march away, arm in arm with the fat dark -lady, I nearly fainted."</p> - -<p>"I don't wonder," said Mallender. "Thanks to you, I am now warned, and -shall ask no questions."</p> - -<p>"Then shall I take your questions for granted, and point out some of -the company? The man opposite is Sir William Bream—isn't he like an -old sea-lion? So large and inflated, with great dull eyes, and a beard."</p> - -<p>"Yes, and since you bring the Zoo to dinner, may I ask you to tell me -about the long-necked, long-nosed man, whose self-contained air recalls -my dear friend the King Penguin?"</p> - -<p>"That is Mr. Arnfield, a prominent member of the Bar, and the local -dramatic society. His elocution is marvellous, and on Sundays, -he always reads the lessons; one morning, he upset the whole -congregation, when at the end of the second lesson, he slammed the -Bible, and announced in a stentorian voice, 'Now Borrobas was—<i>a -rabbit</i>!' I do hope, you are not shocked, are you? I am too thankful -I did not happen to be in church, for I know I should have disgraced -myself, and been ignominiously removed by the verger."</p> - -<p>"And I should have joined you!—kindly continue your valuable -information."</p> - -<p>"Well, the little elderly lady with a face like a piece of -wash-leather, lemon-coloured hair, and diamonds, is Mrs. Fiske, widely -known as 'The Acidulated Drop.' Her chief talent is fiction."</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, I understand—a novelist."</p> - -<p>"Not exactly—though she achieves distinction by the number and variety -of her stories. Her late husband had a fine appointment, and she has -a fine pension; her daughters are satisfactorily settled out here, -she infests the Hills, and knows everything that goes on—on Hills or -plains; can do a kind action, or the reverse; and is always prepared to -get you a servant, or give you a character!"</p> - -<p>"A useful acquaintance!" observed Mallender, glancing at the lady; "and -rich—judging by her diamonds."</p> - -<p>"Yes, she has heaps of money, and eggs in many baskets; shares in -shops, and mines, and coffee estates. I see that she has noticed <i>you</i> -and soon your history, prospects, and reputation, will be at her mercy."</p> - -<p>"I don't mind, I have no prospects now," he replied; "and as for my -reputation, reputations are cheap! I can easily get another."</p> - -<p>"Easier said than done—mud always sticks! To go on with my little -serial, the handsome lady in pink is the Hon. Mrs. Cliffe. She is -ruffled, because she has just discovered that rank has no precedence -in India. <i>I</i> go in before her, as a consort of a Heaven-born; and -she is told off, according to Cocker, as the wife of a Captain in the -Line. How I should love to read her letters by the next mail! The -matron with the beautiful white hair, and emeralds, is Mrs. Damer, -who has come out to see her two sons; one is in the Army—the other -is in Tea. The stern man on her right, is said to be our future great -General—mark his cold, relentless eye!"</p> - -<p>"Well, he looks a hard-bitten chap, and every inch a soldier; and the -pretty, fair girl lower down—why is <i>she</i> sent in with that old buffer -whose collar is choking him? That cannot be according to Cocker!"</p> - -<p>"No, but it happens to be a very special case," rejoined Mrs. Brander -with impressive gravity; "Miss Miller has been paired off with Colonel -Harris, because she is going to be married to him."</p> - -<p>"Marry him!" repeated Mallender, setting down his untasted glass. "Why, -he might be her grandfather!"</p> - -<p>"No doubt," agreed Mrs. Brander, "but there are reasons for the match; -if you will bend forward, and look along this side, you may notice a -sharp powdered nose, poked well to the front—it belongs to the chief -reason—the girl's mother, I will show her to you later."</p> - -<p>"Thank you," he answered dryly, "your description is sufficient."</p> - -<p>"At any rate, you will recognise Mrs. Miller by a glaring mass of -dyed hair, topped by a jaunty green feather. Colonel Miller's time is -up, and he will soon be retired, and go home. He and his wife have -led a merry life for years, they are heavily in debt—so Mrs. Miller -says—and they have barely enough for two people to live on, much less -three. She is therefore determined to get rid of Barbie, her daughter; -I am sure she longed to put her in her auction list, 'One charming -and amiable girl, aged nineteen; hair and complexion guaranteed; no -reasonable offer refused.' You see how spiteful I can be!"</p> - -<p>"But what does the young lady say?" enquired Mallender, as he glanced -at a pretty young thing, with a small wistful face, and clouds of light -brown hair.</p> - -<p>"The young lady dare not have <i>any</i> opinion; she only came out a year -ago, and has not had much of a time. Barbie is popular, and rather -a dear, but her mother scares everyone by her almost bloodthirsty -hunt for a son-in-law. The poor child is terribly handicapped by her -parents; a rackety mother, and a gambling father; I must say, I am -sorry for poor little Barbie."</p> - -<p>"So am I," echoed Mallender; "is there no escape?"</p> - -<p>"No, though she has a staunch friend in Aunt Fan, whose two manias are, -young girls, and old furniture. Aunt Fan has done her level best, but -I'm afraid that nothing short of the end of the world, can save Barbie -from becoming Mrs. Harris."</p> - -<p>"Miserable victim!"</p> - -<p>"Well, yes—and no. Colonel Harris is a kind old thing, except at -bridge, when he is like a dissatisfied turkey-cock. Of course, there -will be no 'love's young dream!'"</p> - -<p>Mallender gave a loud involuntary laugh.</p> - -<p>"Don't laugh so scornfully," expostulated Mrs. Brander. "The girl will -have a good home, no money cares, possibly a motor—and certainly a -comfortable widow's pension."</p> - -<p>"Oh, ye gods!" ejaculated her listener. "Fancy a girl marrying for a -widow's pension. Twenty-first cousin, how <i>can</i> you suggest such a -thing?"</p> - -<p>"You may well ask! I have a darling little daughter of my own, asleep -in her cot upstairs; sooner than she should make such a match, -I'd—well, I adore Babs, and Mrs. Miller has never attempted to conceal -her aversion to Barbie!"</p> - -<p>At this moment Mrs. Villars turned to claim her partner.</p> - -<p>"I do hope you play bridge?" she murmured in her sweet contralto.</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, rather; but I'm a bit out of practice."</p> - -<p>"We are sure to have bridge to-night, and if so, do come to my table, -and if you are very rusty, I won't scold you—<i>much</i>." As she gazed at -him, with an expression at once cajoling and caressing, Mallender, -stirred by the enchantment of her plaintive voice and marvellous eyes, -promptly answered:</p> - -<p>"All right, Mrs. Villars, I'll play at your table—even if to reach it -I have to trample on the slain."</p> - -<p>"Ah, I see that we shall be great friends," she continued, "we are both -fond of travelling, and devotees of bridge and golf. Don't you think -when people like the same things—they like one another?"</p> - -<p>"I am sure of it," he answered with emphasis.</p> - -<p>"I see Fan has collected eyes," exclaimed Mrs. Villars, rising as she -spoke. "<i>Au revoir</i>, and mind you don't forget about the bridge," she -added with a confidential smile.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Villars wore a marvellous shimmering gown, an air of easy and -assured self-confidence, and as she swept away with a dragging grace -of movement, Mallender realised that there went a lady habitually -accustomed to admiration, homage, and wealth.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">CHAPTER VII</p> - - -<p>The ladies—sixteen in number—streamed forlornly into the -drawing-room, where they broke up into groups—like gravitating to -like. The General's wife and Mrs. Tallboys embarked on congenial -topics, local charities, and an imminent bazaar; the wearer of the -jaunty green feather was captured by Mrs. Fiske, eager to hear the -latest news of Barbie's prospects. Barbie and Miss Sim, drawn to one -another by mutual sympathy, left the room together, to seek a secluded -corner of the verandah, and popular Nancy Brander on her way to a -beckoning friend was waylaid by her recent neighbour.</p> - -<p>"Do stop and talk to <i>me</i> for a moment!" urged Mrs. Villars, leading -her aside. "I want to ask your opinion of my new frock?"</p> - -<p>"<i>Ravissante! Ravissante!</i>" pronounced Nancy, throwing up her hands. -After a pause she added: "I must confess that my chief sentiment is -<i>envy</i>!"</p> - -<p>"It arrived to-day from Mervéille—there is nothing," complacently -viewing herself in a long mirror, "like a well-cut new gown for giving -a woman an air of superiority—is there?"</p> - -<p>"Do you feel so superior?" enquired Mrs. Brander in a bantering voice. -"No doubt there <i>is</i> something in what you say. I certainly feel twice -as important in a pair of Morkoph's smart shoes as I do in my wobbly -goloshes!"</p> - -<p>"Good gracious, fancy wearing them!"</p> - -<p>"Fancy <i>not</i> wearing them in the rains," rejoined Nancy. "I expect your -superior gown cost a pretty penny."</p> - -<p>"No; they let me have two for ninety."</p> - -<p>"Rupees or guineas?"</p> - -<p>"Nan, you are really <i>too</i> bad! I call this cheap for fifty—look at -the embroidery, all hand-made—real Mechlin lace—and then the cut!"</p> - -<p>"It is not my idea of economy. I never give more than fifteen—and -times are so bad."</p> - -<p>"But if people only buy frumpish gowns that cost a few pounds—what -<i>is</i> to become of the poor tradespeople?"</p> - -<p>"Perhaps they may be better off—and have less bad debts," suggested -Nancy.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Villars coloured guiltily, but instantly recovering her aplomb, -said: "I declare your black gown has quite a French effect—where did -it come from?"</p> - -<p>"My verandah."</p> - -<p>"<i>Dirzee</i> made! Never! I simply refuse to believe you. Nan, this is one -of your jokes?"</p> - -<p>"A joke I cut out with my own hands. I'm full of ideas, and my man is -an artist. I have good models, too—Fanny's best; and now and then I -get a box out from home."</p> - -<p>"But why this miserable economy? your husband's pay, your own -fortune——"</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes," interrupted Mrs. Brander, "but there are plenty of calls on -one's purse, besides spending money on chiffons."</p> - -<p>"Are there? I don't think a woman can invest her coin to better -advantage than in making herself a pleasure to behold."</p> - -<p>"And you would still be that, even if you wore nothing but a blanket -and a string of beads."</p> - -<p>This verdict was all the more flattering because unwillingly bestowed.</p> - -<p>"Really, Nancy," and the beauty laughed, "I hope I may not be reduced -to a single garment!—but one never can tell. I am over head and ears -in debt."</p> - -<p>"And yet you spend ninety guineas at one swoop!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, my dear,—debt is like drink. You go on, and on, and on. The more -you spend—the more you drink—the tighter the thing takes hold of you! -By the way, I was really forgetting something I wanted to ask. What do -you think of him?"</p> - -<p>"Him?" repeated Mrs. Brander, "which him? We have so many hims this -evening, hims ancient and modern!"</p> - -<p>"Don't be silly. I mean the nice boy that sat between us at dinner, and -by the way, darling, you poached shamelessly!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, you mean Captain Mallender. I like him."</p> - -<p>"What were you so busy talking about?"</p> - -<p>"Let me see," putting her hand to her forehead, "the climate, the -ancient Britons, and the Zoo."</p> - -<p>"You are always so blue and cultured," declared Mrs. Villars. "I think -Captain Mallender very good-looking: such a cheery manner, such gay -dark eyes, and a boyish smile; he parts his hair just as I like it! Fan -asked me to take charge of him, and be extra nice."</p> - -<p>"And so you were! You are always nice—to men," corrected Nancy, with a -disarming smile. "You know he is Fred's cousin, out from home."</p> - -<p>"And where <i>is</i> his home? What is it like?"</p> - -<p>"The photo is in Fred's sanctum, a lovely old Jacobean place standing -in a great park."</p> - -<p>"So this good-looking boy is rich!"</p> - -<p>Nancy nodded.</p> - -<p>"And how long is he going to stay?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, the usual time—as long as ever he likes."</p> - -<p>"I wonder what has brought him out? Says he does not shoot, what can it -be?"</p> - -<p>"Perhaps to search for a wife?" gaily suggested Mrs. Brander.</p> - -<p>"As if a man in <i>his</i> position would look at an Indian spin!" rejoined -Mrs. Villars with withering scorn.</p> - -<p>"He might do worse," argued the other briskly. "We have a large -assortment of really pretty girls, quite fresh and dainty—nothing shop -soiled!"</p> - -<p>"Really, Nancy, what dreadful things you do say! and if you call any -girl in Madras pretty—<i>I</i> don't." As Mrs. Villars concluded, she -turned and surveyed herself in the glass, and Nancy Brander thus -released effected her escape.</p> - -<p>Lena Villars was a shallow, more or less amiable woman, endowed by -nature with a lovely face, perfect health, and perennial youth—but -stinted in the matter of heart and brain, and with a moral outlook that -was somewhat oblique.</p> - -<p>She appreciated luxury, had a consuming passion for clothes, and was -absolutely devoid of the money sense. Her chief interest in life was -the attitude of men towards herself, and she cherished an inexorable -resolution to be first, or nowhere.</p> - -<p>After gazing exhaustively at her own charming reflection, the beauty -stole away to her room, there to repair some little flaws in her toilet -previous to the great business of the evening.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, in a remote corner of the verandah, the two girl friends -were exchanging miserable confidences in low voices.</p> - -<p>"Mother has taken <i>two</i> passages in the Bibby Line for the first -week in April," said Barbie Miller. "There is no money to pay for -mine—if there were, it would make no difference. She says it's -providential that Colonel Harris wishes to marry me, and considers me -extraordinarily lucky."</p> - -<p>"And what do you say, Barbie?"</p> - -<p>"You know very well, Ada. I am still holding out, though the -announcement of my engagement has been sent home. I'm afraid Colonel -Harris has offered to pay for my trousseau, and I know that he has -'settled' quite a lot of things, including one or two big bills, and -given mother a lovely diamond ring. Really, he is most generous; and if -he did not want to <i>marry</i> me, I'd like him well enough! I overheard -mother telling Mrs. Fiske that the wedding is to take place in the -Cathedral early one morning, and we are to start immediately afterwards -for the Shevaroy Hills. Honestly, I could not feel more wretched if I -were going to be hanged—indeed, I don't think I'd mind!"</p> - -<p>"I only wish I had your chance," declared her companion with energy, -"I'd marry Colonel Harris like a shot!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, <i>Ada</i>!" and Barbie stared incredulously.</p> - -<p>"Yes, you don't know what it is to be alone in the world, and -penniless," declared her friend forcibly; "he, at least, could give me -a roof over my head, and a home. Your case is nothing as compared to -mine; I am really in despair. I've not enough money to pay the dhoby, -or put in the collection plate, or buy stamps. My clothes are so mended -and so shabby I am ashamed to be seen. All the same, I don't think -anyone but Mrs. Brander guesses that I am so absolutely destitute. Last -time she was here she insisted on lending me a hundred rupees—such a -boon!—she said she knew what little odds and ends a girl on her own -wanted, and I was to pay her any time; and she gave me a lovely hat, -because it did not suit her, and several pairs of gloves, because they -were too small, and an evening-gown, because her husband could not bear -it! For all her funny talk, she is a darling—just like Mrs. Tallboys."</p> - -<p>"Does <i>she</i> not know that you are so hard up, Ada?"</p> - -<p>"No, and I try to keep it from her. She has been only too kind; she -paid my railway ticket down to Calicut, and sent an ayah with me. This -is my second visit here, she invited me for a month, and I've stayed -two. I feel such a worm, and so deadly ashamed. Mrs. Fiske enquired if -I was living here altogether, and said 'this house should be called -Hooper's Hotel.'"</p> - -<p>"How horrid—and how like her!"</p> - -<p>"I know that my room is wanted for Captain Mallender," continued Ada, -"the ayah told me so. I've asked the Bells at Coimbatore to take -me in, but they made an excuse. Now I've written to the Carsons at -Trichy—they are my very <i>last</i> hope. I've no money, and nothing to -sell. I sold the pretty frock Nancy Brander gave me—a sergeant's wife -offered twenty-five rupees for it; the ayah took ten for commission, -and I've told such stories about the gown to Nancy! But poor people -<i>have</i> to lie! All I have left are three rupees. I'm so unhappy, so -worn out with anxiety and shame, that I wish I were dead! I'd drown -myself, only there is no place to do it in—the Cooum is filthy, and -off the pier there are sharks!"</p> - -<p>"Dear, dear, old Ada," said her companion, stroking her arm, "if I -could only bring myself to marry Colonel Harris, you should come and -live with <i>me</i>. I am as poor as a church mouse, but I can easily let -you have ten rupees—and you must, and shall take it! It will at least -pay for wires, and stamps, and be a little help in putting you in -communication with friends, who might invite you."</p> - -<p>"Friends," echoed Ada, "I've none; those I had are thoroughly sick of -me, and no wonder. I'm not pretty, or amusing, or accomplished, I don't -play bridge for money, I'm not even good-tempered. Just a plain, stupid -bore. They say that the poor always help the poor—and it's true—but I -won't take your ten rupees, Barbie."</p> - -<p>Seeing that Barbie was about to protest, she hurried on:</p> - -<p>"Do explain one thing, which puzzles me. Why is Colonel Harris so -anxious to marry you, when he, and all the world, must see how you hang -back?"</p> - -<p>"Why?—because of the hanging back! Mother tells him I'm so shy -and timid, such a mere shrinking child, afraid to show my <i>real</i> -feelings—and he believes her. I won't call him James, and I won't -allow kissing, nor will I accept presents. I beg him to give them to -me—afterwards."</p> - -<p>"Do you think there will be an afterwards?"</p> - -<p>"Ada," she drew a long sigh, "I hope not, but you know I am no match -for mother; she is so fiercely determined, so cruel, and so strong. Now -listen to me, I'm going to say something dreadful—I almost wish I had -been born an orphan, and if mother does go home, and leaves me behind, -I hope I may never, never, see her again. Oh," springing up, "she is -calling me—the men have come in, and I must fly!"</p> - -<p>Presently there were sounds of music in the drawing-room, and if Ada -Sim had accompanied her companion—instead of sitting sobbing in a -corner of the verandah—she would have heard Mrs. Brander give a -superb rendering of Chopin. Subsequently poor Barbie was driven to the -Grand Schiedmayer, where with cold and trembling fingers she proceeded -to murder Schumann—fortunately not a soul was listening; almost -everyone's attention was riveted on the bridge tables so seductively -set forth; with their adequate complement of chairs and cards they -seemed to summon the company to "come and play."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Villars beckoned airily to her new friend, and said:</p> - -<p>"I hear from Captain Byng that he has roped you in for polo, he is <i>so</i> -pleased."</p> - -<p>"I am afraid his pleasure is a bit premature!" rejoined Mallender. -"I am out of practice, and I believe some of the competing teams are -first-rate."</p> - -<p>"You mean the Marauders. Colonel Molyneux's lot?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, and the Motagherry Planters; though only two or three pony men -play a very hot game, so do the Bluebottles."</p> - -<p>"I shall come and look on at the practice, and wave my sunshade and -scream '<i>Shabash!</i>' only they don't say that down here. Ah, they are -moving at last! Do let us cut in, with the General and Nancy Brander."</p> - -<p>The General's weather-beaten countenance was a study in satisfaction, -when Mrs. Brander fell to his lot as a partner, for her play was -famous. Here was a lady who made no mistakes, never lost her head, and -knew the history of every card. Their opponents were Captain Mallender, -and Mrs. Villars,—who made a delightful picture, as she dealt out -the pack with flying jewelled fingers. At first, all the best of the -red suits seemed to fall to her and her partner. By and by, the luck -turned, the fortunate couple were slammed once and again; the lady made -reckless declarations in the true gambler's spirit, ever hoping to -retrieve her luck—and lost the rubber, and fifty rupees.</p> - -<p>Occasionally Mallender, when "dummy," rose and strolled about the -room, exchanging remarks and experiences with his fellow-dummies, and -glancing at various other tables. At one of these sat Mrs. Fiske, -grumbling incessantly, and bewailing her ill-luck in a manner that was -maddening to her companions.</p> - -<p>"Never had such luck—this isn't a hand—it's a foot! Don't know what -it is to hold a card—nothing but Yarboughs, and Chicane—perfectly -<i>sickening</i>!"</p> - -<p>The serious, stern, and business-like bridgers, such as the future -great General, Freddy Tallboys, and Mrs. Damer, played "auction" -with grim concentration; here was no whining, no court-martial on -indifferent partners. Nothing, nothing, but what Sarah Battle loved, -"the rigour of the game." At another table sat Sir William Bream, Mrs. -Tallboys, Colonel Harris and Miss Miller. Unhappy girl! her present -(and future) partner, found it impossible to conceal his emotion when -she trumped his best diamond, and led straight away into the enemy's -suit! It is conceded that cards develop one's real disposition, -and expose our worst failings; such as envy, jealousy, tyranny, -ingratitude, meanness, avarice, and cowardice. Mallender glanced -over at Colonel Harris. His face was a deep plum—quite dangerously -inflamed; how his great thick neck seemed to swell and bulge over the -stiff staff collar! Then the looker-on moved round and stood behind -Miss Barbie; he noted her flickering colour, and tremulous lips, as she -fumbled with her cards—uncertain what to play. He longed to give her -a quiet hint, as she hesitated between a king and a nine; meanwhile -her <i>vis-à-vis</i> shuffled his feet impatiently, and her adversaries -exchanged significant smiles. As Mallender watched the irresolute -girl, he noticed her wealth of beautiful hair, her slender, graceful -neck, cheap white frock, and thin silver bangles. Her small childish -hands were ringless—apparently, as yet, there was no engagement. He -moved away to his own place, just in time to escape the explosion of -wrath which burst over the head of little Miss Miller. Of course, as -he anticipated, she had played the wrong card, and lost both game and -rubber. Bridge continued with unabated zeal till nearly one o'clock, -when the General, remembering an early inspection, rose a well-pleased -guest—and winner. Mallender and Mrs. Villars had lost ninety rupees, -and as the latter gathered up her wisp of a lace handkerchief and -little chain purse she said with a smile:</p> - -<p>"Let us hope for better luck to-morrow, Captain Mallender! If you will -pay the General,—I will settle with Mrs. Brander."</p> - -<p>He noticed Mrs. Brander's amused and somewhat inscrutable expression as -she collected her gloves and nodded a careless assent.</p> - -<p>When the last guest had departed, the last motor hummed away, -Mallender, as he followed Anthony and a lantern to his outdoor -quarters, realised that this had indeed been an evening of many -impressions! A little later, when Colonel Tallboys had locked up the -cigars, he came bustling into his wife's room, and found her locking up -her diamonds.</p> - -<p>"Your usual success, Fan! The dinner was A1, the mutton hung to a -second, and that new champagne is very sound."</p> - -<p>"That is your department, my dear. Yes, I think everything went off -well, and people enjoyed themselves."</p> - -<p>"All except that unfortunate Miss Sim, who looked like a death's -head—but then, she doesn't play bridge. I say, what about Geoffrey, -eh? He got along all right. I'm glad to see that shyness is not one of -his difficulties. Molyneux was much taken with him, but these Cavalry -chaps always hang on to one another. After you left, he was a help, -talking away to the General, and that shikari man; by the way, you've -not said a word to anyone about the reason of his trip?"</p> - -<p>"My dear Fred, need you ask?" and Mrs. Tallboys confronted him -gravely. "I don't want people to suppose that there is insanity in -your family!—not that Geoffrey is insane—he is merely obsessed with -an idea. The poor romantic boy was too long alone at Mallender; his -father's illness and death got on his nerves. He is naturally cheery, -and the change out here, with lots of lively company, will effect -a cure; he is a dear fellow, with such nice unaffected, courteous -manners, and a bright open face."</p> - -<p>"Oh!—I see he has been admiring your <i>china</i>!" declared Colonel -Tallboys with a grin of comprehension.</p> - -<p>"No; but I may tell you that I, like Colonel Molyneux, am 'much taken -with him.'"</p> - -<p>"And he with Mrs. Villars?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, you noticed that, in spite of William's smothered wrath, I sent -him in to dinner with Lena."</p> - -<p>"A capital move. Though I thought William looked pretty sick! So you -are bent upon strong measures?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know what you call strong measures, but I had a little talk -with Geoffrey. I realise that he is completely overmastered by one -idea, and I am determined to do all I can to prevent his risking his -whole fortune on a wild-goose chase."</p> - -<p>"I understand. Between polo, and the beauty, you hope to get the better -of this obsession, and to head him off from his crazy enterprise. -Well, Fan, you and I will do our best; and as, of course, you have -allowed Mary Ayah to retire to her go-down, I suppose I must put on my -spectacles, and unlace your dress?"</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">CHAPTER VIII</p> - - -<p>The following morning a sonorous "Five o'clock, saar," awoke Mallender -from his too brief slumbers; his first struggling thought was "Where -am I?" The cool crisp atmosphere felt strange, so did the sounds of an -unknown tongue, and a stamping of impatient hoofs, in his immediate -vicinity; then, in a second, he recalled his wits; he was in a tent -in India, and pledged to play polo within an hour. A strong cup of -Neilgherry tea, and a cold tub dispersed his drowsiness, and with -the car's swift passage through the invigorating air his spirits and -energies awoke. Lumbering water-carts were already allaying the red -dust, and evoking a curious and unfamiliar smell of wet and pungent -earth. From all directions people were sallying out for the morning -ride or drive; portly cooks, attended by obsequious coolies (carrying -empty baskets), flocked towards the bazaar, pallid Europe children -were being herded forth on ponies, or in prams, in order to "eat the -air," which, at this hour, was deliciously fresh, the sky incredibly -clear and radiant, quivering with brightness and life. At six o'clock, -all Madras was astir, and everywhere was activity, and bustle. As the -smooth-running Napier sped noiselessly onward, Mallender looked about -him, and realised that he was now in the tropics! Dense masses of -purple Bourgainvillia draped and veiled the roadside bungalows; above -their low brick walls, luxuriant bananas waved graceful, if somewhat -dusty, leaves; "Sally Bidon" creeper and the scarlet gold mohur flung -out their blazing signals. Vivid flocks of green paroquets—"the -pretty dear" of barracks—flashed across from the banyans to the -tulip trees, and tall toddy palms seemed to nod their heavy heads in -languid greeting to the stranger, as he skimmed onwards, across the -Marmelong Bridge, and away into the expanse of Guindy Park—where on -the polo-ground Captain Byng and three smart polo ponies were awaiting -him.</p> - -<p>A subsequent practice proved fairly successful; the fourteen one -waler ponies were well trained and handy. As Mallender galloped, and -shouted, and wheeled, and hit, he was once more experiencing the <i>joie -de vivre</i>, and feeling the sap of youth in his veins! Mallender Court -and its melancholy memories were forgotten—as was also the great -quest; that he had no other reason for coming to India than to play -this uncommonly fast game, was 'number one's' firm (if momentary) -conviction, as he rode off the Governor's Private Secretary, and scored -the winning goal. This polo match at Guindy seemed to be a social -spring-board, from which the new arrival took a headlong dive into the -mäelstrom of Madras society. He now appeared to live amid the whirl of -engagements: golf, boating on the Adyar, hunting, paper-chasing, bridge -or dinner-parties, and a dance almost every other night. Also he found -friends in the regiment quartered in the Fort and among the artillery -at the Mount, and was almost "snowed under" with invitations. As the -Tallboys' relative, a popular and presentable young fellow, who played -polo, bridge and golf, his company was in continual, and even anxious -request. However, his cousin Fan had always the first claim, and a -quiet evening at home, with music and bridge, with Mrs. Villars for his -partner, was always an attraction. Mallender and the lady became, as -she predicted, great friends; unfortunately it was a friendship that -aroused Sir William Bream's ill-concealed jealousy, and wrath.</p> - -<p>"What Mrs. Villars could see in that grinning young whipper-snapper?" -was beyond the range of <i>his</i> intelligence! The substantial self-made -man of sixty was insatiable in his demands for the lady's society, for -her insidious and delicious flatteries, her company to play golf, or to -motor about the neighbourhood.—He liked to be seen with the handsomest -woman in Madras.—Sir William owned a magnificent car; also, it was -whispered, thirty thousand a year.</p> - -<p>Colonel Tallboys kept a first-class stable, riding was still his -passion; every morning at an early hour he fared forth, accompanied by -Nan on a fine black waler, and as many of his guests as he could induce -to follow his example. If not hunting, or paper-chasing, they scoured -the Island, rode on the Marina, or the old race-course, returning a gay -and happy pack, to an elaborate <i>chota-hazri</i> awaiting them in the open -verandah.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Villars did not care for early rising—nor yet riding—although -she liked to sit about in her becoming habit; occasionally she rode -down to the Island of an evening on a well-exercised pony, proceeding -at no greater pace than a hurried walk, as anything more rapid gave her -a pain in the side; but to state the plain truth, the graceful widow -was a trembling coward.</p> - -<p>Every evening the beauty appeared in a different toilet—each -outshining the last. Mallender never could decide which suited her -the best? The black, the rose-colour, the smoke-grey, the white, or -the primrose—Mrs. Villars looked lovely in them all! She consulted -him frankly and artlessly on the subject of her wardrobe, discussed -her frocks, hats, and wraps, with the fervour of an enthusiast. The -lady also confided to him that she was too shockingly extravagant, and -simply adored her clothes!</p> - -<p>"Do tell me, which of all my gowns you prefer?" she enquired, looking -at him with the gaze of an <i>ingénue</i>.</p> - -<p>"The one you are wearing," was his gallant reply.</p> - -<p>"You mean that as a compliment, but you must have a choice," she -answered impatiently—the pair were sitting in the verandah after -dinner, enjoying coffee and cigarettes.</p> - -<p>"Oh, well, if I must say, I choose the blue."</p> - -<p>"The blue!" she repeated, "but why? Men <i>always</i> prefer black, or -white."</p> - -<p>"I like the blue, because you wore it the first time I saw you."</p> - -<p>"Oh, you dear sentimental boy!" and Mrs. Villars extended a taper white -hand, and patted his arm with playful commendation.</p> - -<p>Nancy Brander, who happened to be in their neighbourhood, subsequently -remarked to her aunt:</p> - -<p>"I say, Fan, Lena Villars is making tremendous running with -Geoffrey—he has given her a lovely gold bag for her birthday."</p> - -<p>"Her birthday!" echoed Mrs. Tallboys, "rubbish—why, it's in October!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, but perhaps to some it is convenient to have three or four a -year; and when I was sitting out last evening, I declare I felt quite -<i>de trop</i>—I expected every minute to see Geoffrey flop down on his -knees, on the cold marble flags."</p> - -<p>"Nonsense! How you talk, Nan!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, I can both talk and see. Tell me, dear, do you intend this -case to develop? to go on to the end—I won't say bitter end—and marry -Geoffrey to your <i>old</i> friend?"</p> - -<p>"Of course I don't, you tiresome girl, and Lena would not think of him."</p> - -<p>"You mean that she has other fish to fry—a big fish too! Well, I wish -them both <i>joy</i> when he is landed in the frying-pan."</p> - -<p>The easy manner in which his cousin's great establishment was -maintained was marvellous to Mallender. Three or four, or half a dozen -extra guests appeared to make no difference in the perfect domestic -arrangements; everything went on wheels, everyone was looked after, -everyone was free to do precisely what they pleased. Undoubtedly the -head of the household was a born organiser and manager; a woman of -amazing tact, kindness, and self-control.</p> - -<p>Geoffrey was still "an outsider" under canvas, and much preferred -his tent to a bedroom indoors. He enjoyed the complete novelty, the -fresh feel of the morning air as it crept into the tent; he liked -as he lay on his camp cot to watch the dull yellowed grass, tinted -pink by the rising sun, and to hear the birds beginning to stir in -the bushes. Other guests had departed and arrived, and these latter -included a civilian and his sister from Mysore, a cultured American -traveller, and a sprightly married couple, Captain and Mrs. Harcourt -Wylie, acquaintances of Sir William, who knew them at home, and having -casually encountered them on an Indian platform, offered them a warm -invitation to Hooper's Gardens. This they accepted with effusive -thanks—their plans being at the time a little vague and undecided.</p> - -<p>"My cousins," announced Sir William, in his broad-chested pompous -style, "are the most hospitable people in a hospitable country; they -keep open house, have a first-class cook, entertain enormously, and do -you royally!"</p> - -<p>The Wylies, clever, business-like partners, still in the early -thirties, were capable of making themselves welcome and at home in -most places; they danced admirably, and indefatigably, played bridge -extraordinarily well, and talked and dressed in the latest fashion.</p> - -<p>Captain Wylie—who never alluded to his regiment—was a tall thin man, -with a hearty manner, and a cordial voice,—always admirably groomed, -and enviably self-possessed.</p> - -<p>His wife was slim, smart and very erect; her features were small and -regular, her eyes small and intent. She wore pearls and diamonds—that -were magnificent imitations—and a fixed, agreeable smile.</p> - -<p>Beyond the fact, that Sir William had met them at Monte Carlo, and that -they had come out in someone's suite, no one knew much about them; but -they were always lively and enthusiastic, ready to do anything, or go -anywhere at a moment's notice. The Wylies referred to well-known people -as their friends, and by their Christian names, and had evidently -stayed about, and enjoyed themselves vastly; but whether they had a -home of their own, or any belongings, was never positively disclosed. -Nancy Brander did not like "the Prince and Princess Charming"—she -thought the lady sharp and pushing, the man a well-mannered inquisitive -snob—but as Nancy was in the minority, she wisely held her peace. -A grand ball at the Banqueting Hall, given by His Excellency the -Governor, was the first that Mallender attended. Everything was -admirably done; the great room was crowded with everyone who was on -"Government House List." He danced with Mrs. Villars, and sat out -with her; noting with secret pride how much she was sought after, -and how she was followed by the admiring eyes of men and women. She -looked lovely in a Princess gown of gold satin, with a gold butterfly -spreading its wings across her Empire bodice—butterflies caught up -the graceful gold net draperies of her narrow skirt, and a golden band -crowned her classic head. Yet the beauty of the night had honoured him -with two waltzes and a supper dance! The beauty of the night danced -divinely, as did Mallender; numerous wallflowers, and others, found it -a real pleasure to contemplate them. Besides Mrs. Villars, Mallender -waltzed with Mrs. Wylie,—whose style was perfection itself,—with -Nancy and Fan, and several charming girls, among the latter Miss Miller.</p> - -<p>She was pretty and girlish, and coloured up when he accosted her, and -asked for a dance; subsequently when resting between two turns, they -attempted the usual spasmodic conversation, he noticed for the first -time how <i>very</i> blue her eyes were!</p> - -<p>In answer to his question, Miss Miller informed him that the only other -part of India she knew was Cannanore on the west coast.</p> - -<p>"Not many balls there, I take it?" he said.</p> - -<p>"No, there were few ladies, the place is like a sponge, so terribly -damp and wet. We had one or two small dances,—but on a chunam floor, -and a drugget."</p> - -<p>"And the going pretty bad! I think I saw you riding in the paper-chase -the other day."</p> - -<p>"Yes, on an old Artillery 'caster,' with a mouth like iron. I am -looking forward to the next gymkana, for Colonel Tallboys has offered -me Naughty Mary."</p> - -<p>"Has he, indeed!" exclaimed her partner, "she's a bit of a handful, you -know."</p> - -<p>"Yes, but I like her, and I am accustomed to what you call 'handsful.'"</p> - -<p>"What, at Cannanore?"</p> - -<p>"No; there we had bullocks; but I rode a great deal before I came out. -I spent all my holidays, since I was about two years old, on a farm -with my father's old nurse. Her family bred, and broke, hunters, they -had quite a reputation."</p> - -<p>"And so you learnt to ride, before you cut your second teeth?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I think so," and as she smiled she displayed two dazzling rows of -these.</p> - -<p>"And what else did you learn?"</p> - -<p>"To milk and make butter, and rear fowl, and all sorts of unusual -accomplishments."</p> - -<p>"What sort, for instance?"</p> - -<p>"Well, to drive a mowing machine," and she laughed gaily. "Shall we -take another turn, before the music stops?"</p> - -<p>As they launched into the vortex, Mallender felt sincerely sorry to -think that this remarkably pretty bright girl, with all her inborn -country tastes, was about to be delivered over to Colonel Harris, her -father's contemporary!</p> - -<p>"Won't you have some refreshment?" he suggested as they moved towards -the buffet, "iced coffee, lemonade, champagne?"</p> - -<p>"Lemonade, please. I never take wine. Once I drank a large glass of -champagne, thinking it was ginger-beer; and afterwards——"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I know; the floor came up, and hit you in the face!"</p> - -<p>"Not quite so bad, but I felt rather dizzy, and very, <i>very</i> miserable."</p> - -<p>"Champagne is generally supposed to have the opposite effect, and to -make you very, very happy! Will you give me another dance?"</p> - -<p>As Miss Miller studied her programme, her mother appeared, decorated -with the waving green feather, and leaning on the arm of Colonel -Harris. They were both looking alarmingly glum, and the latter said:</p> - -<p>"Barbie, this is our dance. Where <i>have</i> you hidden yourself? I've been -searching for you all over the place, I've got a <i>vis-à-vis</i>, so come -along," and with a scowl at Mallender, he carried her off. Her mother -however still lingered, and before he was aware, had "puckaroed" (i.e. -captured) her daughter's late partner.</p> - -<p>"Oh, Captain Mallender," she simpered, bowing, and coquettishly waving -the green feather, "you are related to my <i>dearest</i> friends—the -Tallboys. I've known Colonel Tallboys for twenty years, and more, and -I feel that I know you. I remember Freddy, a smart handsome young man -<i>too</i>," she paused expressively, "and such a flirt! Will you be a dear -good Samaritan and get me a glass of champagne?—I feel ready to faint!"</p> - -<p>Startled by the threat, Mallender hastened to supply the lady's -wants, but as the buffet was crowded, he had, what seemed to him, a -long time to wait, and meanwhile she chattered continually; airing -the now somewhat faded graces, that had once made her the belle of -an up-country station. As Mallender listened to her remarks upon the -other guests—chiefly critical and destructive—looked into her face, -observed her close-set, reddish-brown eyes, and straight thin-lipped -mouth, he felt moved with a sense of profound compassion for her -daughter. When at last they re-entered the ball-room after this tedious -and wearisome delay, a waltz was being played, and the sprightly matron -said:</p> - -<p>"I know you are not dancing this, Captain Mallender, so <i>do</i> take a -little turn with me?" and before her victim had time to remonstrate, -or to realise the situation, he was swimming round the room with the -future mother-in-law of Colonel Harris.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Miller danced,—as do many Anglo-Indian ladies,—remarkably well. -She was slight and supple, and had the advantage of a score of years -of incessant practice. The face now resting on her partner's shoulder, -wore an indescribable expression of ecstatic triumph, for here was she, -a woman with a grown-up daughter (and having to take what she could -get, among the rubbish-heap of partners), waltzing "Mon Rêve" with one -of the smartest, and most popular young men in Madras! However, her -ecstasy proved short-lived; when the music had wailed out the last -bars, she gasped:</p> - -<p>"Oh, that was a treat. Now do find us a cosy corner!"</p> - -<p>But instead of complying with this alluring request, her cavalier -conducted the lady to a prominent chair, and with a formal bow, -withdrew, sternly determined that he would not—as she had broadly -hinted—be her companion in a "Kàla Jaga" and at supper.</p> - -<p>The next grand ball took place within the ancient walls of Fort St. -George; and Mallender, who was now on his guard, hastened to fill his -programme at the earliest opportunity. He secured dances with Nancy, -Mrs. Villars, Mrs. Wylie, and various pretty girls, but gave Mrs. -Miller a cautiously wide berth, steadily ignoring her smiles, signals, -and even wafted kisses!</p> - -<p>However, she danced all night, as if for very life; but he noticed that -little Miss Barbie—looking rather white and woebegone—sat out the -greater part of the evening with her burly Colonel.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">CHAPTER IX</p> - - -<p>After two postponements, the polo tournament at last came off, and -provided the community with an exciting entertainment. Colonel and -Mrs. Tallboys never missed a single match; he being umpire, and a much -respected authority on the polo ground, here this former brilliant -performer was in his element. The little man knew most of the -players well, and was acquainted with the personal character, merits -or delinquencies, of every competing pony. The final, between the -Chaffinches and the Marauders, brought all Madras to the Island, on a -certain Thursday afternoon. Both teams were in magnificent form, and -after a severely contested match, the Chaffinches won by six goals to -five, amidst shouts and yells of applause.</p> - -<p>Subsequently, Captain Byng received the cup at the gracious hands of -Her Excellency, and when Mallender joined the party from Hooper's -Gardens, he was accorded an ample share of praise; for his hard -straight hitting, and fine driving power, had more than once saved the -game. Colonel Tallboys rode about from group to group on his smart -pony, a proud and happy man, and Mrs. Villars, looking lovely in a -great feathered hat, gazed at the hero with her inspiring eyes, and -whispered "<i>Shabash!</i>"</p> - -<p>The syren had undoubtedly caught Geoffrey in her toils; he was acutely -sensible of the glamour of her personality. With Lena Villars, -appearances were not altogether deceitful, nor beauty vain. She had -a soft low voice, a sympathetic, profoundly interested manner. Lena -was not clever—and candidly admitted the fact—but professed that -nothing gave her so much pleasure as to be with and listen to clever -people—subtly insinuating that such were her companions. The charming -widow was gentle, and timid—except at bridge, where her courage was -more or less foolhardy—and always lovely to behold. Her white gowns, -and tussore suits, appeared different to those of other women; so -fresh, so creaseless, so eminently becoming. Her hats, and Panamas, -exactly suited her. Of an evening in the verandah, with a chiffon -scarf twisted about her head, it seemed to Mallender that he was -contemplating a Madonna—or an angel. The fascinated young man was -ready to do whatever the lady willed, and was almost as one who is -hypnotised, or drugged—and yet, he was not in love with her; merely -her servant, her anxious attendant, one of her many slaves.</p> - -<p>The season began to wane, and the guests at Hooper's Gardens to dwindle -in numbers. Mrs. Villars, Nancy, Sir William, the Wylies, and Geoffrey, -were all that remained. People were now preparing to ship themselves to -England, or to make engagements, and arrangements for the Hills.</p> - -<p>"You come with us, of course, Geoffrey," said his cousin as they sat -in the smoking-room after tiffin. "You will get hunting, I'm taking up -the horses, and my friends the planters will give you capital shooting -in the <i>sholahs</i>. I hope, by this time, you have forgotten your crazy -nonsense—eh?"</p> - -<p>"No, frankly, I have not," rejoined Mallender with unexpected decision. -"I am still holding on to it. I should like to go to Ootacamund -with you and Fan; you have been most awfully kind, and made me feel -absolutely at home—but I want to drive a bargain."</p> - -<p>"Oh, bargain away!" rejoined his relative, but his tone was -apprehensive, his air ungracious.</p> - -<p>"If I hear of some news I am expecting, I'll have to leave you, -probably at an hour's notice, for I've promised to hold myself in -readiness; and so if I go off rather abruptly, you will excuse me, -won't you?"</p> - -<p>Colonel Tallboys, who was walking about the room, made no reply, but -pulled down his waistcoat, with an angry jerk.</p> - -<p>"After all, you will remember that I came out here with a certain -object," urged the young man.</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, I'm aware of that, and if the object were known, you'd find -yourself an object of derision." Having delivered himself of this -opinion he sat down, and regarded his cousin with a fixed glare.</p> - -<p>"I can't help it, I must stick to my job," rejoined Mallender doggedly. -"I may not be summoned; but if I am, and should be detained, letters to -the Bank of Madras will find me; of course I shall write. I know you -dislike this subject, so we will make it clear now, and once for all!"</p> - -<p>"'Pon my soul, I think you are mad!" burst out Colonel Tallboys. "This -mania of yours is—serious. Here are Fan and I, both attached to you, -and looking on you more as—a—a—a son than anything, and you want to -bolt off after some will-o'-the-wisp. As for a clue, swindlers may, and -will fool you, but mark my words, you'll never get hold of one!"</p> - -<p>"But I <i>have</i> got hold of a slight one."</p> - -<p>"Let's hear it!" he said sharply.</p> - -<p>"I had a line from Brown and Co. to say, that my allowance ceased, from -the day I came to Madras."</p> - -<p>Colonel Tallboys almost leapt out of his chair, his face was crimson.</p> - -<p>"You call that a clue!" he shouted, "why, man alive, <i>I</i> call it ruin!"</p> - -<p>"No, not altogether," replied his companion in a steady voice, "I have -a good balance in hand, and before that is exhausted, I hope to have -solved the problem."</p> - -<p>"'Pon my soul, I have no patience with you, Geoffrey," declared his -cousin fiercely; then standing over him, like a little bristling -terrier, he added, "Your father was undoubtedly eccentric of late -years, no doubt of that—and on one subject, I honestly believe you are -<i>not</i> sane!"</p> - -<p>"Well, well, Fred, let us leave it at that," replied Mallender with an -uneasy laugh, "don't let us talk about it any more."</p> - -<p>"I may not talk, but I shall <i>think</i>," retorted Colonel Tallboys in a -loud, tremulous voice, and with this parting speech he hurried from -the room, overturning as he went an indignant dog, and a couple of -golf-sticks.</p> - -<p>During all these weeks, though temporarily carried away by continuous -amusements, and the irresistible fascinations of Mrs. Villars, -Mallender had figuratively clung to, and corresponded with Jaffer -and Co.—in spite of the fact, that their answers were indefinite, -and letters few and far between. As he sat in the smoking-room, the -afternoon after this scene with his relative, a butler entered, -salaamed, and said:</p> - -<p>"Someone come on business to see your Honour."</p> - -<p>"All right," he answered, "show him in."</p> - -<p>Almost treading on the servant's heels, there entered a thin, -flat-chested native, heavily pock-marked, with a cast in one of his -eyes—<i>not</i> an attractive personality. He wore a long tight black -velvet coat, patent leather boots displaying a surprising eruption of -mother-of-pearl buttons, an embroidered skull cap, and gold spectacles. -With a profound salutation, he presented a visiting-card, on which was -neatly inscribed:</p> - -<p>"From A. D. Shumilal and Co., Agents, 805 Pophams Broadway."</p> - -<p>"Captain Mallender, I think?" he enquired.</p> - -<p>"Yes, that's right."</p> - -<p>"I have come as representative of this firm—who are acting for Jaffer -and Co., Hyderabad."</p> - -<p>"I hope you bring me some news at last?"</p> - -<p>He hesitated for a moment, and then glibly replied:</p> - -<p>"Well, sir, you understand, that this is a very ticklish business and -difficult. So much time has passed. So much bridge under water as -you—say——"</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes, yes. I know all that," returned Mallender impatiently.</p> - -<p>"But we have now good hopes, that the case will end in success."</p> - -<p>"Then you <i>have</i> some information?"</p> - -<p>"That is so; but the affair is most awfully expensive, and I am sent -here to request one small advance for outlay, only fifty pounds."</p> - -<p>"But you have already had a hundred!"</p> - -<p>"That is correct, and placed to credit," returned the clerk -imperturbably, now producing a book from a pocket in his Noah's Ark -coat, "and when you settle, I will hand you receipt."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I dare say you will! You are rather premature, my friend. So far, -I've seen <i>no</i> results for my money."</p> - -<p>"Very soon, you shall. You understand, that we have to pay our staff -through the nose. You will be ready, when summoned, to start at once."</p> - -<p>"Why, of course; that's what I'm here for," rejoined Mallender -impatiently.</p> - -<p>"You may go far, you may go near. The man we are following fluctuates; -sometimes he is close at hand, and sometimes out of reach for years!"</p> - -<p>"By Jove, this sounds promising!"</p> - -<p>"He is now in the country, and we may corner him any day; but he is -very slip about and clever."</p> - -<p>"You are sure that he is the right person?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, why not?" rejoined the clerk with easy confidence; and then, -deliberately ticking off each finger, he continued, "Army man, retired; -age between fifty and sixty,—always hiding identity, coming and going, -many, many years. No letters from England, no English friends, no real -home."</p> - -<p>"Yes, it seems all right," said Mallender turning to open his -dispatch-box, and extract a cheque-book. "Here," having scribbled for -a moment, "is the money. As soon as you have any 'pucka' news, let me -know at once."</p> - -<p>The clerk received the slip of green paper, and having examined it -carefully, laid down a receipt, and was about to depart when Mrs. -Brander appeared, just back from golf.</p> - -<p>"Ah, I'm interrupting a business interview!" she exclaimed, backing to -the door.</p> - -<p>"No, we have quite finished," replied Mallender, nodding to the baboo, -who immediately salaamed, and glided forth.</p> - -<p>"I am certain that man has something to do with your mystery," -announced the lady, now coming forward, and seating herself squarely in -an arm-chair.</p> - -<p>"What do you mean?—what mystery?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, you need not pretend! As a child, I was notorious for ferreting -out secrets; and I've always known that <i>you</i> had one."</p> - -<p>"But what makes you think so?"</p> - -<p>"Uncle Fred told me you had come to India, about a gold mine; you -assured me, that you had no interest whatever in an ounce of India! -It is a pity you did not <i>agree</i> in your story! Do tell the true tale -to me; I really think I ought to share it too! I extracted from Fanny -the fact, that there was something; but beyond that, I could not -pierce—no, not if I took a tin-opener! Perhaps <i>I</i> could help you? At -least I'd be straight and honest, if not so sharp as your friend with -the cock-eye, and the wreath of forget-me-nots round his cap."</p> - -<p>"All right, then I'll tell you what there is to know," said Mallender -impulsively, "but first, let me put away your sticks and golf-balls."</p> - -<p>"Thank you; I've just done the nine-hole course, and beaten Fanny to -smithereens. Uncle Fred says I now walk with the golf stride!—isn't -he rude? Let us go into the verandah, where we cannot be overheard," -and as she spoke, Mrs. Brander led the way out of the room, through the -long French window.</p> - -<p>When they were seated side by side in two luxurious cane chairs, -Mallender imparted the outline of his enterprise without, remarkable to -relate, one interruption.</p> - -<p>"Now what do you think of it?" he enquired, as he concluded.</p> - -<p>"Give me time to consider. My head is reeling," declared Nancy, then -looking at him with her clever grey eyes, she went on: "Tom has been -about in this country; he was born here, and both his father and -grandfather were in the Indian Civil; he has heard of, and seen -strange things, so <i>I</i> am not rudely incredulous. I believe that your -Uncle is still in the land—but why? A jig-saw puzzle is nothing to -this! I also believe that he will never allow you to find him. He -has thirty years' start, and knows every hole, and corner, in the -Presidency."</p> - -<p>"But I don't believe that this man <i>is</i> my Uncle," argued Mallender -with hasty emphasis, "so there is where we differ! He pretends he is, -to Brown and Brown, and is a clever and unscrupulous forger; but I -shall find his lair yet, and run the ruffian to earth, like any other -vermin."</p> - -<p>"It's an enormous task," said Nancy; "especially for you, an utter -stranger, who cannot speak the language, and do not know our little -ways. What does your Baboo propose to do in exchange for the cheque?"</p> - -<p>"Put me on to my man," was the prompt answer; "he has a clue."</p> - -<p>"Ah, yes, so he says," she replied, with a glance of derision, "that -sort of creature would promise you the moon."</p> - -<p>"Oh, he has not much to do with the business, merely a messenger, from -the agents of Jaffer and Co. As soon as they give me the office, I'm -off."</p> - -<p>"Are you?" she exclaimed rather blankly, "and what about Fan, and Uncle -Fred?"</p> - -<p>"He knows my object in coming out. I told him at once—in fact, within -the first five minutes."</p> - -<p>"<i>And?</i>" now leaning forward, her chin on her hands.</p> - -<p>"And—he won't help me. He is dead against me in this; in fact, he -can't bear it spoken of; we had a bit of a breeze to-day, and the -subject is barred!"</p> - -<p>"Uncle Fred has a commonplace imagination, tied up in red tape, and -fastened with a sealed pattern knot, but a very long head on his square -little shoulders. I pin my faith to <i>his</i> opinion. Still, I feel -conscious of the magnetism that belongs to a man of <i>purpose</i>, and I -must confess, that your romantic enterprise appeals to me; I will do -all I can to help you to find one, or the other. I'll be your mouse; -your Uncle—or the impostor—the lion!"</p> - -<p>"Thank you awfully, my kind mouse."</p> - -<p>"The woman who could assist you substantially, is Mrs. Fiske; -unfortunately, she is not a mouse but a cat!"</p> - -<p>"I can't bear the sight of her!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I know, because she is so maddening at bridge; and always adds up -wrong, and argues; but she knows the Presidency, and every seamy tale -for the last thirty years is at her finger-ends. Talk, including evil -speaking, lying, and slandering—is her strong point. If you want to -dig up an old divorce case, a racing scandal, a bankruptcy, go to Mrs. -Fiske."</p> - -<p>"I'm blessed if I do! Why do people stand her, and her tongue?"</p> - -<p>"Because we are all afraid of her, shameful, miserable cowards! Of -course, she ought to have been prosecuted for libel over and over -again—but no one dares. On the contrary, we are all obsequiously civil -and tremble before her, never knowing whose turn it may be next. And -the awful part of it is, that her lies have always <i>some</i> foundation! -For instance, if she were to see us sitting here together, talking -secrets——"</p> - -<p>"Well, what then?" demanded her companion brusquely.</p> - -<p>"She might send an anonymous wire to Tom. How he would laugh! Ha! ha! -ha!"</p> - -<p>"I'm not going to laugh," declared Mallender with a flash in his eye, -"that sort of woman, is like an infectious disease. She ought to be -stuffed in a sack, and flung off the pier."</p> - -<p>"Do please restrain your feelings," and Nancy lifted an appealing -hand, "and I will say something <i>wise</i>. As your friend and confidante, -I may assure you, that here in Madras, you will never get near your -object—no, nor in Ooty. For you, it's nothing but play, play, play. -<i>I</i> can see through Uncle's little plan; it is to keep you captive in -Capua, ensnared by polo, golf—and other fascinations."</p> - -<p>There was so much insinuation in the last three words, that Mallender -coloured to his ears.</p> - -<p>"You will find no opportunity to prosecute your search; so like Bacon's -wise man, when you can't find opportunity—you must make it!"</p> - -<p>"You are right," he answered with conviction, "I've agreed to this trip -to Ooty, but when I've seen the place, I shall take a pull, and start -on my own."</p> - -<p>"Incognito, of course," she added impressively, "not as a young swell, -with guns and servants, searching for a lost relation. <i>That</i> would -bring you scores of bogus uncles; a keen stealthy tracking in an humble -fashion, travelling intermediate class, and pretending to work for your -daily bread, is your best line."</p> - -<p>"Yes," he agreed, "as soon as I see a glimmer I'll start in rags, if -necessary."</p> - -<p>Nancy Brander critically considered her companion, from his glossy dark -hair, to his neat brown boots, and softly repeated the words:</p> - -<p>"<i>Rags!</i> You don't even know what they are! It's lucky you're searching -for a man! to find a woman out here, would be absolutely hopeless."</p> - -<p>"Oh—a woman—I dare say!"</p> - -<p>"I see," she nodded her head, "in <i>her</i> case, you would not bother! You -are not really a ladies' man!"</p> - -<p>"Depends on the lady," he answered with a laugh.</p> - -<p>"Well, Cousin Geoffrey, whatever you do, don't go and marry your -grandmother!" was her somewhat enigmatic advice. "I shall write to -Tom to-night, and tell him to dredge his memory, and try if he can -recall any eccentric Englishmen, who live out here, and lie low; -not loafers, but others who have a little money, and their own very -particular reasons for not returning home; or who simply worship the -East, for being the East, and cannot tear themselves away from the sun. -Remember," she continued impressively, "that you must have some excuse -for your rambling. Suppose you give out that you are writing a good -popular book on the common, or garden, insects of India—including -white ants, and other <i>pouchees</i>, how would that be?"</p> - -<p>"Do I look like a man who could write a book?" cried Mallender, jumping -to his feet, and standing before her.</p> - -<p>"No, I cannot say you do; you look more like somebody musical. How -would you like to go round with a gramophone, on a little cart?"</p> - -<p>"Since you gave me an option, I say, not at <i>all</i>!"</p> - -<p>"I have it!" clapping her hands, "photography,—that will take you -anywhere and everywhere—short of a zenana."</p> - -<p>"By Jove, a splendid idea! and I can photograph a bit. I'll buy a -camera to-morrow, and if this clue pans out all right, I'll take to the -road, as a travelling photographer."</p> - -<p>"Beware, that the road does not take <i>you</i>," she answered gravely. "We -shall soon have the hot weather upon us, and you little know, what that -means—yet! You will keep Anthony, of course?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, and I suppose I'll have to give him a peep behind the scenes, eh?"</p> - -<p>"Quite unnecessary! He knows all your secrets, perhaps not every -detail, but I'm sure he suspects that you have some mysterious business -out here. No doubt your affairs are exhaustively discussed in the -cook-house, and the bazaar. Natives are so vitally interested in us, -and our concerns. We are always on the stage—<i>they</i> are the audience. -I dare say Anthony has met, and exchanged confidences with your -baboo—or baboon! Anthony has an inquisitive eye, but you can trust -him. I advise you to tell him your plans, put him on his honour, swear -him to secrecy—with a promise of rupees. He will enjoy the enterprise -enormously! since secrecy and intrigue are naturally in his bones, -in fact, he ought to accept <i>half</i> wages. Anyway, I believe you will -find him quite a useful Sherlock Holmes. Ah, here they all come, back -from the golf links. Mrs. Villars and Sir William leading the van, the -Wylies with Fan—so I will leave you to listen to the tale of their -triumphs, their scores, their drives, and how someone 'foozled,' and -someone swore! Good-bye!" and with a gay nod, Nancy Brander carried her -slim well-tailored figure, and smiling face, out of the verandah.</p> - -<p>That same evening as he was dressing for dinner, Mallender took Anthony -into his confidence.</p> - -<p>"I understand that you are trustworthy," he began abruptly, "and so -I am going to tell you something that you are to keep strictly to -yourself."</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, saar, certainly, saar," he answered with unexpected fervour, -"Master going to be married."</p> - -<p>"No—you fool! See if the door is shut."</p> - -<p>(Mallender had now been promoted to the house). Then in a few short -sentences he disclosed his plans. As the particulars were gradually -unfolded, Anthony's attitude and expression changed; his eyes dilated, -as for his mouth, it was wide open, and from its action, appeared to be -swallowing whole sentences, with unctuous avidity.</p> - -<p>"So now you know," concluded Mallender, as tie in hand, he turned to -the glass.</p> - -<p>"Saar, saar," stuttered a choking voice, "I hearing all this tale, when -I was small <i>chokra</i>—true I telling. My Uncle Fernandez, now very old, -no teeth, no belly, was thirty years ago head waiter in Cavalry Mess, -Bangalore, and that business making much talk, when two officers come -back from shoot, all 'Tulla Bulla,' and the other Captain nowhere! -Regiment all upside down, great bobbery making, and plenty sorry, -because there was <i>nothing</i>—no funeral—<i>no</i> corpse body!"</p> - -<p>"That missing officer was my Uncle," announced his master, "and I've -come to India to find out what became of him; and by and by I shall -start as a man who travels round, looking for employment."</p> - -<p>"I beg your pardon, saar! Employment, a situation, <i>you</i>, saar!" -Anthony gasped out these words, and then stood breathless. From the -style of Mallender's belongings, clothes, and kit, he had formed a -high estimate of his status in life. Here was no poor Captain, with a -mere two hundred and sixteen rupees four annas a month, but a master -who wore the best silk underclothing, and socks, had dozens of shirts, -a silver mounted suit-case, and gave presents to ladies that cost -hundreds of rupees; in fact, he had been making up his mind to ask for -a rise of wages, and this projected playing at poverty descended like a -thunderbolt.</p> - -<p>"I shall travel about as a photographer," resumed Mallender, as he -pulled on his coat, "and take groups and families, in out-of-the-way -places, and you shall accompany me as my assistant and carry the -camera."</p> - -<p>This was not an alluring prospect. Anthony was naturally gregarious, he -liked the society of smart fellow-servants, he enjoyed bragging, and -cock-fighting, listening to piquant news, playing cards, and smoking -good cigars. Nevertheless, the prospect of a manhunt was exciting; yes, -he would gladly take part in <i>that</i>.</p> - -<p>"You can get me some cheap bazaar suits in kharki and drill," continued -his master, "like what clerks wear; and a big common pith hat, and -lots of soap and insect powder, and some towels. All my Europe kit, -portmanteau, and guns, I'll leave behind me."</p> - -<p>"I beg your pardon, saar, that bad sense. Better take one gun, plenty -<i>budmash</i> up-country."</p> - -<p>"Oh, a revolver will do. We must travel light."</p> - -<p>"And how soon going, saar?"</p> - -<p>"As soon as I hear some news I am expecting."</p> - -<p>"Saar, beg your Honour's pardon, but I know one very clever man in Gora -Bazaar. He is wise as a snake, has his ear to the ground, and finds -lost things. Why not find lost gentlemans? Also, I knowing by your -Honour's favour, one <i>very</i> good magic <i>wallah</i>."</p> - -<p>"No, no, no," said Mallender impatiently, "none of that rot, Anthony! -You get things ready for a start, here are fifty rupees, and bring -a <i>dirzee</i> to-morrow, to make me some clothes for roughing it -up-country."</p> - -<p>At the same hour the next evening, Anthony as usual awaited his master, -and with him was a companion.</p> - -<p>"Who's this?" enquired Mallender, "the <i>dirzee</i>?"</p> - -<p>"No, saar, my assistant, saar. If we go up-country, plenty work for -<i>two</i>. I can cook and shoot game; this boy will do boots, wash dishes, -and carry camera. He is a heathen, and very cheap, only six rupees. His -name is Chinna-Sawmy, which by your favour means 'Little God.'"</p> - -<p>"I hope he won't turn out a little devil!" responded Mallender. "Here, -let me have a look at him."</p> - -<p>Chinna-Sawmy, who now stood forward, showing two rows of beautiful -teeth, was very dark, with inky black eyes, and black shades in his -cheerful countenance. His age might be ten, or it might be fifteen. -He wore a white coat, which almost swept the ground, an enormous -turban—both obviously borrowed—and two silver toe-rings.</p> - -<p>"Well, Anthony, remember that you are responsible for him. Does he -speak English?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, saar," promptly responded Chinna-Sawmy, "I speak very well -English, and I have a good chit—I dog boy to General Pringle, and five -dogs; and Mrs. General, she liking me too much."</p> - -<p>Here Anthony broke in. "Chinna-Sawmy is lucky, always finding things, -once find gold watch, and that for why I catching Chinna-Sawmy; better -than magic <i>wallah</i>," and he seized upon and exhibited the boy's hands, -on each of which were two thumbs—small, perfectly formed, and growing -from the same joint. "This bringing master plenty luck!" announced -Anthony with an air of overwhelming conviction. But his master recoiled -a step, and said:</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, all right; but I won't have the fellow to wait on <i>me</i>. I -dare say, out here, a double growth may be a fine thing, but I draw the -line at two thumbs on one plate," and having made this declaration, -Captain Mallender went to dinner, and Chinna-Sawmy gave expression to -his joy by standing on his head.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">CHAPTER X</p> - - -<p>The most popular Meet was at the Marmelong Bridge, and here on -a certain Thursday morning half Madras society was assembled on -horseback, wheels, or, the lazy folks, in motors, awaiting the arrival -of the hounds.</p> - -<p>Colonel Tallboys, admirably turned-out and mounted to correspond, was -engaged in an animated conversation with little Miss Miller—admittedly -the best of horsewomen, and keenest of followers. Unfortunately her -steeds were rarely worthy of their rider; to-day, for instance, she -was reduced to a bony old waler, who looked as if he had been knocking -about the world for many years, and had lately fallen into low estate. -As Mallender joined the party the girl was saying:</p> - -<p>"Yes, this <i>is</i> the Nizam. I knew he had been raced; and so you -remember him winning the Gold Cup ten years ago! What a change! I -always feel so sorry for animals when they grow old; Father bought him -at auction at the Stable Company for a mere song, and rides him as a -charger; after father, <i>I</i> must seem a mere feather! The Nizam loves -jumping, and galloping, and finds it much more to his taste than dull -morning parades."</p> - -<p>"For all his age he has a wild and eager eye," observed Mallender, "if -you will allow me I will take up his curb, it's pretty loose."</p> - -<p>"No, no, thanks very much," said Barbie, "if we have any jumping, I -must give him his head."</p> - -<p>"It's a pity you can't give him a new pair of forelegs," remarked -Colonel Tallboys, "he is not a safe mount now, poor old boy. You should -have had Naughty Mary to-day, only the farrier pricked her in shoeing, -and she's a bit lame. I'll send her over to you every morning."</p> - -<p>"Thank you a million times! I do love her, naughty as she is, but -chestnuts always have hot tempers."</p> - -<p>"They say the same of red-haired people, and it's not true," declared -Colonel Tallboys—whose own youthful locks had been distinctly -carroty—"Ah, here come the hounds, and now we are off. I expect he -will draw towards the Mount," and as he spoke the little man wheeled -about, to jog beside the Master.</p> - -<p>A Jack was speedily on foot; a fine, stout-hearted fellow, who -immediately headed for his home in Palaveram Hills, seven miles away. -It was a fast thing, and after a time, between the heat, the pace, -and the rough going, a number of the hunt tailed away. Miss Miller -and the Nizam were, however, still well to the fore; she had an eye -for country, and made for a certain stiff mud wall, which cut off -a considerable amount of paddy fields. Here Mallender was her sole -companion, and as they galloped side by side, he noticed her face, -girlishly alight, her colour brilliant with excitement.</p> - -<p>"I'll give you a lead," he shouted, and putting on the pace raced up -to the obstacle, cleared it in beautiful style, and had galloped about -twenty lengths, when it occurred to him to look back; then he pulled up -sharply, and turned his horse.</p> - -<p>The Nizam was struggling on the ground, Miss Miller was lying near -him in a heap. She sat up, then scrambled to her feet as Mallender -approached; she looked white, and dazed, as she tottered over to a -tree, and leant heavily against it.</p> - -<p>"I'm afraid you are hurt?" he asked as he dismounted.</p> - -<p>"No, only a little stupid,"—she gazed at him vaguely, as if she had -never seen him before, and he noticed that her temple was bruised.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile the Nizam had found his legs, and instead of waiting on the -good pleasure of his rider, shook himself violently, and wheeling -about, tore away in pursuit of the vanishing hunt. As the young lady -seemed about to faint, Mallender hastily produced and proffered his -flask, which, however, she dismissed with an impatient hand.</p> - -<p>"Where am I? and who are you?" she asked in a tone of bewilderment.</p> - -<p>"I'm Mallender, Miss Miller—don't you know me?"</p> - -<p>"No, where am I, tell me?"</p> - -<p>"You've been hunting—and you've just had a pip off the old horse," he -explained, with patient slowness.</p> - -<p>"Where?"</p> - -<p>"At the wall; where you took it was a foot too high for the Nizam, and -he landed on his head."</p> - -<p>"I remember—now."</p> - -<p>"I think you are only a bit shaken—he might have broken your neck."</p> - -<p>"How I <i>wish</i> he had!" was her disconcerting rejoinder.</p> - -<p>"Come, come, Miss Miller, I see you are knocked out of time," said -Mallender cheerfully, "I know what it's like myself."</p> - -<p>"No, no, you don't know," she contradicted hysterically, "you—you -don't understand—how <i>could</i> you?" Something in her voice moved him -unspeakably.</p> - -<p>As Mallender looked at his companion, the expression of her quivering -white face was pitiful beyond words. And he <i>did</i> know, he did -understand. The momentary shock had evidently brought the girl's -real feelings to the surface; he had caught a glimpse of the inmost -heart, and secret misery, of little fair-haired, hard-riding, Barbie. -Undoubtedly he had no right to this involuntary confidence. He, a mere -passer-by, who had chanced on a glimpse of an impending tragedy. Could -he not avert it? Barbie, so pale, pretty, and helpless, would be driven -by the whip of tongues, by the cruelty of moral force, to throw away -her priceless youth, her whole future—and no one could save her but -herself! All these strange and disturbing thoughts flashed through the -young man's mind, as he stood holding his impatient horse, and the girl -leaned against a tree with strained gaze fixed upon the flat horizon. -She seemed to be lost in a sort of day-dream, and to have completely -forgotten his very existence; it was almost as if he and she had a -whole empty world to themselves.</p> - -<p>The hunt had disappeared, there was not a soul to be seen, and scarcely -a sound to be heard, save the faint creaking of a water-wheel, and -the scream of a kite, from the hard blue sky above them. As Mallender -contemplated his silent companion, wondering how long the situation -would last? and what he was to do? she suddenly recovered herself.</p> - -<p>"I feel better," said she in her natural voice, "I'm all right now, I -see that rude old horse has deserted me, how <i>am</i> I to get home?"</p> - -<p>"You shall ride Rocket," replied Mallender, "he will carry you all -right—I'll walk beside you, and lead him."</p> - -<p>"No, indeed," she protested, "you have lost the run of the season, I'm -<i>so</i> sorry, but I think, if you rode towards the Mount, you might still -see something of them, and if you come across it—send a <i>gharry</i> for -me,—I'll get to the road somehow!"</p> - -<p>"We will <i>both</i> get to the road somehow," he answered; "let me put you -up."</p> - -<p>"I've twisted my foot," she explained with a wry smile, "please don't -touch it."</p> - -<p>"Then in that case I must lift you," and he raised her bodily in his -arms, and placed her on the saddle.</p> - -<p>Leading the horse carefully along the narrow bunds dividing paddy -fields, or over bare and rocky tracts, among bushes of castor-oil -plants, across sandy, dry water-courses, the pair at last reached the -road. Their progress towards the outskirts of the city and the lines -of the native regiment commanded by Colonel Miller was necessarily -slow, and more than an hour elapsed before the pair arrived at their -destination. A surprising amount of talk can be accomplished in an -hour, and the young people thus thrown so unexpectedly together -found plenty to say to one another. Mallender spoke of his home, his -regiment, and his dogs, and Barbie realised that her "syce" (as he -called himself) was a man who owned hunters and a "place." Yet he was -as simple and unassuming and exhibited no more "side" than if he were -a clerk like Reggie Scott, who had nothing beyond a miserable hundred -and fifty rupees a month. That Reggie adored her Barbie was well aware; -he was a nice boy, but she did not care for him—except as a partner -at tennis. One day in a towering rage he had taunted her with having -no more heart, or romance, than a cold potato! Was this true? she -wondered; had she really no heart? Was she incapable of deep love for -any living mortal?</p> - -<p>Wearing a pair of brand-new riding-boots, leading a disappointed and -unwilling horse over rough broken ground, through grey-green cactus -and castor-oil plants—finally along dusty by-roads, would have seemed -a hateful task to most men; but Mallender was unconscious of any -disagreeables, he neither felt the sun beating on his back, the dust, -or the distance; he was only sensible of the unexpected charm of his -present companion.</p> - -<p>As for Barbie, miles on a slippery saddle,—the uncomfortable attitude, -and aching foot,—were agreeably discounted by a subtle sympathy which -had arisen between her escort and herself.</p> - -<p>As the same escort tramped through the soft red dust, he found himself -unexpectedly confiding various matters to his charge. He gave <i>her</i> -no evasive answers when she asked what had brought him to India; but -frankly informed her that his visit was connected with a curious family -business he was obliged to see through. "It has," he added, "to do with -something that happened thirty years ago."</p> - -<p>"It sounds romantic!"</p> - -<p>"I suppose some would call it so," he answered, lamely.</p> - -<p>"What does Colonel Freddy call it?"</p> - -<p>"Madness!" was the curt reply.</p> - -<p>"Madness!" echoed the girl, and she looked down at her companion with -startled eyes.</p> - -<p>"Yes," he replied doggedly. "If I were to tell you about it, you'd -probably say the same! I confess that it sounds extraordinarily silly, -yet I mean to stick to it."</p> - -<p>"Then I wish you well through your task, and every success," she said -gravely.</p> - -<p>For a moment Mallender was conscious of an acute temptation to tell -this little girl all about his quest—he assured himself that in <i>her</i> -he would surely find a sympathetic confidante,—but on second thoughts -he changed his mind, and merely said:</p> - -<p>"It's a stiffer job than I expected, and out here it's so confoundedly -hard to get things moving."</p> - -<p>Confidences are contagious, and the two young people exchanged many -ideas and opinions as they drew nearer, and yet nearer, to the -suburbs of Madras. They did not touch on any deep or vital subjects, -but agreed in their love of dogs, and of most animals; in a liking -for country life,—raspberry and currant tart, Lehar's waltzes, and -Rudyard Kipling. Barbie talked frankly, yet shyly, of the farm,—her -school-fellows, and school-days, but on the subject of her career as a -grown-up young lady she was dumb.</p> - -<p>"You will be returning to England this spring, won't you?" asked her -companion. The question was in the nature of a discreet feeler.</p> - -<p>"My father's time is up," she replied, "and he and my mother go home in -April—as for me——" she came to an abrupt stop.</p> - -<p>"As for you?" he repeated, looking up at her shadowed blue eyes, and -noticing the wistful misery of her face.</p> - -<p>"Nothing is decided," she answered with a gulp; and a spasm, half of -laughing, half sobbing, caught her breath.</p> - -<p>Mallender was suddenly seized by an irresistible desire to speak. His -mother's warm impulsive blood was beating in his veins. Why should he -not urge upon this girl, that she had her own life to live; that she -must not sacrifice her youth, and future, to the selfish demands of -three elderly people, who had enjoyed <i>their</i> day?</p> - -<p>As he struggled between a temptation to deliver his soul, and a -conviction that he would be guilty of "beastly cheek," his thoughts -were put to flight by Miss Miller, who exclaimed:</p> - -<p>"Here we are in Vepery, close to our lines, and your dreadful dusty -walk is nearly ended!"</p> - -<p>In another moment, they had come within sight of a bungalow, and on -its gate was a board, bearing the name, "Colonel Miller, 20th Carnatic -Rifles."</p> - -<p>"I assure you I've enjoyed what you call my 'dreadful dusty walk,' Miss -Miller," said Mallender, "and as far as I'm concerned, I'm sorry it's -over; but you must be dead beat, and glad to be home."</p> - -<p>And what a squalid home! (An exception, not the rule among military -households in India, which as a rule are remarkably neat and trim; even -where rupees are scanty, there is taste and refinement; but the Millers -had always been an indolent, improvident, and self-indulgent couple, -who found their pleasures abroad, whose abode was makeshift, and their -motto "A short life, and a merry one." Now, after thirty-two years' -service, Colonel Miller was about to retire on his pension—leaving -behind him few well-wishers, and many debts.)</p> - -<p>The mud garden, which intervened between gate and bungalow, held some -sickly crotons, bushes of the shoe plant, and a variety of ragged -kitchen rubbers, also not a few energetic hens—who were dusting -themselves with commendable energy. The verandah was lined with pots -of withered geraniums, and irritable-looking cacti; a green parrot in -a bazaar cage hung between two pillars, talking scandal to his own -grey claw. Here also were exposed piles of battered packing cases, old -bullock trunks, wine cases, saddlery, and sprawling in a long chair, in -his sleeping suit, reclined Colonel Miller, who was smoking a "Trichy" -with an air of sluggish satisfaction.</p> - -<p>"Hullo!" he shouted to someone within, "Barbie has come to grief!"</p> - -<p>The announcement brought Mrs. Miller from the dark interior;—Mrs. -Miller, in a soiled pink dressing-gown, bare feet in slippers, and -hair in curling-pins. She stopped short, as if shot,—here indeed -was Barbie, riding a strange animal, and accompanied by a man—young -Mallender, of all people. He had seen her! Well, she must just brave it -out!</p> - -<p>Several lurking slovenly servants who had also witnessed the arrival, -came slinking round a corner of the bungalow, in order to stare at the -smart gentleman, and his fine horse.</p> - -<p>"What has happened?" screamed Mrs. Miller, seizing a <i>solar topee</i>, and -thrusting it on her head.</p> - -<p>"Miss Miller has had a fall," replied her escort, putting two fingers -to his helmet, "but it is nothing serious."</p> - -<p>"And where's the horse?" she screamed.</p> - -<p>"Oh, he got away,—I expect he is all right!" was the soothing response.</p> - -<p>"Please lift me down," murmured Barbie, "and don't <i>wait</i>."</p> - -<p>"I thought you could ride anything, my girl," said her father, as she -limped up to him.</p> - -<p>"The old Nizam was blown, and came down at a wall."</p> - -<p>"I hope he hasn't barked his knees, eh, Mallender? Very kind of you -to bring my little girl home. You'll excuse this kit—it's a Europe -morning, you know, and at this hour you must take us as you find us."</p> - -<p>"Of course, sir, of course," assented the visitor, "it's barely nine -o'clock."</p> - -<p>"Have a peg, and a cheroot?"</p> - -<p>"No,—thank you,—it's a bit early!"</p> - -<p>"Ah, you young fellows are different to what <i>we</i> were! you're all for -tea, and Pérrier water! Hullo, here comes Harris in his war-paint," as -Colonel Harris, bestriding a fat charger, and attended by a syce, rode -proudly into the compound. He saluted his friend, and contemporary, -then stared aggressively at Mallender, who supported his gaze with -imperturbable sang-froid.</p> - -<p>"Barbie took a toss," explained her parent, "and Captain Mallender has -just brought her home."</p> - -<p>"Oh, has he, eh! Good morning, Mallender—any the worse, Barbie?" he -enquired, descending heavily as he spoke.</p> - -<p>"No, only my ankle, nothing much."</p> - -<p>"Ah, I see we must put a stopper on to this hunting of yours," declared -Colonel Harris as he climbed the steps murmuring condolences, and with -clanking sword, waddled over to where his lady-love sat, in a lop-sided -cane chair.</p> - -<p>"I will say good morning," called out Mallender, now mounting his -horse. The sight of Barbie, and the mawkish solicitude of her admirer, -was altogether too much for his equanimity. Towards unconscious Colonel -Harris there arose in his mind a sudden fierce dislike and enmity, and -with a comprehensive farewell he trotted out of the gate. All eyes -followed him, including those of Mrs. Miller—who was peeping through -the <i>chick</i>. She had hastily retired to take out the curling-pins, and -put on her stockings.</p> - -<p>A smart, soldier-like figure in his neat riding-kit, on his fine -well-groomed New Zealander, a contrast, thought Barbie, to her elderly -red-faced lover, who was still panting from the exertion of ascending -the verandah.</p> - -<p>At this juncture, the appearance of the Nizam created a diversion; the -side-saddle was intact, also his knees; he was covered with sweat and -foam, but appeared to be in buoyant spirits, as if he had thoroughly -enjoyed himself!</p> - -<p>Meanwhile Mrs. Miller followed her daughter into her bedroom—a low, -bare apartment, overlooking the servants' go-downs, and sparsely -furnished with a cot, a press, and a rickety dressing-table.</p> - -<p>"Show me your foot?" she commanded. "Well, yes, it's swelled. You must -bathe it, and send for arnica, it will be all right in a few days. Now -listen to me, Barbie," she went on impressively, "you are not to bring -young men here,—James doesn't <i>like</i> it."</p> - -<p>"But I did not bring Captain Mallender, mother—he brought <i>me</i>."</p> - -<p>"Nonsense, you ought to have got a <i>gharry</i>!"</p> - -<p>"Not one to be had, in the paddy fields beyond Sydapet."</p> - -<p>"Now, no impertinence! Understand, once for all, I won't have Mallender -hanging about, so don't you go making up to him."</p> - -<p>Barbie became scarlet, and flung her boot across the room with -unnecessary violence.</p> - -<p>"Keep your temper, Barbara! I won't allow you to speak to him, or -encourage him."—In Mrs. Miller's bosom, there rankled a sharp and -spiteful memory of the young man's indifference, and neglect.—"He -fancies himself no end, and looks down on all Madras spins, and I hear -from <i>good</i> authority he is a regular bad lot; so see that you give him -a wide berth, or I'll know the reason why. As long as you are under my -roof, you must obey my wishes. When you have a house of your own, you -can please yourself. You'd better get the ayah to bandage your foot, -and put on one of your father's slippers. You must be quick and change -and come out to breakfast, as James is here."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">CHAPTER XI</p> - - -<p>One afternoon, after a couple of hours' severe polo practice, -Mallender returned home to bathe, and change; and subsequently -feeling considerably refreshed, sauntered out to have a smoke. In the -immediate neighbourhood of his tent was an ancient pleasure-ground, -which doubtless had been laid out in the days of Jane Austen when -ladies took exercise and "walked in the shrubbery." Behold a shrubbery -with tropical trees, thick undergrowth, a wild tangle of shrubs and -creepers, splashed with blossom; and blazing masses of oleanders, -pomegranates and variegated crotons, intersected by overgrown, narrow -walks. In an open space was a large half-empty, chunam tank, and one -or two stone benches. Here Mallender sat down, and lit a cigar. He -seldom now had a moment to himself, his days were a wild rush from one -function to another. Undoubtedly he was having a very jolly visit, but -he must take a pull. He had been nearly a month at Hooper's Gardens, -and it was a case of "As you were." His correspondents Jaffer and Co. -seemed to be of the same mind as the French cynic, who remarked that -"when making promises to people, it was always wise to be exceedingly -vague."</p> - -<p>He had engagements for weeks ahead, and if nothing turned up meanwhile, -had agreed to accompany his relatives to the Hills. He liked them both -immensely, and Nancy too. There were lots of good fellows in the polo -teams, and the Fort; he was really having the time of his life! All the -same, he had not come out to take part in this giddy round. When he -began to talk of his enterprise to his cousin, it was odd how sharply -he changed the subject; but whatever happened, he could not allow Fred -to stand in his way! These reflections were suddenly interrupted by an -audible, half-strangled sob; Mallender looked about him. At first he -had an idea that the sound came from the mysterious enclosure over the -wall; possibly the Prince had been chastising one of his women-folk. It -was rather a weird establishment; generally silent as death. At times, -he caught the sound of squealing horses, men's sonorous authoritative -voices, and occasionally, at a very late hour, the strains of a zitar -were wafted above the intervening neem and pagoda trees. Another -loud heart-shaking sob! It proceeded from this side of the boundary, -and his own immediate vicinity; Mallender rose quickly, and turning -into a narrow walk, half choked by masses of shrubs, discovered a -girl sitting on a stone seat, her head bowed, her face buried in her -hands—evidently in an agony of grief. Hearing his footsteps, she -started and looked up, and he found himself face to face with Miss Sim. -And, oh what a haggard, tear-stained, ghastly countenance!</p> - -<p>"What is the matter?" he asked brusquely.</p> - -<p>She choked, and made no reply, but merely continued to stare at -him stupidly. He noticed, that beside her on the seat lay a small -suspicious looking bottle, at which following his glance, she made a -frantic grab.</p> - -<p>"Come, Miss Sim," he resumed, now sitting down beside her, "let me hear -all about it,—is it something so <i>very</i> bad?"</p> - -<p>A dry shudder was her only answer.</p> - -<p>"Can't you tell me?" he urged, "I may be able to pull you through. -Anyway, my cousin will. I hate to see you like this." She was still -sobbing hysterically. "Don't look at me, but imagine I'm another -woman—who just wants to do you a good turn."</p> - -<p>Suddenly he remembered her story; here was the so-called "sponge" in -desperate trouble, and possibly at the end of her resources. Although -they had been nearly a month in the same house, they had but scant -acquaintance. Miss Sim did not ride, play bridge, or take any part -in social activities; if Mallender ever thought of her, it was as a -colourless young woman, with anxious eyes, who seemed only too thankful -to be ignored, and overlooked. He had noticed her motoring with Fanny, -and helping her with notes, and menu cards. Fred, too, talked, played -tennis, and danced with her, but to most of their other guests Miss -Sim was as a ghost. Mrs. Villars recognised her existence so far as to -make use of her and send her messages; whilst Mrs. Wylie ridiculed her -openly, and treated her as if she were a servant.</p> - -<p>"In the first place, hand me over that little bottle," he went on -authoritatively.</p> - -<p>No answer beyond a subdued weeping and choking.</p> - -<p>"If you don't, I shall have to take it from you."</p> - -<p>Moved by this threat, she slowly unclosed her limp fingers, and he -promptly possessed himself of a tiny blue phial, on which was scrawled:</p> - -<p>"Poysun—fur dog."</p> - -<p>"Now," said Mallender as he crossed his legs, and looked at her -sternly, "I insist on your telling me what this means?" He realised, -that he must adopt a determined attitude, with this miserable weeping -creature. "Come, now."</p> - -<p>"Oh, it's a long, long story," she moaned, "and I've been such a fool!"</p> - -<p>"We have all been that," he answered cheerily. "Unless I know what your -trouble is, how on earth can I help you?"</p> - -<p>"Must I really tell you?" and she looked up at him with streaming eyes.</p> - -<p>"Why not? But first of all, let us get out of this jungle, and sit -in the open by the tank," and he rose, and led the way followed by -wretched Miss Sim, whose spasmodic sobs were still audible, though she -was now comparatively calm.</p> - -<p>"To begin with," she said as she dried her eyes, "I made a fatal -mistake in coming out to India. I had no business in this country."</p> - -<p>"Precisely my own case, according to Brown and Co.," reflected -Mallender.</p> - -<p>"But I was so miserable at home; an orphan, living with my aunt, as -maid and governess to her four children. I had always longed to see -India, and devoured every book relating to the East that I could lay -hands on, and a girl I knew, had a married sister in Poona, and read -me her delightful letters. Then when I went for a holiday to an old -school-fellow, I met a lady who lived out here, and who took a fancy -to me"—she paused for a moment, and added hysterically, "I wonder you -don't laugh!"</p> - -<p>"Why should I laugh?" he asked sharply.</p> - -<p>"I was so different then, bright, and gay. I could sing, and tell -fortunes, and trim hats, and Mrs. Powell, who was returning to India, -said, that if ever I could scrape up the passage money, and make my way -out, she would give me a ripping time."</p> - -<p>"I see."</p> - -<p>"I got this idea firmly fixed in my mind, and worked for it like a -slave. I sold some old jewellery, and bought things, and got together -my outfit, and at the end of six months, I advertised for, and obtained -a passage to Bombay, as nurse to one child. Then I told Aunt Todd; she -was furious, and declared that if I went, what she called 'wild-goosing -to India,' she would never have anything more to say to me as long as -she lived."</p> - -<p>"And you came all the same!" commented her companion.</p> - -<p>"I did. I had a delightful passage, and made a number of new -friends. Of an evening, I sang and acted, and played bridge. I never -shirked my work; but once Jacky was in bed, and asleep, I considered -myself <i>free</i>. Mrs. Blunt and I had a difference of opinion on the -subject—she expected me to sit, mewed up in the cabin, till bedtime. -But I did not care what she said. I was reckless, and happy, and greedy -of amusement. When we arrived in Bombay I sent Mrs. Powell a wire, -'Here I am—may I come?' the answer was merely 'Yes,' and I confess, I -felt a little damped; for in England, she had been so demonstrative, -and affectionate. However, when I reached Chotapore, after a long dusty -journey, she seemed rather pleased to see me; but somehow, I felt in -my bones, that this Mrs. Powell was not the same woman I had known in -Ealing. Still, she made me welcome to her spare room, and I trimmed -up her hats, and things, and sang, and told fortunes at her little -parties. I think Mr. Powell liked me; he took me out riding, and taught -me piquet, but his wife soon grew tired of me,—and let me see it. I -had supposed that in India, guests stayed for months and months, but I -found that times were changed; a few weeks, or even days, is the limit -of a visit."</p> - -<p>"And what happened next?" enquired Mallender.</p> - -<p>"After leaving the Powells, I went on to various ship acquaintances, -and more or less enjoyed myself for six months. After that my money -began to give out, and also my invitations, and wardrobe. By the end of -the year, I was forced to write an abject letter to my aunt, imploring -her to pay my passage home."</p> - -<p>"And she refused, and said she'd see you further?" threw in Mallender.</p> - -<p>"She said nothing; I've sent four letters registered, and no -reply,—though she <i>must</i> know that I am absolutely penniless, and -destitute."</p> - -<p>"But what has brought your troubles to a crisis?"</p> - -<p>"Many things. For one, my only girl friend, and confidante, who advises -and helps me, has sprained her ankle, and her odious mother will not -allow us to meet, when I call I'm told 'Missus can't see.' Perhaps -she's afraid I want to borrow money!"</p> - -<p>"But why go so far? Why go outside this place? Surely you have friends -here—my cousin?"</p> - -<p>"That is just another reason. Mrs. Tallboys has done so much for me, -her kindness is—oh, you have <i>no</i> idea of it! I came for one month, -my second visit, and I'm here three. Mrs. Brander has given me things, -and lent me money. If she were my sister, she could not have done more. -No, sooner than continue to impose on these kind good people, I'll kill -myself!" and as she spoke, she clenched her hands, the expression of -her face was fixed and distraught, her pale eyes looked enormous.</p> - -<p>"But who says you are sponging?" demanded Mallender.</p> - -<p>"Oh, everyone—Mrs. Fiske,—Mrs. Wylie,—Mrs. Wylie makes remarks, -that burn and sting. She laughs, and is so scornful, and superior, and -talks of sponges from the servants' hall, and asks for the address -of my tailor and dressmaker? She drives me nearly frantic,—though I -say nothing. I have tried desperately hard to leave Hooper's Gardens; -I've written to people, and implored them to take me as unpaid maid, -or nurse—<i>no one</i> wants me, and I have no money. I gave my last two -rupees to an old woman to buy me that stuff you have in your hand—I -said it was for a dog—but of course she guesses—natives are always so -sharp. Then I made up my mind to take it out here—as it will make less -fuss afterwards—than if I—did it indoors; and long ago a girl <i>did</i> -drown herself in this tank. So, you see," suddenly springing to her -feet, "there is nothing else for it. We must all go some time! and—I -really am not wanted in the world. I feel ever so brave now. <i>Please</i> -let me have my little phial again, it will be the truest kindness, and -do you go away,—and—and come back in half an hour."</p> - -<p>"You know, I shall do nothing of the sort," he rejoined angrily. "Do -you think <i>I</i> am mad, too? Listen to me, Miss Sim: how much will it -cost you to take you home?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, ever so much; even a second-class, would be thirty pounds."</p> - -<p>"Well now, look here, I can let you have a hundred. Honestly, I'm -pretty well off, and you can pay me back any time—say in twenty years. -How will that be?"</p> - -<p>Miss Sim's lips were trembling, her eyes never left his face, as he was -speaking. At last, she said:</p> - -<p>"Oh, Captain Mallender,—how <i>could</i> I accept it?"</p> - -<p>"At once, since you ask me, and the sooner you make a start the better. -Let me see; the mail comes in on Tuesday—you can pretend your people -have written, and asked you to return 'Ek Dum,' as they say out here."</p> - -<p>"Well, at any rate I have not much to pack," she exclaimed -hysterically, "and thirty pounds will be ample—why, it is the price of -my life!"</p> - -<p>"Don't talk melodramatic rot!" he rejoined impatiently. "You want a -pull up, and I'm here, to lend a hand. You must have a hundred; you say -you owe money, your passage will be at least fifty, you will require -warm clothes, and cash in hand. You cannot manage on less."</p> - -<p>"Once I am in England, I can earn my living; I am a qualified teacher. -I will pay you back some day, Captain Mallender—as sure as I stand -here," she faltered tremulously.</p> - -<p>"Please don't let that worry you. I'll draw out the money, take your -ticket, and bring you the balance, shall we say here? the day after -to-morrow—early, or late?"</p> - -<p>"I cannot come here early, the servants and syces are always about, but -I could meet you after dinner,—before they begin bridge."</p> - -<p>"All right then—Thursday—no, by Jove! I'm dining out. Shall we fix -Friday, on this spot at half-past nine, sharp?"</p> - -<p>Miss Sim was about to reply, when a man came suddenly round a turn of -the walk, and stood momentarily transfixed. It was Captain Wylie—one -of the dwellers in tents.</p> - -<p>"Hullo, Mallender!" he began awkwardly, "they are looking for you -indoors. Byng wants you. Well, Miss Sim, and so you did not go to the -Croquet Tournament after all? How was that? Preferred the garden, eh?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," she answered brusquely, and turning her back on him, instantly -disappeared among the shrubs. Mallender however stood his ground, -and said: "Oh, Byng, yes! By Jove, I forgot him! it's about the polo -of course. I'll go in now——" and he walked away whistling "The -Jewel of Asia," and thus the interloper was left in sole possession -of the field. For some time, he stood with a half smile on his keen -clean-shaven face, then he gave a loud harsh laugh, and strolled away.</p> - -<p>Naturally the Friday rendezvous fell through. Mallender the conspirator -was obliged to take bolder, and more open measures; he sent Miss Sim a -note by Anthony, contrived to sit next to her at dinner, and discussed -her arrangements; subsequently in the drawing-room he brought her a -little packet, which he handed over stealthily—saying as he did so:</p> - -<p>"This belongs to <i>you</i>."</p> - -<p>The packet contained money, and a first-class ticket to London.</p> - -<p>"I hope you will find it all right," he added, with significance.</p> - -<p>"Of course I can never thank you," she murmured in a broken voice, "I -believe this generous action will bring you good luck. I shall write to -you through the Bank, and though we are not likely to meet again—I -will never, never, forget you."</p> - -<p>The news of Miss Sim's impending departure caused considerable -surprise; no one more surprised than Captain Mallender!</p> - -<p>"What a liar and hypocrite I am," he said to himself, as he discussed -the news with Nancy Brander, whose joy and amazement both were -heartfelt, and sincere. Now, that Miss Sim appeared to have <i>friends</i>, -Mrs. Villars and Mrs. Wylie vouchsafed an exaggerated display of -interest in her proceedings, and overwhelmed her with messages and -parcels to take to London; whilst Mrs. Tallboys busied herself in -making arrangements for the girl's comfort, and in buying clothes, -rugs, and woollies, for the voyage.</p> - -<p>Nancy Brander received the return of her loan with undisguised -astonishment,—and immediately invested half of it, in a substantial -gift. These two kind women accompanied the poor waif and stray to the -ship, with many instructions saw her comfortably settled, and left her -in charge of the Captain.</p> - -<p>No sooner was Miss Sim well away at sea, than a little cloud of scandal -arose. Immediately after her departure, Captain Wylie had informed his -wife of his awkward adventure in the shrubbery.</p> - -<p>"Strolling about there, I came bang upon Mallender, and the Sim -girl, in floods of tears; they were fixing up another meeting for -Friday night! Don't say a word to anyone; Mallender carried it off -wonderfully; not the least disconcerted—evidently an old hand at the -game, and as cool as a cucumber!"</p> - -<p>"I am astonished," she exclaimed, "I never thought he was that sort. -What a young hypocrite, and Mrs. T. thinks him a saint! Fancy having an -affair with an ugly abject creature like a third housemaid! I always -supposed, he was gone on our lovely widow."</p> - -<p>"Well, you see you were wrong! It's a case of still waters—I thought -you'd be amused. Mind you keep what I've told you to yourself."</p> - -<p>But to Mrs. Wylie this was impossible. She was choking to gossip, and -though she did not reveal a name, she informed Mrs. Villars, and Mrs. -Fiske, that the Sim girl had a secret, and <i>desperate</i> love affair, -and was accustomed to meet her lover of an evening, when all the -house-party were playing bridge,—from which they would remember, she -had always excused herself. To this, was added yet another piece of -news. It transpired, in answer to unkind enquiries, that Miss Sim had -not received any letters by the English mail, and therefore the story -of the money from home was simply an audacious invention.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">CHAPTER XII</p> - - -<p>The hot weather had arrived, the punctual brain-fever bird made his -unwelcome appearance, and a much-diminished company prepared to leave -Hooper's Gardens, for the Blue Mountains. Colonel Tallboys, who had -obtained sixty days' leave (with power to add to their number), his -wife, her niece, and child, Mrs. Villars, her maid, and Geoffrey -Mallender. Urgent private business connected with cotton, had summoned -unwilling Sir William to Bombay, and the Wylies were reluctantly -compelled to bring their long "week-end" to a close.</p> - -<p>"Hooper's Hotel" was a hostelry entirely after their own hearts; a -gracious easy hostess, an admirably run establishment, capital ponies -to ride, gay entertainments, and lots of bridge. They were unaffectedly -sorry to part with "the management," and Mrs. Wylie threw out many -hints, as to how much she longed to visit the celebrated Neilgherries, -and talked wistfully of "the chance of a lifetime!" But for once, Fanny -Tallboys did not "rise." Then her guest—a woman of invincible nerve, -and resolution—came to her sitting-room one morning, and said, with -her most persuasive smile:</p> - -<p>"Dearest and kindest of friends! I have a great, great, an enormous -favour to ask. Alas! our plans for Ceylon have fallen through. We -<i>were</i> going to Newara Eliya to the Gordon Walkers, but I heard to-day, -that she is ill, and too indisposed to receive us. So will you, like -the angel you are, have us for a little, little, tiny visit in Ooty? -Darling Cecil wants a change from this steaming, relaxing place—I've -been quite anxious about him the last week, and you know our -<i>abhorrence</i> of hotels, with their filthy rooms, and disgusting food."</p> - -<p>Poor Mrs. Tallboys, feeling exceedingly guilty and uncomfortable, was -obliged to tell the piteous pleading lady, that she was really too -sorry, but that every corner in "Woodford" had its allotted tenant.</p> - -<p>"Tents?" suggested the petitioner, with ruthless pertinacity. "I should -simply adore a tent!"</p> - -<p>Unfortunately tents were out of the question at that season in the -Hills, and so this pair of clever "sponges" and adventurers were -compelled to seek for other quarters, and took their departure, with -perfunctory thanks, and an air of unpardonable injury; and it is a -regrettable fact, that they subsequently spoke of their hosts of -"Hooper's Gardens," with patronage and derision, as "those absurd -people, the Tallboys, and their dreadful menagerie!"</p> - -<p>The weather had suddenly become several degrees warmer, and the party -travelled by night, arriving in the early morning at Mettapollium, not -far from the foot of the towering ghâts; here after <i>chotah-hazri</i> -they entered the mountain railway, that climbed, and wound, and -climbed again, till it dragged itself up to Coonoor—which seemed -to be awaiting it, as it lay hanging over the edge of the great -plateau—unquestionably one of the most wooded, beflowered, and -picturesque, Hill stations in Hindustan, and the home of not a few -retired Anglo-Indians. Here, the Tallboys decided to halt for a day or -two, whilst "Woodford" was prepared for their reception.</p> - -<p>Instead of taking the mountain railway, Mrs. Brander had elected to -ride up the old ghât, on her big black waler, Bonny; and Mallender -promptly volunteered to be her escort. He liked Nancy, she was the -best of company, always so cheerful, good-natured, and ready to enjoy -everything that came in her way; one of those rare people, who go -through life with a happy and contented heart.</p> - -<p>The heat, in the narrow gorge at the foot of the mountains, was -stifling; the very bananas and bamboos looked wilted, and faint. As -the pair rode between dense masses of acacia, babul trees, Palmyra -palms, and thickets of heavy jungle, their horses were bathed in sweat, -there seemed scarcely a breath of air; but by gradual degrees, as they -mounted the rocky old road with its endless twists, and sudden steep -ascents, the dank hot-house atmosphere fell away, and mile by mile they -ascended into another, and cooler, climate. The narrow bridle-path -lay through a primeval forest, carpeted in places with moss and -maiden-hair; here and there, the tree-trunks were hidden by gigantic -ferns, the sound of running water was never absent, crystal clear -streams splashed and tumbled and made tinkling music in the dim light, -as they hurried down the hill-side, through a tangle of rock, twisted -roots, and creepers. Meanwhile the riders breasted a precipitous road, -that carried them from the tropics to an English summer; heavily laden -coolies, donkeys carrying wood, and now and then a portly native on -a pony, were all they encountered as they proceeded, and fitfully -discussed the recent season, and its most interesting, or remarkable -events.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"Talking of events," said Mrs. Brander, "last evening, I saw Barbie -Miller driving with Colonel Harris in his Stanhope phaeton; he looked -as pleased as Punch, and she, as if she were on her way to execution; I -fancy that match is settled, and for once, Aunt Fanny had no finger in -the pie!"</p> - -<p>"No, of course not," assented Mallender, but he said no more.—There -ensued a pause, lit by the memory of a girl, leaning against a tree -with a drawn, white face and dazed blue eyes, saying, "Oh, <i>you</i> don't -know—you cannot understand!"</p> - -<p>"You liked her, didn't you?" questioned his twenty-first cousin.</p> - -<p>"Yes,—but I am sorry to say, Miss Miller does not like <i>me</i>. She has -wonderful pluck in the saddle, it's a pity she can't show some of it in -her own family."</p> - -<p>"Ah, it is so easy for us to talk! You little know Mrs. Miller; a woman -as hard as the nether mill-stone, as pitiless as Fate, and she has a -strong backer in Mrs. Fiske. Poor Barbie has no chance against two such -allies."</p> - -<p>"I don't see where Mrs. Fiske comes in?" argued Mallender.</p> - -<p>"As adviser. Mrs. Miller was once upon a time her bridesmaid, and -although she publishes a striking and historical record of her -character, declares that her bridesmaid was a bully from her youth, -never would allow anyone near her to be happy, and adds, many later, -and more lurid particulars, yet they are close friends!"</p> - -<p>"I can't stand Mrs. Fiske, and she always smiles—if you can call it a -smile! at me, and looks as if she knew a <i>lot</i>, and we had some guilty -secret between us!"</p> - -<p>"I understand, and sympathise with your feelings respecting Mrs. -Fiske—I am with you there! She says such spiteful things to my face, -that they leave me beyond the power of a coherent retort. But why do -you say that Barbie dislikes you?"</p> - -<p>"Because lately, she won't speak to me."</p> - -<p>"Imagination! She has been flung so violently at men's heads, that -naturally she avoids them, for which, I confess I do not blame -her;—among women, she is different."</p> - -<p>"And once upon a time she was different with <i>me</i>!—we were quite -chummy out hunting, or paper-chasing—she's a nailing good rider,—one -day, she got a nasty toss, and I took her home,—Lord, what a place!"</p> - -<p>"I can imagine it."</p> - -<p>"I doubt it! We found lots to say to one another, as we toiled along to -Vepery, afterwards too—at <i>chota-hazri's</i>, at the gardens; then all of -a sudden, the young lady dropped me like the traditional hot potato!"</p> - -<p>Mrs. Brander burst into a ringing laugh, and again repeated, -"Imagination!"</p> - -<p>"No," he replied with some heat. "The last couple of weeks, Miss Miller -avoided me on purpose,—you remember the finish at the paper-chase at -the Mount, and breakfast at the Artillery Mess, under the banyan tree? -When I spoke to her there, she just looked me straight between the -eyes, and administered the dead cut."</p> - -<p>"I must say you amaze me! I can only suppose, that Mrs. Fiske has given -you a bad character."</p> - -<p>"She knows nothing about me!"</p> - -<p>"I would not be so sure. She knows all about <i>me</i>! my age, fortune, -where Tom proposed, how much I pay my dhobi, and which of my teeth are -stopped."</p> - -<p>After a silence, during which they threaded their way among a horde of -heavily-laden pack ponies, charcoal burners, and coolies—almost bent -double under incredible loads of baggage—Mrs. Brander resumed:</p> - -<p>"I'm so sorry for Barbie, her little white desperate face comes before -me, if only I could have done something to snatch her from Colonel -Harris, but Tom says, I'm always too ready to rush in, where angels, -etc., etc. Aunt Fan is an angel,—but even she is afraid of those two -women, that like the giants in the 'Pilgrim's Progress,' bar the road -to Barbie's liberty. Uncle Fred is fond of Barbie, she is his favourite -girl in all Madras, but he dare not interfere in other people's family -concerns. He, however, goes about, telling everyone that he and James -Harris are the same age!"</p> - -<p>"Much good that will do Miss Miller!" scoffed her companion.</p> - -<p>"Well, we are getting off our old bachelors. I suppose the next wedding -will be Sir William's—he is older than Uncle Fred."</p> - -<p>"What Sir William?—Sir William Bream?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, our very own Sir William, with his extraordinary and imposing -power of saying things, with nothing to say. Why do you look so -surprised?" and her gaze rested upon him with impressive steadiness.</p> - -<p>"You don't mean that Mrs. Villars would marry him!"</p> - -<p>"I refuse to commit myself, I don't mean to say anything, except that -Mrs. Villars will make a sensation in our Blue Mountains, and have a -good time. Who is so absolutely free, and independent, as a beautiful -rich young widow? at least, I hope she is rich——"</p> - -<p>"Why do you hope that?"</p> - -<p>But Nancy Brander touched her horse, and cantered on; she was not -disposed to tell tales, or to reply.</p> - -<p>"Merely because she showed me a bill from a Paris house, for nine -hundred pounds, and assured me, that she had no more idea than my Mab, -how it was going to be paid! or where the money was to come from!"</p> - -<p>By eleven o'clock the equestrians had arrived at Under Cliff Hotel, -Coonoor, and there found the remainder of the party, all comfortably -installed, sitting in the verandah, imbibing draughts of deliciously -cool air, and looking forward to a late, and solid, breakfast. The -early afternoon was abandoned to resting, unpacking, and novel-reading, -but about four o'clock the Tallboys and their guests reassembled for -tea.</p> - -<p>Not a few acquaintances were "up," and passing through,—these included -Colonel Molyneux and Forbes, the great shikari. Mrs. Villars, who had -changed her travelling dress for a becoming toilet, was talking to -them, when Mallender joined her. She gave him a radiant smile—her -smile conveyed to many, the secret, that "you, and you <i>only</i>, are -my friend"; undoubtedly she had a wonderful charm—which is another -name for power—and in her delicate hand, it frequently proved an -irresistible weapon. At the moment, she was carrying on a bantering -conversation with the mighty hunter.</p> - -<p>"You know perfectly well, that you hate all this," she said, -indicating the smart gay groups, who were scattered along the verandah, -drinking tea. "You prefer black coffee, and leathery chuppatties in the -jungle, you know you do!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I must confess that I enjoy the jungle," admitted Mr. Forbes, -who found it not unpleasant to be chaffed, and singled out, by this -beautiful creature in white serge, with the eyes of a fawn, and the -sun throwing glints on her wealth of red-brown hair. "But then, I'm a -semi-savage—and an old bachelor," he added boastfully.</p> - -<p>"Worse—a woman-hater!"</p> - -<p>"No, no, Mrs. Villars, but I admit that I would as soon look at a fine -pair of horns, as at a fine pair of eyes," and his glance was almost a -challenge!</p> - -<p>"Really?" with a gay incredulous laugh. "What an odd taste! The only -horn that appeals to me, is a coach horn. Are you making any stay?"</p> - -<p>"No, a couple of days, and then I'm off to the Anna-Mullays after a -bison. When I was at home, I got a letter from an old pal of mine, a -Kurumba shikari, and he told me of a remarkable, in fact, matchless -head."</p> - -<p>"Still on the animal's shoulders?" she enquired airily.</p> - -<p>"I hope so, I've come straight out to pot him."</p> - -<p>"Rather a long aim!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, I think nothing of that. I've gone to Arabia for lions, to Java -for a particular deer. My collection of heads is my hobby."</p> - -<p>"One would think you were a Dyak!"</p> - -<p>"<i>You</i> need not reproach me, dear madam. What are my heads, to your -scalps?"</p> - -<p>"I declare you are becoming quite agreeable and complimentary! but no -doubt you are in great spirits at the prospect of leaving us. You know, -you are longing for the solitude of the deep, hot, smelly jungle; once -there, <i>we</i> cease to exist."</p> - -<p>"I won't agree with that; but the jungle has its allurements, too." -Then suddenly turning to Mallender. "Think of the cool early mornings, -when the birds begin to stir, and the bamboos to whisper; oh, you -society fellows miss a lot! <i>You</i> never see the dense, virgin forests, -peopled with half-tame animals, and impassable, except by game tracks." -He paused, and looked steadily before him, as if his eyes beheld some -rapturous vision.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Villars now rose, carefully brushed the crumbs from her gown, and -said, in her soft drawling voice:</p> - -<p>"There is quite a nice little jungle near this; I explored it this -morning. There are paths, and flowers—possibly, a stray animal or two. -I mean the garden. Come with me, Captain Mallender, and perhaps <i>I</i> -will whisper to you like the bamboos. At any rate, I can introduce you -to lovely views, a fountain, and a summer-house!"</p> - -<p>Mallender promptly accepted the invitation, and as he descended the -steps, in the lady's wake, the old shikari looked after them, and -muttered half aloud, "<i>Got him!</i>"</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">CHAPTER XIII</p> - - -<p>As Mrs. Villars gracefully proceeded along a path, not wide enough -for two abreast, and offered her companion a full view of a -perfectly-fitting back, and coils of lustrous hair—she had several new -ideas simmering in her head. She liked the handsome boy, now treading -in her footsteps, and had flirted and amused herself with him, as was -her custom; also, because Fanny had given her a somewhat shame-faced -hint to keep Geoffrey fast, and urge him to accompany his friends to -the Hills, adding mysteriously, that there was an important reason -for detaining him. When she had asked for further particulars, Fanny -replied:</p> - -<p>"It is a family matter. Much depends on tying the young man to my, or -rather to <i>your</i> apron strings."</p> - -<p>"And so I am to play the syren?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, my dear, a nice, amiable, harmless syren," and to this she had -agreeably consented.</p> - -<p>But now, as the lady preceded her slave, stepping delicately over the -ground, in her high-heeled grey <i>suede</i> shoes, she asked herself, why -she should not play the syren in real <i>earnest</i>?</p> - -<p>Relieved from Sir William's formidable presence, and the questioning -glances of his torpid, but suspicious eyes, she felt once more young, -and free! Of course, there was Sir William's great fortune figuratively -at her feet, but its master was old, unattractive, and irritable; when -they were man and wife, and he had paid her debts, possibly he might -not be so devoted or so docile.</p> - -<p>As for Geoffrey Mallender, dear, simple boy! he was the soul of -chivalry, generosity, and good-humour. He had a fine old place, and -seven or eight thousand a year. Why should she not have, so to speak, -"a new deal," be serious, encourage his timid homage, and marry him? It -was true, that she was fourteen years his senior, but who would suspect -it? Like her family, she had been endowed with the priceless gift of -perennial youth. Fanny, her old school-fellow, who knew her age to a -day, would possibly disapprove, and make difficulties. After all, why -should she consider Fanny Tallboys? Naturally her first object was her -own interest.</p> - -<p>"Do let us sit down here," she said, turning about at last, "and look -at this glorious blue view! Blue mountains, blue valleys, and blue sky, -all in different shades,—and sniff the scent of roses, and heliotrope, -and now, my dear boy, I am going to have a nice little talk with you."</p> - -<p>"That's right, what is it about?"</p> - -<p>"I want you to tell me, why there is such a silent but strenuous effort -to keep you from leaving the Tallboys?"</p> - -<p>Mallender looked at her smiling eyes, broke off a twig of lemon -verbena, but made no reply.</p> - -<p>"Fanny has some particular reason for not allowing you to run away."</p> - -<p>"Has she?" he answered with a bantering air.</p> - -<p>"Don't evade my questions, there's a dear, but tell me the truth? I am -so <i>safe</i>. Are you about to ruin your life by a foolish marriage?"</p> - -<p>His reply was a boyish and spontaneous laugh; then seeing her face of -grave reproach, he added:</p> - -<p>"I don't want to go away, you may be sure,—but I may have to leave—as -a duty. I'd tell you all about it, like a shot, but it would not -interest you, you'd only chaff me."</p> - -<p>"<i>Chaff</i> you!" she repeated indignantly. "Do you imagine you are -talking to Nancy Brander? anything that concerns you, will interest -<i>me</i>. Won't you tell me?" Suddenly her voice sank to a low enticing -whisper. Behold Mrs. Villars in her most dangerous character.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I will another time," he glanced about. They were not alone in -this exquisite spot. Various other couples were roaming in the lovely -garden.</p> - -<p>"But, Geoffrey, you will never have a better opportunity!" she urged. -"Give me your confidence, and perhaps, if you are very, very good, I -will tell you something, that I know will please you!" and she smiled -at him, with half-closed eyes.</p> - -<p>"All right," he agreed, "confidence for confidence—exchange is no -robbery, my business is about——"</p> - -<p>At this critical moment, when Mrs. Villars was leaning forward with -parted lips, a white figure came prancing towards them! It was -Chinna-Sawmy, holding aloft a telegram between his two thumbs. Here, -indeed, was a most perverse little incident!</p> - -<p>The baffled lady drew back murmuring, "What a bore! well, another -time then," and rose slowly to her feet. "I think I must run in now, -and see what Kemp is doing, and dress for dinner. I believe it is at -the ghastly hour of half-past seven. We will meet in the verandah -later—and continue our little <i>talk</i>!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, all right," then he tore open the envelope, unfolded the slip of -paper, and read:</p> - -<p>"<i>He is found, return to-night. Shumilal.</i>"</p> - -<p>For a moment, Mallender felt stunned, and stared stupidly at the -telegram. Then by degrees he collected his wits and turning to -Chinna-Sawmy, said:</p> - -<p>"Run and find out when the next train leaves." To Anthony who had -followed the wire, "I am going back at once. Put my kit together again, -and send it to the station."</p> - -<p>"Train leaves in one half-hour," was Anthony's prompt reply. "I knowing -the place well,—master will have to be quick."</p> - -<p>Colonel Tallboys shaved twice a day, and was carefully operating with -a new safety razor, when he heard a hurried thump on the door of his -dressing-room, and Geoffrey entered, with a coat on his arm, and a cap -in his hand.</p> - -<p>"I say," he began abruptly, "I've just got a wire, my marching -orders,—and I'm off at last!"</p> - -<p>Colonel Tallboys stood transfixed, razor in hand; one half his face -white, the other pink. If the matter had not been so desperately -serious, Geoffrey would have laughed at the spectacle.</p> - -<p>"Don't be vexed," he urged anxiously, "don't take it so hardly. I -expect I'll get through in a week or two and——"</p> - -<p>His cousin at last found breath and voice.</p> - -<p>"I take it hardly—damned hardly," he burst out in a high shaky key. -"It means your ruin! thanks to your infernal pig-headed obstinacy. Of -course if you <i>are</i> mad, you are your own master—I can't stop you. -Here," stirred by a sudden access of fury, he rushed to the door, and -wrenched it open, "Go—go! I never want to see you, or hear of you, -again!"</p> - -<p>Completely taken aback, Geoffrey stared incredulously at his furious -relative, then walked blindly out of the room, and sought his cousin -Fanny.</p> - -<p>"I'm going," he said, "the telegram is urgent, and I'm just off, I'll -write, of course. Wish me luck, and God bless you, Fan."</p> - -<p>For a moment Mrs. Tallboys surveyed him with amazement. Then she put -her hand on his shoulder, and tears stood in her eyes.</p> - -<p>"So the sword has fallen at last! Oh, Geoffrey, do be careful,—do be -prudent. You have told Fred. I heard his voice just now—I'm afraid he -is vexed."</p> - -<p>"More than vexed, he washes his hands of me!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, that's only his way, when he is angry. He will get over it all -right. Meanwhile, we are always your friends, bear this in mind, and, -Geoffrey," smiling through her tears, "though I hate and fear the -thought of your going, and would do all in my power to hold you back, -yet I don't <i>blame</i> you, and whatever happens, you return to us," and -she kissed him with warm affection.</p> - -<p>After these farewell visits, the parting guest hurried away to the -office, in order to settle his bill—only a half day,—and as he was -gathering up change, a light hand was laid on his arm, and looking -round, he beheld Mrs. Villars, who for some reason appeared to be -strangely unlike herself; she seemed excited, flurried,—and if he -dared to use the word, dishevelled!</p> - -<p>"I <i>must</i> speak to you," she began breathlessly. "Come into the -sitting-room for a moment," and as they entered, she turned round -abruptly, and faced him. "Oh, Geoffrey, what <i>is</i> this I hear? Is it -true, that you are leaving us?" she asked, with tragedy in her voice.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I'm bound to go," he answered decisively.</p> - -<p>"Don't, don't!" she pleaded, "Geoffrey, I implore you to think twice, -before hurling yourself to ruin. Your cousin has told me, he is simply -frantic."</p> - -<p>"But I'm ruined already, if it comes to that, as far as money is -concerned, and I intend to see this thing through."</p> - -<p>"It means beggary, and madness—it does, it does," she reiterated, with -passion. "I ask you, I beg of you, I beseech of you, to stay—stay for -<i>my</i> sake," and she flung her arms round his neck, and gazed into his -face, with two lovely, liquid, irresistible eyes.</p> - -<p>Lena Villars was on her mettle, she was using the most effective -and deadly weapon in her armoury. Should she suffer this young man -to escape, to go headlong his own way, her prestige in her inner -consciousness would be for ever dimmed!</p> - -<p>Such eyes as hers, were powerful persuaders. Mallender was young, with -hot blood racing through his veins; he caught his breath sharply, -and was about to yield. The perfume of the syren's hair, her close -and delicious proximity, intoxicated his senses. At this critical -instant, he beheld a face, and two hands numbering twelve fingers -pressed against the window, making urgent signs. With a firm but gentle -movement he put the sorceress quietly aside, caught up his cap, and ran -out of the hotel.</p> - -<p>As the fugitive hurried to the station, he was aware of fleet footsteps -pattering behind him! he turned to find not Lena, but Nancy Brander, -breathless, bareheaded, and wrapped in a long cloak.</p> - -<p>"I was dressing," she panted, "<i>don't</i> look at me! but I could not let -you go, without a word. Here, I know the way, this is the ticket place, -you will write, won't you?" she continued in gasps, "and be sure, and -let me know what happens!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, of course I'll write, without fail."</p> - -<p>"Tom comes up next week, and if Uncle Fred is still furious, remember -that <i>we</i> will shelter you. Ah, you are just off—good-bye—and the -best of luck!"</p> - -<p>The last friendly face that Mallender beheld was the plain visage of -Nancy, battling between smiles and tears, as she waved him a vigorous -adieu.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">CHAPTER XIV</p> - - -<p>In a totally different spirit to that in which he had quitted them, -Mallender descended to the plains; as in the silvery moonlight, he -caught occasional glimpses of the old road, by which he and Nancy had -ridden up that very morning, his heart felt sick. He was turning his -back on all his friends; on Lena, on a perfect climate, and retracing -his steps to sweltering heat, and an unknown fate. Nevertheless he -assured himself that if in one sense he was going the wrong way, he was -actually on the right road at last!</p> - -<p>Once more in Madras, Mallender, accompanied by his two retainers, put -up at Spencer's Hotel, and as soon as he had rested, and recovered from -the long double journey, set out for 805 Pophams Broadway; here he sent -in his card, and asked to see the principal.</p> - -<p>After some delay, he was ushered upstairs into a large dingy office; -its shelves were packed with immense ledgers, and tin boxes; heaps of -dusty receipts were filed, and stacked on the top of clumsy presses, -the whole place reeked of an odour peculiar to Southern India—a -combination of betel nut, cocoanut oil, aniseed, with a dash of -ground coffee. The visitor was received by an elderly native, with -dignified manners, who wore an enormous white turban of the very finest -muslin, and was seated at a roll-top desk. In the background, were -clerks in velvet skull caps, each and all exhibiting an appearance of -extraordinary industry.</p> - -<p>"Ah, Captain Mallender," said the principal, rising as he closed a huge -account book. "The client of our honoured friends—Jaffer and Co."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I got your wire soon after I arrived at Coonoor,—and returned by -the next train."</p> - -<p>"I'm afraid your friends must have been disappointed," observed -Shumilal, and in his studiously bland voice there lurked the quality of -unction.</p> - -<p>"They were, but my business comes first, and they know that. And so you -have news at last—you have found him?"</p> - -<p>"We must still continue to go very slowly, and wait."</p> - -<p>"<i>You</i> may!" cried Mallender, suddenly losing his temper between heat, -mosquitoes, want of sleep, and annoyance, "but I refuse to do so; I -must go ahead, and set the pace. I've been out here more than three -months, I've paid you a hundred and fifty pounds down——" a clerk at a -distant table raised his head, "I return in answer to an urgent summons -and at great inconvenience, in hopes of immediate success; and you say -I must wait. By Jove, I tell you, that I <i>won't</i> wait!" and a light -shone in his dark eyes.</p> - -<p>"But, my dear sir, we are doing our best," protested the other -soothingly, "you know, it is a strange, and intricate business," he -held out a pair of delicate and appealing hands.</p> - -<p>"Yes, so you always say," continued the young man angrily. "I hope for -your own sakes, that you have not made a fool of me?"</p> - -<p>"Come, come, come, young gentleman, this is not good talk."</p> - -<p>"No, and I won't give you good talk! I'm not out here in this country, -and this furnace of a place, for humbug, and waiting, and 'good talk.' -I'm here for action, for real serious business. I don't care how hard -it is, so that I succeed in the end. If you have—fooled me I'll make -it pretty hot for you, and so I tell you."</p> - -<p>Shumilal drummed for an absent moment on the desk, then answered, with -a coal of fire!</p> - -<p>"Well, Captain Mallender, if you were not so impatient, I was going -to give you first-class news, and inform you, that you are very near -success."</p> - -<p>"Oh! But why not say so before, instead of keeping me on the string?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; and we believe, that he you seek, is close to you, at an old -place twenty miles out; once a depôt for military—but now abandoned. -In one of the bungalows there lives the gentleman you want; he is -over fifty years of age. He shuns all society, he hides some weighty -secret, he has been in India for many years; and if you are patient and -cautious, you are bound to catch him. You will have to go out there, -and put up at the Dâk Bungalow. Better take food, and servants, and -provisions."</p> - -<p>"All right!" said Mallender curtly, "but you haven't told me the -fellow's name?"</p> - -<p>"Smith, Major Smith; his cheques and bills are made out to John Smith."</p> - -<p>"Very well, I shall start this evening. What do you call the place?"</p> - -<p>"Panjeverram; and now that we are talking secretly, tell me, Captain -Mallender, do you expect to find your Uncle?"</p> - -<p>"No, but I hope to secure his murderer; he has had a tremendous start, -and a long respite, but please God, I'll lay my hands on him within a -week."</p> - -<p>"But if this man is not your object—I believe he <i>is</i>—but, we are all -liable to mistakes, what then?"</p> - -<p>"Then, I shall still go on searching for the fellow I want, but your -description seems to promise success."</p> - -<p>"That is true. We will send you by hand to your hotel, a formal -letter as a reference, and guide, and," rising, in order to close the -interview, "we shall hear from you no doubt shortly."</p> - -<p>"Yes, without fail," said Mallender, with emphasis. "Don't think me -rude, but I hope I shall have no occasion to call again, and now I will -wish you good day."</p> - -<p>Mallender's next visit was to the bank; here he asked for a statement -of his account, and to know the amount of his balance. After a -considerable delay, a pale, smart-looking young man, came forward, and -said:</p> - -<p>"Your balance in hand, Captain Mallender, is exactly Seventy-two -Pounds, Eighteen Shillings, and Nine-pence."</p> - -<p>These tidings so startled the enquirer, that for a moment he stood -speechless. Of course, on second thoughts there was some monstrous -mistake; he must have at least five or six hundred to his credit. But -no, the practical, clear-headed clerk, produced the big book, and went -steadily through the items. To each of these Mallender assented with a -sinking heart.</p> - -<p>"You see," said the accountant, "nothing has come in since the first of -January,—and you have made some large payments."</p> - -<p>This was the truth. How the money had melted! He glanced over the -column of figures. One hundred and fifty to Shumilal and Co., one -hundred for Miss Sim, fifty lent to Wylie, fifty for a gold bag, one -hundred for outlay of sorts; subscriptions, wages, hire of motor, -presents, tips, one hundred ditto, ditto. Yes, the account was all -right, or rather—all wrong.</p> - -<p>A letter handed to him did not serve to raise his spirits. It came -from his solicitors at home, and in neat type-writing, imparted this -information:</p> - -<p>"The firm of contractors who are now repairing Mallender, require a -final advance, otherwise the work cannot be continued. Times are bad in -the building trade."</p> - -<p>When the advance was paid, his available funds were at an end; he would -have nothing coming in, for another twelve months! This was indeed -heavy news; how was seventy pounds to last a man for a whole year? He -might borrow, the old family lawyer might lend him a few hundreds, -or he could raise a mortgage on Mallender; but was Mallender his to -mortgage? was not the property strictly entailed?</p> - -<p>Mallender's brain,—according to his own account,—worked slowly, and -with difficulty, and he sat for some time, with these questions buzzing -in his aching and bewildered head, then he rose, and with an abstracted -salute departed from the bank, a grave and anxious wanderer.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">CHAPTER XV</p> - - -<p>Accompanied by Anthony and Chinna-Sawmy, his luggage and many bundles, -Mallender left Madras by rail at five o'clock. The carriages were -crammed in the usual fashion; natives of India have an insatiable -passion for travel, and are absolutely regardless of heat, packed -compartments, and semi-suffocation. The train dawdled through the -suburbs, then away across hot dry plains, by palms, villages and -temples, till at length it crawled into Panjeverram. Panjeverram, -although but twenty miles from the City was a silent, forlorn, and -forsaken, old place; there was no sign of life or bustle at its -modest humble station,—not even a <i>gharry</i> in waiting. The luggage -and bundles were therefore placed on a <i>tailer</i> (or hand-cart) and -trundled off to the Dâk Bungalow, through a great avenue of banyan -trees,—so closely meeting overhead, that they constituted a long black -tunnel; only a faint light here and there like fire-flies in a forest -broke its cimmerian gloom. The little party did not encounter a soul, -before they turned over a brick culvert, and found themselves in front -of the rest-house. This was old, and out of repair; its atmosphere, -even that hot March night, felt damp; and the air was heavily -impregnated by an odour of mildew, mushrooms, and bats.</p> - -<p>A visitor was evidently a precious rarity, and the venerable Dâk Matey -was full of rapture, and eager and voluble apologies. He shouted -orders to some unseen subordinate in the back verandah, and proceeded -to light lamps and bustle about. He laid a newspaper as table-cloth, -placed on it two candles in black bottles, and between these, a bunch -of zinnias in a mustard tin; a knife and fork and tumbler, produced -from Mallender's tiffin basket, gave a business-like air to these -preparations; a pat of white butter, and a small bazaar loaf, were -added by Anthony, who casually remarked that "he had just done kill one -big snake, in Master's bathroom!"</p> - -<p>"Very bad that snake, but only coming after water," he explained, as he -moved about unpacking, giving directions in Tamil to the hoary Matey, -and goading him to frenzied exertions. Then turning to Mallender, with -an air of authority, he said:</p> - -<p>"Master better wash, and I bring soup."</p> - -<p>The bedroom proved to be nearly as bare as the immortal cupboard of -Mother Hubbard, and merely contained a charpoy, a chair, a battered -punkah, and cobwebs,—thick as ropes! The dinner also proved a -disappointment; soup of Worcester sauce and hot water, goat chops, the -inevitable anchovy toast, and a small bottle of beer.</p> - -<p>Mallender realised that he must adjust himself to the position, and get -used to this sort of thing! He had fallen into fastidious ways, and -been spoiled, and pampered, by the luxuries of Hooper's Gardens.</p> - -<p>When the meal was over, and the newspaper had been ceremoniously -removed, he drew a candle towards him and proceeded to re-read the -letter of instructions, which had been duly delivered at the Madras -hotel:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>"<span class="smcap">Dear Sir</span>,</p> - -<p>"We have now the pleasure to forward by hand the information as -required. Your gentleman, Major Smith, lives at Panjeverram where he -owns a large bungalow, called the Nabob's House, and lives in great -secrecy. The place is surrounded by high walls, and entered by a heavy -wooden gate. Major Smith's affairs are managed by old servants, who -cannot be <i>bribed</i>; he is rarely seen, sometimes not for years, but he -is in Panjeverram <i>now.</i> He receives no visitors or letters, no more -than if he was <i>defunct</i>. We believe that he is your man, and hope we -are correct. We should add, that you will find it prudent to be on -the spot, and that to gain admittance will be difficult; it may take -weeks, or even months."</p></div> - -<p>Mallender's heart sank. Months!—in this squalid bungalow, the resort -of toddy cats, bats, and snakes.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>"Perseverance must be rewarded," the letter continued. "If your -servants can make friends with Major Smith's servants, it will be the -thin edge of the wedge, but you must push, push, <i>push</i>."</p></div> - -<p>Having folded up this epistle, Mallender lit a cigar, and went out to -pace the verandah, forgetful and regardless of reptiles, till he trod -upon the dead snake, and uttering a word which begins and ends with -"D," he kicked the limp body into the bushes, whereupon Anthony, who -had been summoned, and stood at the doorway at attention, was moved to -say:</p> - -<p>"Master taking care, and never walking out of light. Other snake -<i>always</i> coming, to look for lover!"</p> - -<p>"Hang the snakes' lovers!" cried his master impatiently. "I called you -to say, that I am likely to be here for some time, and you must send -a coolie to Madras early to-morrow, to fetch stores, and other things -from Oakes and Spencer's."</p> - -<p>"Chinna-Sawmy can go," replied Smiler with an air of superb -importance. "I can spare him, plenty things wanted. To-day all hurry -and hurly-burly, no time to arrange. Nothing here, no filter, no -charcoal, no matches, no cocoanut oil, no—" spreading out his hands, -"anything—but one old fool man."</p> - -<p>"There is a bazaar, I presume?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, but for native peoples only and half-castes, who live in the old -bungalows—and never paying no rent. No one ever coming, but sometimes -to see big big temple, and house opposite," pointing dramatically into -the thick darkness, "where one English lady was murdered. Master, chase -with knife, and cut throat!"</p> - -<p>"There is one English gentleman here," said Mallender, "Major Smith. -I want you to make acquaintance with his servants, I wish to meet him -myself."</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, sir, I understand," replied Anthony, with a whole volume of -significance in his voice. "That I can do! I shall get introduced—then -I will introduce Master."</p> - -<p>"I see you know what I mean,—and now you can go."</p> - -<p>Thus dismissed, Anthony took his noiseless departure, and presently -made one of the corpse-like figures, swathed in white, that were -stretched on the ground—successfully wooing sleep, between the -servants' quarters, and the cook's house.</p> - -<p>Mallender remained alone, pacing to and fro, whilst the candles within -burnt low, a distant pi dog howled, and bats made muffled noises, as -they fluttered in and out of the verandah.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Early the next morning, after a truly miserable night,—thanks to heat, -mosquitoes and the skirmishing of toddy cats in the ceiling-cloth, -the adventurer went forth to reconnoitre, and make observations. He -discovered an immensely wide road, with stretches of grass at either -side, lined with magnificent banyans. Here and there a bungalow -arrested the eye; some were large and stately, some were insignificant; -some were thatched, some tiled, many—among a wild tangle of fruit -trees, and long-neglected bushes of oleander, and jasmin—were falling -into ruin; one and all the miserable reminders of the opulence, and -glories of the past. In India the elements assist old Father Time with -amazing zeal and success. The blasting hot winds, the blistering sun, -torrents of tropical downpour and the perpetual ravages of legions -of white ants, soon occasion surprising changes in an uninhabited -dwelling. At a little distance to the left, the explorer noticed a -straggling bazaar; still continuing the main road, he came to a house -standing apart, and surrounded by a high and dignified wall,—such as -might enclose an important monastic institution. The entrance was by a -heavy iron-studded wooden gate, with a small postern.</p> - -<p>Mallender walked slowly past, then turned, and retraced his steps, and -finally halted before the gate. Within, was the man he sought! How -soon would he see him face to face? How soon might he summon the law -to his assistance? Undoubtedly the criminal had found an admirable -hiding-place; here he lay, so to speak, entrenched, far from the -madding crowd. Probably these solid walls had once encompassed the home -and harem of some wealthy "Free" Madras merchant, in the good old times -when Panjeverram was a fashionable resort, and the pagoda tree was -laden with golden fruit.</p> - -<p>For several days nothing happened, save that each morning the heat -steadily increased, and like some bodily force descended upon the -hard, cracked soil, and consumed all moisture. The only breath of air -came from the flat plains behind the station, where spasmodic puffs -of a scorching sirocco, suggested the gasps of some dying monster. -Mallender, a prey to monotony and prickly heat, sat in a stuffy little -darkened room, under a listless old punkah, clad in pyjamas, smoking, -and meditating; listening to the roar of the hot wind, the thin rustle -of whirling dead leaves, and realising that he was in for a long siege!</p> - -<p>But such was his character, the more difficulties that confronted him, -the more his courage and determination hardened. Each evening, he -strolled past the Nabob's House like a policeman on duty, but the big -gate was always shut fast, and the premises were silent as a cemetery. -Meanwhile Anthony was craftily undermining the position, and making -insidious advances to the native household; in short, he exhibited -cunning, which almost rose to the dignity of a talent!</p> - -<p>"I have spoken to Francis the butler," he announced, mysteriously. -"He is a big big man, with red turban and gold watch. He is Roman -Catholic, and knows my father! He say to me, 'Why your Master coming -here?' and he look awfully cross. I say, 'Panjeverram too much -interesting to gentleman, who make photographs to get money.' 'But he -has two servants,' he say, 'and brings Europe stores, and books, from -Madras.—Truly <i>not</i> poor man!'"</p> - -<p>"That must have stumped you, Smiler?"</p> - -<p>"'No, no,' I say, awfullee quick, 'Stores and books <i>he</i> never pay -for. Them a present from one charitable lady gone to the Hills, Mrs. -Tallboys, and as for wages, I telling, Sawmy come as <i>my</i> friend only; -and I only taking eight rupees.'"</p> - -<p>"Why, you sinner, I pay you thirty!" exclaimed his master, aghast at -this string of ready lies. "Anyway, he did not believe you, I'll swear."</p> - -<p>"Suppose, he say I no tell truth, but what can do?" raising his -shoulders to his ears. "If Master will show work, I carry camera, and -we pass bungalow five, six times, a day; then there will be talk, and -Francis, butler, will think, 'That Anthony, good Christian boy; <i>he</i> -never telling lies,' and will believe me!"</p> - -<p>"All right, Smiler, your character shall be cleared. We will start out -this afternoon, and I'll photograph the old temple, and lots of other -objects, and make a reputation in the bazaar."</p> - -<p>According to this arrangement, the big butler had now many -opportunities of beholding the diligent gentleman with his camera and -attendant passing continually to and fro; or taking snapshots of the -most remarkable local objects. The fame of the photographer spread; -Anthony exhibited attractive specimens among his acquaintances, and -the train was fired! Mallender became known as "the picture-catching -master," and not merely "the stranger, who had a <i>chokra</i> with four -thumbs."</p> - -<p>"Excuse me, saar," pleaded the counsellor, "but to-day, I think of -plenty good business. Suppose we go, I and you, and knock loudly on -big gate of Nabob's House, two hours after the midday rice—when all -people have eaten well, and are full and contented; we will ask humble -permission to take photographs. There are young folks within. I gave -the portrait you took of me to their ayah; she liking, very, awfullee -much,—and has doubtless shown to family."</p> - -<p>Mallender thought the programme excellent, and proceeded to act upon -it, that same afternoon. After long and loud hammering on the wooden -postern, it was at last opened by a peon, and a glimpse of the interior -premises was disclosed.</p> - -<p>At the farthest end, stood an imposing red-tiled bungalow; between -this and the gate was a garden, a well, and a tennis-court—where two -boys were playing. Mallender saw no more, as the postern was suddenly -darkened by a large turbaned figure. This presumably was Francis, -looking alarmingly fierce, and majestic, who stepping into the road, -closed the postern behind him with stern significance.</p> - -<p>"Photographs—no," waving a beringed hand; "we do not want them, this -private house only—please not to trouble, and to go <i>away</i>."</p> - -<p>The fiat seemed irrevocable, and Geoffrey's hopes sank to zero, when as -Francis reopened the door a child's golden head was thrust out, and -she called in a shrill voice:</p> - -<p>"Francis, why you make all this bobbery? We are going to be done and -<i>I</i> say so!"</p> - -<p>"You go back, missy," he answered angrily. "Naughty girl,—you go back."</p> - -<p>"Yes, we must, we must!" she screamed. The petition was supported by -shouts, and a far-away female voice was heard in shrill expostulation. -Then the door was violently slammed, and the scene in every sense -closed.</p> - -<p>As the defeated schemers were moving slowly homeward, a servant came -panting behind them.</p> - -<p>"You are to come," he called out, breathlessly. "The Miss has given -permission."</p> - -<p>When the impostor and his satellite crossed the vast enclosure, he -noticed fine horses picketed in the open stables, Nellore cows, and a -motor; also flocks of pigeons, a luxuriant well-watered garden, with -patches of luscious green lucerne, and trees of guava, pomegranate, and -bananas.</p> - -<p>In the verandah were two lads, nearly as dark as Chinna-Sawmy, with -sleek black hair, and beaming eager faces. There was also a little girl -with clouds of golden locks, and singularly arresting beauty, a prim -elderly European woman with a long upper lip, and a flat figure encased -in a stiff print gown, and Black Francis—a mute, hostile, presence. -Besides this group on the verandah, there was also a large collection -of retainers, who were apparently not entitled to a footing in the -house.</p> - -<p>"They tell me ye take photographs?" interrogated "the Miss" in a high -lachrymose Cork accent.</p> - -<p>"Yes, all sorts. I came out here to do the temples, but I'm glad of any -job," replied Mallender, now lying with the fluency of Anthony himself.</p> - -<p>"Well, these children have been bothering the life out of me, so I -suppose I bid to let you take them," and she glanced at Francis, who -represented as he stood a living thundercloud.</p> - -<p>This permission was received with rapture by the young people; the boys -made diabolical grimaces at each other, and the little girl flung her -arms round the neck of "the Miss" and nearly strangled her with a hug.</p> - -<p>"Oh, well, ye can do a group," she gasped, "and if it comes out all -right, we may have the bungalow."</p> - -<p>"Yes, and the horses and dogs, and the new motor, and the monkey!" -supplemented the child, as she clapped her hands, and skipped about.</p> - -<p>"Now, Mota, you be quiet," commanded "the Miss"; then turning to -Mallender, and pointing to his portfolio in Anthony's hands, "I'd like -to have a look at your things, young man."</p> - -<p>"Certainly," answered the photographer, "with pleasure."</p> - -<p>"Ye talk like a gentleman, so ye do," she remarked, as she considered -Mallender with a pair of sharp grey eyes.</p> - -<p>"I—I," taken a little aback,—"have been fairly well educated."</p> - -<p>"'Tis more than I have myself," she declared, "but edication on some, -does be like diamond buckles on a pair of brogues; I misdoubt," -glancing at his shabby kharki suit, "that ye have been a nice play -boy!" and with this remark she sat down, and holding the portfolio in -her lap went carefully through its contents, whilst Mota rested her -chin on her shoulder, and the two boys leant over Mota. Fortunately -for the adventurer, they were all three loud and unanimous in their -admiration.</p> - -<p>"Look at the big temple and the one-eyed beggar!" cried Mota, "and see -Soomia with his buffaloes, and the old Dâk Bungalow Matey. Oh, let us -be done at once!"</p> - -<p>"I can take a group now," said Mallender, briskly.</p> - -<p>"Shall I change, Dixie?" enquired the child, "my new lace frock?"</p> - -<p>"No, no, ye will do finely as ye are, get your hair brushed, and you -boys, Paul and Pedro, go and put on your jackets."</p> - -<p>As Mallender adjusted the camera, he made a careful mental photograph -of the situation. At the side of the bungalow, he noticed another -entrance,—doubtless opening on the plains at the rear. The verandah -walls were covered with horns and heads, chiefly of black buck and -sambur; comfortable chairs and tables, laden with books and papers, -gave a homely touch to the scene, and gasping near the water filter, -lay an elderly, well-bred, fox-terrier.</p> - -<p>In the presence of a large and attentive crowd, the operator arranged -his group, placing "the Miss" in the centre. As he allowed her to -choose her own pose, she sat bolt upright, her chin elevated, and a -large hand spread like a star-fish, on either knee. "The Miss" was -supported by a boy on each side, whilst Mota reclined at her feet. -As Mallender scrutinised the party, from under his black velvet -cloth, he realised that the little girl was unquestionably of good -birth,—judging by her delicate features, and well-bred air; the boys -seemed sharp and intelligent, and closely resembled one another, indeed -now that he looked at them again, of course they were twins!</p> - -<p>After a long pause, many injunctions to be "steady" and an -authoritative "hush" from Anthony, his master uttered the word "<i>Now</i>," -and the cap was off.</p> - -<p>Another snapshot followed, and then the operator carried away the -plates into a specially darkened bathroom, accompanied by the truculent -and suspicious Francis. As the groups were a success, and their price -was moderate, "the Miss" suggested a view of the bungalow. This was -followed by a full-sized reproduction of the monkey—a deplorable -failure—and the old fox-terrier, who well-marked, and short of leg, -had undoubtedly at some period of his career abandoned the shores of -England.</p> - -<p>With such a collection of plates, Mallender was well content; -he particularly wished to return again, and yet again, until he -encountered and confronted the mysterious master of the Nabob's House.</p> - -<p>It took some time to develop and print the plates, as they were sent to -Madras, and three days had elapsed before the photographer once more -presented himself at the wooden postern.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile he heard from Anthony, that the sahib was at home; for -Chinna-Sawmy had obtained a footing in the go-downs, thanks to thumb -tricks, and his repertoire of new, and improper, Tamil songs! The -photographs were approved, with acclamation, and their bearer received -a boisterous welcome from the boys and Mota, who amazing to relate, was -their own sister! They all became demonstratively friendly, not to say -familiar, and asked Mallender where he came from? how much he earned? -and, last but by no means least, his name? which he informed them was -"Geoffrey."</p> - -<p>"Geoffrey," repeated "the Miss"; "I knew a fellow of that name wance -in the Roifles—his father had a baker's shop in Cork; bedad, he was -a nice bhoy! breaking out of barracks, making away with his kit, -fighting, and playing the fool."</p> - -<p>Her reminiscences were disturbed by the young people, who swarmed -about the camera, begging leave to take snapshots of one another, -or to pull off the cap, and to this the photographer graciously -consented,—anything to linger, and to gain time.</p> - -<p>"Photography is pure foolery," declared "the Miss," "and I would say -against it, only it makes a diversion for them, poor children, and days -do hang terribly heavy in the holidays and the hot weather: the boys -goes to Doveton College, in Madras. Ye might do a single one of Miss -Mota here just as a surprise for her Dada."</p> - -<p>To this suggestion Mallender willingly assented. The ready and -delighted Mota was posed, told to hold up her chin, try and think of -something very <i>nice</i>, and make a good picture!</p> - -<p>As the photographer's head was buried under the black cloth, taking -a final look at his pretty little sitter, he heard the sound of a -ringing, spurred, footfall on the verandah, a loud exclamation from -the child, and a gruff voice, asking:</p> - -<p>"What's all <i>this</i>?"</p> - -<p>Mallender hastily divested himself of his head covering, and for -once in his life was struck absolutely dumb. The man in riding-kit, -and sun topee, who was staring at him, might be Major Smith, in -Panjeverram,—but in England, he was a certain Major Rochfort, with -whom the photographer was well acquainted! A good-looking, popular, -middle-aged individual,—married to a great heiress. When Mallender was -quartered in York, he had often met him in the hunting field, had dined -at his house, and shot his covers.</p> - -<p>Major Rochfort, for his part, stood transfixed, glaring at the -intruder, as if he could not credit the evidence of his senses!</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">CHAPTER XVI</p> - - -<p>Major Rochfort's eyes blazed, his good-looking countenance had become -dark, and congested; at last he found speech, and in a voice choking -with ferocity demanded:</p> - -<p>"What are you doing here, sir? Detective business, eh? You shall -explain this, Mallender," suddenly seizing him by the arm, "come -inside!" As he spoke, he kicked a glass door open with such force, that -one of the panes was loosened, and fell on the flags with a tinkling -crash.</p> - -<p>When the master of the house had carried off the unlucky photographer, -as it were a prey—his children and retainers stood staring at one -another in a dumb amazement—in which curiosity had no small share.</p> - -<p>Leaving his victim to follow, Major Rochfort stalked through a gloomy -central room—studded with old-fashioned black furniture, and carpeted -with a hideous native drugget—into a cheerful airy den, containing a -big writing-table, several luxurious chairs, and many trophies of the -chase.</p> - -<p>"Now," he said, turning savagely on Mallender. "'Pon my soul, I've -a good mind to shoot you! What the devil are you after? What do you -mean, you prying young skunk, by putting your fingers into my private -affairs, eh?" His face was livid, and streaming with heat, he was -almost incoherent from passion.</p> - -<p>"I know nothing—and want to know nothing—of your private affairs," -replied the amateur artist who was white, but perfectly collected. "I -came out here to look after my own business, and by rotten bad luck I -seem to have tumbled into yours!" Then realising that it was desirable -to make a clean breast, he sat down in the nearest arm-chair, and with -the velvet cloth still in his hands, in a few short sentences, and a -slow controlled voice, related the reasons for his trip to India, to -Panjeverram,—and finally to the bungalow itself.</p> - -<p>As he listened, his companion rapidly cooled. He mopped his face -energetically, and exclaimed:</p> - -<p>"I see—I see—a regular mare's nest! Well, your secret will be safe -here, this," with an embarrassed grin, "is the house of secrets; but -yours, is a crazy notion, yes, crazy, and will land you in lots of -awkward situations, as bad or worse, than this."</p> - -<p>"Yet the agent was so absolutely confident, and I have waited three -solid months for information."</p> - -<p>"Well, your agent made a pretty rotten cast! Your Uncle would be at -least ten years my senior—I'm forty-five next June. But natives are -no judge of age, you are either young or old, there is no medium; it's -like the country itself, which has only night, and day—<i>no</i> dusk. But -why go to a native firm at all?"</p> - -<p>"Because I'm told, they always have one ear in the bazaar, where -everything is known; and Europeans are so cut and dried, so -unimaginative, and maddeningly slow."</p> - -<p>After a short silence, Major Rochfort got up, and standing squarely -before his companion, said:</p> - -<p>"Look here, Mallender, I'm most awfully sorry I went for you like that -just now; but naturally, when I came across you incognito and being -extremely anxious to conceal this little—er—establishment, I thought -that by some incredible means Sophy had put you on! Lately, she has -been asking questions, and making me devilish nervous. I began to think -of anonymous letters, or that in some subtle and unexpected form she -smelt a rat!"</p> - -<p>Mallender's thoughts flew to the plain middle-aged lady, with a tribe -of pet dogs, known to the world as Mrs. Rochfort.</p> - -<p>"I can't imagine why you should suspect <i>me</i>," he answered stiffly.</p> - -<p>"My dear fellow, when a man's in a deadly funk, he suspects everyone. -You will forgive me, won't you, and dine with me to-night, and we'll -have a good old jaw?"</p> - -<p>At this moment the door opened, and a golden head was thrust in.</p> - -<p>"Go away, Mota, run away," said her father, "I am busy now. You'll -come, won't you?" to Mallender, "to show there is no ill-feeling, and -eat my salt,—as you have done at home?"</p> - -<p>"All right, I'll come at eight, I suppose?" said Mallender rising; then -he went out to join Anthony in the verandah, and the pair departed -together, followed by the eyes of the entire household,—including dog -and monkey.</p> - -<p>Mallender was in low spirits, he felt keenly disappointed, crestfallen, -and dispirited. He had abandoned his best friends, spent a fortnight -in squalid misery, dragged out the secret of another man, and all for -nothing! He began to fear, that he had engaged in a struggle beyond his -powers,—nevertheless he meant to hold on!</p> - -<p>Later, he got into a white evening suit, and preceded by Chinna-Sawmy -with a lantern, once more presented himself at the big bungalow. He now -found it illuminated by many lamps, and was formally received in the -gloomy drawing-room by Rochfort, his children and "the Miss,"—wearing -a gay spotted muslin, and an obtrusive gold watch, and chain.</p> - -<p>Dinner was plain, but excellent; mulligatawny, pomphret, gram-fed -mutton, cheese soufflé and fruit. The talk was loud, general, and -unembarrassed. The boys were evidently devoted to their parent, -and completely free from shyness. Possibly the young lady was a -little spoiled; with crimped hair, and dressed in an elaborate white -frock, she occupied the place of hostess, and flatly and insistently -contradicted her father on more than one occasion. She however was -a lovely child, and looked thoroughbred to the tips of her somewhat -sticky fingers.</p> - -<p>Mallender as he glanced about him, mentally contrasted the present, -with the last occasion on which he had been the guest of his host. -Then, he had sat at a table loaded with wonderful old silver and -hot-house flowers, and was waited on by powdered footmen, in the -company of Rochfort's prim English wife, and her titled county -neighbours. Now, he was eating curried vegetables, under a slowly -moving punkah, attended by black servants, and surrounded by a Madras -family—which included a golden-haired imperious hostess, aged nine -years.</p> - -<p>As she passed her father's chair, dessert being over, Mota said, -"You'll come soon, Daddy?" and she bestowed a patronising pat and kiss -on the top of his somewhat thin hair. "We want to play spoof, so don't -sit talking, talking, smoking, smoking!" and with this command, she -vanished.</p> - -<p>When the servants had also disappeared, Rochfort said:</p> - -<p>"Draw nearer, try that Pondicherry claret, it's very sound, and light -up. I want to talk to you, Mallender."</p> - -<p>"All right," he replied, helping himself to wine, "go ahead."</p> - -<p>"No doubt you are flabbergasted at my double life!—not a Sunday-school -example for a young fellow, eh? At home, I'm Major Rochfort, a -magistrate, married, no family; a busy man on committees, active -in country matters, a preserver of foxes, a chairman at political -meetings, a steward at races and balls, and a model husband," he -paused, deliberately helped himself to another glass of claret, and -then went on:</p> - -<p>"Here in a God-forsaken old Indian backwater, I am Major Smith, an -idle slacker, and a model <i>father</i>. Now you shall hear the whole -explanation."</p> - -<p>Mallender threw himself back in his chair, crossed his knees, and -prepared to listen.</p> - -<p>"Twenty years ago, I was a subaltern quartered in Madras, a gay young -bachelor ready for any mortal thing, and at a Sergeants' Ball I made -the acquaintance of Maddalena de Rosa. She was a Eurasian about -sixteen, and quite distractingly pretty. I was not a bad-looking chap -myself,"—he was good-looking still—"and we fell in love on the spot! -I shall never forget Maddie that night, with her pink dress, her little -string of mock pearls, and her wonderful eyes! We talked,—though she -was not much of a talker—her eyes did the business—and we danced -together most of the evening. We met again, of course. I used to go -to Vepery Church on Sundays, and tell the other fellows I was out -duck-shooting. Well, in the long run, her grandmother settled it! There -was no question of marriage,—but it was a real case of love. I took -two months' leave, we went to the Hills, and were as happy as mortals -could be. Later on, I hired a little bungalow, not far from the Fort. -For some time, we had no family, then came twin boys, both unexpectedly -<i>dark</i>, and I must confess, I was a good deal startled. Soon after -this, the regiment was ordered home, and poor Maddie nearly broke her -heart. To tell the truth, I felt pretty bad too! but I sold my rifles -and ponies fairly well, and I had come in for a bit of a legacy, so -I settled some money on Maddie, and an old native relative—a soucar -chap,—bought this house for her, for a song! Her people came from -hereabouts, and her grandmother agreed to live with her."</p> - -<p>Major Rochfort paused, and poured himself out yet another glass of -claret, then looked across at Mallender and said:</p> - -<p>"I hope I'm not boring you, am I?"</p> - -<p>"On the contrary, I am much interested. What happened next?"</p> - -<p>"I went home with the regiment, married Sophy Cosby, and left the -service; five years later, I returned to shoot in Travancore, and an -irresistible temptation drove me to look up Maddie. I found she had -remained faithful to her first love, and never married; she was now -twenty-four, and handsomer than ever. Well, on one excuse or other, I -stayed month after month, writing home lies, going for short shooting -trips, but always returning to Maddie. I was awfully fond of her; -somehow she and the boys made me a home,—and I was extraordinarily -happy. She was so simple and gentle, and refined; I'll swear Maddie had -good blood, English or native, in her veins. At last, I was compelled -to leave her, and three months after I got home, I had a letter to say -a girl was born, and that Maddie was dead. The news came as a terrible -shock, but I pulled myself together, indented the coffee estate, and I -came straight back, to fix up things. By great luck, I heard of Mrs. -Dixon, a sergeant's widow, who was respectable and trustworthy, but -stranded, and I engaged her as nurse and housekeeper, and though she -has not much education, she has done me rattling well."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I should say so," agreed Mallender, "and of course you are seldom -at Panjeverram?"</p> - -<p>"No—worse luck! Every two or three years I come out to see my coffee, -that's what I call it. I may tell you, that I don't own a bush! but I -have a planter friend, and confidant, one Hector Fraser. I write from -his estate, but I come here, and live with the children, I get capital -snipe and teal shooting in the paddy fields and tanks hereabouts, and -now and then, I go off, and do a week in the jungle—but, my heart is -with my little family."</p> - -<p>"Yes, naturally."</p> - -<p>"Of late, I've had an awful idea, that Sophy has her suspicions; she -cross-questions me so closely about my coffee and crops. I made a -bargain with her, after Maddie's death, that every three years, I was -free to spend six months on the estate—the—er—the master's eye, you -know! Recently it has seemed to me that my wife has been looking at me -curiously; of course this may only be my own guilty conscience! And she -told me, before we parted, that this is the last time I am coming out -here—<i>alone</i>. She wishes to visit the estate, and thinks it must be so -interesting. I'm half afraid she will keep her word, and when she sees -the coffee,—there will be the devil to pay! I dare say she'll divorce -me."</p> - -<p>"Can she? I don't know much about such matters, but I'd say not."</p> - -<p>"Well, she can stop supplies, and make things deuced unpleasant, and -that's not the worst."</p> - -<p>"No? I should have said it was."</p> - -<p>"There's Mota, my little darling girl—she is a beauty, eh?"</p> - -<p>"She is, indeed," agreed Mallender. "No two opinions there!"</p> - -<p>"And looks quite Europe; not like the poor boys. They are bright young -fellows, the image of my father: what would <i>he</i> have thought of his -two copies in black? He was a terribly straight-laced man, long family -prayers, no theatre, no wine—he would not even allow mustard on the -table, because it was a stimulant! I was kept so cruelly tight, that I -broke out, of course. The boys go to Doveton College, and this is their -holidays. They are clever little chaps; I get capital reports of them -both, ultimately they will find good billets, and be all right. It's -little Mota I'm thinking of. She learns next to nothing beyond reading -and writing, and the love of her own way; not a bit like her mother -there—takes after mine. The child ought to go to England, and the boys -too. She'd be accepted; but how could I account for <i>them</i>? I've saved -a little, and made my will, but if anything happened to me, what would -become of the children?"</p> - -<p>Rochfort's voice trembled, his eyes were misty. It was difficult to -realise, that here was the identical Rochfort, known at home for his -sunny humour, and natural geniality; or that the cheery smart man of -the world, was the same as this stricken parent, with the anxious face, -and voice shaken with emotion.</p> - -<p>"By Jove, Mallender, it's true, what the Bible says, 'The fathers have -eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge'! Many a -night I lie awake puzzling my head about these kids. You are a sensible -chap,—bar one subject,—and can see into a question better than I, who -am always looking at it; what do <i>you</i> advise?"</p> - -<p>"I advise you to tell your wife!" was Mallender's prompt reply.</p> - -<p>"Just the last thing I'll ever do!" and he banged the table with his -fist, and made the glasses dance.</p> - -<p>"But why not? she is lonely, she has no near relations, heaps of time -on her hands, and seems fond of young people."</p> - -<p>"She would not be fond of Pedro and Paul, she'd lock them up for fear -they should be seen,—or send them to the Zoo!"</p> - -<p>"Well, just think it over! it's what I'd do, if I were in your shoes. -You need not let anyone else into the secret; say they were children of -an old friend—who—er—had married unfortunately. You might even make -her a Begum!"</p> - -<p>"No thank you, my boy, your measures are too drastic. To-morrow you -leave the Dâk Bungalow, and come and stop with me, seeing that you have -drawn this cover blank. Anyway, stay and shoot a week or two; I may be -able to give you a leg up, my butler Francis knows the Presidency to -the bone."</p> - -<p>"You are very kind, Rochfort,—but I ought to be moving on."</p> - -<p>"Yes, you ought," he assented, rising as he spoke, "come along into the -verandah, the children are waiting for us to play games."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">CHAPTER XVII</p> - - -<p>Major Rochfort had not much difficulty in persuading his friend to -abandon the Dâk Bungalow, and take up his quarters with him; and -Geoffrey parted without regret from the mildewed, rat-hunted chamber, -and toothless old matey—whose dishes were invariably seasoned with -a "dirty cloth" taste! As he beheld his belongings installed in a -large comfortably furnished room, containing a cot draped with snowy -mosquito curtains, a writing-table, and an almirah, he asked himself -the question, "Am <i>I</i> too becoming a sponge?"</p> - -<p>The guest was made warmly welcome by "the Miss," or Mrs. Dixon, who -assured him, that "all her born days she loved the Army!"</p> - -<p>"Sure, an' wasn't I reared in the service, and married into the -Roifles," she announced in a high querulous key, "and it does me heart -good, to be in the same house with two fine soldiers, like the Major, -and yourself."</p> - -<p>As for the Smiths, all three had fastened their affections upon -"Jeffie" as they called him; he played tennis with the boys, and taught -them to box, and suffered Mota to take photographs, and learn to print -them. Extravagant was her pride when she produced a picture of her -father, with white eyes, and a perfectly black face!</p> - -<p>Mallender had written to Fanny, and to Mrs. Villars, but so far had -received no reply. And with grief it must be confessed, that for the -first time in their married life, Fred and Fanny had had "a few words," -and these "words" were on the subject of Geoffrey. In answer to his -wife's tearful pleadings, Colonel Tallboys, bubbling over with wrath -replied:</p> - -<p>"Fanny, I forbid you to correspond with that fellow, or to receive -his letters; the pinch of indifference, and some real hardship, will -soon bring the young idiot to his senses! I won't have him pitied, and -coddled. Now, Fan, you need not argue. I won't listen to excuses. After -all, he is <i>my</i> relation—not yours. When did <i>I</i> ever try to come -between you, and the Bonds?"</p> - -<p>This argument was unanswerable, and Fan, who knew that her husband -could be very firm, and "bossy" on occasions, said no more.</p> - -<p>As for Lena Villars, she had done with the young man; his unceremonious -escape, without even a parting word, had wounded her vanity too deeply. -She, who had hitherto believed that no man (and she chose) could resist -her! Added to this, was the wild tale she had heard from Colonel -Tallboys. The lady listened to his grievance with rapt and touching -attention. So this rash obstinate boy was practically penniless, and -had flung himself into a pursuit, that could only overtake derision, -and ruin. He was a charming fellow, when he was sane, and danced like -an angel, but she had no wish to set eyes on him again,—nor would she -ever forget him.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Tallboys dutifully bowed to her lord's commands, and wrote no -letter, but she sent Geoffrey a little registered parcel, containing -her treasured talisman—a curious old Greek coin with a hole in it. -When Mallender unpacked the gift, he said to himself with a broad smile:</p> - -<p>"Surely, between Sawmy's thumbs, and this talisman, I am bound to -succeed!"</p> - -<p>He had interviewed Shumilal, and overwhelmed him with -reproaches,—these ran as lightly off the Agent, as if he were the -proverbial duck!—and for his part, he silenced his client with -clamorous condolences, sympathy, excuses, and dazzling promises of -eventual triumph.</p> - -<p>"We are hard at work on another line," he announced, "and for failure, -<i>no</i> charge is made. We will communicate most important news, at a very -early date."</p> - -<p>"I don't believe in your Jaffer and Co." said Major Rochfort as he -and his guest paced the garden together one moonlight evening, when -the young people had retired. "I'd be a better help myself—on the -principle of set a thief to catch a thief. I am up to lots of dodges, -I understand how to cover my tracks, or to bolt for my hole, like a -rabbit."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I suppose you must be pretty smart," assumed Mallender.</p> - -<p>"I am," he rejoined emphatically. "When Sophy is bound for Egypt—she -generally winters there—I drop her at Port Said and come on to the -estate, put in a couple of days with Fraser, and then double down to -the kids."</p> - -<p>"How often have you been out?"</p> - -<p>"This is my fourth trip, since Mota was born. You see, I hate to miss -the hunting. This year, I'm out a bit late—but I don't want the Smiths -to forget their old Daddy."</p> - -<p>"No, but when they grow up, how will it be?"</p> - -<p>"Ah, that's the rub, when they grow up?—especially when Mota grows up. -My wife is as prim and as starched as they make 'em; she looks like an -old maid; but she loves children, and since she has none, she adopts -dogs. You know the little brown Pom, she calls it her child, and her -baby boy—it's pitiful!"</p> - -<p>"Perhaps she would take to your children?" suggested Mallender.</p> - -<p>"Never! For one thing, she's as jealous as the devil. If I speak to a -good-looking woman more than once, she's down on me like bricks. When -some confounded gossip told her that I was always riding with that -pretty Mrs. Chester—you remember her—by Jove, she took to coming out -herself! The ruling passion, stronger than the fear of death. Sophy -can't ride for nuts, but she's plucky as the deuce. On the other hand, -anything in the shape of a scandal, floors her; she knows nothing of -life, nor of men's lives; poor dear, good woman, she thinks we are -saints. I'm fond of her,—though it was a <i>mariage de convenance</i>, and -she has been awfully generous to me; paid my debts, and gives me a free -hand. If the secret of the coffee estate came to her ears, she'd get a -separation like a shot, and I'd be fired out of the country!"</p> - -<p>"So far she has no suspicions?" enquired Mallender.</p> - -<p>"I'm not sure. I hope not. I write regularly from the Renapilly estate, -a fellow there, that I can trust, posts my letters every mail."</p> - -<p>"Do you know, I now remember, when I spent a couple of nights at your -place, Mrs. Rochfort asked me a lot of questions about India, and -especially about Madras; I could not tell her much, nor anything of -coffee estates, or if they were almost inaccessible. She enquired -the easiest way of reaching those in the Hills. I said I supposed on -horseback, or in a chair, carried by coolies."</p> - -<p>"Then, my dear fellow, let me tell you, that unintentionally you did -me a very bad turn," said Rochfort, as he carefully cut the end of a -cigar—"what else?"</p> - -<p>"She asked me the length of the voyage, and for details respecting -insects and snakes."</p> - -<p>"Oh, <i>she</i> knows all about snakes, and scorpions! I rubbed them in -extra well. No, I don't really believe that Sophy will ever get further -east than Egypt—she funks the Red Sea, and cobras. I say! I suppose -you know the Smiths have taken to you uncommonly; it's good for the -boys to meet another Englishman, and I see you've knocked some sound -ideas into their heads. As for Mota, you'll be interested to hear, that -she has decided <i>to marry</i> you!"</p> - -<p>"Well, perhaps I may wait for her! By the way, they are waiting for us -to play badminton in the big room. Shall we adjourn?"</p> - -<p>The weather was warming up, tanks were nearly dry, the grass withered, -and the ground hard as a brick,—consequently there was no shooting.</p> - -<p>Now and then of a late afternoon Major Rochfort motored his friend into -Madras. He had purchased the motor out of some race winnings, chiefly -for the use of the boys going to and fro to college. As most of the -community were in the Hills, or had gone home, or to Australia, no one -recognised Mallender. He and his host went down to the Marina to catch -a breath of the sea breeze, or to the band at the Luz, or to look on -at tennis in the grounds behind the Chepauk Palace. Occasionally they -took a turn in the shops. In one, Mallender was not a little startled -to recognise, ticketed "a bargain," the very gold bag he had presented -to Mrs. Villars. Could there be a mistake? Had it been stolen? he asked -permission to examine it. Yes, it was the same, there were her initials -faintly scratched by his own penknife.</p> - -<p>"How did you come by this?" he enquired of the shop assistant, and the -shop assistant on his dignity, loftily replied:</p> - -<p>"By purchasing it,—we don't receive stolen goods."</p> - -<p>"Of course, I know that. The reason I ask is, that I gave it to a lady, -and I'm sure it's the same."</p> - -<p>"No doubt, and the lady sold it. If you wish, I can give you her name. -She was staying at Hooper's Gardens; she said she did not care about -the pattern, and accepted two hundred and fifty rupees."</p> - -<p>Geoffrey bowed, and walked out of the shop, feeling surprisingly -crestfallen; and all the way back to Panjeverram, he proved a silent -companion. Somehow or other, after this discovery, the magic of Lena -Villars lost its hold upon his memory.</p> - -<p>He had now been a fortnight at the big bungalow, and was enrolled as -one of the household, joined in all their games and interests <i>con -amore</i>, and was even accepted by the fox-terrier, and Francis—who had -ceased to regard him with an air of scornful disparagement.</p> - -<p>It was much too hot for any exertion in the daytime, the heat was -fierce, all nature seemed somnolent; even the sparrows were in -retirement, and ugly flying foxes, hung torpid, and motionless in their -hundreds, from the banyan trees. Of an evening, the Smith family -revived. There were cards, puzzle games, and music on the gramophone; -and Mrs. Dixon occasionally obliged with an Irish song; she had still -a sweet haunting voice, and accompanied herself vigorously on the -concertina. Subsequently there was family service,—an institution -unfamiliar to Mallender. Major Rochfort read a chapter and some prayers -to his household, which included Francis, Anthony and several Catholic -servants,—and then the day for the young people was closed.</p> - -<p>Although Mallender was adopted as one of the family, consulted about -domestic affairs, domestic animals, and education, he did not intend -to remain a fixture at the Nabob's House. On the contrary, he was -in a condition of acute unrest; not only was he hoping for tidings -from Jaffer and Co., but was pinning a certain amount of faith on -Francis,—who according to his employer, had friends and relatives in -all parts of the Presidency, and the details of every well-known, or -even merely guessed at, scandal, or disappearance, at his finger-ends. -It was a fact, that Francis and Anthony were laying their heads -together, and elaborating a wonderful itinerary for Anthony's master.</p> - -<p>One sweltering day just after tiffin, Mota brought in the dâk. She gave -several letters to her father, and the Madras <i>Mail</i> to Geoffrey. After -picking out the most interesting items of news, his eye fell casually -on "Arrivals at Spencer's Hotel. Mrs. Rochfort and maid."</p> - -<p>Could it be Rochfort's wife? He was about to draw attention to this -announcement, when a glance at his friend restrained him. He was -reading a letter; his colour had turned a greyish white, and great -beads of perspiration rolled down his face.</p> - -<p>"Good Lord, Mallender, she has come out! and I'm done!" he exclaimed -hoarsely. "This letter, forwarded from the estate, is four days old. -Sophy has been four days at Spencer's Hotel. Here—read it," and as he -offered the letter, the paper rattled in his hand.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p>"<span class="smcap">Spencer's Hotel, Madras.</span></p> - -<p>"<span class="smcap">Dearest Robert</span>," it began,</p> - -<p>"Won't this be a nice surprise for you? I am actually in Madras; do -come and fetch me as soon as you receive this, for I'm nearly grilled -alive, and poor Parsons is in a state of collapse. We only arrived -to-day, via Colombo and Tuticorin,—such a scorching land journey! My -old friends the Herrapaths who are going round the world, persuaded -me to accompany them from Port Said, so instead of returning home, -I faced the other way. Was I not courageous? I made up my mind -instantly, and just came off—I thought it such a splendid chance, to -visit your wonderful <i>coffee</i> estate. Longing to see you.</p> - -<p class="ph2">"Your loving <span class="smcap">Sophy</span>."</p></div> - -<p>"She will have to know, now," remarked Mallender, as he returned the -epistle. "No question of that."</p> - -<p>"Certainly not," rejoined Rochfort, who had partly recovered from the -first shock, "I shall face it out! Take her up to Ooty, tell her there -is small-pox on the estate, and hustle her off home. You don't agree, I -see."</p> - -<p>"No, since you ask me, I don't."</p> - -<p>"After all, it wouldn't work. No, on second thoughts, the Ooty club -is full of planters, and they would give me away, as a rank impostor. -Fraser, my friend, is in Australia; this is not the busy season. I see -no escape," and he turned on his companion the eyes of a desperate man. -"By God, I've a mind to put an end to myself!"</p> - -<p>"What good would that do? you have to think of the Smiths. I see -nothing for it, but to make a clean breast of it," answered Mallender -firmly.</p> - -<p>"Ah, it's easy to talk! I never could face her. I'm awfully sensitive, -I—I—I've no moral courage," and he completely broke down, and -presented a particularly distressing example of sheer cowardice!</p> - -<p>His companion gazed at him in astonishment; Rochfort the smart, -authoritative, society man, a popular fellow, a leader in his own -part of the world; here, on the other side of the globe, faced with a -serious crisis, was weaker than many a woman, and sobbing like a child!</p> - -<p>"Look here, Rochfort," he said at last. "Pull yourself together, write -a letter, and I'll take it to her, this afternoon."</p> - -<p>"Mallender," raising his head, "you <i>are</i> a friend! I warned you, that -you little knew what you were letting yourself in for, when you started -this crazy chase of yours,—here is an instance, you see! I'll get a -stiff peg, and write, if I can, but I'm so confoundedly shaky, I don't -know if I'll be able to form a word, no, 'pon my soul I'm no use at -a crisis like this! an awful thing, that bowls you clean out. Here I -stand between two fires, 'the kids and Sophy,' God knows I love them -both,—but I'm bound to lose one, or the other. If I stick to the kids, -Sophy will get a separation,—or what will come to the same thing; and -if I go home with her, I'll never see the others again. So there it is! -I'm in the devil of a mess," and once more, his voice broke.</p> - -<p>"Write your letter, and confess yourself like a man," urged Geoffrey, -"the longer you leave it, the worse it will be. I'm going out to order -the car."</p> - -<p>"Stop here, my old head on young shoulders! you stay and help me write -it. What can I say? How in God's name am I to begin—I'll never do it."</p> - -<p>"You must," rejoined Mallender, "and it's a job you'll have to take on -alone. I'll give you fifteen minutes, while I have a tub, and change; -don't let it be long; hold nothing back, and whatever you do, <i>make it -plain</i>."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">CHAPTER XVIII</p> - - -<p>In Madras City it is generally admitted, that between three and four -o'clock, is the hottest time of day; the sun seems to redouble and -enforce his power, before he sinks beyond the palm trees and banyans in -the west. At this hour, along an arid road, in the scorching malignity -of a hot wind, Mallender sped on his dangerous mission: so flaming was -the air, that even an acclimatised driver felt withered, and blistered -by its blasts!</p> - -<p>Arriving at Spencer's Hotel, more dead than alive, the pallid emissary -enquired for Mrs. Rochfort.</p> - -<p>"Yes, saar, she is in," replied the smart Goanese attendant, "but who -shall I say, saar?"</p> - -<p>"A gentleman to see her—no, I have no card."</p> - -<p>Nevertheless the visitor was ceremoniously ushered into a lift, and -swiftly whirled to the first floor.</p> - -<p>After what seemed a long interval of waiting in an empty sitting-room, -Mrs. Rochfort appeared. The lady had evidently dressed in haste; her -hair was damp,—as if recently dipped in water,—and she was violently -struggling with a blouse button as she entered. The pitiless heat had -undoubtedly tried her more than her visitor; Sophie Rochfort looked -plainer than ever; so old, sallow, and fagged, as she stood for a -moment uncertain,—then held out her hand.</p> - -<p>"Oh, Captain Mallender, of all people!" she exclaimed, "fancy you and I -meeting in India! how <i>did</i> you know I was here? I am expecting Robbie -every instant, do sit down," pointing to a chair.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I heard you had arrived," he began evasively, looking into his -helmet, and wondering what the dickens he should say next?</p> - -<p>"Wasn't I energetic!" she continued volubly, "coming out as a -surprise,—and so late in the season. You see, I was at Port Said, -nearly half-way, and I took it into my head to visit this wonderful -coffee estate. Robbie has always been so keen on it, and so full of it, -now I shall be able to talk of it too, and to share his interest!"</p> - -<p>"Um—yes—of course," murmured her visitor; but his tone was faint and -dubious.</p> - -<p>"Do excuse my toilet!" she chattered on, "I really was not prepared for -this furnace, and until I landed here, I'd no idea of the miseries of -prickly heat!"</p> - -<p>"I know, it's a bad time," agreed her visitor; "mostly everyone is in -the Hills now."</p> - -<p>"The Hills! I'm simply dying for the cool mountain air! if Robbie does -not come soon, I intend to start for his estate this evening, or very -early to-morrow. I have found out the trains, and transport, and am -all packed. I'm afraid my letters have missed him—such a funny casual -post! By the way, I know you have left the service, how do <i>you</i> happen -to be in Madras? Where are you staying?"</p> - -<p>"Now for it!" thought Geoffrey, bracing himself. "I'm staying with -Rochfort just at present—in fact—he sent me to see you."</p> - -<p>"Then," rising hastily, "he is ill! Oh, why did you not say so before? -I know you mean kindly, trying to break it to me, but take me to him at -once! Is it serious—is it—<i>cholera</i>?"</p> - -<p>"No, Rochfort is all right, I assure you," said Mallender, also rising; -"you have no cause for any anxiety on that score,—but—I am the bearer -of a letter," slowly producing it as he spoke, "that I am afraid will -rather upset you, and, er—convey something of a shock——"</p> - -<p>"A letter!" she interrupted, "let me have it?" and she almost snatched -it from his hand, "I know, it's about money—Rob had some mysterious -investments we,—we, are ruined!"</p> - -<p>"Whether your husband is ruined, or not, lies entirely with <i>you</i>, Mrs. -Rochfort."</p> - -<p>"With me? Impossible! Of course my settlement——" then she tore the -envelope open, and began to read. As she read, she became pale, then -ghastly; at last she gave a long wailing cry, like some wounded animal, -and sat down.</p> - -<p>"Here, let me get you something," said Mallender eagerly; "shall I call -your maid?"</p> - -<p>"No, no," in a strangled voice, "bring me a glass of iced water, and -call no one."</p> - -<p>When he returned with the water, and Mrs. Rochfort had taken a few -sips, she looked up at him and said:</p> - -<p>"Of course <i>you</i> know what he has written?"</p> - -<p>Mallender nodded. He felt as if he had suddenly become old, and -responsible.</p> - -<p>"About the Eurasian woman, and the children, and his—double life. Is -it true?"</p> - -<p>In spite of his own absolutely clear conscience, the young man -coloured, and looked guiltily shame-faced as he answered:</p> - -<p>"I believe it is, I came into his house by accident, and discovered his -secret. He asked me to stay on for a time, and I've been with him a -week or two. He only got your letter a couple of hours ago."</p> - -<p>"Well," setting down the tumbler with a gesture of decision, "there is -only one thing for <i>me</i> to do."</p> - -<p>"To forgive him?" was the bold suggestion.</p> - -<p>"Captain Mallender, for what do you take me?" she demanded with curt -scorn.</p> - -<p>"For a good, kind woman."</p> - -<p>"A good—idiot!" she retorted fiercely.</p> - -<p>"Listen to me, Mrs. Rochfort, for one moment, though I'm a stupid sort -of chap, and no flier at talking. You know very well, that yours is -the stronger character. Rochfort has lots of good points, but he is -weak, and easily influenced. He is devoted to you—that I honestly -believe,—and he is devoted to those kids. He shrinks from an awful -scandal at home, and losing his friends, and position—er—and you."</p> - -<p>"Oh—me!" she exclaimed with an outburst of bitterness.</p> - -<p>"And," continued the pleader steadily, "his heart goes to those -motherless children—you know, that <i>she</i> is dead. He cannot abandon -them, and they adore him."</p> - -<p>"I must say, he has an eloquent advocate!" she gulped.</p> - -<p>"I'm afraid I'm a duffer and not much good; he wants one badly. He is -too broken to speak for himself."</p> - -<p>"Rob—with a family—out here all these years!—and no coffee estate," -she repeated helplessly, "now I can understand <i>why</i> the plantation was -such an absolutely impossible journey for <i>me</i>! And I thought I had -Rob's whole confidence, he consulted me about everything. He used to -talk to me, by the hour, about bad crops, and troublesome coolies, and -blight, and bone manure! Oh, why could he not tell me the truth?"</p> - -<p>"Because he funked it," said Mallender simply.</p> - -<p>"Yes, he always shirks disagreeables, and facing a situation, or having -to say no. He gets out of things, or won't think of them. It is I, who -have to speak or write; it was I, who had to give employés notice, -dismiss a head keeper, and interview our nearest neighbour about a -right of way."</p> - -<p>She sat for a long time looking straight before her, and occasionally -wiping away the perspiration that trickled down her wan face. Suddenly -she asked:</p> - -<p>"What are they like?"</p> - -<p>"You mean the children. Wonderful, considering; well-brought-up, nice, -straight, manly boys, that Rochfort says, take after his father—but -very dark."</p> - -<p>"Ah—like their mother!" and there was a faint note of satisfaction in -the tone.</p> - -<p>"No, I believe she was fair; but of course there is native blood, no -denying it; the little girl has golden hair, and is lovely."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Rochfort rose, and began to pace the room. Within the last ten -minutes, her mind, her whole mental outlook, had been completely -changed: amazement, incredulity, outraged confidence, and wounded -affection, were each striving to make themselves heard. She felt as if -her world had suddenly crumbled beneath her feet! That Robbie was a -flirt, was always admitted, he was handsome and gay; he liked women, -they liked him. His foolish little flirtations had undoubtedly vexed -her but they meant nothing.—She knew in her heart, that Rob was fond -of her, that she came first in his life—and now this thunderbolt had -struck her! Robbie had deserted and deceived her; in the first years of -their married life, he had abandoned her for an old love—a half-caste -woman! The horror, the strangeness of the idea, made her giddy to -contemplate.</p> - -<p>He was no longer <i>her</i> Robbie; it was little short of a loss by -death—in future, they must be strangers. In future, she would go -through life alone, and what <i>would</i> people say? For instance, her -prim, old-maidish cousins, who made nasty speeches, about "fortune -hunters" and had been so openly envious of her handsome husband. As the -poor distracted woman endeavoured to clear her mind, she walked to and -fro, unconscious of the young man who stood by the window, following -her movements, with anxious interest.</p> - -<p>"What am I to do?" she moaned. "Oh, what <i>am</i> I to do?" and she wrung -her hands.</p> - -<p>"After all, Mrs. Rochfort, she is dead," urged Mallender; "it's not as -if she were at Panjeverram; those children have been motherless for -nine years. It would be different if he deceived you, and came out to -see <i>her</i>—now would it not?"</p> - -<p>Mrs. Rochfort vouchsafed no notice of this appeal, but ceased to pace -the room, and murmured as if to herself, "What <i>am</i> I to do?"</p> - -<p>"Give me a line to take back," suggested the delegate, "and put some -sort of an end to Rochfort's misery. I have a car here, short measures -are the most merciful."</p> - -<p>"Is he really so miserable?" she asked, and she gazed at Mallender with -piteous eyes.</p> - -<p>"You should <i>see</i> him!" he answered forcibly, "I swear you'd hardly -know him; since he got your letter, he looks like an old man!"</p> - -<p>"You say you have a car here?"</p> - -<p>"Yes—I'll get back in something over an hour; the man is on the -rack—and the sooner I am off the better."</p> - -<p>As Mrs. Rochfort stood and surveyed her visitor, her face assumed a -strained, and irresolute expression, after a very long silence—she -drew her hand across her wet forehead, and in a voice strangely thin -and high said:</p> - -<p>"If you will wait five minutes,—I will go with you!"</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">CHAPTER XIX</p> - - -<p>It was bright moonlight—an orange hot-weather moon—as Mrs. Rochfort -and her escort, leaving behind them the sound of trams, tom-toms, and -fire-works, sped smoothly out of Madras, and away into the sleepy -country. Naturally everything she beheld was new to the lady, yet in -one sense she saw nothing but her miserable, weak husband, and his -family of half-caste children. What could she say or do? how deal with -the situation? It was true, as this young fellow had declared, that -hers was the stronger character, and before pronouncing judgment she -resolved to see and hear the culprit.</p> - -<p>Mallender for his part instinctively realised the many vital questions -that were being debated in the mind of his rigidly motionless -companion, and maintained a prudent silence.</p> - -<p>At last, the car stopped at the great wooden gate, and before this -could be unfastened, the postern opened quickly, and Mota flew out—a -pretty vision, in her white lace frock, and streaming hair.</p> - -<p>"Oh, Geff, Daddy——" then she paused, as her eyes met Mrs. Rochfort's -basilisk gaze.</p> - -<p>"Run in, Mota, run in, go to Mrs. Dixon. This lady has come from -England, to see your father."</p> - -<p>Almost before Mallender completed the sentence, the child had darted -back to the house, and rushed into her father's den, gasping out:</p> - -<p>"Oh, Dad, Dad, only think! a lady has come from England to see you!"</p> - -<p>Major Rochfort with a violent gesture motioned the messenger to -leave him. He looked so alarmingly unlike himself, so frowning, and -forbidding, that for the first time in her life Mota felt a little -cowed, and ran to her brothers for explanation, and consolation.</p> - -<p>Sophy was bringing the sentence herself—so be it! The culprit rose -unsteadily, as Mallender ushered in his wife—a figure of frozen -dignity—closed the door, and subsequently fought off, and held at bay, -the united curiosity of the family, and Mrs. Dixon.</p> - -<p>For nearly an hour Mallender paced the moonlit compound, conferring -with his thoughts. He seemed to be always entangled in other people's -affairs, and yet never got to grips with his own. First, there was -stranded Miss Sim; now, the unmasked Rochfort. Well, at any rate as -far as lay in his power, he had played the game, and done his best for -them both. He felt a little bitter on the subject of his Cousin Fred, -who had taken no notice of his letters—although Fan had declared -that his hot temper soon subsided. He had now been five long weeks at -Panjeverram, surely this was ample time for the cooling of Freddy's -wrath! Yes, but how could he know, that the embers of his cousin's -anger were stoked and kept aflame by the beautiful Lena.</p> - -<p>For a woman of a cold lymphatic temperament, she had been unusually -roused—and what an escape was hers! Imagine marrying a boy fourteen -years her junior, who was a pauper! In all his complaints, and -grievances, she warmly sympathised with Colonel Fred; to her, he -confided his disappointment, and eagerly accepted her flattering -sympathy—for the topic of Geoffrey was one he never ventured to -discuss with Fan or Nancy. Also, he was secretly vexed, that the boy -having thrown off his leading-strings, had suffered no appropriate -punishment!</p> - -<p>A friend lately "up" from Madras, had remarked:</p> - -<p>"By the way, I saw that young fellow, your cousin, one evening on the -Marina in a fine new motor."</p> - -<p>"Alone?" enquired his kinsman suspiciously.</p> - -<p>"He had a man with him," rejoined the other with a laugh, "a -good-looking chap. I don't seem to be able to place him. As for ladies, -make your mind easy,—it's too hot below, for any of our fair angels."</p> - -<p>Meanwhile a certain lady—no fair angel this—was making it uncommonly -hot for Mallender's host. Ultimately, however, his abject misery, -humility, and penitence, disarmed her! Hers was the tender, protecting, -mother nature! and after all, what was Robert but a big, foolish, -rather stupid boy! It was impossible to withstand his misery; to -witness <i>this</i>, hurt her too acutely. Rob must be consoled,—and -forgiven.</p> - -<p>At the end of an hour's confession and conference, Major and Mrs. -Rochfort reappeared,—both somewhat shattered by the recent interview. -She however soon rallied, and as usual took the initiative.</p> - -<p>Addressing the petrified Mrs. Dixon in a cool practical tone, she said:</p> - -<p>"Mrs. Dixon, I think I had better tell you at once, that I am your -master's wife."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Dixon shrank back against the wall, and ejaculated:</p> - -<p>"God bless me! an' didn't I think he was a widower!"</p> - -<p>"No, and I must also explain, that he is Major <i>Rochfort</i>. I am Mrs. -Rochfort. He took the name of Smith, out here—for—for—for family -reasons——" and she swallowed some impediment in her throat.</p> - -<p>"Now did he?" ejaculated Mrs. Dixon with open-mouthed surprise.</p> - -<p>"Yes," replied the lady with a look of fierce decision—"He has -been telling me, how invaluable you are; so upright, sensible, and -trustworthy, and that you have been a mother to his motherless -children."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Dixon answered not a word, she was endeavouring to grasp several -new ideas, and felt completely bewildered, and <i>bouleversée</i>.</p> - -<p>"I want you to tell the children, that I am their step-mother from -England, and that I should like to see them."</p> - -<p>The two youths, with neatly brushed hair, were presently -introduced—both a little shy; it was the first time they had ever -seen a lady in their own house. She was old, and not pretty, but -had a pale, kind, face. Then Mota appeared, in her best evening -frock, offering a beautiful contrasting picture to her dusky, but -clever-looking brothers. At this enchanting vision, Mrs. Rochfort -completely lost her head, and held out a pair of trembling hands; and -the child, in answer to an irresistible summons in the lady's eager -face, climbed into her lap, and kissed her. Thus, all these somewhat -unexpected introductions were harmoniously accomplished.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile Major Rochfort had drawn his guest aside, and said:</p> - -<p>"She is a saint, Mallender, and you were right. Oh, <i>why</i> did I not -speak ages ago! It would have saved me years of worry, misery, and -anxiety; but I was a coward; I can face a stiff country, but an awkward -situation. <i>No!</i> Sophy has forgiven me, I start to-day with a clean -slate, and she is going to take the children."</p> - -<p>"I say! that's splendid! She is a brick!"</p> - -<p>"I think what melted Sophy, was a glimpse of Mota at the gate, but -I may be wrong—and it was just her own goodness. We have talked it -all out! The boys stay here with Dixon, and continue their education, -for the present. Later, they will be well launched. We intend to take -Mota home, first going to the Hills. Sophy finds this heat killing, -and wants to get off at once. I expect it will be a terrible rush. -She's explained about the different names—that's a bit awkward of -course,—but Dixon is a good unsuspicious soul, and will make no -trouble."</p> - -<p>"Daddy, supper is ready," a clear young voice called out, and -Mota entered hand in hand with Mrs. Rochfort. "Is the new lady to -stay?—<i>may</i> she?"</p> - -<p>Rochfort glanced at his wife, and she promptly answered:</p> - -<p>"Yes—I should like to, Rob, but Mota must take me to wash my hands, -and make myself tidy." Exit Mota, with an air of importance, solemnly -leading the new lady to her own apartment, the nursery.</p> - -<p>The supper was cold, and excellent; if "the new lady" ate little, she -absorbed a good deal. The homely comfort, the good plain food (and -Robert always so difficult to please, and so fastidious at home!), the -bright young people, with their complete absence of self-consciousness. -They carried on most of the conversation, chiefly about tennis, -photographs, and the demise of the dhoby's cow. Mota offered the guest -a mango, not merely off her own tree, but her own plate! Pedro gave -her a vivid description of the latest college cricket match, where he -had made four runs! Mallender gravely considered the little party, and -the chief guest. The children were doing their utmost to entertain -Daddy's friend from England—the plain middle-aged childless woman, -who discoursed with painful effort, on prickly heat, punkahs, and the -miseries of a journey by rail, with the thermometer at 99.</p> - -<p>The Major was evidently upset, his nerves were on wires; he sipped -an iced peg, and talked spasmodically, but was as a rule silent, and -unquestionably ill at ease. Mrs. Dixon found herself still bewildered. -She was not accustomed to sit at the same table with soft-voiced, -distinguished ladies, who wore diamond rings, and pearls the size of -peas; moreover she felt instinctively, that this unexpected visitor was -the forerunner of a break-up!</p> - -<p>Mallender had been a guest at many suppers; suppers gay, and suppers -grave, but never at one that for electrical atmosphere, awkwardness, or -dramatic possibilities, approached the present meal!</p> - -<p>He observed the long stealthy glances, cast by Mrs. Rochfort, at a -large coloured photograph which hung exactly opposite to her seat; -the portrait of a lovely young woman, dressed in the fashion of ten -years previously—the face was so vivid, and so radiantly happy, that -it seemed impossible to think of the original, as lying under a flat -gravestone, in Panjeverram cemetery. It was a picture of Maddalena de -Rosa, the mother of the three lively children who sat at table with -Sophy Rochfort and her faithless husband.</p> - -<p>Mota—who for her age, was preternaturally sharp—had intercepted the -new lady's furtive glances, and exclaimed:</p> - -<p>"Oh—I see you are looking at the picture; it is our pretty mother; she -is dead this long, long, time, before I was born"—the Major shifted -uneasily in his chair, and was about to interpose, but the child -chattered on in her shrill piping treble, "An old woman comes here -sometimes. The ayah knows her, she is her friend, and she gives ayah -money, she says, she is our <i>great</i>-grandmother, and brings flowers, -and lays them before the picture, and cries and moans, and cracks her -fingers over my head; she is <i>very</i> black—and——"</p> - -<p>At this moment, Mallender with a jerk of his elbow, knocked over his -tumbler and wine-glasses; the subsequent commotion, and his voluble -apologies, changed the topic—and possibly saved his host from an -apoplectic seizure! Immediately after this exploit, the gallant -guest (determined to give no further opening for Mota's disclosures) -embarked on a series of animated questions, respecting Mrs. Rochfort's -celebrated "Poms"; their prizes, weight, age, and the various shows at -which they had been triumphantly exhibited; his assumed enthusiasm and -Mrs. Rochfort's explanations, carried them on safely, till the end of -the meal.</p> - -<p>Immediately after supper, the master of the household motored his wife -back to the Madras hotel, and when he returned in the middle of the -night, he found his guest still awaiting him.</p> - -<p>"Well—it's all settled!" he began at once, "and I've to thank <i>you</i>. -If I'd followed my own instinct, I believe I'd have thrown up the -sponge and cut and run, to Australia. We propose to stay in the Hills -till September, and then go home. Sophy is crazy about Mota, and -intends to pass her off as the orphan of a very dear friend, no one -would ever suspect the child of anything but pure English blood."</p> - -<p>That was true, thought Mallender, but her children?—what of them? They -might resemble her brothers, or her grandmother! However, naturally he -made no remark. Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof.</p> - -<p>"And what about you?" resumed Rochfort. "I must settle about you."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I'll be all right, don't bother about me! I'll go into Madras, and -wait upon events."</p> - -<p>"Not you, in this sweltering heat! it's bad enough here, but the walls -are thick, and the old house is cool. You make this your home, as long -as ever you like; stay with Dixon and the boys, and use the car, and -horses. Do you realise all you have accomplished for Sophy, and me?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, no—that was her doing!"</p> - -<p>"But she says not; says <i>you influenced her</i>! and I believe Sophy; -Mallender, you have been a trump! What's the good of your mock modesty -and playing the ostrich——? Well, I understand that Francis is full of -grand schemes he and your fellow have hatched out between them, and I -expect they will put you on to something, before long."</p> - -<p>"All right, I'll remain here for a little, as my head-quarters, if I -may, but you must let me pay my bazaar, and consider myself a P.G."</p> - -<p>"Do you want to <i>insult</i> me?" cried Rochfort angrily.</p> - -<p>"Nonsense, you know I don't, but——"</p> - -<p>"Then say no more about it—that's my last word!"</p> - -<p>To this injunction Mallender tamely agreed; but he secretly resolved, -after his host had departed, to come to a financial understanding with -"the Miss."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">CHAPTER XX</p> - - -<p>Mrs. Rochfort, a clever and practical woman, promptly took matters into -her own hands; sent Parsons home—lest peradventure she might learn -too much—and then, with her husband and adopted daughter, started -for Ootacamund. Within a short time, Mallender also departed on an -active, "personally conducted" search. He was anxious to make up for -four weeks', nay four months' idleness; instigated by information -from Francis, he put his shoulder stoutly to the wheel, and set out -for Vellore, where he believed he had a clue, and pursued and ran to -earth an elderly man, who proved to be merely a bankrupt horse-dealer. -From Vellore, it was but a short journey to Bangalore, from Bangalore, -he followed various wills-o'-the-wisp, to Mysore, Mercara, and -Trichinopoly.</p> - -<p>Delicacy forbids one to linger on the intrusions into family affairs -effected by Mallender; the skeletons he dragged from their cupboards, -the black sheep he disturbed; the fugitives hiding from their -creditors, "or their wives." Over these unpleasant successes, it is -permitted to draw a veil. Failure merely roused him to still more -active exertions; week after week passed and still Mallender prosecuted -the quest, with unabated zeal; by rail or tonga, bullock-cart, or on -horseback, accompanied by the camera, and Anthony—his ever sympathetic -adviser, adjutant, and confidant—he travelled wide and far.</p> - -<p>September found him once more in Panjeverram, foiled, but still -hopeful. The wayfarer's face was haggard, and weather-beaten, he had -experienced several "go's" of fever, his clothes were considerably the -worse for wear, his smart appearance had become eclipsed by sun, dust, -privation, and anxiety. After a couple of days' rest at Panjeverram, -he presented himself at Shumilal's office, and was received by the -principal with upraised hands, and greeted as a long-lost friend!</p> - -<p>"The very young gentleman we wanted, where have you been?" enquired -Shumilal, eyeing him critically, and noting his altered looks.</p> - -<p>"Only doing a little on my own, up in Mysore, and Coorg."</p> - -<p>"No results?"</p> - -<p>"None so far,—but I've discovered a lot of things, that might be -useful to other people."</p> - -<p>"Ah, no doubt," agreed Shumilal with a look of grim amusement. Then -leaning forward confidentially, "I think we have got him—at last!"</p> - -<p>"Um, yes—I'll believe it, when I see him."</p> - -<p>"You shall see him this time, I guarantee," declared the other with -dignified confidence. "I will send your plan of action to Panjeverram, -where you are staying at present."</p> - -<p>"But why not give it to me now?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, there are wheels within wheels," replied the other nodding his -head, and looking wise, and inscrutable.</p> - -<p>"Precious slow ones!" exclaimed the visitor. "Well, mind I shall expect -to hear from you, in not later than a week!"</p> - -<p>"I promise for a fortnight, on my honour," said Shumilal; he rose as -he spoke, and bowed his client out of the room, and down the stairs. -Apparently his time was invaluable. Was his honour of the same quality?</p> - -<p>Although to Mallender, Madras had once seemed to be the city of -friends, he now felt lonely, and depressed, as he walked slowly along -Pophams Broadway. The regiment he had known had been moved up country, -and replaced by another from Singapore. He avoided the Club, and the -polo ground—in a month the Hill people would descend in force. Somehow -he experienced an instinctive reluctance in presenting himself in a -circle, where once he had been welcomed with open arms, as a relative -of the Tallboys—since the Tallboys had now cast him off! Fortunately -he had no idea of, or any means of hearing, the whispers respecting him -that Mrs. Fiske poured into the ears of her confidantes. To these, her -information would be imparted after this fashion:</p> - -<p>"<i>I</i> always thought there was something fishy about young Mallender; -his sudden arrival was rather queer to start with, and I know for a -fact, he had an intrigue with that wretched Ada Sim, and <i>paid</i> to get -her out of the country! I heard this from Mrs. Wylie, whose husband was -Mallender's confidant; and then he got into another mysterious scrape, -which must have been pretty <i>bad</i>, as the Tallboys turned him out of -their hotel the very day they arrived in Coonoor. A friend of mine met -him flying for the train with all his baggage, and his two servants, -and Nancy Brander chasing him like a mad woman! I'm told he has been -seen knocking about Madras, looking dreadfully seedy and shabby—serves -him right. <i>I</i> took his measure. <i>I</i> knew he was an upstart, and -impostor, sponging on the Tallboys!"</p> - -<p>Luckily Mallender did not hear this version of his character; but he -had an intuition that there was something hostile in the social air, -and held himself in solitude, and retirement.</p> - -<p>The rainy season still continued, though the violence of the monsoon -had abated; everything in the shape of vegetation was now so refreshed -and resuscitated, that one might almost imagine they could see the -plants sprouting, hear the sap running, and the leaves unfolding in the -tropical surroundings of Panjeverram. The great banyans had renewed -their youth; ferns, arums, bamboos, plantains, glistened and dripped -and grew; the sun-baked yellow plains were now a vivid green, dotted -with lean appreciative herds, yet the actual atmosphere of the place -was steamy, and enervating. Flying ants, snakes, and other crawling -objects, were all, in their several ways, obtrusively active,—and the -land brought forth frogs!</p> - -<p>As the two Smith boys were at college, and only came home for -week-ends, Mallender, and Mrs. Dixon, had the house more or less to -themselves. In the mornings, he exercised the horses, or waded after -teal and snipe in the marshy land that lay within a couple of miles -to the west; after dinner, he and Mrs. Dixon foregathered in the den; -she sewed and mended, whilst he smoked, or read. Occasionally he -read aloud interesting local events, or what his companion specially -enjoyed—accidents and tragedies. She was a fluent talker, and thus -this couple so curiously thrown together, wiled away the moist sultry -evenings.</p> - -<p>Mallender rather enjoyed listening to Mrs. Dixon's long-drawn tales; -they diverted a somewhat embittered mind from its own affairs. He -learnt, that she had married at sixteen a sergeant in her father's -regiment, "the Roifles," and gone home with him to the depôt then. -There he had ill-treated her, led her a miserable life, and ultimately -drank himself to death. Subsequently—and as is so usual in similar -cases—she had again become the wife of a sergeant, and once more a -sergeant in "the Roifles," a good man, who had made her very happy; -but they had buried all their children; one in Bellary and three in -Kamptee. Then her husband fell ill, and was sent to Madras Hospital, -to be under special doctors,—and there he died, leaving her all his -savings. Soon after she became a widow, every single penny was lost -in the failure of a House or Bank, and she was almost destitute; the -regiment was good to her, but of course she had to turn to and work, -so she put a humble-like advertisement in the paper, and Major Smith -engaged her at once; it was a few weeks after Mrs. Smith died, and Mota -was an infant.</p> - -<p>"Oh, and hadn't I work to rear her!" she exclaimed, "among these divils -of milkmen—such milk for a baby, just blue with water. I had the cow -milked afore me, so there could be no deceit, and still and all, her -milk was like skim; one day I came round the corner unexpected, and -there was the chap, after me seeing him milk, and him going to the -butler with the can—hadn't he the great turban off his head—yards of -it—soaking and heavy with water, and wasn't he squeezing it into the -milk for the dear life? See now, ye never could be up to them blacks! -After that, we had our fine Nellore cow, and I milked her with my own -two hands, till the child had cut her teeth."</p> - -<p>"I believe you have been here nearly nine years," said Mallender.</p> - -<p>"I have so, and it's me own fault, that I'm not married out of it. Some -of the fellows suspicion I have big savings—but I'll not stir a toe -out of the house till I'm no longer wanted, and at fifty-five year -of age, if I were to marry again, I'd be a nice old fool! Anyway, my -savings is for the boys."</p> - -<p>"That's very kind of you, Mrs. Dixon."</p> - -<p>"Ye see, I'm fond of them, especially Pedro; there's a real gentleman -for ye, and so loving; if you was to put your eyes on sticks, that -fellow could not tell a lie! I'm wishful, I had some eddication for the -children's sakes; I can talk Tamil and Telagu, but I only went to the -regimental school, and was never to say smart. Sewing and housekeeping, -and keeping order and decency, is just all I'm good for."</p> - -<p>"I think it's pretty well," observed her companion.</p> - -<p>"I taught Mota her reading, writing and sewing, but latterly we had -a young woman from Madras three days a week, with a high character -as governess; she was just a streel of a young thing, and found the -child mighty wild, and could make no hand of her, unless I sat with -them at the lessons. Mota is terribly imparious for a little girl of -nine, and that has never seen no company. Now and then, we do go in to -Madras for shopping, and to the band, and every couple of Sundays, we -make out church at Monaghary, but the Major he won't have no visitors -whatever; not even children, much less the parson. Faix, it's a queer -sort of life, is not it?" and she looked across at her companion for -confirmation; but he suffered the pause to lapse without comment. -"Well," she added—drawing a long sigh, "every cripple has his own way -of walking!—and it's not for the likes of <i>me</i>, to interfere."</p> - -<p>Mallender nodded, then he said: "Of course not—it's a—personal -affair."</p> - -<p>"'Tis so," she agreed, "and the Major made a bargain wid me the day I -engaged, and a bargain is a bargain! and so though it goes to me heart, -I keep a shut door, and a closed mouth. Anyhow Society don't trouble -Panjeverram; it's the leavings of everywhere; just an overgrown, -forgotten old place, and cram full of snakes, and ghosts."</p> - -<p>"Ghosts! Surely you don't believe in that sort of rot, Mrs. Dixon?"</p> - -<p>"Do you, sir?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly not, though they say I have a ghost of my own at home."</p> - -<p>"Then Captain Mallender, dear, if it's the last word I'll spake—<i>I've -seen one</i>!"</p> - -<p>"You don't mean that," and he laughed incredulously, "let me hear all -about it!"</p> - -<p>"Well now, I declare, it's the pure truth I'm going to tell ye," -said Mrs. Dixon laying down her work, "when I was a girlie of about -fifteen, the Roifles was lying in Madras Fort, and my father was a -Quarter-master-Sergeant. Our quarters were fine and big, and near the -North Gate; somehow or other, I never felt very easy in our living -room; for people—that is the blacks—give out it was haunted by a -woman who had hanged herself from the punkah, years and years before."</p> - -<p>"Did she? What a foolish thing to do."</p> - -<p>"That's as it may be, we don't know the ins and outs! Well, one morning -very early, I got up for a drink of water, and as I went past the room, -by the verandah, it had a strange sort of appearance, and as far as -I could make out, in the dim light,—there was <i>someone</i> in it. And -by me faith there was! I thought my heart would lepp out of me mouth, -when I saw a woman hanging from the punkah, which was moving slowly -backwards and forwards, and backwards and forwards. Her head was all -to one side, lying on her shoulder, her arms hung down stiff like, and -her dress was going with a sort of 'swish, swish,' that would make -your skin creep. For a while, I stood there just paralysed, and then I -screeched to me father and mother; and bedad, and I'll tell ye no lie, -they saw her too. With the first squint of dawn she faded away, and -there was nothing whatever there, but the barrack furniture, and the -great heavy old punkah! I tell ye we moved off pretty smartly, though -they were fine airy rooms, and I'll lay me life she is hanging there in -Sergeants' Quarters A Block to this day."</p> - -<p>"No, no, Mrs. Dixon," said her companion, "that <i>would</i> be hard lines -on the poor creature! It was just a joke, that someone played on you."</p> - -<p>"Is it a joke?" she repeated shrilly. "Didn't I see her face, and by my -faith, I'll never forget it.—I see you don't believe; there does be -people that cannot see shapes, and lucky for them! There is something -here too," she added triumphantly.</p> - -<p>"What, in this house?" said Mallender, sitting erect.</p> - -<p>"So the servants say. I've not come across it, but there does be -strange stories about bad folk, that lived in the bungalow long long -ago. Whatever it is, it's in your room."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I don't mind, as long as it's not a cobra. I'd like to meet a -ghost, and question it!"</p> - -<p>"Now, Captain Mallender dear, <i>don't</i> talk that way," she urged, once -more laying down her work, and surveying him gravely—"it brings ill -luck; ill luck, and no mistake."</p> - -<p>"Can't bring me much more than I've had!" he answered bitterly.</p> - -<p>"Oh, hould yer tongue for goodness' sake!" she protested with a scared -expression; then after a short silence, added:</p> - -<p>"I heard from the Major to-day, they will soon be moving. He says Mota -is looking splendid, and making a terrible stir at children's parties, -and Mrs. Rochfort wrapped up in her, as if she was a thousand times -her own. I can't rightly get my tongue round <i>Rochfort</i>, him living -here so long as Major Smith—it's a bit confusing, but I expect he -was ashamed of his first marriage, and kep' it a secret." She looked -interrogatively at Mallender, who merely nodded his head; <i>he</i> was not -going to let Rochfort down.</p> - -<p>"He says, he is writing to you to-morrow, and so is Mota, and now -Captain," rising and folding up her mending, "there is ten o'clock -striking, and I'll wish you good luck and a good night," and she went -away.</p> - -<p>But Mallender did not move for another hour, he was reading Orme's -"History of India," and deeply interested. The night was warm and -muggy after rain; the moon shone fitfully above the black banyan trees, -as he lay with his door to the verandah wide open, listening to the -night's mysterious sounds; the uncertain dripping from the mango trees, -the chaunting of frogs, and the far, far-away cry of a jackal. For a -long time he remained awake, worried by his own conflicting thoughts. -Finally he decided, that if his next venture failed, he must abandon -his search,—driven to the extremity by a process of exhaustion. He -would wait till after Christmas, in order to put in a full twelve -months, and then go home,—defeated. He had his house to see to, a -home, which for all he knew to the contrary, he held on sufferance. He -must find some employment, that would bring him in two or three hundred -a year. Oh, if he was only still in the service!—yes, but how to live -on his pay? and the problematical rent of Mallender!</p> - -<p>At last sleep claimed him. He seemed to have slept for a long time, but -it was really not more than a couple of hours, when he suddenly awoke -with the conviction that there was someone creeping stealthily about -the room. His heart gave a violent lurch—was this the ghost, come to -answer his challenge?</p> - -<p>Whatever it was, it was disagreeably near, for he could distinctly hear -its hurried breathing.</p> - -<p>"Who's there?—what do you want?" he demanded in a sharp "on parade" -tone of voice. No answer, so he hastily put out his hand to reach the -matches, overset a small lamp, and was immediately rewarded by an -atrocious odour of kerosene oil. Helpless, he stared steadily into the -gloom; the moon had sunk, and the room was dark as pitch. Gradually -by degrees, he discerned, that the outline of the door, was a shade -lighter, and it seemed to him, as he gazed, that a shadow flitted -through and melted away into the surrounding gloom. He had no light, -and no slippers—otherwise, he would have risked the fatal chance of a -cobra under foot, and pursued the intruder.</p> - -<p>As he sat erect, staring hard, a faint glimmer of dawn became apparent; -and at this moment, a cock crew!—evidently a young and inexperienced -bird, whose note was weak and discordant.</p> - -<p>"So it <i>was</i> the ghost!" muttered Mallender. "He might have given me -a tip," and he threw himself back on the pillows, and was soon fast -asleep.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">CHAPTER XXI</p> - - -<p>Within a fortnight, the promised information arrived by special coolie. -On this occasion, Mallender's destination was one hundred and fifty -miles from Madras, and described as Wellunga, an old cantonment, twice -decimated by cholera, and long abandoned. "Here," announced the letter, -"you will meet your Uncle, who now goes by the name of Beamish, and is -a benevolent gentleman, of wealth and caprice."</p> - -<p>Two days later, found the adventurer and his suite once more <i>en -route</i>. The first eighty miles of the journey were accomplished by -rail, the latter part by dâk, in a tonga behind lean and ill-tempered -ponies, who were changed amid sensational scenes every ten miles. This -was by no means a comfortable expedition, but Mallender's resources -were nearly exhausted, and he was obliged to study economy. Researches -in Mysore, Coorg, and Travancore,—though planned with the most -rigid prudence,—had proved unexpectedly expensive. Fascinated by -the allurement of pursuit, Mallender had parted with his guns, and -watch, and thanks to Anthony's exertions, obtained a fair price. This -transaction had brought home to Anthony the painful fact that his -master was short of money; and he was now keener than ever in quest of -his fortunes. Mallender had applied to his family lawyers in London -questioning the stoppage of his income; but their answer had not been -satisfactory; in formal terms, they reminded him that his father had -agreed to certain stipulations, and by these he was bound to abide; -unless he preferred to embark on a costly law-suit, and compel his -Uncle to come forward, and establish his identity.</p> - -<p>"We believe that he is alive," added the firm, "and if you continue -to press, and harass him, he may possibly close on the park and -house,—which are legally his property. The outlay on repairs, which is -to be met by your mother's fortune, is, as we advised at the time, a -serious and costly mistake. The alterations proceed very slowly, and it -will be six months before the workmen are out.</p> - -<p class="ph2">"We remain, dear Sir,<br /> -Yours faithfully,<br /> -<span class="smcap">Scriven, Swan and Co.</span>"</p> - -<p>This letter was in his pocket, its contents in his head, as Mallender -in a crazy old tonga was being jolted over a country, hopelessly -empty, monotonous and level. Late in the afternoon as he approached -Wellunga, gradually there came into view the gaunt outline of ruined -barracks and bungalows, thrown into sharp relief by a splendid sunset. -The general effect was such a flaming blaze of red and gold, that it -looked as if molten fire were endeavouring to burn up the river, and -a great straggling bazaar, which lay between the cantonment and the -water—probably the cause of the cholera, which had twice emptied the -station.</p> - -<p>The whole place was set in sterile surroundings of brick-coloured -soil, rocks, and scrubby jungle, presenting a depressing appearance of -forlornness and solitude.</p> - -<p>Approaching their journey's end, the wayfarers were rattled past the -remains of a once imposing, but now roofless mess-house; the bare -rafters of its verandahs stuck out on all sides like rows of grinning -teeth. Near by, stood at intervals, various dilapidated dwellings -surrounded by jungle, from which emerged here and there, a sturdy -mango, a pomegranate tree, or even a half-strangled acacia,—the hardy -survivors of a garden. One of these old bungalows, rescued from the -hand of Time, proved to be the official Rest House, here the tonga -and its smoking ponies came to a halt, and the stranger was welcomed -by a cheery old man, wearing a clean white turban and a faded red -tunic,—once the property of some regimental officer.</p> - -<p>His reception was so effusive, that it was evident guests were an -agreeable novelty. The venerable butler bustled about, and presently -the new arrival was experiencing the benefits of a hot bath, and an -appetising meal.</p> - -<p>Subsequently, when he strolled into the little verandah to smoke, he -found that the moon had risen, and by its cold white light he surveyed -Wellunga; noticed the solid masonry of the dead cantonment, its air -of utter isolation and desolation, made still more evident by the -pitiless full-faced moon. The young man was impressed by the remarkable -coincidence that once more his search had brought him amidst ruins, and -solitude; but naturally people who abandon the world, take refuge in -the waste places of the earth.</p> - -<p>"No one living here?" he enquired, addressing the hovering -attendant,—who had been a sepoy of the 15th Madras Native Infantry, -and was inclined to be communicative.</p> - -<p>"No, saar, only some half-castes, and road officials. Once long ago, -this plenty big place, many soldiers in barrack, then cholera coming, -and all the houses empty, and tumble-down. One officer only here still."</p> - -<p>"Who is he?"</p> - -<p>"General Beamish, saar, very old, living in General's quarters."</p> - -<p>"Been here long?"</p> - -<p>"Twenty-four years, never going away, never seeing friends, twice every -day, drive same road, same time."</p> - -<p>Mallender's heart sank. If Rochfort was too young, here was possibly -the other extreme! but remembering Rochfort's opinion, he clung to -hope. A native's idea of age was so vague; he would wait, and judge for -himself.</p> - -<p>The next morning, as he sat at <i>chotah-hazri</i>, attended by the -assiduous butler, he questioned him further.</p> - -<p>"This bungalow of yours is newly whitewashed and well kept, you have -spoons, and good crockery. How is this—when I see that the last entry -in your book of guests was five years ago?"</p> - -<p>"It is the General's orders," was the prompt reply. "He likes any -gentlemans stopping here, to be all right; therefore I getting spoons -and sheets from his house, and sending over for your honour's dinner. -Behold, he passes now!"</p> - -<p>A large landau drawn by a pair of fine walers, came slowly into view; -it was driven by a magnificent coachman, and preceded by running syces, -waving silver-mounted yâk tails, or chowries. Propped high in the -carriage, sat an aged bent man, with a long white beard. Beside him, -was a stout elderly woman, her round, good-natured face half hidden by -a hideous mushroom topee.</p> - -<p>"It is his Honour the General, and Mrs. General Beamish," explained -the butler. The announcement was the knell of Mallender's hopes. -That venerable and decrepit figure was at least eighty years of age. -Here was another failure! He had no luck, of what use to go on? He -felt hopeless and despondent; in spite of all his effort and outlay, -it seemed as if some tremendous, but fantastic force, was striving -against him; luring him to out-of-the-way places, there to abandon him -in perplexity and disappointment; and for the first time since he had -begun his search, he was pricked by a suspicion of being purposely led -astray! But before taking steps for immediate departure, he decided to -have a look round the strangest environment in which he had yet found -himself, and seizing his topee and stick,—in case of snakes,—he set -out to explore.</p> - -<p>As he gazed about dispiritedly, he distinguished the parade ground, the -old horse lines, and a vast walled enclosure, which proved to be the -cemetery. Is anything in the world more forsaken and forgotten, than an -up-country burial-place in India, where rest unremembered and unknown, -the unconscious builders of Empire? Here, the explorer aimlessly -wandered, among flat gravestones, huge tombs of various forms, and -sizes, pyramidal, bomb-shaped, or square, all of either stucco or -red sandstone, and all gradually crumbling in the fierce tropical -sun. Mallender was impressed by two facts; the dimensions of this -well-peopled enclosure, in comparison to the size of the cantonment, -and the perfect order in which it was maintained. The walks were -weedless, the inscriptions legible and undefaced. Who, in this dead -station, undertook "<i>Le culte des morts</i>?"</p> - -<p>Another remarkable fact was the <i>youth</i> of the departed! Scarcely one -of these had seen thirty years. Many headstones bore no names; but a -gigantic red tomb, recorded the intelligence that seventy-eight of the -men, and non-commissioned officers of the Green Dragon Regiment, who -died of cholera, were there interred.</p> - -<p>The stranger paused, arrested by his own name, and read on a slab:</p> - -<p>"Sacred to the memory of Geoffrey Hailes, of the 30th Regt. M.N.S. -wantonly shot by a Sepoy of his company on the 5th Dec. 1831 aged -twenty-seven years."</p> - -<p>Near by lay "the mortal remains of Alidora Pegler, who died August -the 9th 1785, aged twenty-one years." Underneath was this quaint -information, "She was a young woman of most engaging manners."</p> - -<p>Not far from Alidora, was the grave of "Dorothea Sumers, a dutiful -daughter, a loving wife, and a happy mother, but departed this life, -one day after the birth of her son, May 22nd 1796, aged nineteen -years." The poor girl had not been granted much time to realise the -happiness of motherhood.</p> - -<p>From this grave, Mallender passed to that of "Richard Horsley of the -Honourable Company's Service, cut off on the night of June 4th 1772, by -the hand of an unknown assassin, aged twenty-three years."</p> - -<p>Next, was a tall stone erected to the memory of six young officers "who -were suddenly swept into eternity, by the plague of cholera."</p> - -<p>An imposing obelisk, which towered over all the tombs, bore the name of:</p> - -<p>"Mrs. Charlotte Travers, whose soul, perfect in all earthly ordained -virtue, departed at the call of its guardian Author, for its next -assigned function in the Eternal Kingdom."</p> - -<p>Not far from this paragon, was a modest slab recording the fact, that -"the officer who lay beneath it, was killed most suddenly in a duel on -Christmas day 1802."</p> - -<p>The spirit of the environment had taken hold of Mallender, and the -oppressive silence, save for the twittering of a sparrow, the rustle -of a lizard, weighed heavily upon his consciousness. Year after year -a pitiless Eastern sun beat down on this forlorn enclosure, and -it seemed to Mallender as if these dead folk,—his countrymen and -women,—appealed to him from their graves, to at <i>least</i> read their -names, and the manner of their deaths. With a mind attuned to this -melancholy inspection, he was turning the corner of a colossal tomb, -when he all but collided with a girl carrying a large wreath! At a -glance, he noticed that she was young and slim. He also received an -impression that she was handsome.</p> - -<p>"I—I beg your pardon," he stammered in his bewilderment.</p> - -<p>She stared blankly at him for a moment, and then exclaimed, "Oh, -oh—it's all right," and stepping back, motioned him to proceed. From a -little distance, a male voice bellowed:</p> - -<p>"Come on, come on, Tara—what the dickens is keeping you?" and he -presently heard the swish of skirts, and light footsteps running away.</p> - -<p>Now that "Tara" had departed, Mallender retraced his way, consumed with -curiosity to know, where she had deposited the wreath? He discovered it -on a flat stone, which bore the name,</p> - -<p>"Robert Gordon, Surgeon. He was good to all. He died of Cholera July -1st 1839."</p> - -<p>Over seventy years had elapsed, and this man was <i>still</i> remembered! -Wellunga was undoubtedly an outlandish, other world place!</p> - -<p>As Mallender left the cemetery, he noticed the girl, and a -square-shouldered young man, walking rapidly away in the direction of -the native town.</p> - -<p>Returning to the Dâk Bungalow, the guest found a good solid breakfast -awaiting him: Dâl curry, eggs, home-made bread, fresh butter, coffee, -and fruit. So in spite of himself, he still sponged!</p> - -<p>"I suppose all this comes from the big house?" he enquired addressing -the butler,—a despotic old person, who for some unexplained reason, -would not suffer Anthony to wait, and had set Chinna-Sawmy to wash the -kitchen dish-cloths!</p> - -<p>"Yes, saar, that is the order—everything in Wellunga is as the General -commands; this bungalow is kept ready and in good repair; the old -places of course are ruins—but no one may touch one bit of wood, or -one brick—though many wanting them for house, and cattle sheds; and -plenty good dhoby stones, and curry stones, in <i>cemetery</i>—but once he -goes—<i>all</i> goes!"</p> - -<p>"Including yourself?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, your honour, I also depart to my own country—Quilon."</p> - -<p>"I saw a young lady to-day, and a young man, who are they?"</p> - -<p>"Miss Tara and Mr. Tom, the General's son and daughter."</p> - -<p>Mallender put down his fork, and stared at the speaker in genuine -surprise.</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes. Miss Jessie, she is older; the General married two times, -first family all gone Europe—he never going, too much liking this -country, his people calling him always—all no use. His wife die, then -he marry one English woman, not proper family; but taking great care of -old man. He still getting big pension," he added with a significance -that was entirely wasted on his listener. "The General, has all he -wants; now he sits hours in big verandah looking at India, and always -thinking, thinking, then he go for drive, then put to bed, same like -child. He has his senses, he can walk, and see, only too old, and a -little deaf."</p> - -<p>"Why does he live at Wellunga?"</p> - -<p>"That I cannot surely tell; but when young officer he was here with -regiment. I have seen him get out of carriage at Mess House, and go in, -and sit there, long, long, time. When he come out, he look shaking and -plenty sorry, because all, all gone, everyone—and he only is left."</p> - -<p>"And do his family remain always, in this dead place?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, no, Master Tom has fine big coffee estate on Hills, and the -Missies go there, when here it is too hot. The General is very rich, he -shut eyes to Europe family—only liking Indian family."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps he has forgotten the others?" suggested Mallender.</p> - -<p>"Oh, no, memory good, not to-day, but for long ago; nothing he do not -know, nothing he cannot tell, he got plenty medals and plenty fighting. -The old gentleman keeps fine horses, and many syces and peons, same -like as if <i>real</i> General, and station full; but inside bungalow, is as -the Missus pleases, and no show, no spending. Counting eggs, and gram, -and charcoal, same like sergeant's wife!"</p> - -<p>"Well, I believe I shall be leaving you to-morrow," said the visitor. -"I suppose I can get hold of some sort of tonga in the bazaar. Tell my -boy to bring my writing things."</p> - -<p>When Anthony had placed these on the table, he coughed significantly, -and said:</p> - -<p>"<i>This</i> place no use for master, and master soon, soon going,—but -first must see the General. He is old, and knows much."</p> - -<p>"Yes, but the General does not receive visitors," objected his -employer, "and I cannot thrust myself upon him."</p> - -<p>"That <i>I</i> will arrange," replied Anthony with colossal assurance, then -before Mallender could fitly reply, and rebuke, he had turned on his -bare brown heel, and effected a swift departure.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">CHAPTER XXII</p> - - -<p>Although Mallender sat with his writing case open before him, his -eyes wandered over the wide prospect commanded by the bungalow. What -a picture of tragic solitude! In the foreground a mass of overgrown -ruins, beyond these, the sun-baked plain, with its harsh orange -soil, and far-away range of dim blue hills,—the whole a scene of -ardent melancholy. His thoughts now turned to his own affairs, and -his reflections were gloomy; he realised that his impulsive desire -for results, had driven him to waste time and energies in hopeless -directions,—of which the present situation was a specimen! Why, why, -had fate singled him out for this adventure? He was not one inch -"forrader" than months ago when full of high hopes he had embarked in -Tilbury Docks. Well, he must pull himself together, decide upon a plan -of action, and get out of this God-forsaken place as soon as possible: -drawing the paper towards him, he began to write. Just at this moment, -a visitor appeared between the stone piers of entrance to the little -compound; a sturdy broad-shouldered man of thirty, dressed in kharki. -He had a pleasant clean-shaven face, a square chin, and resolute jaw; -as he took off his topee, he displayed a crop of thick brown hair, cut -"<i>en brosse</i>."</p> - -<p>"I say," he began rather awkwardly, "you'll excuse me I hope, but my -father, General Beamish, heard of your arrival—of course everything -is known in this place," and he grinned, "and that you were a British -officer; so he sent me over to ask if you would be so good as to call -and see him?"</p> - -<p>"I shall be delighted," declared Mallender, in his clear, high-bred -voice, "but I must not go under false pretences, I'm no longer in the -service."</p> - -<p>"That does not matter a button—you've been in it, and the old man -craves for a talk with one of his own profession. Although he is -ninety-five, he is still drawing the pension of a Major-General. I -expect the authorities are pretty sick! Eh?"</p> - -<p>"Won't you sit down?" said Mallender, bringing forward a chair. "No -doubt your father has seen a lot of service?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, volunteered for every campaign or scrap, that was going in -his day. He is feeble on his pins, and a bit deaf, but his mind is as -clear as ever. He likes to talk of old times, when he is in the humour, -and he loves anything to do with soldiers. He doesn't come across many -soldier-men here, as you may suppose, and he is mad keen on seeing -<i>you</i>."</p> - -<p>"All right—when shall I go over?"</p> - -<p>"About six, when he is rested after his drive, and my mother says, will -you stay to supper?"</p> - -<p>"Thank you, I shall be delighted."</p> - -<p>"You'll find Wellunga a mighty weird sort of billet," resumed the -visitor, "not much of a field for your camera. Your rum little <i>chokra</i> -told me you were a photographer."</p> - -<p>"Yes, and he is my understudy, and very smart. How do you put in time -here?"</p> - -<p>"I don't put in much, I'm a planter—I've an estate up in Mysore, and -manage another; but I run down to see the family, and this is the slack -season for coffee. My sisters come up for the hot weather, but the old -folks never stir, a couple of salamanders!"</p> - -<p>"If it's not an impertinent question, what induced your father to -settle here?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, lots of things; sentiment for one, and to get out of the reach of -his Europe relations, for another. You see he was married before, and -my half-brothers and sisters tormented him to go back to England. He -loves India, it's in his very bones, and this was the first place he -came to, after he landed in the country."</p> - -<p>"It must be pretty deadly for your sisters."</p> - -<p>"They don't mind. Jessie is mad about poultry and tennis, and Tara—she -is much younger than we are—has her books, and her horse, and is the -sort of girl that's happy anywhere. Well, I notice you are writing for -the dâk, it goes out at twelve, so I'll take myself off. See you this -evening?" and Tom Beamish rose, jammed his pith "mushroom" on his head, -and lumbered forth.</p> - -<p>Some time after the carriage had returned, Mallender went over to -the General's quarters; a fine stone-built two-storeyed abode, and -well-preserved specimen of its time. It stood in a spacious compound -with two gateless entrances, which met in a sweep under a high-tiled -porch; many comfortable-looking buff fowls were pecking and promenading -round the premises,—which wore an air of solid ease and leisure. Two -gorgeous peons with scarlet belts, brass badges and enormous turbans, -were in waiting and salaamed profoundly. Having shouted the usual -summons "Boy!" a brisk servant appeared, salaamed, and said, "Please to -come this way," and led the visitor across a centre room into a wide -verandah, commanding an extensive view of river, bazaar, and distant -plain and hills. Here in a high-backed chair sat or hybernated, the -venerable survivor of other days; a still fine-looking old man with the -remnants of a magnificent physique; his noble head was now somewhat -sunken on his shoulders; attached to his white drill coat, he wore the -tarnished badge of his rank, and on his breast a row of war medals. -General Richard Beamish did not look his age, not by ten years—his -skin was wonderfully smooth, his blue eyes keen and bright; his limbs, -however, were shrunken, and his bony hands displayed the dark knotted -veins of age.</p> - -<p>"I'm glad to see ye," he called out in a shaky and excited voice, a -voice unexpectedly strong, "a stranger is a great event here—what's -your name, young sir?"</p> - -<p>"Geoffrey Mallender."</p> - -<p>"God bless me! I knew a Geoffrey Mallender thirty years ago, he was -drowned—or something—there was a sort of mystery."</p> - -<p>"He was my Uncle," announced the stranger, whose hopes were once more -kindled.</p> - -<p>"Mallender, this is my wife, Sally," he called to someone who had -entered, "here is Captain Mallender; I knew his Uncle long ago."</p> - -<p>The visitor turned and bowed, but Mrs. Beamish put out a large -useful-looking hand, and gave him a motherly smile. "Motherly" was the -adjective that best expressed Sally Beamish! a woman of over fifty, -with a pulpy corsetless figure, a kind sensible face, a little short -nose, a pair of sympathetic eyes, a drab complexion. Her abundant brown -hair was combed over her ears and gathered into a tight knot, she wore -a stuff skirt, a loose white jacket fastened by a magnificent diamond -brooch, and berlin wool slippers.</p> - -<p>"You will take your supper with us," she said; her accent was common, -but her face radiated benevolence. "It is the Beauforts' evening, but -that's no matter: and you must come over to us whenever you find it -dull. It is dull alone. Now I am going to leave you, to have a chat -with the General." Then suddenly dropping her voice, "He was just crazy -to see you,—let the old man talk, it's so good for him, and mind, he -don't like to be interrupted."</p> - -<p>"What's she saying? What's she saying?" demanded her husband, -suspiciously. His eyes had been watching her moving lips.</p> - -<p>"That she is leaving me to have a good old talk with you, sir," -explained Mallender, as the purdah swung behind a solid form.</p> - -<p>"A good woman, a good woman! My third wife, country born, country bred, -no country blood—just an apothecary's daughter, and a trained nurse; -but I did not marry her for <i>that</i>. No, no. Come now, young fellow, -draw your chair nearer, for I want to question you about England, and -the Army, and many other things."</p> - -<p>"All right, sir, but I left the Army this time last year."</p> - -<p>"And you could desert the colours, you a fine, strong young man?" and -he considered his visitor with reproachful blue eyes.</p> - -<p>"I had no choice, sir," replied Mallender. "I was terribly sorry to go. -I hate being out of the Service."</p> - -<p>"Aye, my lad, and when I hung up my sword after nearly fifty years, it -broke my heart. I am very old, look at me. I'm ninety-five! I was born -in the year of our Lord 1818, when people talked of Waterloo, and Bony -was on St. Helena! When I first arrived, a 'Griffin' as they called us -then, I met an officer who had known Clive—think of it! He told me, he -seemed silent and morose, it was his last spell out here, and he was -full of trouble and disappointment—the man who won India!"</p> - -<p>"He put an end to himself, did he not?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, in his house in Berkeley Square, with a penknife. I've seen great -things in my day, but if I related them, people would say I was in my -dotage, and I have no witnesses <i>now</i> to bear me out; I just sit here -and look out over the plains that never change, and think of all the -fine comrades I had, and their lives and deaths, and wonder if we will -ever fall in together again? Well, I'll know before long—I may get the -route any day! I'm just waiting for death."</p> - -<p>Mallender hastened to turn the old man's mind to a more cheerful -subject, and said:</p> - -<p>"You must have seen a lot of service, sir?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," and he touched his medals. "I put these on to do you honour. I -only wear 'em Sundays, and Mrs. Beamish she got out her fine brooch. -Here, you see, Moodkee—Aliwal—Rangoon—Pegu—and the Mutiny medals, I -was all through that," he paused, and looked fixedly before him.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I marched up to Delhi, with the first Madras Regiment, and I -was in the first Brigade, under McNeil. McNeil was a hard man; hard -on himself, as well as others; the forced marches were terrible; and -in those days we wore shakos—no pith helmets then! At most of our -halts, we had a firing-party, and left a couple or more graves. I -served at the Siege of Delhi—I saw Cawnpore, when one hundred and -sixty-five women and children were in the well. I—Well, young man, for -all our sakes, native and British, those times are best <i>forgotten</i>. -Afterwards, I served in Afghanistan, and was recommended for the Cross, -but the Brigadier knew I was hard up, and I took a sum of money, and -sold my glory, to pay bazaar bills."</p> - -<p>"But surely, sir, you have had good appointments?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, after a time I had fine billets; but I was always up to my -neck in debt, and half my pay went to the soucars. I was like a man -in a quicksand, the more I struggled, the deeper I went. Well, now -I want to hear from one who has been on the spot, what is going on -at head-quarters at home? Tell me about the Army—begad, it's only a -handful,—this brand-new Army of the day. I read, and I'm read to, but -I want to hear by word of mouth."</p> - -<p>The old officer then proceeded to put his companion—who patiently -submitted—to a severe, not to say drastic, examination on the subject -of the new guns, new regulations, and drill; the uniform, soldiers' -kit, the benefit, or otherwise, of Royal Commissions; particulars of -the new signalling, and airships. He listened as to a fairy-tale, when -Mallender described a field instrument that can tap, or interrupt a -telegraph message—as well as telephone!</p> - -<p>"Oh, if we'd had that in my time, we'd have done real wonders, -miracles—sir, miracles!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, and you had not a rifle warranted to kill at two miles, had you?" -said Mallender.</p> - -<p>"No, only good old brown Bess. And those motors and aeroplanes that I -shall never see—no more than if I had lived in the Middle Ages!"</p> - -<p>"You could easily see a motor, sir," replied his visitor, "but I'm not -so sure of an aeroplane," and as he had made an ascent, he proceeded -to relate his experience. To this, the old man listened with hands on -knees, parted lips, and an air of almost passionate attention.</p> - -<p>"Ah!" he exclaimed, as he leant back with a sigh of satisfaction, "at -last I seem to understand the hang of the thing; you have put it before -me, and I can almost imagine, that I'm sitting on a nasty cramped seat, -rising steadily into the air, while all the world is falling away below -me. Here is Mrs. Beamish coming to tell us that supper is waiting, and -I've been keeping you. We are punctual folk—military time, sir! Come -to-morrow, come to tiffin. Sally, my dear, this young fellow has done -me no end of good; my mind is chock full of brand-new ideas." Then -rising with tremulous difficulty, assisted by his wife, and a servant, -the old veteran nodded his head, and tottered out of the verandah.</p> - -<p>When Mallender was ushered into the dining-room, he was rather -surprised to find the table almost surrounded, and supper already well -started. Tom, who was apparently master of the ceremonies, jumped up -and said, "Hello—here you are at last! the governor froze on to you. -Captain Mallender, this is Tara, my youngest sister,"—the girl he had -encountered in the cemetery—"and this is Jessie," indicating a thin -plain young woman, with high cheek bones, and a bright pink blouse, -actively engaged in carving a piece of cold beef. Jessie nodded, -and beamed—she had her mother's smile. "Let me introduce Captain -Beaufort," continued Tom waving his hand towards an enormously stout, -bullet-headed man, with a massive red face, and heavy grey moustache. -Captain Beaufort gave the visitor a martial look—rose, as it were at -attention, shuffled his feet, and muttered a greeting.</p> - -<p>"Miss Blanche and Miss Lily Beaufort," resumed Tom, glancing at two -pretty tittering girls, with dusky complexions, elaborate white -blouses, and coral necklaces and earrings.</p> - -<p>"Now we are all acquainted, what will you have?" enquired Jessie. "Cold -hump, curried fowl, or stuffed tomatoes?"</p> - -<p>"Try the cold hump, Captain," urged Beaufort,—Beaufort was thoroughly, -and aggressively, at home—"and this mango chutney is not to be sneezed -at, I can tell you! and the beer is A1."</p> - -<p>The board was spread with an ample repast, and decorated with vases of -zinnias and marigolds. Miss Tara was officiating with an old French -coffee-pot of the time of Louis XV., that would have brought tears -of envy to the eyes of Fanny Tallboys. In fact, the appointments -and surroundings were a curious and remarkable mixture; here, were -rat-tailed spoons, Charles the First sugar bowls, superb candelabra, -holding cheap candles (twelve to the pound), a coarse mission -table-cloth, and bazaar crockery. The aristocratic side-board, and a -book-case, were undoubtedly of the days of Count Lally, and seemed -to shrivel up, and hold themselves aloof from the coarse "maistrey" -furniture, and jail carpets,—their associates.</p> - -<p>The company was also strangely assorted. The two Beaufort girls with -the black tresses, and lovely liquid eyes, had unquestionably "four -annas in the rupee." Their parent was a rough-hewn ranker. Mrs. -Beamish, Jessie and Tom were a kindly commonplace trio, of the lower -middle class, and Tara, who did not bear even the faintest resemblance -to her relations, was of a totally different type and race, evidently a -"throw back" to some of the General's ancestors. She carried her slight -figure with grace, her small stag-like head was set on a long neck, her -little proud face was illuminated by a pair of dark granite-grey eyes; -she had beautiful taper hands,—whilst those of Jessie looked as if her -fingers had been cut off at the second joint.</p> - -<p>"I think we met this morning," said the guest, addressing her, as she -paused from her labours.</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, in the cemetery. I go there every other day to put flowers on -the graves of Daddy's friends. At first, I thought <i>you</i> were one of -them—one of the young men who had come back to look for something."</p> - -<p>"You startled me too, I must confess. I understood Wellunga was -entirely deserted."</p> - -<p>"Not at all, Captain, not at all!" broke in Beaufort, speaking with -his mouth full. "We are quite a nice little family party here; besides -the General,—who is our Commander-in-Chief, and his good lady, and -belongings; there is myself, and my girls, and my subordinate Perez. -Then we have a Police Officer, who comes and goes, a very smart good -sort of fellow."</p> - -<p>"Indeed," exclaimed Mallender, who was evidently expected to say -something.</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, and a Chaplain two or three times in the cold weather; I read -the Service on Sunday, since the General resigned, and an inspecting -Engineer, my boss, not much of a chap, in <i>my</i> humble opinion; all for -new jims and ways and worrying his subordinates."</p> - -<p>"Have you no doctor?" enquired the new-comer.</p> - -<p>"No, but a first-rate native apothecary and dresser,—Dorosawny is as -clever as they make them!"</p> - -<p>"My mother is the doctor," put in Tom. "She's first-class, had a -training in hospital, got diplomas, and all that sort of thing."</p> - -<p>"What do you think of the place?" softly enquired Blanche, whose brown -velvet eyes had never been removed from the stranger.</p> - -<p>"He has not seen it yet!" rejoined Mrs. Beamish, who had just bustled -in, found a seat, and was being pressed to partake of her own good -things by Captain Beaufort, "and I'm afraid there is very little to -see."</p> - -<p>"I hear you take photographs," said Tara. "I do wish, you would do my -horse Rustum, he is such a beauty."</p> - -<p>"The General got him down from Bombay," announced Captain Beaufort, -"a Damascus Arab, out of Abdul Rayman's stables. They wanted him for -racing, and so I need not tell you his price was pretty <i>stiff</i>!"</p> - -<p>"Tara is crazy about him," supplemented her sister. "As for me, I do -not ride."</p> - -<p>"Only your hobby, buff cochins!" put in her brother.</p> - -<p>"Now do be quiet, Tom; you are too silly!"</p> - -<p>"The General has a stable full of splendid animals," continued -Beaufort, who evidently desired to impress the visitor. "He was a fine -rider once, so was <i>I</i>," and he gave a laugh that shook not only his -whole frame—but also the table. "Who'd think it!"</p> - -<p>"You come from Madras, I believe?" murmured Blanche; who was -irresistibly fascinated by this stranger, who had dropped into their -circle, as from the skies.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I arrived yesterday evening."</p> - -<p>"Everyone is still in the Hills," observed Tara. "I know Ooty well, I -was at school there for seven years."</p> - -<p>"Oo-ah, yes, and so accomplished," volunteered Blanche, with effusion. -"Tara can do lovelee lace work, and play the piano, and sing—oh, soa -beautifullee!"</p> - -<p>"There, that will do, Blanche," interrupted Tara, impatiently. To -Mallender, "I'm not really accomplished, not like the girls at home."</p> - -<p>"At home!" echoed Blanche the irrepressible, "that, of course, is -another thing, oh, my! how I do long to go home!"</p> - -<p>"You'd hate it," declared the youngest Miss Beamish, with startling -abruptness, and poor Blanche was once more chastened and crushed. Her -father, who had finished an excellent and hearty meal, now broke in.</p> - -<p>"You must see our great bazaar and native city, Captain, down by the -river; if the cantonment is dead, the bazaar is alive and kicking, -that I can tell you; it's chock full of money and rich natives. There -is one chap called Rakar, who is rolling in rupees and gold mohurs. He -has grand nautches—I've seen them," and he winked expressively, "the -best girls from Travancore; and he keeps fighting cocks, and fighting -partridges, and all sorts of horses. One of them is a holy terror; he -got him from some big Rajah, a sort of processional brute, seventeen -hands high, a splendid animal to look at, but a man eater, he has -killed half a dozen—at least, so I'm told."</p> - -<p>"The native city is tremendously old," broke in Tom, anxious to -contribute information. "People give it fifteen hundred years, it's -said to be full of <i>loot</i>. I've seen some wonderful coins and jewels -myself. It was right in the middle of lots of fighting, and grew rich -on plunder—of course no Europeans live there."</p> - -<p>"I can't say I'm surprised at that," remarked Mallender, dryly.</p> - -<p>"But there were plenty here once," said Jessie. "Two or three -regiments; first there was a mutiny, then cholera, after that the -county became settled, and all the soldiers went away."</p> - -<p>"I like Wellunga," announced Tara; "I was born here; but I must admit -that it is an outlandish place."</p> - -<p>"We have queer stories about the big battles around," added her -brother. "There was a heap of fighting all over this country, and the -natives say, it is full of hidden treasure—guarded by devils."</p> - -<p>"Yes," agreed Beaufort, "there is the grave of an English officer about -twenty miles out, with the date 1809; I've seen it. He is worshipped as -a demon, and natives bring him brandy and cheroots."</p> - -<p>"That is true," corroborated Tara. "I sometimes ride that way, but I -think they only offer arrack, and bazaar tobacco <i>now</i>."</p> - -<p>"And I can tell you something," added Blanche, with wide-open eyes -(Blanche who was extremely superstitious). "It is said, that in some -directions, at sundown, or by moonlight, you can see great big camps, -with men, and horses, and elephants, and standards, and hear shouts and -bugles, and drums," and as she concluded, she gazed at Mallender, and -shuddered affectedly.</p> - -<p>"I've heard the drums!" was Tara's unexpected remark.</p> - -<p>"Tara child, what nonsense you are telling," protested her mother, "you -make me quite ashamed."</p> - -<p>"No, no Mummy, no fear of that, you will never be ashamed of <i>me</i>," and -she patted her arm affectionately. "Now shall we go into the next room -and play bridge—we can have two tables to-night, no cut-throat!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, all right, that will be so nice," agreed the Beaufort girls, in -a breath, rising precipitately; but alas, their expectations were -speedily extinguished.</p> - -<p>"Let me see how we will play?" said Tara, looking about her. "Captain -Mallender, Captain Beaufort, Jessie and I, and you two girls may have -Tom and mother," and so it fell out! It was evident by many little -signs and tokens, that the youngest Miss Beamish dominated the company, -and was the lawgiver in her own household. They all seemed devoted to -the girl, and so naïvely proud of her grace and beauty.</p> - -<p>Two card tables were quickly arranged, and as they sat down and cut for -partners, Tara announced:</p> - -<p>"We play four annas a hundred, we used to play only for love—but love -is <i>so</i> stupid!"</p> - -<p>"Tar, I'm surprised at you! Is that your opinion?" shouted her brother, -who had overheard this speech.</p> - -<p>"Now, Tom," said she, blushing deeply, "do not mind us—please attend -to your company, or—I will talk to you about Miss <i>M</i>."</p> - -<p>This threat had the immediate effect of silencing Tom, who sat upon -his hands,—a trick of his, and looked excessively sheepish and out of -countenance.</p> - -<p>Tara's command might well have been addressed to the Misses Beaufort, -whose eyes were fixed on the young lady and her partner, with long -looks of unrestrained interest, and low be it spoken—envy.</p> - -<p>Bridge, at Wellunga, was played with impressive gravity, and not a -little ignorance; here, there was no joking, no scolding, no glances of -interrogative dismay. The only thing that upset the composure of the -players was, when an enormous black, able-bodied insect, came booming -in from outside, and endeavoured to dash itself against the candle -shades.</p> - -<p>"If my ayah were here," screamed Blanche, whose attention was almost -entirely given to this quartette, "she would say that was the spirit of -one who had lived in this bungalow long ago——"</p> - -<p>"I'm glad to say your ayah is <i>not</i> here!" retorted Tara, turning her -head, and speaking with indignation, "<i>we</i> don't entertain the sweeper -caste!" and poor Blanche was once more temporarily quenched.</p> - -<p>At the end of an hour, Tara and Geoffrey rose, the losers of one rupee. -The beautiful and imperious Tara was distinctly ruffled; she liked and -always expected to be victorious, and first.</p> - -<p>"Here, Jessie," she said to her sister, with a lofty air, "I give you -the price of two fine fowls. Well, you must make the most of your -gambling time, for when you are married to Samuel, you won't even <i>see</i> -a card!"</p> - -<p>"Tara, you wild girl!" protested Jessie, now a brick-dust colour, "how -can you say such foolish things? You know, I shall go my own way, as to -games."</p> - -<p>"But it's true; your only cards will be collecting cards—you will see."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Beamish now interposed her pleasant personality, saying:</p> - -<p>"Tara, what a tease you are!" Then to Mallender, "She was always -so, since she was a baby. She gets all her fun out of other people. -Remember we expect you over to-morrow—as early as ever you please."</p> - -<p>The party was breaking up, the Misses Beaufort and Tom were laughing -and scuffling about their wraps, and eventually Mallender and Tom -escorted the ladies home. This attention appeared to be a fixed -custom—as was also the bi-weekly supper and bridge.</p> - -<p>Mallender and Captain Beaufort paired off together, despite the bold -manœuvres of the Captain's daughters, and indeed it was outrageously -selfish of him, to appropriate the company of the interesting -new-comer! Between Papa and Tara, these unfortunate damsels had no -opportunities of improving their acquaintance with the handsome -stranger.</p> - -<p>As the two men walked ahead, Beaufort said, in a bluff off-hand way:</p> - -<p>"Of course, I'm not a 'pucka' Captain; they just give me the rank here. -I was a military man—now I'm in civil employ. Since the old General -has failed, <i>I</i> take things in hand a bit. What was your regiment?"</p> - -<p>"The Warlock Hussars."</p> - -<p>"Oh, indeed," slightly abashed. "I never came across them. Well, if you -are making any stay, I hope I and my girls will see a <i>lot</i> of you. A -new face up here does us <i>all</i> good."</p> - -<p>When they had arrived at their domain, once the Chaplain's -Quarters, the Misses Beaufort—their father making a spacious -background—overwhelmed the recent arrival with a loud and simultaneous -invitation "to tea, pot luck—or tennis, whatever he pleased," to which -he returned a polite, but indefinite reply. Such was the clamour and -urgency of talk, that it was some time before he and Tom were able to -effect their departure, and as they turned towards the Dâk Bungalow, -Tom said:</p> - -<p>"Those two are a topping good sort, and stand any amount of chaff. The -most kind-hearted girls in India; they can dance and play tennis, and -make scrumptious native sweets and curries. Captain Beaufort has to do -with the Roads, his wife is never on show, I fancy she is a bit too -dark—these people get darker as they age. It's awfully rough on them, -I must say!"</p> - -<p>"Have your sisters no other companions?" enquired Mallender.</p> - -<p>"Not in Wellunga, but lots in the Hills. I may as well tell you, they -won't be here long. Jessie is engaged to a missionary in Tinnevelly, -and Tara is going to marry a young planter—a friend of my own. As -the baby of the family, she may strike a stranger as a little bit -spoiled—but she's as good as gold, and as good as she looks."</p> - -<p>"She is uncommonly handsome, if you do not mind my saying so."</p> - -<p>"No, why shouldn't you? Sometimes she carries on like a great lady, and -has uncommonly high notions, I can tell you! and where she <i>gets</i> them, -beats me."</p> - -<p>This remark brought them to the Dâk Bungalow, where a yawning Anthony -awaited his master, and as his master took leave of Tom Beamish, he -said:</p> - -<p>"Can you help me to get a trap and ponies, that will take me back to -the railway?"</p> - -<p>"To be sure I can," he replied, "but not yet. You must stop with us for -a little, and talk to the General; you brighten him up, and give him -such pleasure,—and he has so little pleasure in life now, poor old -boy. After a bit, I'll lay a dâk for you, and drive you the sixty miles -myself—yes, and with the General's best horses. Come now, don't say -no, see you to-morrow!" and before Mallender could argue or reply, he -received a heavy thump on the back,—suggestive of ease and intimacy, -and Tom Beamish was gone.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">CHAPTER XXIII</p> - - -<p>The following morning, as soon as General Beamish had returned from his -drive, he despatched a messenger to summon his new acquaintance; who on -this occasion was received in the drawing-room—a curious apartment! -The walls coloured a sickly pink, were decorated with horns and heads, -fine damascened arms, various spotty sporting prints, and many faded -photographs in shabby Oxford frames. After a little desultory talk, the -venerable officer fixing his steely blue eyes on the visitor, said:</p> - -<p>"Young man, you gave me a deal of information yesterday, but begad, you -never told me <i>what</i> has brought you to Wellunga?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, that is too long a story, sir, and would only bore you to death."</p> - -<p>"Bore away, and fire away! I really want to hear it!"</p> - -<p>Mallender, who was now disinclined to disclose his mission, began the -recital with obvious reluctance, and made it as brief as possible, -whilst the old man, with a hand to his ear, listened eagerly to the -outline of his many failures; when he concluded, he said:</p> - -<p>"I remember meeting your Uncle in the Ooty Club, and hearing him say -how he hated India! I suppose it has stuck in my gizzard, because I -felt vexed—you see I always loved the country, and I can sympathise -with the old Mem Sahib, who hankered after 'the whiff of a huka, and -the smell of a bazaar.' I took to the East from the moment I put a foot -in it, and felt the sun on my back, and saw the palms, and the Arab -horses—it was all Arabs in my time! It's funny, how clearly I recall -things of fifty years ago, yet cannot for the life of me tell you what -happened last week," he concluded, with a hopeless sigh.</p> - -<p>"Then you remember my Uncle's disappearance?"</p> - -<p>"Why, of course. I read all about it in the papers."</p> - -<p>"Has it ever occurred to you that he might still be alive?"</p> - -<p>"Well, no—but after all, why not? The fellow may have had his own -reasons for hiding."</p> - -<p>"What possible reason could he have? He had heaps of money, and as you -say, detested India; why remain for thirty years hiding his identity in -exile?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, for that matter," rejoined the General, and he gave a little -cackling laugh, "I'm in exile, I'm hiding too,—and I've managed pretty -cleverly; I've another family in England. I'm hiding from <i>them</i>!"</p> - -<p>Mallender murmured his assent.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I suppose Tom has told you! Well, now you have no idea of your -Uncle's reasons for concealing himself, and you shall hear <i>mine</i>, I'll -tell you my history, for you have an honest, upright look," and he -stared into the tanned, high-bred face of his visitor.</p> - -<p>"There are the cheroots, help yourself, and listen to me."</p> - -<p>As Mallender selected a Trichy, he said to himself:</p> - -<p>"This old gentleman much prefers talking about his own past, to -discussing my present. How is it that people are always telling me -their affairs, and mine get no forrader?" and he resigned himself -accordingly.</p> - -<p>"I came out young," began the General, after clearing his throat. "I -married young; my Colonel's daughter, a girl of eighteen, but within a -year she died of cholera. It nearly broke my heart. Think of it! All I -had, taken from me within twelve hours. As I had been out some time, -I took furlough, and went home, feeling as if I could never hold up -my head again; but kind friends roused me, and made much of me, and -by degrees I went out among people. After a bit I came across a very -pretty,—I may say, amazingly beautiful girl, full of animation and -gaiety. Her liveliness appealed to me, and raised my spirits; she was -of old family, but hadn't a penny of fortune. Well, sir, we married, -and came out here. Living was half what it is now—or less; eighty -seers of gram to the rupee—think of that! I had good pay, and we -set up in style with a carriage and pair, and gave dinners. My first -home was on a modest scale, but admirably managed; here, there was no -management at all! only dirty, idle, thievish servants, and enormous -bills. However, my wife was always the belle of the station, and in -extraordinary request for balls, theatricals, and picnics. Then came -the children—three of them, hard on one another's heels, and Julia -decided to take them home. I was not sorry to be rid of her! Hoping -to get a chance to economise, and save. Every month, I remitted -money, but it was never enough; and my wife was so restless; if she -was six months at home, she longed to come back to India, and if she -came out—in six weeks' time she was dying for London! Sir," suddenly -sitting erect, "her extravagance was incredible! I've known Julia to -have three furnished houses on hand; if she tired of one, she took -another; she had maids, and governesses, and a carriage; no doubt -people supposed I was a very rich man, instead of a miserable poor -devil, with little beside his pay. I tell you, my boy, I dreaded her -letters and enclosures so much, that sometimes I've left them unopened -for <i>days</i>—they took the heart out of me," and his old voice broke, -and quavered.</p> - -<p>"If this distresses you, sir, I beg you won't go on," urged his -listener.</p> - -<p>"No, no," he protested peevishly, "let me finish! Then came a grand -smash, and Julia fled out here in order to escape her creditors. As -I was responsible, I had to borrow, and raise money at a ruinous -interest, and settle most of her debts—but I was in the money-lenders' -clutches for life. She returned home, cleared—whilst I was bound hand -and foot; you see, part of my pay was sequestrated, and I was chained -to the country! And after twenty years in the East, without a break, I -got out of English ways, and lost sight of my old friends."</p> - -<p>"And what about your children, sir?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, they were educated regardless of expense, and thanks to Julia's -fine connections well started in the world; but I never saw them; no, -not since they were with their ayah, and I put them aboard a mail -steamer in Madras Roads, when the eldest was only four. Meanwhile, I -was up to my neck in debt, and although commanding a regiment, worse -off than a junior subaltern. I was positively ashamed of my uniform, my -chargers, and my stinginess—but what could I do? Tell me that?"</p> - -<p>"Er—well, nothing, I suppose," murmured the young man.</p> - -<p>"No, I was too deep in the soucars' books, ever to get my head above -water; socially I was dead, with a stone round my neck. Well, my boys -got professions, the girl married well. Then my wife died; we had not -met for years, but she wrote to me regularly every mail, and sent me -newspapers.—I had thoughts of going home."</p> - -<p>"And so you went at last?"</p> - -<p>"No, though I had retired, and got my pension; an old comrade persuaded -me to join him in the Hills, and something else held me back—it -was India herself. Twice I took my passage, and twice I changed my -mind—eventually I lived with my friend till he died. He left me all he -had; plate, books, and a large fortune—the result of loot, and good -investments—besides this, I have twelve hundred a year pension, and -savings, and am at this moment a wealthy man. You'd never suspect it, -would you?" and he waved his withered hand at the ugly pink walls, old -black furniture, and threadbare Bangalore carpet.</p> - -<p>"No, sir, I must say I would not."</p> - -<p>"No, I'm like a native chap, who may live in a sort of open cupboard in -the bazaar, and yet own lakhs of rupees. The tidings of my riches soon -reached my family, and they bombarded me with letters and cables, and -were desperately anxious to get the old man home! They were afraid he -might fall under an undesirable influence, or do something foolish; but -my pal forbid me ever to let them have a penny of his money; he used to -say 'Your family only know you by your signature on a cheque, you've -done your share, educated them, put them out in the world and they are -strangers.'"</p> - -<p>"And so you married again!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes, yes," was the irritable response. "Don't you hurry me—don't -you hurry me! I'm too old for that! I did the <i>foolish</i> thing my sons -dreaded, and married a woman who had nursed my friend, Tom Maitland. -After three or four years, the Hills became too smart and fashionable -for a retired old Indian, who had married a nurse—my lady neighbours -would not know Mrs. Beamish, and the young generation of soldiers had -never heard of <i>me</i>. My family plagued me incessantly, and more than -once hinted at the effects of a climate on my brain. After all, I was -only seventy, and stout and hale, still well able for a day's shooting -in the sholahs, or hunting on the downs; so I just disappeared down -the Seegoor Ghat, taking all my goods and chattels, and leaving no -address. You can cover up tracks when you like,—it is only a question -of <i>money</i>."</p> - -<p>"You mean bribes?"</p> - -<p>"I mean just money. Your Uncle was rich, and thanks to that, he has -hidden himself successfully."</p> - -<p>"Then you really think he <i>is</i> hidden?" asked Mallender, eagerly.</p> - -<p>"Not a doubt of it, and if you will take the advice of an old man, you -will waste no more time on searching for a will-o'-the-wisp, but just -go home quietly."</p> - -<p>"Oh—do you advise that!"</p> - -<p>"Yes; though I funked going home myself! but that was different, I had -spent the best of my life out here, and the country would not release -me. You may think me a queer sort of lunatic, but my case is not -uncommon; quite a number of old retired officers, and officials, remain -in India after their work is done; they are out of touch with England, -and life is easier here. You find them in the Doon, and in parts of the -Himalayas, in the Neilgherries, the Shevaroys, and not men alone,—but -women too."</p> - -<p>"Women?" repeated Mallender, and his tone was incredulous.</p> - -<p>"Yes, forty years ago in Bangalore, there was an old lady, the widow of -the Colonel of a Madras regiment. I remember her well; she accompanied -the 86th M.N.I. in all their moves. She used to ride a venerable white -charger, and wear a mushroom hat with rosettes over her ears, and come -up on the <i>maidan</i> soon after sunrise, and before the crowd appeared. -I've seen her of an evening, driving her little ponies shopping, or at -the band,—when it was <i>her</i> band. She never mixed in Society, but went -to church, and to field days when her regiment was out. She spent most -of her pension on the lines, and the men adored her, and called her -their mother; the regiment was her home. Her people, like mine, were -scandalized; but, after all, why should not everyone lead the life they -prefer—if they do no harm to their fellows? And now about this puzzle, -your Uncle—a life here was obviously not one that he preferred, the -country had no hold on him, no,—yet he is here. Brown and Co. are not -a firm to make foolish mistakes. My advice to you is, to go home, where -time, friends, and fortune are all before you."</p> - -<p>"Not fortune," protested Geoffrey. "I forfeited that when I undertook -this enterprise, but then I was sure that I was dealing with an -impostor."</p> - -<p>"And would not listen to Brown and Co.,—that, I may tell you, was -foolish."</p> - -<p>"No, neither to them, or anyone."</p> - -<p>"Ah, but you will listen to your past experience, and to <i>me</i>," and the -weary old figure leant abruptly forward in its chair.</p> - -<p>"I can't bear to be beaten, sir, but what do you advise?"</p> - -<p>"As I've said—arrange for your return. In the meantime, make your -head-quarters here; there is a good horse for you, Tom and Tara will -take you out, and show you the country, and of an evening come and sit -and talk to me—give me a week or two—as a great favour to an old -fellow, who has not spoken to another red coat for thirty years."</p> - -<p>Mallender hesitated a moment, then he said, "You are very kind, sir."</p> - -<p>"Not a bit of it—only kind to myself. There is a new brown, stud-bred, -up from Ussour, that will carry you well. This is an historical part of -the world, although it looks so tame now—the children know every inch -of it for miles. Tell me, are you interested in Indian history?"</p> - -<p>"I can't say I am, sir, I know very little about it. -Clive—Plassy—Warren Hastings—that's all."</p> - -<p>"I was the same myself, till I was tied here by the leg, and had to -take to books. I've read a lot—especially of those dealing with this -country—its history begins with the invasion of Alexander, nearly -three hundred years before Christ, then came the Moghul Empire, and the -Cholas, they <i>all</i> made their way into these parts."</p> - -<p>"Not much sign of them now, is there?"</p> - -<p>"No, and I dare say there won't be much sign of <i>us</i> after a couple -of thousand years. We shall leave no great monuments, temples and -fortresses, such as still recall ancient Hindustan."</p> - -<p>And then, with surprising animation, he suddenly poured forth a brief -description of campaigns, marches, victories, and defeats.</p> - -<p>"Think," he cried, "of a desperate siege that lasted ten years—think -of the loot and treasure. Why, when Bednur fell, they took twenty -millions in gold—gold worth a thousand times more then than now, not -to speak of jewels, elephants and slaves." Coming to later days, he -spoke of "Haidir Ali," Lally, and Tippoo.</p> - -<p>"Haidir was an adventurer—a nobody—but a brave man. His son Tippoo, -was just a mad fanatic. For close on two hundred years battles and -struggles have swept across these plains. Please God, we have seen the -last of them! Well, well, well, I'm a doddering old fellow, and I'm -boring you; but you must ride about the country, with Tara and Tom, -and see it for yourself! Ah!" as his visitor stood up, "you are not -off yet! Before you go, let me show you my Europe family—give me that -sandal-wood box from the whatnot."</p> - -<p>When this was placed in his hands, he opened it, and turned over its -contents with tremulous deliberation.</p> - -<p>"Here," exhibiting a stout elderly man in uniform, "is my son Arnold; -he married money. This is my daughter Agatha, in court train. She is -the Honble. Mrs. Dashell. This is my lawyer son, who threatens me with -the Lunacy Commissioners," exhibiting a man with a clever hard face, -and a sunken determined mouth. "All capital photos, you see, sent to -<i>tempt</i> the old fellow home! If anything could tempt me, it would be -this," and after a little fumbling, he placed a striking vignette -of Mrs. Villars in the hand of his amazed companion. "Here is my -grand-daughter, Lena."</p> - -<p>"Mrs. Villars!—why, I know her!" exclaimed Mallender. "Is <i>she</i> -your grand-daughter? She was staying in Madras, with my cousins the -Tallboys."</p> - -<p>"So she said; she writes distracted letters asking for money, they all -ask for that; one to send a boy to Eton, another to settle a son on a -ranche, a third to pay bills; but of the whole pack, Lena is the most -hungry and shameless. You see, I get their letters forwarded through my -agent. They amuse me,—and they tell on one another. Lena is a beauty. -Eh?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, and this does not flatter her in the least."</p> - -<p>"Lena is like her grandmother, but handsomer, and has the same mad -craze for spending. She married a man, a good fellow too, I was told, -and ruined him with her extravagance. They say Lena is one of those who -must have luxuries,—no matter who goes without; and four years ago, -poor Villars put an end to himself, and his troubles, with an overdose -of chloral. She writes to me now for a couple of thousand to pay some -debts, as she is at her wits' end. Begad, I believe she really came out -here to poke about and find <i>me</i>!" the idea tickled the old gentleman, -and he gave a shrill cackling laugh, "and got as far as Madras, where -she has spent the winter with an old school-fellow."</p> - -<p>"Yes, with my cousin Fanny Tallboys, but surely they were not -school-fellows—it is impossible, why, Fanny is forty-two!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, Lena is getting on; Lena is no chicken!" declared her grandfather, -"though I dare say she looks years younger than her age. She writes -begging letters, and implores me to assist her, as she is likely to -make a brilliant marriage. Heaven help the unfortunate beggar!—for a -beggar he will <i>be</i>."</p> - -<p>"She does not mention his name, I suppose?"</p> - -<p>"No, but I presume he is rich; his money will run through her -hands like water. Mrs. Beamish is dead set against my pretty -grand-daughter—she cannot bear her, and wanted to burn the photograph. -I believe she is afraid Lena may turn up here, and get round <i>me</i>. Ha! -ha! ha! If Lena only knew what <i>I</i> do, about a certain treasure!"</p> - -<p>"You mean a hidden one?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, India is full of such hoards, especially before the days of -banks. The inherited habit of accumulating and hiding gold and jewels, -is in the blood. A native whose life I saved, a cultivator and poor, -told me the secret of a great cache, he said he could not meddle with -it himself—an old man with no sons, he would be robbed, and murdered. -Buried within twenty miles of where you and I are sitting, is a mass -of gold and jewels, silver horse trappings, and arms. Well! well! the -world is rich enough. Money is the root of all evil!"</p> - -<p>"But some of the world is poor enough—desperately poor," protested -Mallender. "Think of what all this wealth, lying useless and unclaimed, -would do."</p> - -<p>"Some would do good; more would stick to greedy palms. I do give a -help at home, and out here—dispensaries, and wells, and things. No, -no, I'll not touch the great spoil, I've enough to leave my family in -comfort. If Lena got her claws into this treasure, she'd squander even -it, in ten years. I may tell you that this horde was hidden away in -the troubled times of the eighteenth century. I suppose you know that -Tippoo's pearls were never discovered?"</p> - -<p>"No! Well, I wish <i>I</i> could find them!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, you are no good at finding!" scoffed the old man. "You can't even -find your own Uncle."</p> - -<p>"Now, Richard, you have talked too much," interposed Mrs. Beamish, -who had entered in her noiseless slippers. "Your voice is as weak as -a thread, come away: Captain Mallender will give you a pull up—it's -<i>long</i> past the time for your midday sleep, and you've never touched -your bread and milk, you bad old man!"</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">CHAPTER XXIV</p> - - -<p>"Tom and I are going to take you round the place this afternoon," -announced Tara. "We want to show you the old remains; afterwards we -will go through the native city, and bazaar, and wind up with tennis. -How will that be?"</p> - -<p>"Quite a gay programme, I do declare!" replied Mallender.</p> - -<p>"Yes, and to-morrow you shall see the country. Can you ride?"</p> - -<p>"Rather!" was his prompt answer.</p> - -<p>"Oh, I'm glad you say 'rather' in that tone,—for Sepoy, the new brown, -is a hard puller."</p> - -<p>"I prefer a hard puller. Gives you something to hold on to," rejoined -the new-comer with a laugh.</p> - -<p>As soon as the sun began to slant a little towards the west, Mallender -set out on a tour of inspection, escorted by his two companions. First, -they came to the officers' bungalows; of these, many of the roofs had -fallen in, the gardens were a high jungle of tall grasses, custard -apples, and guava trees; the only signs of a human abode were the -tottering gate piers,—still sentries to a dead home—and the outline -of a long-choked well. Before the most obliterated, Tom halted and said:</p> - -<p>"The Governor has often been to parties and tiffins here. He says the -prettiest woman in the regiment lived in this bungalow, with the whole -station at her feet."</p> - -<p>Some of the quarters were still standing, in spite of great chasms in -their tiled roofs. Into one of these, Tara led the way, explaining:</p> - -<p>"We call this 'Lucia's Bungalow,' for here on this window-frame is -carved—'Lucia' and a heart. See?"</p> - -<p>Yes, there it was, still distinctly legible, inscribed by a firm male -hand.</p> - -<p>"Her grave is in the cemetery," added the girl. "She was only twenty, I -put flowers on it every Sunday, and many on others too—but they seem -<i>all</i> asking me to care for them—poor forgotten people!"</p> - -<p>"Now let us go on to the barracks," urged Tom, the ever-restless, -leading the way from Lucia's Bungalow. "The General joined the regiment -there seventy-seven years ago. They say that Government was going to -pull the place down, only it would cost too much money, and they have -no use for the stone,—there being no railway."</p> - -<p>"Can you believe that this was once full of soldiers?" enquired Tara, -as they entered and gazed upon a vast open square. The building was -more of a fortress than barracks, having been erected in the days -when the country was overrun by Mysorians and Mahrattas. The outer -walls were pierced for guns, the windows and verandahs faced inwards -to the parade-ground—now overgrown with jungle, and coarse yellow -grass, where grazed a couple of lethargic buffaloes. Part of the -men's quarters were hopelessly dilapidated, but other portions still -exhibited time-defying teak stairs, heavy teakwood doors, and solid -chunam pillars.</p> - -<p>"It's pretty safe, shall we go up?" suggested Tom, and he led the -way along its echoing upper verandahs—from whence they peered into -forlorn, bat-haunted barrack-rooms—still exhibiting the marks of where -punkahs had once hung. Down below in the square, there was now no sound -of voices, tramping feet, or bugle calls, nothing but a steady "crop, -crop" of the buffaloes, and from the distant city the faint complacent -throbbing of a tom-tom.</p> - -<p>Tom and Tara were engaged in a prolonged altercation on the subject -of "manners," the two were frequently at loggerheads,—though they -never actually quarrelled—she accused him of rudely pushing up the -stairs before her, whilst he apostrophised her as "a silly ass." -Meanwhile, Mallender stood somewhat apart, gazing through a broken -aperture, over the sun-steeped outlook, with its rose-tinted plains, -and shadowy blue horizon. As he gazed, he began faintly to realise the -fascination of this old mysterious land, with its subtle appeal, that -baffles all attempts at description. His thoughts instinctively turned -to the General's tales of camps, and combats, marches and victories; -to "old-forgotten, far-off things, and battles long ago"; through the -evening's golden haze his mind's eye seemed to behold the approach -of an imposing train of war elephants, careering horsemen, streaming -standards, and ponderous guns. The vision was abruptly dispelled by a -vigorous thump on the back.</p> - -<p>"I say! You seem to be moonstruck or something," exclaimed Tom. "If we -are to play tennis, we must look sharp. It's past four o'clock, and the -Beaufort girls will be coming to fetch us with ropes and lanterns."</p> - -<p>"Oh, all right," agreed Mallender, "but, mind you, I'm an awful duffer -at tennis," and he followed Tara and her brother down the steep -resounding stairs.</p> - -<p>Tennis was played on two large kunker courts, not far from Beaufort's -quarters, and close by on an ancient bandstand were disposed chairs and -a table, with tea, lemonade and pegs, presided over by the General's -bearded butler. As anticipated, the explorers proved to be the last -arrivals, and found awaiting them two anxious Miss Beauforts, racquets -in hand; looking wonderfully sleek and smiling in spotless white frocks.</p> - -<p>Captain Beaufort was arrayed in a gaudy flannel suit, and a sailor hat -at least three sizes too small. Miss Lily presented with <i>empressement</i> -a thin, dark youth wearing a red satin tie, and many gilt rings, as -Alonzo Perez; also a bluff police officer, whose name Mallender did not -catch, and as Miss Lily called him "Chorlie" every two minutes, he was -compelled to do the same!</p> - -<p>Tennis proved strenuous indeed. The new-comer was out of practice, and -he and Tara were easily disposed of by Blanche and "Chorlie." Humble -and defeated, Mallender withdrew to a seat on the bandstand, and -proceeded to watch a hard-fought contest between Tom and Lily, Perez -and Jessie. Jessie's service was as that of a strong and determined -man—her volleys were deadly, her activity tireless—apparently she was -made of wire and india-rubber,—a matchless lady champion!</p> - -<p>Presently Blanche approached, then she sat down, sidled nearer to the -onlooker, and began to question him, with her soft, see-saw voice, -and liquid, enraptured eyes. Almost before he was aware, Mallender -found himself promising to write in her album, to take her photograph, -and give one of his own in exchange. Alas, poor Blanche! being dark -herself, this reserved young man—who served so stupidly into the -net—only admires blue eyes and fair hair, so your innocent coquetry is -entirely wasted.</p> - -<p>When the dusk fell with its Eastern suddenness, the party went off to -play badminton by lamp-light in the old racket court, but Mallender, -with the excuse that he had letters to write, returned to the Dâk -Bungalow. Here he was received by the Maty with a soup-plate in his -hand, on which lay two letters. One was in a strange handwriting, the -other from Nancy Brander. He opened the latter first, and calling for a -candle, sat down to read it.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>"<span class="smcap">Dear Geoffrey</span>," it began,</p> - -<p>"I do wonder where you are, and what you are doing? The other day I -met a Major and Mrs. Rochfort, and their lovely little girl; they are -all three devoted to you, and told me that you had stayed with them -recently,—of course in England. It seems rather late for them to -bring a child out here, and—though it was not my business, with my -usual audacity I offered Mrs. Rochfort my opinion gratis. Uncle and -Aunt are going strong; she often talks of you, and asks me for your -news. He never—this is so unlike the little man, who is not naturally -dour, or unforgiving; but, my dear twenty-first cousin, I now -understand that it is not so much 'the cutting of your own throat,' -as he calls it, that he objects to,—he has a far more serious charge -against you, which Fanny breathed to me only yesterday. Our kindly -Mrs. Fiske has informed him, that the passage money for Ada Sim was -paid by <i>you</i>, and as I write with one hand I cover my blushes with -the other, since I must add, that Mrs. F. solemnly assured Uncle -Fred, that you had your own very good reasons for getting Miss Sim -out of the country! Mrs. Fiske, ever ready to impute base motives, -had the story absolutely pat; she was told it by Mrs. Wylie, whose -husband came upon you in the shrubbery. He said Miss Sim was crying -like blazes, and had her arms wound about your neck! He also overheard -you arrange for another merry meeting, and added, that he was in -Cook's office when you paid for the lady's passage. <i>That</i> was like -your generosity, and I believe in it, and nothing else,—neither -does Fan, but Fred is peculiarly sensitive about a man's good -name—especially when his name is Mallender—and he always thought -you a sort of Galahad, and in fact most frightfully respectable. Now -he has changed his mind. Hence his silence. This really is a hateful -story, and the telling of it has afforded Mrs. Fiske some very -delicious minutes. However, I had the satisfaction of assuring her, -that bar the generosity to an unfortunate, homeless girl, the rest was -lies,—and so she cuts me, and has returned me a whole sheaf of my own -visiting-cards!</p> - -<p>"Our latest fashionable intelligence is—let me prepare you for a -shock—the engagement of Lena Villars to Sir Billy. He is the envy of -all men in our upper world; she, of the women. He has given her such -diamonds! I fancy, all the same, that the Sea Lion will keep the Syren -in subjection, and chain her to a rock; at any rate, round dances and -men's Christian names are now barred.</p> - -<p>"No news of your Uncle, I presume? How I should like to put the -thumb-screw on Brown and Brown! Is it not maddening to feel that they -<i>know</i>! Tom sends his salaams. He believes your Uncle is 'purdah' -somewhere, and asks me to tell you that he is looking forward to your -paying us a long visit before you go home. You have only to send a -wire, and your room will be ready. We go down the 15th, leaving Babs -with Auntie,—for the present she will be her only girl! I hope she -won't betroth her to some eligible little boy. By the way, I hear that -<i>you</i> are bespoke by Mota Rochfort! Be sure and write to me soon, and -tell me of <i>all</i> your adventures.</p> - -<p class="ph2">"Yours sincerely,<br /> -"<span class="smcap">Nancy Brander</span>."</p></div> - -<p>Mallender turned over the letter, and looked at the date, it was a -month old. He read it through once more, with compressed lips, a -knitted brow, and somewhat embittered memories.</p> - -<p>What a meddling fool he was! always doing the wrong thing. He had -carried out his father's wishes, and come to most unholy grief. He had -tried to help a wretched girl, and had the worst construction put upon -his action.</p> - -<p>And Fred believed these lies! As for that cad Wylie, he would like to -wring his neck. After quite a long interval, he picked up and opened -letter Number 2, which was written in a weak uncertain hand, and -glanced at the signature, "Ever most gratefully yours, Ada Sim."</p> - -<p>By Jove, here was a coincidence! What had <i>she</i> got to say for herself? -A slip of paper fell out,—a cheque, a cheque for one hundred pounds, -"payable to Captain Geoffrey Mallender"; a sum as unexpected as it was -welcome. This would take him nicely down country, and pay <i>his</i> passage -to England!</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>"<span class="smcap">Craig Birnie</span>,</p> - -<p>"<span class="smcap">Inverness-shire</span>, N.B.</p> - -<p>"<span class="smcap">Dear Captain Mallender</span>,</p> - -<p>"I have been very ill—or would have written to you long before. As -it is, this is my first attempt at writing letters for two months. I -have great pleasure in enclosing a cheque for £100, the money you so -generously lent me.</p> - -<p>"You may wonder how I came by it? I do think my ill-luck has turned -at last. I travelled home with a man who knew my bachelor Uncle—Mr. -Andrew Campbell—my mother's brother,—he and my father had a quarrel, -and never forgave one another—he was very rich, father very poor and -proud, and so it was never made up! My kind fellow-passenger put in a -good word for <i>me</i>, with the result that I had an interview with Uncle -Andrew in London, and after spending two days together, he offered to -adopt me as his daughter, and give me a home. Immediately after this -unexpected good fortune, and just as I had arrived here, I had typhoid -fever badly, and have been at death's door, but am now out of danger, -and sitting up.</p> - -<p>"My Uncle asks me to send you his most heartfelt thanks, and to say -that when next you cross the Border, he hopes to see you at Craig -Birnie, and can promise you the best of shooting. As for me, I <i>never</i> -can thank you. That afternoon, when you found me in the shrubbery, -I had come to the end of <i>everything</i>. If you see Mrs. Tallboys, -and Mrs. Brander, please give them my love. They shall hear from me -shortly. I hope you will be able to read this pencil scrawl. It has -taken me two days to write.</p> - -<p class="ph2">"Ever most gratefully yours,<br /> -<span class="smcap">Ada Sim</span>."</p></div> - -<p>This letter, evidently written with effort, and by a feeble hand, was -as balm to Mallender's wounded feelings. So there <i>was</i> some good in -the world after all! Acting on the impulse of the moment, he enclosed -the epistle in a sheet of paper marked "Private," thrust it into an -envelope which he addressed to Mrs. Brander. At any rate, he would -clear himself in her eyes—yes, and in Fanny's; and having handed his -exculpation over to Anthony, and told him to post it without fail, he -scribbled a note of apology to Mrs. Beamish, and dined at home, on -curried vegetables, and the contents of his dâk.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">CHAPTER XXV</p> - - -<p>A vast crowd, assembled about the south verandah, astonished Mallender, -as he walked up to the General's quarters in order to fetch his horse. -On approaching nearer, he discovered that this gathering was not, as -he had feared, the scene of an accident, but a multitude of the blind, -halt, and lame, all waiting to be treated by the kind hands of Mrs. -Beamish. It proved to be an army composed of woeful cases; here a man -with elephantiasis,—his leg the size and shape of a pillar; there a -woman, with a child in her arms, a prey to ophthalmia, a sickening -spectacle; people suffering from fever, and ague, and even leprosy, -abounded.</p> - -<p>Invested in a mushroom topee, and loose white jacket, seated behind a -large table Mrs. Beamish reigned supreme; interviewing and prescribing -for her patients—one by one; whilst two sharp-looking servants -assisted her. Dozens and dozens of bottles of all sorts, and sizes, -from a soda-water to a scent bottle, were being promptly filled, -corked, and delivered.</p> - -<p>"This is my dispensary morning," she called out to Mallender, over the -heads of the crowd. "I have a certificate, and know something about the -dispensing of drugs." She beckoned him to come up the steps. "Look at -my clients—has any doctor in Harley Street such a practice?"</p> - -<p>"No, I am sure he has not," replied the young man, as his glance swept -over the crowd;—at the moment the eyes of all the patients were -centred on himself.—"What misery!" he exclaimed, "isn't it <i>too</i> -awful?"</p> - -<p>"Misery? yes, and what patience! I do what I can, but it's not much," -and she gazed at her surroundings with a wistful expression. "Well now, -I cannot have you taking up my precious time, <i>you</i> do not need to -consult me! The children, and the horses, are waiting for you by the -back verandah, don't let them break any of your bones. My hands, as you -see, are full, I do not want another job!"</p> - -<p>"Let us first of all take a turn round the race-course," said Tara, as -the trio pranced out of the compound—the lady riding a beautiful bay -Arab, Tom a sturdy New Zealand cob, and the guest a fine stud-bred from -Ossour.</p> - -<p>"Race-course!" he echoed, "I did not think there was one nearer than -Bangalore."</p> - -<p>"But there is," replied the girl, "and what is more, I will race you -from the stand to the red Sawmy stone; it is exactly one mile."</p> - -<p>"All right," he agreed, "it's a match!"</p> - -<p>"The General remembered the whereabouts," explained Tom, "and got the -course a bit cleared for us to exercise on—but it's little better than -the ordinary <i>maidan</i>, though it has no nullahs, and not many holes."</p> - -<p>"Sounds like good going!" rejoined Mallender, with a laugh, "You'll let -me know when we come to it, won't you?"</p> - -<p>This information was necessary, as the course was but vaguely indicated -by a few scattered white posts.</p> - -<p>"Here we are," suddenly announced Tara, "that big mound you see over -there, was once the grand stand—shall we make it the starting-post? -Tom, you can start us!"</p> - -<p>The trio trotted across the lumpy ground to the so-called "post," and -after a short delay Tom gave a shrill whistle, and the match commenced. -Sepoy, the stud-bred, was boisterously fresh; he bucked and did his -best to get his head down, but it was no use—on this occasion he had -a master on his back—and presently gave up the struggle, and settled -into his stride. He was fast, the blood of Orme was in his veins, and -he had the legs of the bounding bay Arab. As the riders galloped along, -the cool morning wind blowing past their ears sang a gay duet with the -thudding hoofs; and Mallender felt roused to real enjoyment. After all, -his wanderings had now and then <i>one</i> bright moment,—a few gleams of -compensation, such as this! Finally the brown won with ridiculous ease, -passing the post ten lengths ahead of Rustum.</p> - -<p>"Oh, dear, so you've beaten us!" and Rustum's rider, looking rather -crestfallen, her linen habit spattered with foam, joined Mallender. -"<i>I</i> have always beaten Tom!" she gasped out breathlessly.</p> - -<p>"Yes," added Tom, storming up on the excited cob, "but I'm a couple of -stone heavier than Mallender for one thing, and the brown plays cup and -ball—and goes as he likes, with <i>me</i>!"</p> - -<p>"Captain Mallender rides as well as Archie," admitted Tara, with a -bright blush.</p> - -<p>"Archie," echoed her brother, "is not in the same field—don't hit me, -Tar! but," turning to Mallender, "I expect you have been used to horses -all your life?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; and I've hunted, and played a good deal of polo."</p> - -<p>"And ridden races, I'll bet?"</p> - -<p>"Only regimental," was the modest reply.</p> - -<p>"Poor Tar, what a chance <i>you</i> had!" jeered her brother. "Now let us -get away into the open country."</p> - -<p>"Then you don't call this open?" questioned the stranger.</p> - -<p>"Oh, no, wait till you see the real plains."</p> - -<p>In a short time the trio were cantering over the coarse hard grass, -through scrubby jungle, past great red boulders, across sandy -river-beds, and dry water-courses, occasionally avoiding a yawning -nullah, that looked as if it opened into the very bowels of the earth. -Once, on a flat rock, they descried a large bright green snake coiled -up asleep. Once, they skirted a shrine, where a worshipper had just -sacrificed a kid to "Kali." Tara it was who led the way, skimming -along, on her light-footed Arab, riding with a certain wild grace, but -it was not the same horsewomanship as exhibited by Barbie Miller—that -was a masterful, and finished performance!</p> - -<p>Walking and talking, cantering and galloping, the little party covered -about twelve miles, and then in the golden morning turned their faces -homewards, Mallender carrying with him the impression of wide yellowish -plains with purple shadows, scattered rocks and jungle, one or two -deserted temples, and a melancholy sense of space and desolation.</p> - -<p>"This is the wild side," explained Tara, "at the other, they grow -crops; heaps of cotton, ragi, cholum and oil seed, and send it down -country. This evening we will introduce you to the great bazaar, a -native town—and you will see what rich neighbours we have."</p> - -<p>The only bazaar that Mallender had yet explored, was the Gorah Bazaar, -in Madras; this, at Wellunga, was entirely different. In the first -place, although it was teeming with human life, there was not a single -European to be seen, nor even a Eurasian,—all were natives of the -country. Truly here was "India for the Indians!" The stalls displayed -no Western requirements; but grain, condiments, strange sweets, -coloured cottons, and muslins, piles of silk of local manufacture in -vermilion, orange, indigo, pink and green; also turbans, and tinselled -caps of all colours. Here, were working jewellers with their little -braziers; huka makers, weavers of spells, and public letter writers. -The long narrow streets reeked with the intangible but familiar bazaar -odour (a mixture of oil, grain, aromatic spices, and raw cotton). -Crowds were chaffing, gossiping, or strolling along. Here and there, a -tall, bold-looking woman covered with jewellery, and painted with khol, -passed with a defiant glare; gaily caparisoned horses with jewelled -girths, and head-bands—their manes and tails dyed rose colour, were -led snorting by, disturbing the little sacred bulls, who were poking -wet black noses into the open gram baskets.</p> - -<p>"Those are Raka's stud!" explained Tom, "he likes to show them off. -They are bitted up, poor brutes, till their necks are nearly broken. -No wonder they are vicious! I hear he is getting two motor-cars from -Madras."</p> - -<p>"In that case," declared Tara, "his rival will send for four. Rakar and -he are outward friends, and deadly enemies; both are grain merchants, -money-lenders, and enormously rich. Here is Rakar now!" as an obviously -important individual appeared, riding a prancing horse—held with -evident difficulty by two men,—a gigantic white Khatiawari, his mane -and tail a glowing pink, a band of gold and stones flashed above his -furious eyes; his nostrils were scarlet, figuratively they breathed -fire and slaughter, and the great animal appeared ready to break loose, -and rend the whole bazaar!</p> - -<p>Rakar, a keen-looking man of forty, salaamed with both hands as he -passed by on his demonstrative charger.</p> - -<p>"In old days, he would have had to get off his horse, when he met -<i>us</i>," said Tara, as she scanned him with haughty eyes.</p> - -<p>"I think he feels safer where he is; the horse would probably eat him," -rejoined Mallender. He was secretly uncomfortable, and anxious to get -Miss Beamish out of this highly-spiced, staring crowd,—but he had no -occasion for misgiving and uneasiness. The General and all his house -were held in high favour, and respect, in the native city.</p> - -<p>"I think it is time for me to pay my evening visit to your father," he -remarked at last.</p> - -<p>"So it is," agreed Tom, "I saw the parents drive home a good while ago; -all right, let us get a move on." For this manœuvre, Tom was always -prepared.</p> - -<p>"So I hear you've done the bazaar," said the old man, to Mallender, as -he entered. "What do you think of it?"</p> - -<p>"Well, sir, it gives me an idea of what India is—without <i>us</i>. It -might still be 1700, for all the signs of advancement—I saw people -wearing horn spectacles, writing with wood, and buying spells! But I -hear that Rakar, the rich merchant, is getting motors,—the roads are -capital, I wonder you never thought of one, you can travel over a good -bit of country, and without fatigue."</p> - -<p>"I declare it's strange, that it never occurred to me! but begad, yes, -I'll have one! it will be a change from our three miles out, three -miles in. Why, man, I'll get down to Seringapatam, Mysore, Bangalore! -How can I buy a car, a good one?"</p> - -<p>"In Madras. If I go down, I can choose it for you."</p> - -<p>"So you can, but you are not gone yet. Tell me your plans, my boy. Have -you made them?—and how are you off for money?"</p> - -<p>"All right, thank you."</p> - -<p>"Now, that is nonsense," he answered, querulously. "I know your Uncle -cut your income, and the house swallowed your capital. How will you -live?—you must let the old man give you a hand."</p> - -<p>"I'll let the place, and get some interest that way; the shooting is -poor, but it's a fine old house and park, and might bring in a few -hundreds a year, so I shan't starve, but I hate having nothing to do. -I'll try and get into the Territorials, or some other billet."</p> - -<p>"Yes, and then I suppose you'll marry! Well, take my advice, young man, -benefit by <i>my</i> experience—and look well before you leap!"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The morning rides were sometimes postponed till afternoon,—especially -now that there was a beautiful moon, and one day Tara said:</p> - -<p>"This evening, you must come to the haunted battlefield, Captain -Mallender,—then you will hear something that will surprise you."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I often hear things that surprise me; no later than this morning -at tennis, Miss Blanche told me, that she was in 'a state of nature!'"</p> - -<p>"Poor girl! you must not laugh at her. They have had a scanty -education, but are wonderfully adaptable and quick at picking up -things. When—when," colouring faintly, "I live in the Hills, I shall -ask them on a visit; even a little station will be gay to them."</p> - -<p>"Lily will not leave home," declared Tom, "she could not tear herself -away from Perez. That will be a match, you will see."</p> - -<p>"Never mind Lily, but do look at the sunset," urged Tara; the little -party had made their way westward, and were approaching the scene -of more than one desperate struggle and conflict. As her companions -raised their eyes, they found themselves contemplating a transcendent -scene—extraordinary even in that land of sunsets: soft roseate clouds -set jewel-wise in an ocean of dazzling gold.</p> - -<p>A jealous full moon was stealthily creeping up, and an evening breeze -that accompanied her gently swayed the long coarse grass and cotton -plants. Presently and almost abruptly, the dying sun turned from a -beauteous rose to a vivid and tragic red,—the shade of blood and -death!—it filled the plains and pools of water with its sinister and -terrible reflection, and the soft evening zephyr, struck suddenly chill.</p> - -<p>"Here is the place, stand still, my steed!" quoted the girl. "I know -it by the block, that looks like a pillar and is covered with figures. -They say it's an 'Asoka' stone, and very old. It is just about here, on -this sandy stretch, that you can hear them."</p> - -<p>"Hear what? Scorpions or snakes?" asked Mallender in a chaffing way.</p> - -<p>Tara ignored his question with an air of affronted dignity. -Occasionally she could assume an amazingly proud, exclusive air,—and -turning to her brother, said:</p> - -<p>"Tom, if you will hold the horses, Captain Mallender can come with -me. Please to follow," commanded the young lady, as soon as she had -alighted. "You may hear nothing, as you are so unbelieving, but again, -you may hear something that you will never forget."</p> - -<p>After they had walked about a hundred yards, she turned abruptly to -face her companion, and said:</p> - -<p>"Now, you must take off your cap and kneel down here and listen." -As she spoke, she sank bareheaded on the sand, and without a word, -Mallender meekly followed her example.</p> - -<p>What an extraordinary girl! Was she playing him a trick? Tara was given -to mild practical jokes, but it was going rather too far; to bring him -fifteen miles, and plant him on his knees in the middle of an empty -plain. For some time there was no sound, beyond the impatient stamping -of the horses and jingling of their bits, and at the end of ten minutes -Mallender ventured a protest.</p> - -<p>"I say, Miss Tara, is not this getting a bit monotonous? I expect they -have another engagement."</p> - -<p>"Hush! Hush!" she answered authoritatively. "Don't speak! -Wait!—They—are coming."</p> - -<p>Mallender was inclined to whistle, "The Campbells are coming," but -was afraid of the young lady's displeasure. Her occasional air of -aloofness and command impressed and surprised, though it entirely -failed to crush him.</p> - -<p>What an awful ass he must look! Why was not Tom roaring with laughter? -As he bent his head nearer to the ground, a noxious carrion bird swept -so obtrusively close to him that he started involuntarily, and was -sensible of an extraordinary sensation of sickening repulsion. What was -that? A bugle-call! Yes, he heard it distinctly; from the far distance -came another, immediately followed by a brisk roll of drums, then drums -and fifes—accompanied by the tramp and thunder of an approaching host. -The ground seemed to tremble and vibrate under the tread of a large -body of troops who were rapidly advancing,—and yet, amazing sensation, -these troops were nowhere to be seen.</p> - -<p>Mallender stared about in stupefied bewilderment; not a soldier -was visible, merely the empty moon-flooded plains, that appeared -to be suddenly bereft of all warmth and life—and although there -was not a breath of wind, the long grass and cotton plants, were -shivering.—<i>Why?</i> As gradually as they approached, so gradually did -the sound of tramping feet become fainter, yet fainter, and finally -died away; one far-distant bugle-call sounded a piercing, lingering, -almost agonized challenge—then followed complete, absolute, and -ghastly silence.</p> - -<p>Geoffrey Mallender was sensible of being unaccountably chilled and -overawed; he felt as if he had suddenly stirred the springs of some -obscure dread—had been brought to the edge of another sphere! Possibly -the experience would pass, would soon be explained, derided, and -forgotten; but for a moment this glimpse of the unknown had made his -heart beat unusually fast, and his dark hair to lie in damp rings upon -his clammy forehead. As he rose hastily to his feet and looked at his -companion, Tara's hands dropped from her face, her great grey eyes -were fixed upon him with an expression of awe, as they confronted one -another in the mystic brilliancy of moonlight. At last she said:</p> - -<p>"Now you know what I mean by <i>them</i>."</p> - -<p>"I do indeed," he replied with undeniable sincerity. "The most -extraordinary experience; a British column on the march! Did you hear -the drums and fifes?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, of course, and always at the time you think the tune is -familiar—and yet never, never,—try as you will, can you recall it."</p> - -<p>"But what does it all mean?"</p> - -<p>"Who knows? Some say, a body of troops passed here to their death, -others, that that is folly, and the sounds have a natural explanation; -something to do with the air and echoes and refraction. All I can tell -you for certain is, that if you come here when the moon is at the third -quarter, and only then, between sunset and eight o'clock, you can hear -the troops go by. Tom has heard them, so have Mr. Strong and Perez, and -I, and now you! Never Jessie, or the Beauforts, because they cannot -ride at all—much less fifteen miles."</p> - -<p>"And you think——?"</p> - -<p>"That it is a part of Lord Cornwallis's old army, who were led into an -ambush, and butchered; what do you say?"</p> - -<p>"I will let Shakespeare answer, 'There are more things in earth and -heaven, than are dreamt of in our philosophy.'"</p> - -<p>"At any rate, you will allow that it is neither scorpions or snakes, -but something uncanny."</p> - -<p>"I allow that," said Mallender with emphasis. "I will even admit I felt -thoroughly scared. That last bugle-call made me shake all over!"</p> - -<p>"So you heard them?" enquired Tom, as they joined him.</p> - -<p>"Yes, and it's the most weird hearing, bar none, I've ever experienced!"</p> - -<p>"No doubt there are mysterious happenings in this blessed old country. -Things no one can explain; black magic and spells, and devil worship. -Well, while you two have been listening to the march of ghostly -soldiers, I've had a high old time with these three brutes. Now we must -be getting home. I'm starving, and we have a good fifteen miles between -us and supper." As he concluded, Tom turned about, and put his cob into -a sharp canter.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">CHAPTER XXVI</p> - - -<p>The dâk had been duly laid with six good horses, and Mallender's -departure definitely fixed for the morrow. To celebrate his last ride -at Wellunga, the little party had ridden unusually far afield,—indeed -so far that on a certain eminence Tara pointed out to him a faint grey -line on the horizon which she believed to be Seringapatam! But the -young lady was mistaken. Through the golden haze of distance, the eyes -of her imagination had merely descried a city in the air! It was late -as the riders approached Wellunga, the sun was hot, and the animals -were pretty well done, when within a couple of hundred yards of the -General's bungalow, they heard frenzied yells from the direction of the -bazaar, and coming from the same quarter, beheld a rolling cloud of -yellow dust. As the dust gradually dispersed, there emerged from its -shelter no less a sight than the processional horse—and man eater! -He was loose, and rapidly approaching with streaming pink mane and -tail. At first, he seemed only affected by the delight and abandonment -of utter freedom, as he galloped headlong, kicking, squealing, and -uttering a shrill equine war cry! but soon he descried the three -horses, and Rustum, being of high degree, flung back a defiant -challenge. In a second, the Khatiawari was chasing him open-mouthed, -and Tara, frantically lashing her Arab, turned to fly; but Rustum was -tired, the pursuer fresh, and full of pride and gram. Screaming and -open-mouthed, he drove his prey right on to the brink of a deep nullah. -Here he intended to overtake and destroy him,—for the Khatiawari came -of an old native stock, who were bred and trained to kill, in the -hideous horse-fights, so popular with the Rajahs of a bygone time.</p> - -<p>Mallender instantly grasped the situation! There was not half a second -to be lost; he wheeled about, drove his spurs into the brown, and with -the intention of "riding him off," dashed between the monster and his -victim.</p> - -<p>The great white charger came thundering on, like some overwhelming, -relentless force, and flung himself furiously with all his weight -upon the intervener; there was a second's scrambling and scuffling, a -crash of loose stones, and the next moment, the man and two horses had -vanished,—been swallowed up by the yawning chasm.</p> - -<p>The shrieks of the brutes were weird and blood-curdling, a mixture -of rage, hate and agony. Meanwhile a howling, excited mob had come -swarming out of the native town, and gathered round the scene; but -no one appeared to be capable of doing anything beyond shout. Tara -had dismounted, so had Tom! His face pale as death—of a dull shining -whiteness; he looked dazed, and miserably uncertain what to do. As for -Mrs. Beamish, the mainspring of the household, she sat in the verandah, -facing the scene, with her apron over her head, her fingers in her ears -endeavouring to deaden those ghastly sounds from the nullah; and truly, -these were enough to freeze the marrow of the bones.</p> - -<p>At this moment, an unexpected figure in every sense rose to the -occasion. The old General, who for a long time had been unable to move -unassisted, suddenly walked out into the compound, waving a stick—his -scarlet dressing-gown fluttering behind him. To the spectators, it -was almost as if the dead had returned to life!—This aged tottering -veteran had suddenly cast off the weight of years, and once more taken -the field. The sight was as startling to the crowd as the recent, and -still hideously audible, horror. A ghost among living men, Richard -Beamish stood perfectly erect, his old eyes flamed, his old voice -shouted orders, he was as one inspired with a great spirit,—surely a -miracle was wrought before their eyes!</p> - -<p>In obedience to his orders, a peon ran to Tom with a loaded revolver, a -number of men fetched well-ropes, a doolie was sent for, the apothecary -summoned; all was done promptly, and by word of command. Presently Tom -was lowered by ropes into the nullah, where he shot the Khatiawari -through the brain;—the brown stud-bred was dead already. Next came -the delicate and difficult task of extricating Mallender, and bringing -him to the surface. Once there, and now that the screaming horses were -no more, Mrs. Beamish became her normal self; a firm, well-trained, -certificated nurse, and a messenger on the fastest horse in Wellunga -was despatched to summon a doctor from a station fifty miles away. When -the doolie was carried into the bungalow, bearing a still breathing -man, the guiding spirit vanished; it was as if a bright flame had burst -out, shone for a short time, flickered down, and expired.</p> - -<p>The General was assisted to his chair, and once more relapsed into a -huddled heap, a feeble old creature, who looked as if his backbone was -shrunken and withered, shaking all over, from the reaction of an almost -super-natural exertion.</p> - -<p>His eyes fell on Tara,—white, stricken, and trembling.</p> - -<p>"The child, thank God, is spared," and he lifted up his bony hands, -"but the young fellow who saved her?"</p> - -<p>"He is not dead, Richard," said his wife. "I have good hopes, and a -surgeon will be here to-morrow. You have done wonders, and exhausted -yourself; you must let Jessie and the <i>chokra</i> put you to bed, and I -will give you a sedative."</p> - -<p>"Bed—bed!" he muttered peevishly. "Bed at ten o'clock! Well, begad, -it's all I'm fit for <i>now</i>!"</p> - -<p>Mrs. Beamish devoted the whole of her time and attention to the injured -man, and summoned Tara to assist her with sponges and bandages; but -when the girl saw the ghastly death-like face, and the stream of -blood that pattered on to the matting, she fainted away, and the -breathless "dresser," who had just appeared, succeeded to her post. In -a miraculously short time the doctor arrived in a motor—the first that -had ever penetrated into those parts—and after a careful examination -of the patient, expressed his opinion that Mrs. Beamish and her -assistant had done all that was immediately needful; the twisted ankle, -the fractured arm, and the bites, might not have serious developments.</p> - -<p>"The injury to the head is what I fear; it's in a dangerous place, and -we may have inflammation, and suppuration," and he nodded gravely; -"however, we will hope for the best. He looks a fine, healthy young -fellow—all muscle. What's his name?"</p> - -<p>"Mallender—Captain Mallender."</p> - -<p>"What, the polo player?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know; he rides splendidly, they say."</p> - -<p>"He won't have a stick in his hand for many a day—if ever. I had -better prepare you, and tell you that this crack in the back of his -head may have an effect on the brain. He has had an uncommonly narrow -squeak. Go on with the remedies, and I'll come again in two days." Then -in another voice, he added, "I say, Mrs. Beamish, what a rum place you -live in! My chauffeur had never heard of it, no more had I!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, but it suits the old General—he prefers to be out of the world."</p> - -<p>"Ah—'the world forgetting, by the world forgot!'"</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, we don't bother about society. Now, you must come and have -some tiffin," added Mrs. Beamish hospitably. "It's all ready. I'm sorry -you won't see my husband,—he is asleep."</p> - -<p>"A great age, I understand."</p> - -<p>"Yes, ninety-five next birthday."</p> - -<p>"Well, ma'am, that speaks volumes for our much-abused Indian climate, -doesn't it?"</p> - -<p>"That is true, but then the General has a fine constitution, and a good -conscience," declared his wife, with dignified complacency.</p> - -<p>Thanks to the skilled nursing of Mrs. Beamish and Anthony's faithful -attendance, Mallender, by slow degrees, crept back to this world—men -in the prime and vigour of their youth do not die easily.—At first, -his memory appeared to be a mere glimmering of things half seen, he -took no interest in life, and was curiously lethargic.</p> - -<p>When the doctor paid a final visit, he said to Mrs. Beamish:</p> - -<p>"The young fellow is not fit to go to England; his head would never -stand the journey. Try and rouse him, keep him interested and amused, -then get him by easy stages to some place in the Hills. In a couple of -months, he may be all right."</p> - -<p>"We can move him up to my coffee estate," suggested Tom. "It's an easy -road, and only a hundred miles from this; bearers and a doolie will do -it in twenty-four hours."</p> - -<p>"The very thing!" agreed the doctor, "but don't leave him alone; try -and make him talk, talk to him,—and <i>rouse</i> him."</p> - -<p>This was by no means a simple prescription! Nothing seemed to rouse the -invalid; not dogs, or picture papers, or even the prolonged visits of -the good-natured Beaufort girls, who deafened the sufferer with their -chatter, and loaded him with flowers and sympathy; but one day, after -Tara had quitted the room, he said suddenly:</p> - -<p>"Why is she so unlike—the others?"</p> - -<p>"Bless me! That's a funny question," exclaimed Mrs. Beamish, laying -down her sewing and surveying him critically.</p> - -<p>"No," raising himself on his elbow. "Quite—quite—quite—what's the -word? She is different from—all of you—why?"</p> - -<p>Mrs. Beamish reflected for a moment, as she carefully threaded her -needle; her patient exhibited interest for the first time, should she -tell him something that would possibly startle and stir his stagnant -mind?—or not?</p> - -<p>"Well, then you shall hear," she answered, after a long pause. "But -it's a secret, and I know you can keep one."</p> - -<p>He nodded indifferently, with closed eyes.</p> - -<p>"Will you be surprised when I tell you that Tara is not our daughter?"</p> - -<p>"No," slowly opening his eyes, "more surprised if she <i>was</i>!"</p> - -<p>"She is no more related to us than you are, and that's the solemn -truth!"</p> - -<p>"But how—why? Where did she come from?"</p> - -<p>Mrs. Beamish made a hasty sign with her hand.</p> - -<p>"Now I'm going to tell you, what's only known to three people; if it -came to Tara's ears she'd break her heart, she is so proud—so awfully -proud. The Beamish's are a very good old family, and she sets great -store by that."</p> - -<p>"Go on, please," he urged with unexpected animation.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Beamish rose and went over and carefully shut a lofty double door, -then looked out into the verandah, finally sat down satisfied,—and -began.</p> - -<p>"It's over nineteen years and more, since the General being uncommonly -hale and busy, I took a holiday to see my sister Susan, who was in bad -health at Bangalore. Her husband was a missionary; they lived a bit out -of the way, up towards the Arab lines, where rents were cheap. Well, -I was nursing her through a bad go of fever, and one evening I heard -a carriage rumble under the porch. I thought it might be someone for -James; for he was a good kind man, and well known.—People often coming -to him about charity, or to consult him when in trouble; so I thought -nothing whatever of it, till I saw the ayah walking into the room -with a very young baby in her arms! She was a queer flighty sort of -creature, but honest and kind-hearted. She told me that a <i>gharry</i> with -two horses had driven up, and the boy being busy in the cook-house she -went out. There was only one person in the carriage, a stern-looking -lady with diamonds in her ears, greyish hair, and proud eyes. She had -an infant on her lap.</p> - -<p>"'I want to leave this little baby with Mrs. Haines for a day or two,' -she said, 'as we have sickness in the house,' and with that she handed -out the child, and its bottle, and a parcel of clothes. As soon as the -ayah had it in her arms, the lady called out to the 'garriwan,' who -drove away at a terrible pace. The night was pitch dark, but the ayah -thought that they went towards Trinity Road.</p> - -<p>"Well, from that day to this, no one ever called for the baby. We did -all we could to trace her belongings, but it was just as if the whole -thing had been a <i>dream</i>. Susan, my sister, did not like to send the -poor child down to the Home in Madras, she was so sweetly pretty, and -evidently came of gentle folk; though her clothes were not very grand, -a fine diamond ring was tied up among them, and three hundred rupees in -notes."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Beamish paused for a moment; she noticed that her companion's -attention was captured at last.</p> - -<p>"I wrote to the General, and asked him what I was to do? Susan's -health was poor, and James Haines did not take to a young infant; I -must confess she cried a lot, and he had terribly broken nights; so -Richard said, 'Bring her along, and pass her off as ours. Up here, no -one will know, and another in the family makes no difference.' She -was christened Tara, after a girl in a book that the General thought -a lot of. He was for calling her Dora, after his first wife, but when -he came to look into it, he said his wife Dora might not like to have -him thinking of another Dora, and the poor baby a <i>nobody</i>—but we -look on her, and love her, as our own—indeed, if the old man <i>has</i> a -favourite, it's Tar!"</p> - -<p>"So Tom and Jessie are not in the secret?"</p> - -<p>"No one is in it out here but the General and myself, for Susan and -James are dead; but some day I must tell Archie Murray."</p> - -<p>"I never heard of anything so strange! I wonder if her people will ever -trace and claim her?"</p> - -<p>"Not likely; but if they did, we would not give her up—unless she -wished it. I believe Tara comes of high folk, however low their morals -were," added Mrs. Beamish. "Just you look at her hand and foot, and the -turn of her neck; and she has a sort of mocking imperious way at times, -is a great stickler for manners, and always a wish to be <i>first</i>. The -girl wants a strong hand, and Archie Murray has that. Tara has a warm -loving heart, a great courage, and is extraordinarily generous. She'd -give you her last morsel, but she expects a high place and a lot of -ceremony."</p> - -<p>"Well, now," folding up her work, "I've left you something new to think -of, haven't I? and I must go and see if my old man has taken his soup."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Beamish had indeed given her patient something to reflect on; and -so the beautiful, imperious, indulged Tara was a nameless foundling; -rescued and brought up by this good, charitable woman, as her very own!</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>When the invalid was sufficiently recovered to creep about with a -stick, and his arm in a sling, he often sat in the west verandah beside -the General, whose sunken wistful eyes untiringly surveyed his beloved -India and who liked to have Mallender near him,—although they rarely -spoke. One was living in the past, the other's mind,—still somewhat -blurred,—was anxiously scanning the future. At last even Mrs. Beamish -admitted that Mallender was strong enough to adventure a journey, and -it had come as on a previous occasion, to his last day.</p> - -<p>Sitting beside the old man, he was astonished to hear him ask Tom -to take down his sword, and bring it to him;—it was of an obsolete -pattern with a hacked and dented brass scabbard, and its former wearer -gazed at it, with a face drawn with emotion, then he said:</p> - -<p>"My father gave me this in the year of our Lord, Eighteen hundred -and thirty-five. I was a lad then; it has seen its share of service, -and never, I thank God, been disgraced. I value it, next to my -family here, more than anything in the wide world." Reaching feebly -forward, and laying it across the invalid's knees, he said, "See here, -Mallender, I give it to <i>you</i>."</p> - -<p>"To me, sir!" he exclaimed, in astonishment. "Oh, no—no. The sword -must remain in the family as an heirloom, it should belong to Tom. You -offer me a great honour, but——"</p> - -<p>"But Tom is not a soldier," interrupted the General impatiently, -"and he wishes it to go to you. Many and many a mile has that sword -travelled, and clanked and jingled beside me," and the old man's head -fell on his breast. "I'd like to know that at last, it will return to -England,—and you will hang it up in your home, and now and then look -at it, and think of the old, old soldier who wore it in India for fifty -years." Suddenly his voice broke, and the hero of Lucknow, Aliwal, -Gwalior and Jhansi, wept.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Even outlandish Wellunga boasted its own correspondent; a certain -scribbling baboo, had a brother in the newspaper office of a little rag -in Madras, and now and then at long intervals supplied him with a par. -or two of fashionable intelligence.</p> - -<p>About five weeks after Mallender had reached Tom Beamish's coffee -estate, the following appeared in the said little rag.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>"Fearful panic occurred here lately on the occasion of a most alarming -affair. A terrible man-eating horse, value Rs. 2000, the property of -our honourable Mr. Rakar, broke loose, and all was terror and screams; -he chased the Arab ridden by our beautiful Miss Beamish, and would -have torn them limb from limb, but a young mister rode between, and -accepted the rage of the wild beast, who knocked him and horse into a -pitch dark nullah, and there devoured them. The young man saved the -lady's life, and was taken up dead,—but breathing. His name is G. -Mallender, and it is said, that he comes from England."</p></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">CHAPTER XXVII</p> - - -<p>The Bonagherry estate, to which Mallender was transported, stood at the -head of a slope, overlooking an open park-like distance; immediately -round the long low house was a garden full of English flowers, roses, -mignonette, violets,—subsequently extending into mere vegetables, such -as lettuce, artichokes and tomatoes; further back, were the stables, -drying grounds, coolie lines, and the premises were invested on all -sides by coffee. It was October; a busy time for planters, and almost -wherever the eye rested were dark brown coolies picking the crop. -Mallender, luxuriously reclining in a long chair in the verandah, -enjoyed the animated scene, and abandoned himself to his environment; a -cool sea breeze coming over the Western Ghauts, the perfume of familiar -flowers seemed to whisper of renewed vitality and the joy of living.</p> - -<p>He had now been a week at Bonagherry, and felt better, and could creep -up and down the verandah with the aid of a stick.</p> - -<p>The injury to his head occasionally clouded his brain,—and at times -he suffered agony; but things were coming back by degrees, and though -his mind sometimes dwelt on home, and his prospective voyage, he seemed -to have no bodily or mental energy. He was content to sit in the sun, -imbibing thin, delicious air, waited on by his kind, sympathetic -friends, Jessie and Tom, as well as the invaluable Anthony.</p> - -<p>Tom was engaged all day, from the time the "ginty" or horn sounded to -summon the coolies, till long after sundown, when he would come into -the verandah, and cast his weary frame into a chair, and tell the -invalid of his doings.</p> - -<p>"It will be a good crop," he answered, in reply to Mallender's -questions, "the picking goes well, but coffee isn't what it was—worth -a hundred pounds a ton. Now we are lucky if we get fifty—Brazil is -ruining us, and we have ninety miles' carting to do, before we get the -rail. Of course I have the old man at my back, but I must say I like to -make; and anyhow it's a free life."</p> - -<p>"All work, and no play?" suggested his guest.</p> - -<p>"No, not always; there's still some shooting, and lots of good fellows -within a ride. We generally have tennis on Sunday."</p> - -<p>"No parson?"</p> - -<p>"Lord love you, no! Our little cemetery is not even consecrated; -however, people don't die up here, the climate holds them. As soon as -you are fit, I'll take you round the neighbours. My nearest is a woman."</p> - -<p>"A woman! What's she doing on a coffee estate?"</p> - -<p>"Running a big plantation for all it's worth,—and working like a -Trojan. I'm her adviser. Her husband, Major Bourne, died four years -ago, a good, unpractical, easy-going Army man, and left her with a -heavily-mortgaged property, two boys, and not a penny."</p> - -<p>"By Jove!"</p> - -<p>"Well, she faced the situation, sold off her jewellery, piano, and -ponies, and started to make the place pay. She bought cows, and -supplies good butter, she set up a bakery, and makes bread and cakes; -knits socks, and sells them, and has lots of custom. I never saw a more -determined or hard-working creature. Now the boys are at school; some -mortgages are paid off; she has engaged a lady-help, and is going ahead -like steam. It was rather expected she'd marry again, but she's not -that sort—her mind is dead set on Harvey and Jim."</p> - -<p>A week later, on a Sunday afternoon, Tom drove his friend over to -Kartairi to call on Mrs. Bourne, who being a popular and influential -lady, received the whole countryside on that day. The verandah was -crowded with visitors; nearly all planters, and nearly all talking -shop or sport,—whilst the hostess dispensed tea, and her celebrated -hot cakes. Most of the assembled company looked forward to "Mrs. B.'s -Sundays." Here they met their fellows and had tennis; here they were -sure of a warm welcome, of sympathy, or a little doctoring, or even a -little advice, if required. To many an exile, Kartairi represented a -sort of local home.</p> - -<p>Mallender was duly presented to Mrs. Bourne; a lady of forty with a -slim figure, a pair of very bright brown eyes, and a firm chin. She -wore a well-fitting white lace blouse, a black skirt, and an air of -inexhaustible energy and will power.</p> - -<p>The hostess was inclined, as it is expressed, to "make a fuss," with -the invalid; to get an arm-chair, and cushions, and place him near -herself; but the guest declined her good offices rather brusquely, -and backed away into the outer circle of the company,—where amid -inquisitive glances he found a seat, and a retreat.</p> - -<p>"Best leave him alone," growled Tom, "he is all abroad still, and -hates talking," and with a regretful glance at the distant figure so -conspicuously aloof, she nodded in assent.</p> - -<p>Mallender's head ached with sharp stabbing pains, the recent jolting in -the bamboo cart was no doubt the cause of this; he felt ill and slack, -and all this coffee-planter talk bored him to death. As he sat morosely -apart—thinking that it would be better he were dead than a helpless -log, and a burden to himself and his friends, someone came through a -door beside him, carrying two plates piled with cake; he looked up, and -was surprised to recognise Barbie Miller! Such a smiling Barbie, with a -brilliant complexion and happy eyes.</p> - -<p>She passed on her errand, and presently in answer to a whisper from -Mrs. Bourne, approached Mallender with a cup of tea. He was so -shockingly altered, that she could hardly believe that this was the -same gay and good-looking young officer whom she had known six months -previously.</p> - -<p>His head had been shaven, his face was drawn and colourless, his once -merry eyes looked lustreless; they had a strained expression, and were -sunken in deep hollows. As she put out her hand, he gazed at her -listlessly.</p> - -<p>"How do you do, Captain Mallender, I hope you remember me?"</p> - -<p>"Er—yes—I think so," he answered uncertainly, "in—in Madras, was it? -You rode the chestnut polo pony"; he made no attempt to take her hand, -nevertheless she drew up a chair, and sat down beside him.</p> - -<p>"Where is he?" he asked, after a silence, during which, as she surveyed -him, the girl told herself that Death on the pale horse was swiftly -approaching her companion! poor, poor fellow! and her eyes suddenly -filled with unexpected tears.</p> - -<p>"Where is he?" he persisted. "What have you done with him—the old -buffer with the fat neck?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know who you are talking about," she answered, softly. "If it -is my father, he died—he——"</p> - -<p>"No, no," he interrupted, peevishly, "I mean the other—the one you -married?"</p> - -<p>"But I'm not married," she answered, colouring.</p> - -<p>"So I see you and Miss Miller are old friends," said Tom, now joining -the little party, and drawing up a chair.</p> - -<p>"Oh, I don't know about—<i>friends</i>," rejoined Mallender, with rude -significance. "I say, old chap, can you get me out of this? I can't -stand all this jabbering and jaw!" and totally ignoring the existence -of Barbie, he rose unsteadily to his feet, and stumbled down the steps.</p> - -<p>"Don't mind him, his head is all wrong still," whispered Tom, "come -over as soon as you can, and help us to cheer him a bit. Jessie has -been expecting you every day."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I know, but it's been such a heavy week with the butter, sixty -pounds," throwing out her pretty hands. "I'll come the first spare -hour. Hurry, hurry—don't let him drive!" indicating Mallender, who -was already in the tum-tum, and had taken up the reins; and Tom justly -alarmed instantly dashed out of the verandah and scrambled headlong -into the cart.</p> - -<p>Three days later, Mrs. Bourne and her lady-help rode over to -Bonagherry, and found Jessie and the invalid on the verandah. He looked -better, and actually went down to assist the ladies from their ponies. -Subsequently he made himself useful at the tea-table in handing cups -and cakes. Apparently he had recovered his poise, and his manners!</p> - -<p>After tea, Jessie took Mrs. Bourne away to consult with her about a -sick calf, and Mallender and Barbie were left alone.</p> - -<p>"I'm sure I owe you an apology, Miss Miller," he suddenly began. "I've -a sort of blurred idea, that I was extraordinarily rude to you on -Sunday. You see, I have had a knock on the head—like what you had the -time the old Nizam came down with you, and at times I am a bit foggy."</p> - -<p>"I quite understand. Don't think of it, please!"</p> - -<p>"But I must. I've thought of it a good deal; on Sunday the drive upset -my blessed head, and I hardly knew where I was, or what I was doing."</p> - -<p>"Then is the pain so bad?"</p> - -<p>"Awful, sometimes; but don't let on to the Beamishes."</p> - -<p>"Why not? Oh, I believe I can guess. I've heard how you saved Tara from -a terrible death."</p> - -<p>"No, not death, you see <i>I</i> am still here,—and of course it had to be -one of us. Tara is so young and pretty, and all her people so fond of -her, and no one would miss <i>me</i>. She's engaged to be married too."</p> - -<p>"I know, and as for Archie Murray, he can't speak of it without -choking."</p> - -<p>"The engagement?"</p> - -<p>"How can you joke? You know perfectly well what I mean, he is longing -to come over to thank you."</p> - -<p>"Miss Miller, as you love me!—no—I—I—whatever you do, don't let -him. I hate thanks, if he comes I'll have another relapse! He'd have -done just the same, if he was in my place."</p> - -<p>"Very well, then, I'll do my best to protect you from Archie Murray, -but it won't be easy! Have you heard from the Tallboys lately?"</p> - -<p>"No, not for ages. I'm sorry to say I'm in Fred's black books; and that -reminds me to ask, what I had done to be posted in yours, during the -latter end of my stay in Madras?"</p> - -<p>He paused for a reply, but none came. Miss Miller had become -brilliantly pink, and was looking distinctly uncomfortable.</p> - -<p>"Come now," he continued, "if I was rude to you the other day, I had -some excuse,—but I shall be glad to hear what you have to say for -cutting me dead, over and over again?"</p> - -<p>"I—I don't know <i>how</i> I'm to tell you," she began, speaking very fast. -"I believed I had a good reason, and—later, I found out, that I had -been misinformed. I was very sorry, and ashamed—too; but you had left -Madras, and so I could not apologise. May I apologise now?"</p> - -<p>"If I had some idea of what you were apologising for."</p> - -<p>"Oh, it was a wicked, unfounded, cruel scandal, and Ada has written to -me, and told me all you did for her,—and that was your reward!"</p> - -<p>"They say virtue is its own reward," he answered, with a smile. "I have -been out of society, and heard no gossip, and I can't for the life of -me see how there could be any scandal about Miss Sim and myself. Well, -anyway, it's all right now, you and I have put matters straight between -us. How do you come to be in these parts?"</p> - -<p>"Father and mother went home last March, and—and——" suddenly her -voice seemed to fail her.</p> - -<p>"So you did <i>not</i> marry Colonel Harris?"</p> - -<p>"No, I simply couldn't! I screwed up my courage, and told him so, -one day when mother sent us to look at a bungalow. At first, he was -incredulous, then shocked, finally—as I was determined, furious;—so -was mother. Within an hour she packed up my clothes, and sent me off in -a <i>gharry</i> to the chaplain's wife in the Fort, with a letter to ask -her to get me into some charitable institution, as my parents disowned -me. I believe there were other dreadful things in the letter. Father -was kinder, he came to see me and say good-bye, and gave me a little -money, and told me to write to him at home to care of Grindlay and -Co.—and said, 'this is none of <i>my</i> doing, Barbie—but your mother is -too strong for us!'"</p> - -<p>"By Jove!" ejaculated Mallender; "strong is not the word——"</p> - -<p>"Poor father, he died of heat apoplexy in the Red Sea. Of course, Mrs. -Tallboys came to my rescue, and found me this happy home. I've not many -friends out here, but those I have, are <i>splendid</i>!"</p> - -<p>"I have not many either. Look here, Miss Miller, shall you and I be -pals? What do you say?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," she answered, simply. This poor haggard fellow would not long be -in need of pals.</p> - -<p>"Then give me your hand on that!" he said, eagerly.</p> - -<p>She gave it, and he was still holding it with an emphatic and lingering -clasp, as Mrs. Bourne and Jessie re-entered the verandah.</p> - -<p>"Miss Miller and I have been squaring up old scores," announced -Mallender, "signing a treaty of peace; for in Madras, we were dead -cuts, and now we intend to be allies."</p> - -<p>Later that same evening, when Tom and Jessie compared notes, they -agreed, that the visit from Kartairi had wakened up Geoffrey in a -surprising way, and done him a world of good!</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">CHAPTER XXVIII</p> - - -<p>A whole month had elapsed since his arrival at Bonagherry, and the -invalid was now convalescent. He walked and rode about the estate with -Tom, was unaffectedly interested in the crop, and its prospects, and -wildly excited, when a panther took the "writer's" cow,—almost from -under his roof! Vainly did he beg, pray, and argue for a stalk. This -was inflexibly denied him, but he was permitted to visit, and mark, -the well-known and respected "track" that like a glorified "cat's run" -passed right through the estate.</p> - -<p>The idler saw to the feeding and exercise of the pack of nondescript -dogs,—such as are kept on most coffee plantations—generally the -abandoned pets of people who have left the Hills and departed -to England. Among this mixed multitude was a brown retriever, a -respectable Aberdeen, a self-conscious pug, a Scotch deer-hound, a -beagle, several terriers, and various hounds of low degree. The pug -and the Aberdeen were adopted by Jessie, but the remainder of the pack -were frequently summoned to hunt wild pig or sambur, in the thickest of -adjacent sholahs.</p> - -<p>Every Sunday the Bonagherry party went over to Kartairi, where Tom and -Jessie were conspicuous and victorious at tennis, whilst Mallender sat -and applauded, and talked to Mrs. Bourne, who was also a looker-on. -He liked her; the popular enterprising widow, had a wonderful power -of drawing out the best that was in a man, and offering her help and -sympathy. She had learned from Tom, that his friend was returning to -England as soon as he was fit; that he had come to India, on some sort -of forlorn hope, and signally failed in finding what he sought; and -thanks to his recklessness, had lost friends, health, and fortune.</p> - -<p>To her guest Mrs. Bourne intimated that she was <i>au courant</i> with the -outline of his little history, and was kind and comforting after her -own elder-sister fashion.</p> - -<p>"Yes, this time last year you would not have known me!" he said, "I was -as strong as a horse, and fairly well off. Now, I am horribly poor and -look like some sickly, broken-down loafer, and—it's more or less my -own doing!"</p> - -<p>"Nonsense," she answered, "your accident has made you take gloomy views -of yourself; in another month you will be all right;—this air has -worked wonders, and if you really are hard up, why not start coffee?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, as a creeper?" and he laughed, "that's what you call a beginner, -don't you? Well, I'll think of it, Mrs. Bourne. I must say, I like an -open-air life, and Tom will shove me along. I might do worse."</p> - -<p>To which she replied, "If you ask me, I don't think you can do better. -Coffee has been <i>my</i> friend!"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>About this time, Anthony came to his master with a grave, portentous -air, and said:</p> - -<p>"I beg your pardon, saar, that Chinna-Sawmy boy no use here, and doing -no good."</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, he helps Miss Beamish, she likes him; he's a smart little -chap. I like him too."</p> - -<p>"Still better go," rejoined Anthony, unmoved.</p> - -<p>"Why?"</p> - -<p>"No luck bringing. Master never catching Uncle. Master near losing -life. Master no money got."</p> - -<p>"But that's not Sawmy's fault, poor beggar!"</p> - -<p>"I beg your pardon, saar, better he go, nothing doing here, but feed -chickens, make dog food, and such like fool work—Master poor man."</p> - -<p>"Six rupees a month won't break me; but does Chinna-Sawmy wish to -retire?"</p> - -<p>"As Master pleases," then after a pause, "Yes, so I think—Sawmy has -one uncle, who is maistrey on coffee estate; that man Mootosawmy plenty -money got, and he calling for Chinna-Sawmy."</p> - -<p>"Well, I shall soon be going to England, and if Sawmy thinks he can -better himself, send him here."</p> - -<p>Presently Chinna-Sawmy appeared, all glittering eyes and white teeth.</p> - -<p>"So you wish to take leave, Sawmy?"</p> - -<p>"No, saar, I spending every day, <i>always</i> with Master,—only that boy -Anthony, he say 'Better go.'"</p> - -<p>"Oh, he is your patron, I know. You've been a good little chap, and I -want to give you a present."</p> - -<p>Chinna-Sawmy's attitude stiffened.</p> - -<p>"What would you like?"</p> - -<p>A long and thoughtful pause ensued—during which Chinna-Sawmy twisted -his toes, with incredible flexibility.</p> - -<p>"May I tell the plain truth?" he asked at last.</p> - -<p>"Of course, what else?"</p> - -<p>"Then Master please, I taking camera!"</p> - -<p>Here was a most unexpected request! Mallender had visions of making -a donation of ten rupees, or an old, but useful silver watch. The -camera, bought in extravagant days, had cost ten pounds. Well, after -all, he would not want it again. No need to lug the thing to England. -Chinna-Sawmy was an expert now (the extra thumbs were surprisingly -useful) and could make his livelihood as a photographer. The camera -would represent his fortune; and the boy had been wonderfully attentive -in illness; lying outside his door ready for a call, day or night.</p> - -<p>"All right, Chinna-Sawmy," he said, "it is yours."</p> - -<p>Then Chinna-Sawmy straightway fell down upon his knees, and kissed his -master's boots.</p> - -<p>A week later, Mallender received the amazing intelligence from Anthony.</p> - -<p>"That Chinna-Sawmy boy done get married! Plenty good business—camera -catching wife!"</p> - -<p>"Why, what nonsense!" protested his master with a laugh, "he is only a -child! Has he been kidnapped?"</p> - -<p>"He is sixteen, saar, very small size; the girl, she is four years old, -Hindoo low caste. Chinna-Sawmy's rich uncle, he this marriage making, -and plenty big feast, and fire-works giving."</p> - -<p>Two days later, the bridegroom appeared, to make his obeisance and -acknowledgments to his late employer, and the Beamish household. He -looked (a surprising experience) almost shame-faced, as he rode up -on a lean cow-hocked pony, with a profusion of yellow garlands round -his neck, accompanied by a large cortège, and a band, so to speak, of -tom-toms. After an interchange of compliments and good wishes, with -gifts of fruit, cigarettes, and sweets, Chinna-Sawmy and suite were -dismissed from the scene, in order to carouse, generally make merry, -dance and gamble, in the servants' go-downs.</p> - -<p>It has been mooted that Chinna-Sawmy has recently set up a little -studio in Georgetown, Madras, under the name of "Charley Sammy, British -Photographer from Oxford Street, London." May he prosper! Anthony, -however, is sore displeased (and perhaps a little jealous), and quotes -a native proverb, to the effect that "the higher the monkey climbs, the -more he shows his tail!"</p> - -<p>Early one delicious dewy morning, Mallender was awoke by noises, and an -unusual bustle in the verandah; he hastily threw on some clothes, and -looked out. There was Tom, reading a letter, and Jessie in her flannel -dressing-gown, sitting on the steps, crying in short convulsive sobs, -whilst a coolie stood stolidly aloof. He was a messenger sent on foot -from Wellunga, to inform his children that the General was dead.</p> - -<p>"Well," exclaimed Tom, "the old man is gone at last!—found in his -chair, where he always liked to sit, facing west. They thought he was -asleep, and did not disturb him."</p> - -<p>"I am very sorry," said Mallender.</p> - -<p>"We must leave at once, Jess and I. I'll have a lot to see to, my -mother is broken up, and there's only Tara,—who is no good in a -crisis."</p> - -<p>"It will make a tremendous change at Wellunga?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; everything will tumble to pieces now; and the people will have -their will at last! My mother must come and live up here, and the old -place will stand empty. I say, Jess," to his sister, "you must take a -pull at yourself. Hurry up and have breakfast, and pack. If we start -soon we get down to-night, coolies and ponies were ordered by the -runner, and oh—about you, Mallender, you can't stop here alone!"</p> - -<p>"Why not! Of course I can. I'm not a nervous young lady. I'll be your -overseer, understudy, and general bottle-washer!"</p> - -<p>"No, no, you'd never have the right food, or care. You must go over to -Kartairi, and stay with Mrs. Bourne."</p> - -<p>"Pretty cool cheek, she'd think it!"</p> - -<p>"Not she—nothing she likes better, than nursing and mothering sick -fellows. I'll send her a line by the garden coolie."</p> - -<p>His guest immediately made a mental note to the effect that <i>no</i> -messenger should go to Kartairi that day; fancy allowing himself to -be foisted on two women!—and he craftily turned the conversation, by -asking for employment, and instructions.</p> - -<p>"I'm rather a duffer," he concluded, "but I can keep an eye on things, -and overawe the slackers."</p> - -<p>"Yes; there will be lots for you to do," answered Tom. "You have a -good head for figures, and you can make up the writer's books, do the -roll-call, ride over the estate, look stern and important, and give the -maistrey reason to believe that you are up to every mortal dodge!"</p> - -<p>"Which I'm not!" protested Mallender, "I hardly know chick coffee from -the real article. However, I'll poke about, and look after the picking, -and the pulping-house, and do my best and 'bluff' like auction bridge."</p> - -<p>"Right you are! Mind that the children that do the ground picking -get one pice a seer, and now I must go and put my traps together," -concluded Tom, who seized this opportunity to scribble a chit to Mrs. -Bourne, and expedited matters so successfully, that by eight o'clock, -he and his sister were ready to start. They took leave of their guest -in a duet of injunctions, with respect to his health. How he was not -to ride too far, or expose himself to sun, or rain, and assuring him -of their return within a week; then one in a chair, and the other on a -pony, they took their way down the long winding ghât road, which led to -the plains.</p> - -<p>After breakfast Mallender, now "monarch of all he surveyed," visited -the dogs, inspected the cattle, and held a solemn conference with the -head maistrey. In the afternoon, he invested his head in a monstrous -pith topee, and rode about the estate; it was four o'clock, when he -returned to the bungalow for a tub and tea, but to his amazement, -neither were forthcoming; he found instead, a little note from Mrs. -Bourne, which said:</p> - -<p>"Your luggage and servant are awaiting you at Kartairi. Tea is at 4.30. -Yours sincerely, Emily Bourne."</p> - -<p>"Well, if this does not take the entire biscuit! Of all the cool -proceedings!" muttered Geoffrey, as he re-read the chit, and scratched -his head.</p> - -<p>"I suppose there's nothing else for it. The bedding is gone, I must -stick to my sponge, and razors," and he followed them to Kartairi.</p> - -<p>"I'm afraid, you think me a most arbitrary lady," said Mrs. Bourne, as -she welcomed her guest, "but I was so afraid you'd make excuses, and -entrench yourself alone at Bonagherry, that I sent over, and <i>raided</i> -your room!"</p> - -<p>"Awfully kind of you," he murmured.</p> - -<p>"I daresay you are awfully vexed, but you really are not yet out of the -wood. Barbie and I will look after you, and you will find we are not -<i>too</i> bad to live with. Your bath is prepared, and tea will be ready in -a quarter of an hour."</p> - -<p>The Beamishes were absent not for one, but three weeks, and during the -time, their late inmate found himself agreeably at home at Kartairi. -The house was run on more English lines than Bonagherry. A certain -amount of admirable cooking was accomplished at a little oil-stove -in the back verandah, lights in bedrooms were not the old oil and -wick in tumblers, but neat hand lamps. Those in the drawing-room wore -pretty silk shades, and the effect was eminently restful. Here flowers -abounded, there were luxurious, chintz-covered chairs, a piano, many -sketches and photographs, and an ample supply of books and magazines.</p> - -<p>As an officer's wife, Mrs. Bourne had visited various countries, and -picked up a number of little portable treasures; she had taste too, -and a marvellous knack of making any home comfortable, and refined. -As the handsome, accomplished daughter of well-born people, it had -been expected, that Emily La Haye (whose French ancestor had taken San -Thomé) would contract a brilliant marriage; but to the disappointment -of her parents, she "threw herself away" on a good-looking Captain in -a line regiment,—an unpractical, extravagant, but popular fellow, who -had no money sense whatever; and here she was left with two boys, and a -pension of seventy pounds a year, struggling to make a living out of a -coffee estate in Southern India.</p> - -<p>Her connections figuratively lifted up their voices, and wept, -when they talked of "Poor Emmie," and agreed, that she had made an -awful mess of her life, and had become very proud, and independent. -Nevertheless they posted her <i>The Queen</i>, and the <i>Weekly Times</i> with -affectionate regularity, and welcomed her boys for their holidays.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Bourne's tastes did not take the form of cake and -butter-making,—nor even of knitting stockings, and superintending -coffee picking. She was naturally artistic, and fond of music, and -books, she even wrote a little—and occasionally a bright and amusing -article signed by "Chick" appeared in the Indian journals; and now -that Barbie Miller was her assistant, the busy lady enjoyed some -leisure for her favourite pursuits. Barbie had no responsibilities -connected with coffee, but undertook the housekeeping, butter, cakes, -and poultry,—such an able energetic little creature, a delightful -companion, with a sweet unselfish character, and a sunny face. Into -this modest <i>ménage</i> a third had unexpectedly entered; to do him -justice, Mallender gave no trouble; on the contrary, his servant -Anthony was a valuable acquisition; a priceless treasure! He could make -delicious coffee, carpenter, wait at table, paper a room, and sew!</p> - -<p>Anthony's master spent most of the day over at Bonagherry, reappearing -in time for tea, so that that crushing incubus, "an idle man in the -house," was spared the two ladies. He assisted Mrs. Bourne too, -undertook certain business interviews—in which a man was secretly -respected, and a woman set at nought! He overlooked accounts,—for -Emily Bourne like many artistic people, had no head for figures,—and -set an excellent example of energy and early rising. Mallender enjoyed -this life amazingly. Open-air employment, the consciousness of having -put in a good day's work, and of being worth his salt, afforded him a -certain amount of satisfaction, and self-approval.</p> - -<p>In the evening, the busy workers were at liberty for rest and -enjoyment. They sat together in the charming sitting-room, and occupied -themselves with music, books, poker, patience, and mere conversation. -Sometimes Mallender read aloud, whilst the ladies worked; and as he -now and then stole a glance over his book at his companions,—both so -daintily dressed, so busy, and so interested, and in the case of one, -so young and lovely,—he assured himself, that for the first time for -years and years, he felt absolutely happy, and at home!</p> - -<p>But he was not by any means so happy, when the several admirers of Miss -Miller presented themselves upon the scene; riding over on Sunday, or -casually dropping in to tea. There were several <i>prétendants</i>—(poor -Tom Beamish had been among the crowd, but had confided to his friend, -that as he knew Miss Barbie would never look at him, though he had -lots of money, and would worship her all his life; he gave up, and -retired). The individual Mallender most disliked and feared, was a -man of the name of MacKenzie, known as "Mack," who owned a fine and -flourishing estate, had a worn, handsome face, and looked romantic! -He was about thirty-five years of age, and a person of substance, and -standing, among other planters. Anyone could see with half an eye, that -Mack was head over ears in love with little Miss Miller. So alas! was -Mallender—there was no mistake about the fact. He was aware that a -new phase in his life had opened, and felt strangely stirred. Little -fair-haired Barbie, had enthralled him; he had been her slave, ever -since the day at Bonagherry, when she had given him her hand, and -promise; and each hour, but served to rivet his chains. Chains he was -compelled to hug in secret, he dared not declare himself; a fellow -without a roof to offer, or a penny in his pocket—that is to say -beyond his passage money to England. As soon as he had returned home, -and looked into matters, and found out exactly where he stood, he would -come straight out, and ask her to marry him.—Meanwhile, what of <i>Mack</i>?</p> - -<p>Another obstacle, was his own invincible reluctance to move, although -now strong and well, thanks to these Hills, and their clear vitalizing -air; he could not bring himself to leave them—how tear himself away? -Nevertheless go he must, and he assured himself, that he was in honour -bound to depart, and make no sign.</p> - -<p>And Barbie—did she guess? how could she? He laughed and chaffed -with her, joined in duets, to Mrs. Bourne's accompaniment, rode, -played tennis, and card games, just as if she was nothing at all to -him—instead of being everything in the world. As for Barbie? The busy -young lady, no longer under the blight of her mother's rule, found -herself most unaccountably happy, and asked no more. Possibly the cause -of her happiness, was not far to seek;—but she had no idea of making -a search,—possibly she had a feeling, that if she looked too closely -into her possession, the enchanting vision might fade and disappear, -like some beautiful mirage of the desert.</p> - -<p>As for Mrs. Bourne, she calmly and dispassionately surveyed the -situation, with the eye of sympathy and experience. She had long -guessed Mallender's secret,—naturally a simple affair to such a -clever woman. She liked Geoffrey; in fact, liked him so much, that she -hoped her own boys would be of the same stuff; thoughtful for others, -modest, and manly, and he had such nice frank eyes! What a pity, this -wild scheme had ruined him! She took upon herself to scold him roundly -for his obstinacy, and optimism, and concluded an animated lecture by -saying:</p> - -<p>"After your interview with Brown and Co., you should have turned -straight round, and taken the first steamer for England."</p> - -<p>"Then I should never have come to Mysore and met you, Mrs. Bourne," -he answered gaily. "However, better late than never; as soon as the -Beamishes return, I'll hand over, and be off to see what I can scrape -together! Precious little, I'm afraid; for I've sunk my own money in -what is my Uncle's property; repairs to the house, and to some of the -farms, have swallowed up almost all I possess. Well, whatever I can -pick up, I'll bring back here, buy a little estate, and start as a -planter."</p> - -<p>"Will you—I wonder?" murmured Mrs. Bourne looking at him meditatively. -To herself, she said, "If he returns, and finds Barbie married to Lewis -MacKenzie, he won't remain twenty-four hours!"</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">CHAPTER XXIX</p> - - -<p>Two or three times a week, Mrs. Bourne and her young friends mounted -their ponies, and went for extensive excursions in the neighbourhood. -Mallender rode a stout brown cobby animal from Bonagherry, known as -"The Duffer," the lady of Kartairi, a well-bred chestnut who had -played polo, and Barbie, a wiry flea-bitten grey, whose propensity for -thieving, and agility in climbing, had earned for her the name of "The -Cat." Kartairi stood amid what might be termed a sea of coffee bushes, -extending for many acres; at first, the little party were obliged to -ride along the narrow coolie tracks in Indian file; they had also to -pass through that deplorable spectacle, an abandoned estate. Here the -land was overrun with a climbing prickly plant, the desolate bungalow -was dismantled, and the pulping-house a ruin—all this, to the credit -of the planter's deadly enemy the "Borer" Worm.</p> - -<p>Emerging at last from among lucent green bushes, the riders came by -degrees upon grassy uplands, and the great silent spaces, which are -bounded by the Western Ghauts. Here were glades, downs, and clumps of -trees recalling English parks; and in the cool clear air, the little -party enjoyed many a delightful and invigorating gallop.</p> - -<p>Once the riders made their way into another country, and a warm and -steamy climate; descending by break-neck paths, and wet sedgy glades, -dropping cautiously from terrace to terrace into the rich forest lands -above Canara, and avoiding with care "the special reserve"—a peculiar -feature of the West; sacred groves dedicated to the ancestral gods, -into which the foot of shikari, woodman or herdsman may not penetrate. -The ancestral gods are supposed to hunt in these regions, and woe -betide the luckless mortal who encounters them! Owing to the rainfall, -the extraordinarily luxuriant growth in this part of the world must -be seen to be realised. Bamboos of enormous size, great teak trees, -with their glossy leaves, gigantic plantains, sandal wood, and the -sago palm, flourish here in wildest profusion. As for flowers, the -riders found themselves in a fairy garden, amid a wealth of blooms and -perfumes, undreamt of in colder climes; their ponies' hoofs ruthlessly -trampled on lilies, begonias, orchids, and maiden hair, and pressing -along the narrow game tracks, thrust themselves between masses of -convolvuli, and sweet flowering shrubs. In the warm scented atmosphere -the perfume of the "Niddo" was almost overpowering.</p> - -<p>From several directions the most promising vistas were unapproachable, -owing to the density of the thorny undergrowth, and tangled ropes of -the flame-coloured "Elephant Creeper," that so to speak held the trees -of the forest in a bondage of flowers.</p> - -<p>"The old Portuguese were well acquainted with this part of the world," -remarked Mrs. Bourne, as she halted to feast her eyes on a riot of -contrasting colours.</p> - -<p>"No wonder they called it 'The Gorgeous East.'"</p> - -<p>"No wonder, indeed!" assented Mallender.</p> - -<p>"This paradise, however, has its serpent," she continued. "I don't -allude to the cobras among the bamboos, nor even the tiger, and -leopards, that abound in the reserves,—but the terror of these -forests, is—the <i>leech</i>!"</p> - -<p>"I'd much sooner face thousands of leeches, than one leopard," declared -Barbie.</p> - -<p>"Yes, so would I; but you have no idea how those abominations can drain -the lives of man and beast—there are half a dozen on The Cat's legs, -at this moment!"</p> - -<p>Mallender instantly sprang off, to the rescue of The Cat.</p> - -<p>"The only method is this," said the provident matron, handing him as -she spoke a little parcel of salt, "I always carry it, when I come -down into these regions, and I never remain long. I only wish we -could; for of an evening, the fire-flies are a wonder to behold, their -illuminations, incredibly magnificent—but we must be going."</p> - -<p>"I think, I'd trust the fire-flies to my imagination," said Barbie, -"although this is the most marvellous, dreamland, sort of place I've -ever seen!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, a real tropical forest; and the vegetation is even more dense and -splendid in the reserves."</p> - -<p>"How I should like to have a day's shooting in one of them," said -Geoffrey, "I daresay I'd get a brace of tiger, an elephant, and a -bison."</p> - -<p>"You'd also get into frightful trouble with the Government; even -supposing the wild beasts let you off! The sacred groves <i>are</i> sacred!"</p> - -<p>"It makes one think of the Old Testament," said Barbie, "of Baal, and -sacrifices, groves, and high places."</p> - -<p>"Yes, and they are held in the same superstitious veneration. A small -portion of Lewis MacKenzie's estate encroaches on one of these holy -places called 'Devera-Rudu,' and he has to pay a heavy indemnity. I -believe there is no doubt, that not so very long ago these groves were -the scenes of human sacrifices—even now, it is whispered that horrors -take place in out-of-the-way holes and corners, under the cloak of -fanaticism and secrecy."</p> - -<p>"But what about the long arm of the law, and the police?" enquired -Mallender.</p> - -<p>"Oh, the police cannot have their eyes everywhere, certainly not in -the depths of almost impenetrable forests. Some of these sacrifices -are mistaken for murder, or even suicide; of course, I <i>may</i> be -wrong, and these reserves, spotlessly innocent of anything worse than -incantations, devil worship, and black magic."</p> - -<p>"I see you have a pretty bad opinion of them!" rejoined Mallender, with -a cheerful laugh.</p> - -<p>"They look harmless enough, and what a glorious show of forest trees -and jungle. I only wish I could get a 'permit' to shoot and I'd face -anything, from wild dogs, to black magic!"</p> - -<p>Occasionally the riding party was augmented by one or two neighbours, -and tiffin or tea was despatched to some favourite rendezvous.</p> - -<p>On a certain lovely afternoon, arrangements were made for a meeting -at a celebrated spot, known as "The Window in the West," there to -admire the prospect, subsequently enjoy a cold repast, and ride home -by the light of a full moon. The Window of the West was sixteen miles -from Kartairi, through oceans of luxuriant coffee, deep valleys, and -dense sholahs, by narrow winding paths, ending in a long precipitous -ascent—and then the view!</p> - -<p>"It is well worth while," declared Mrs. Bourne, "though I must confess, -I have only twice made this excursion; it's such an abominably bad -road. When you reach a certain point, you arrive at an abrupt break -in the mountains and look sheer down upon the plains, stretching away -to the Indian Ocean. Coming out of a tangle of high rocks, ravines, -and jungle, this view of the sea—is so sudden and <i>unexpected</i>, that -for a moment it takes your breath away! You feel positively startled, -and as if it was a sight you had <i>never</i> seen before. Humboldt, the -traveller, who visited many lands, considered the prospect from -MacCourty's Peak,—which is similar to our 'Window'—the finest in all -the Universe, and I believe he is right."</p> - -<p>"But what of the Himalayas?" questioned Mallender, "and the glories of -the snows?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, I know; I've seen them from Darjeeling—the 'Roof of the -World.' They are mighty, majestic, and overwhelming; but so aloof, and -frozen, you cannot approach within forty miles of their footstool—they -are almost as inaccessible as the stars! Here in Old Madras, in the -midst of our soft blue mountains, you enter upon a land of sun and -enchantment, you take your stand upon a carpet of flowers, and gaze -across tropical forests, and rolling plains, to the far-away glittering -sea! I remember the first time <i>I</i> looked out of the 'Window,'—I -actually cried. Perhaps because the ocean lying within view, drew my -thoughts towards home, and England—perhaps, because I seemed to catch -a glimpse of Heaven!"</p> - -<p>In a steep zig-zag path resembling a dried watercourse, Mrs. Bourne's -pony cast a shoe. This was indeed a calamity, for Ibex had brittle -hoofs, and had lost a fore shoe, such bad luck, and yet owing to this -circumstance, the fate of Geoffrey and Barbie received a little push!</p> - -<p>"It's a good two miles to the 'Window'—I dare not try it, unless I -walk," said Mrs. Bourne, "the last bit is ghastly; so I'll just stop -here, waylay the coolies, and make preparations for supper. I expect -you will find Mr. Mack, and the Kennedys, and young Reekie, there -before you. Of course, Barbie, you and Captain Mallender are to go on."</p> - -<p>"What! and leave you here, all alone," objected Mallender, "certainly -not."</p> - -<p>"I'm not afraid; it's not the tiger season, and anyway, he'd take the -pony first. Come, come, good people, don't waste time—the sun sets in -half an hour."</p> - -<p>"I intend to stay with you," said Barbie, "and we can take turns on The -Cat, riding home."</p> - -<p>"Be off at once, Barbie,", urged her friend authoritatively, "you had -better ride up as far as possible, and Captain Mallender can leave The -Duffer here, with the syce; if you go now, you will just be in time for -the sunset,—and see it sinking into the sea."</p> - -<p>So Barbie departed, escorted by Mallender. It proved a rugged climb, -through slippery mossy rocks, tree roots, and shale. At last, quite -suddenly, they arrived at a space, and stood as it were at the open -casement of some high castle.</p> - -<p>Barbie had dismounted from her pony, and the two remained momentarily -transfixed, gazing on the evergreen forests which clothed the long roll -downwards, to the undulating teeming plains; steeped in all the glamour -of the tropics, a world of absolute peace and plenty lay at their feet. -Beyond the plains, shimmering in the sunset, shone the sea: over all, -there was a peculiar quality, which is best described as radiance, and -the scene, the atmosphere, and spirit of the ocean, seemed somehow to -grip one's heart.</p> - -<p>Mallender continued to gaze for a long time in silence. It was the girl -who spoke first.</p> - -<p>"How wonderful! how exquisite! It's like the setting of a fairy-tale. -It makes one feel——" she hesitated in search of an appropriate -expression.</p> - -<p>"And it makes one <i>think</i>," he supplemented.</p> - -<p>"I believe I could guess your thoughts."</p> - -<p>"Do, if you can," turning to her.</p> - -<p>"As you looked at the sea, you felt a great, great, great longing to go -home."</p> - -<p>"I was watching that little black speck of a steamer, and I confess I'd -like to go, for some reasons, in fact, I must go soon."</p> - -<p>"Yes, and Mrs. Bourne has taken her passage for March, so as to be in -time for the boys' Easter holidays."</p> - -<p>"And you, Miss Miller?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, as for me," striving to speak cheerfully, "I shall never see -England again."</p> - -<p>"But why not?"</p> - -<p>"I have no home there; my mother has disowned me."</p> - -<p>Mallender looked at Barbie the homeless; noticed her delicate -profile, clear-cut against the sky, the sunlight catching the light -in her loosened hair, the little sad, wistful mouth, the tears on -her eyelashes; looked and cast all prudence figuratively out of the -"Window," and to the four winds!</p> - -<p>It was true that she had no home, nor had he. Well, all the same, he -would ask her to share his life.</p> - -<p>"Look here, Miss Miller—Barbie——" he began impulsively, "suppose you -come home with me—or—or—if you will wait, I'll return, and make you -a home out here."</p> - -<p>"But I," growing very red, "don't understand."</p> - -<p>"Of course, as usual, I'm a blundering ass, I am asking you to marry -me."</p> - -<p>Barbie was conscious of the quick throbbing of her heart, and a minute -of silence stretched itself out into what seemed to Mallender an -interminable period. At last she said:</p> - -<p>"You are not in earnest?"</p> - -<p>"I swear I am, and in deadly earnest. Barbie, my little Barbie, you -don't know how I love you; or how desperately hard I have found it to -hold my tongue. I thought I ought to wait, till I'd some sort of home -to offer you; but whether it is seeing the sea again, or seeing your -tears, or what—I've <i>had</i> to speak!"</p> - -<p>Here the uninterested "Cat," anxiously desiring to graze, and bored by -this talk, wrenched herself violently away.</p> - -<p>"Of course," chucking the animal's head, "I'm not much of a chap. I've -made an awful muddle of my affairs, and I'm hideously poor. Just now, -I've no money."</p> - -<p>"But I like you so much better without it," was Barbie's startling -declaration.</p> - -<p>"Oh, come, that's encouraging, but why?"</p> - -<p>"When you were rich, you never took any notice of me,—till the day you -picked me up on the <i>maidan</i>. You were always a sort of lofty glorified -individual, who was a favourite at Government House, barred girls, -and——"</p> - -<p>"But, I say," he interrupted, "what a frightful accusation! I spotted -you the very first night I dined at Fred's. You ask Nancy Brander; -she told me you were engaged. That naturally put me off; and then -afterwards, you know, you gave me the cold shoulder, didn't you?"</p> - -<p>"Yes—I suppose I did," she admitted.</p> - -<p>"And now," and he drew a long breath, "now I am asking you to give me -yourself; it's a tall order, I know."</p> - -<p>Barbie made no reply, but something more radiant than the afterglow -flooded her soul, and filled her eyes with happy tears. From the -first, she had felt irresistibly drawn to this young man, who stood -before her bareheaded; and she asked no greater gift than that in him -she might find a lover and a husband. Golden silence can be eloquent! -Barbie's charming, expressive face spoke for her, and Mallender drew -her unresisting towards him. Was anything in life comparable to the -exquisite happiness of the moment, when her lips met his?</p> - -<p>For an instant they stood hand in hand, and in expressive and rapturous -silence. The whole thing was like a heavenly dream, from which however -they were rudely aroused, by the sound of grumbling voices, scrambling -feet, and scattering stones. In another moment Mr. MacKenzie and his -young apprentice, Andrew Reekie (a merry-eyed Army failure, whose -sunburnt face and violently red hair, had earned him the name of "the -Blood Orange") were with them.</p> - -<p>"So here you are!" gasped MacKenzie, as he took off his hat, and -mopped his hot face, "by Jove, it's a stiff pull!—grand scene, -though, grand!" as his eyes roved over the wonderful panorama, that -fell from their feet; the teeming forests, the masses of palms, and -thickets of bamboos. The sun was sinking into the west, and a rose and -gold afterglow was reflected in the shining sea with indescribable -effulgence.</p> - -<p>"Yes," added MacKenzie when he had recovered his breath, "this view -would take a good bit of beating. I wish the 'Window' was in Scotland, -I'd run the show for tourists, and make a fortune! Hullo, where's -Mallender gone to?"</p> - -<p>"I think, to catch my pony, she has strayed away," said Barbie.</p> - -<p>"Strayed away," repeated MacKenzie. "I'm afraid you were not looking -after her, Miss Miller, too much taken up with the view, eh?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I confess I forgot all about her," was her truthful answer, -"but The Cat is such a cunning creature; she knows how to take care -of herself. Ah, I see she has been captured," as Mallender emerged, -triumphantly leading an aggrieved animal, with her mouth full of -succulent green food.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps we had better be moving," suggested MacKenzie, "Mrs. Bourne -gave us three-quarters of an hour to get here, and back to supper, and -I think we shall just about do it! Of course, you won't ride down, Miss -Miller; it's bad going, like broken stairs—Mallender can look after -The Cat, and I'll take care of <i>you</i>."</p> - -<p>The cold supper in a dell, lit by the moon, proved a right merry -meal; the syces and servants had made a big fire, boiled the kettle, -and under Mrs. Bourne's directions, spread a substantial repast on a -table-cloth on the moss. Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy arriving rather late, had -shirked the last two miles, and kept her company. They were a cheery -young Irish couple, who always made an affair go off.</p> - -<p>As from afar they descried Barbie and her escort, in the van of the -sight-seers, Mrs. Kennedy remarked:</p> - -<p>"I'm thinking, you'll be having a wedding at Kartairi, before long, -Mrs. Bourne."</p> - -<p>"Do you say so—who?"</p> - -<p>"Is it who? Why, little Miss Miller and Mack, to be sure! He is a rich -man by all accounts, and you will have to be looking round for another -lady-help."</p> - -<p>"Faith, and Mrs. Bourne will look a long time, before she comes across -as pretty a girl as Barbie," said Mr. Kennedy, "the beauty of these -Hills; her complexion would shame a rose!"</p> - -<p>"I think you are both talking the greatest nonsense," declared Mrs. -Bourne, who was busily cutting up cold roast guinea-fowl.</p> - -<p>"Yes, Paddy is; it's his normal state," asserted his wife with a laugh, -"I don't allow him to rave about other young women, and I shall give -him six nice little strokes of my whip when I have him to myself at -home—not that I don't agree with him about Barbie!"</p> - -<p>The supper-party broke up about eight o'clock, and the revellers set -out for the fourteen-mile ride. Mrs. Bourne mounted Geoffrey's pony, -Ibex was led by a syce, and "The Blood Orange" and Geoffrey, took it -in turns to ride the latter's hairy slave. Taking advantage of some -discussion, argument, and the consequent delay, Mr. MacKenzie (always -king of his company) led off with Barbie. He appeared to think, that -owing to his standing and weight in the neighbourhood, he had an -undisputed claim to the first place, and choice of partners.</p> - -<p>Geoffrey looked after the pair, as they gradually disappeared into -a steep valley. Well, it did not matter if Mack rode a few miles in -the moonlight with Barbie,—though he sincerely wished himself in his -place. Barbie was pledged to <i>him</i>.</p> - -<p>The poor girl had a truly anxious and uncomfortable ride, and found -extreme difficulty in warding off, and eluding, a second proposal -within a couple of hours. Over and over again, the conversation became -personal; and on each occasion, she called her woman's wit to her -assistance, and guided the subject into generalities. Finally being at -the end of her resources, the deceitful little creature pleaded such -toothache, that she could not talk, and Mack more than ever in love, -and impressed by her maidenly diffidence, reserved his declaration for -a future occasion. How little he dreamt, that the girl's whole heart -and thoughts were with the man he had nicknamed "the loafer," who was -leading a lame pony a mile or two in their rear.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Bourne received from Barbie the surpassing news, almost before she -had time to change from her habit,—and strange to say, exhibited no -surprise whatever.</p> - -<p>"I like him very much, dear," she said, as she embraced her, "and you -will, I believe, both be happy. My little Barbie will make a capital -wife for a poor man!"</p> - -<p>For the next few evenings, there was more conversation than music; -plans were exhaustively discussed, coffee estates, crops, and furniture -took the place of the most thrilling news of the day. There was also a -certain amount of sitting <i>tête-à-tête</i> in the verandah, overlooking -the moon-flooded estate, whilst kind Mrs. Bourne, wrote letters -indoors, and made detailed arrangements for a trip to Madras, and -home. These were evenings of beautiful happenings, magnificent castle -building, close sympathies, and the thrill of touching hands.</p> - -<p>The air was pure and cool, the nights were so still, that the whole -world seemed to be at rest, not a sound disturbed the deep silence, but -two young voices.</p> - -<p>"I think you are <i>very</i> brave, Barbie," said Mallender, "you know, we -shall be paupers!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, and Mrs. Bourne says I shall make a splendid wife for a pauper, I -manage so economically, and keep down the ghee, and charcoal. The cook -is quite <i>afraid</i> of me!"</p> - -<p>Her fiancé burst into a derisive laugh. "As if any man, woman or child, -would be afraid of <i>you</i>! I'll work tremendously hard, and take that -little estate Tom recommends, and we will have a jolly life, keep a -couple of ponies, lots of dogs, and run down to Bangalore in the slack -time. How will that be?"</p> - -<p>"Delightful. I see, you have thought it all out!"</p> - -<p>"Why not? We have no one to please, but ourselves—you have no consent -to ask for, nor have I. Of course, I'll tell Fan and Fred. I know he -adores you, partly I think—because you never gave Naughty Mary a sore -back! You shall go and interview him, and melt his heart, and ask him -to give you away?"</p> - -<p>"If he were to see your scarred head, and thin sunken cheeks, that -would be far more likely to touch him."</p> - -<p>"Well, the Beamishes return in a few days, and I'll beard him when I go -down to make arrangements for my run home. It will be awfully hard to -leave you behind, Barbie."</p> - -<p>"Yes; but I always think the one who is left has the worst of it!"</p> - -<p>"No, no, no. However, hang it all, we are not going to grouse—three -months will soon go by, and I shall be back before Mrs. Bourne starts, -and take you over, Barbie, with <i>all</i> your liabilities."</p> - -<p>These much-discussed plans of the young couple, were presently upset by -a letter to Mallender, which said:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>"<span class="smcap">Dear Sir</span>,</p> - -<p>"We are writing to request you to come to Madras immediately. If -you can make it convenient to arrive by the mail at four o'clock on -Tuesday next, the 11th inst., you will there be met by a messenger, -and hear of something greatly to your advantage.</p> - -<p class="ph2">"We remain, dear Sir,<br /> -"Yours faithfully,<br /> -"<span class="smcap">Brown, Brown and Co.</span>"</p></div> - -<p>"Just look at this!" said Mallender tossing it to Barbie, "the same -old bait; but I'm not going to be had this time! I've been made a fool -of too often, and you will not be surprised to hear, that I feel a -pardonable misgiving. The burnt child dreads the fire!"</p> - -<p>"But this is not from Jaffer," protested Barbie, "I see it is from -Brown and Brown. I believe it is '<i>pucka</i>'—and you are going to hear, -or to see,—something at last!"</p> - -<p>"Not I!"</p> - -<p>"May I?" and Mrs. Bourne extended a hand. After glancing at the note, -she said:</p> - -<p>"Barbie is right, I am sure this won't be an April Fool's errand. I -think you will have to go."</p> - -<p>"But if I do, I must start to-morrow!" he protested.</p> - -<p>"How I wish I might go too!" said Barbie, "I feel certain, that -something tremendous is about to happen."</p> - -<p>"Something tremendous <i>will</i> happen, if you don't see to the churning, -Barbie. I must get as much work out of you as I can, dear, as I'm -afraid I won't have you this time next year!"</p> - -<p>"Next year!" echoed Mallender, "not likely! Long before that, Barbie -will be making butter for <i>me</i>."</p> - -<p>"And as for you, young man, you are to take the grey pony, and ride -over to Sarma, and send a wire to say you arrive in Madras on Tuesday, -without fail."</p> - -<p>And in this imperious and high-handed fashion, Mrs. Bourne disposed of -the happy couple in opposite directions.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">CHAPTER XXX</p> - - -<p>It was growing dark as the train from Bangalore rolled into Madras -Station, and the ceaseless moaning of the surf fell once more upon the -ears of Mallender, who promptly descended from his carriage, and looked -eagerly about him; as he did so, he noticed the stately approach of a -gorgeous peon, who with a deep salaam enquired:</p> - -<p>"Is it Captain Mallender?"</p> - -<p>"Yes—all right."</p> - -<p>"Then, please your honour, to come with me."</p> - -<p>"What about my luggage?" indicating bag and suit-case.</p> - -<p>"That we will send to cloak-room."</p> - -<p>"Evidently I am not expected to stay the night," thought the -traveller, with amusement. When his baggage had been disposed of, he -accompanied his guide, to where a fine closed motor was waiting to -receive him; as soon as he was seated the peon mounted beside the -chauffeur, and they glided swiftly away. It was a magnificent car, -evidently of great horse-power! Mallender noted its luxurious and -expensive equipment, as he leant back and lit a cigarette, with the air -of a man who has not a care in the world!</p> - -<p>"This," he said to himself, "is the rummiest thing, that has happened -yet! I'm in someone's two thousand guinea car, and I have not the -faintest notion of who it belongs to,—or where I am going!"</p> - -<p>He was undoubtedly on the track of an adventure; and this agreeable -beginning, was much more auspicious than his various other openings.</p> - -<p>Madras at this hour was crowded. The World had now descended from the -Hills and Society was once more abroad. Many cars and carriages were -flitting to and fro. Mallender noticed that he was not about to visit -"fresh fields, and pastures new," but was being taken along a familiar -road in the direction of Hooper's Gardens. Surely not there? No—they -swept smoothly by the entrance, and as they passed, he looked out, and -noticed, that there were lights in the house. So the Tallboys were at -home! The next moment, the car came to a sudden stop, and then turned -into a dark and densely overgrown drive; in places, the crowding shrubs -seemed to lash, and oppose the motor; as it moved steadily forward, -Mallender caught casual glimpses of a vast compound, and an impression -of cattle, and tethered horses. The house, as they approached it, had -an air of gloom and reserve, but when the car came to a standstill -under the portico, he noticed a crowd of men, numerous as a Royal Body -Guard, who were assembled in the lower verandah. Most of them were -smoking and playing cards, but one was evidently doing "sentry go."</p> - -<p>Undoubtedly this was the residence of some wealthy native. Why, how -stupid of him! how infernally stupid, not to recognise the premises -of the relative of the Prince of Gulberga; that pungent atmosphere -of green burning wood, huka smoke, and boiling gram, had frequently -assailed his nostrils, when he occupied a tent in the neighbourhood.</p> - -<p>The door of the car was flung open, as Mallender alighted the sentry -presented arms, and he was invited to ascend to the verandah. A peon -held a flaming lamp at the head of the marble stairs, where stood -a tall slender woman, evidently awaiting him. She wore a richly -embroidered satin <i>sari</i>, and massive gold ornaments. In this dress, -the now experienced eye of the traveller recognised the costume of a -high-born Coorg lady, or Princess.</p> - -<p>As she turned, and the light fell on her face, he saw that she was no -longer young, but still preserved the remains of astonishing beauty. -The nose was delicate and clear-cut, the skin like ivory, the drooping -lips, and dark tragic eyes, told a tale of sorrow,—yes, on the whole, -here was the most striking personality that the young man had ever -beheld.</p> - -<p>"So you have come," she said, speaking English in a low full voice. -"You will be very gentle and patient, will you not? Remember that your -Uncle has not spoken to a kinsman, nor an English officer, for many -years."</p> - -<p>"So then my Uncle <i>is</i> here?" cried Mallender excitedly.</p> - -<p>"Yes," she assented, "now you shall see him," and with wonderful grace, -she glided out of the verandah, and across an antechamber, pushed open -a door into a large dim apartment,—and there abandoned him.</p> - -<p>Mallender stood for a moment gazing vaguely about. In size and shape -the room was a counterpart of the familiar drawing-room next door -(the houses were precisely alike) only there, was brilliant electric -light in the French chandeliers,—here, on a table, two candles in -old-fashioned shades merely made the darkness visible. The room -appeared to be almost entirely empty of furniture, and saturated with -novel and aromatic odours; but as the visitor's eyes became accustomed -to the twilight, he gradually made out some shadowy divans along the -wall, a few rugs on the floor, and—he gave a slight start, as he -discerned an arm-chair, and an outline of the spare stooping figure -of a man in Europe dress. As he continued to stare, he noticed that -he was wearing a black skull cap, a short black beard, and a pair of -black-rimmed spectacles.</p> - -<p>"You have arrived, Geoffrey Mallender!" said the figure in a harsh but -muffled voice.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I'm here," he answered boldly.</p> - -<p>"Grope," continued the bearded man, "and you will find an arm-chair, -draw it up to the table, and sit down."</p> - -<p>Geoffrey obeyed without a word.</p> - -<p>"So I have found you. You never found <i>me</i>," continued the mysterious -individual, and he chuckled audibly.</p> - -<p>"Do you mean to say that you are my Uncle?" enquired Mallender -brusquely.</p> - -<p>"I am."</p> - -<p>"How am I to be sure of that? You see, I've been let in pretty often."</p> - -<p>To this statement, a loud discordant laugh was the sole immediate -response; after an appreciable pause, the bearded man added, "Ask me -some questions, my doubting Thomas?"</p> - -<p>"All right then. Tell me the address of our old town house?"</p> - -<p>"Two hundred and ninety Bruton Street. Your father was born there."</p> - -<p>"Good. Now the best fox cover at Opershaw?"</p> - -<p>"Tylney Corner," was the prompt reply.</p> - -<p>"And my grandmother's name?"</p> - -<p>"Althea Chandos, she brought a beautiful foot into the family."</p> - -<p>"Right, but perhaps you are a medium—or a clairvoyant or something."</p> - -<p>"No—nor a tom-fool," he answered, "I am your Uncle Geoffrey."</p> - -<p>Something in the accent—was it a faint resemblance to his father's -voice?—carried conviction, and there came to Mallender, a keen sense -of the importance of this revelation and interview.</p> - -<p>"Now we are together," resumed his Uncle, "I may as well inform you, -that you have provided me with an extraordinary amount of interest and -amusement, during this last year."</p> - -<p>"How was that?" asked his visitor sharply.</p> - -<p>"<i>I</i> pulled all the strings, and you danced beautifully, my good -puppet! I had Jaffer in my pay, and of course Shumilal his agent; it -was I, who sent you on all those crazy excursions; for instance, to -terrify Rochfort, and amuse old Beamish. I remember him thirty years -ago: a splendid fellow even then. Poor chap, he still clings like a -limpet to an outworn past. You see, I live behind the scenes; it is my -rôle in every sense; I am a wire-puller. I have assisted at meetings. -<i>I</i> was the writer who sat with his back to you in Shumilal's office, -I was next door to you over the wall, when you stayed with Fred; I -paid you a visit one night at Panjeverram. This sort of half-light -existence, the life of a bat or an owl, is all that is left to me now."</p> - -<p>He ceased to speak, evidently expecting his listener to make some -remark, but Mallender remained dumb; he was furiously angry with his -Uncle, and could not trust himself with words.</p> - -<p>"I don't know how long I should have continued to amuse myself at -your expense. I intended to pass you on next, to a miserable devil of -a lunatic, who believes he has committed a murder, and has lived in -hiding for years—but you were spared that, by a paragraph in a little -local rag."</p> - -<p>"Oh!"</p> - -<p>"It mentioned that you had met with a frightful accident, and were -at the point of death; so then I realised that I had gone too far. -I despatched a special messenger to Wellunga, tracked you to the -Hills, and summoned you at last. I must confess, that the news of your -accident gave me a shock. I sent the paper in next door—of course by -post. I did not see why Fred should not have a bad shock too!"</p> - -<p>Mallender made no reply, his heart was hot within him. So all the time -he had been—as his Uncle declared,—a mere plaything, or puppet, who -was made to dance for his amusement! Probably his companion was struck -by his silence, and the judicial attitude of his young relative.</p> - -<p>Leaning suddenly forward in his chair he said, "And now I am going to -unveil the mystery; a mystery unexplained for a lifetime. Only for -you, it would never have been cleared up,—and I confess, that your -eagerness and determination to find either my murderer, or myself, has -touched, and flattered me. There was a smack of romance about the whole -thing! You have shown extraordinary pertinacity, and in spite of all -sorts of obstacles, and many failures, have held on with the grip of -a bulldog, or grim death. It's going to be a fairly long story, so if -you smoke—I know you do—pull out the drawer in the table, and help -yourself to cigarettes."</p> - -<p>Geoffrey deliberately did as suggested, produced matches, struck one on -the sole of his boot, and throwing himself back in his chair, prepared -to listen to his Uncle's disclosure.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">CHAPTER XXXI</p> - - -<p>"Of course, the old story, of how I disappeared in the hot weather -of '81, is well known to you," began Captain Mallender senior, as he -moved his chair a little nearer to his nephew. "We had capital sport -in Coorg,—it's shot out now.—I was fond of exploring all over the -place, when my lazy pals were lying on their backs, reading novels, -and smoking. In this way, I happened on a lady and her servants, who -were in a bad fix; their bullock carriage got stuck in crossing a -ford, and I came to their rescue. It turned out, that the lady was of -the Royal house of Coorg, an Ikeri Princess; her name was Puvaka 'the -flower sister.'—She has since been baptised Alida. The Princess was -sixteen years of age, and amazingly beautiful; never had I seen such -a face, and I fell madly in love with her, on the spot. The Princess -Puvaka spoke a little English, I, a little Canarese, and well—I leave -the details to your imagination. We had several moonlight meetings. -I was absolutely infatuated, so, poor child, was she. I knew very -well that her people would never consent to our marriage,—nor mine -either, for that matter, but I threw such trifles to the winds! As for -my family, my regiment, and my future, I never gave them a thought. -Speaking dispassionately, and as an old man—there is no question, that -such love, is undoubtedly a species of insanity! I decided to elope to -Madras, there to get married, and see what turned up? I had money, she -had astounding beauty. We were both young, and the world was before us! -Our plans were on the point of maturing, when one moonlight night, we -suddenly found ourselves betrayed, and surprised. Alida's infuriated -kinsmen fell upon me like savages, I made a hard fight—but it was no -good, one to fifty; when they had overpowered me and bound me fast, -they cut off my nose, ears, eyelids, and upper lip. The Coorgs have a -special instrument for this operation,—a sort of slicing knife called -an 'Odu Katti.'"</p> - -<p>Mallender had hastily risen to his feet, and in a strange hoarse voice -exclaimed, "Good Lord, <i>now</i>—I understand!"</p> - -<p>"Sit down—sit down!" snapped his Uncle. "Yes, death would have -been far better; but the Coorg capital punishment,—trampling with -elephants,—was not at the moment available. I was left mutilated, -and all but dead. Alida escaped her brother's vengeance, they simply -cast her off. She and her woman, and an old man, carried me to a -hiding-place, and with native herbs and oils, gradually healed my -wounds; but I was, and am, a frightful and repulsive object; for theirs -was no gentle operation, but a frenzied hacking, and hewing. Naturally, -it was impossible for me to return, or ever again show my <i>face</i> in -England! At first, when I realised all I had lost, I was determined -to put an end to myself,—but Alida barred that way. She has been my -good angel, a miracle of patience, and forbearance, has made me a home, -cultivated the English language, and mitigated my life in death. We -live here under a native name, for part of the year, and in the hot -weather we go into camp out in Mysore, or to Bangalore, where I have -a large house, near the Fort. Time, and money, have blunted the raw -edge of my misery; I have my luxuries, shooting, horses, motors, yes! -the rupees are a wonderful balm. I take a keen interest in native and -European life, and am acquainted with many matters that are hidden from -my countrymen, and I pull various strings for my country's good. I -have had my eye on you, Geoffrey, my namesake. You take after me, and -are bold, and enterprising—not like your father, who was dreamy and -bookish, poor fellow, and naturally stagnant."</p> - -<p>"But, you know, I came out here to look for you, by <i>his</i> wish."</p> - -<p>"So I understood."</p> - -<p>"He was full of remorse; because he had not answered your letter in -person."</p> - -<p>"To what good?" demanded his brother, with a touch of passion, "I -was done for. I have paid the price of my folly; and yet Alida is a -treasure. She endures my fits of depression, my irritable, exacting, -temper. Sometimes I tell myself, that <i>her</i> fate has been the worst. -We were married by a missionary,—since dead,—and she is your lawful -Aunt, Alida Mallender. I know, you have a stout heart, nephew. Would -you care to carry out your bold intention, and see me really face to -face?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," of course, was the confident answer. "Many a time, I have sat -gazing at your picture in the dining-room at home."</p> - -<p>"Ah, I'm glad I'll go down to posterity, as that good-looking young -fellow. Now, you shall see the original," and Captain Mallender—late -of the Blue Hussars—fumbled for a moment with spectacles and beard, -then rose, and slowly advanced into the full light of the two candles.</p> - -<p>Geoffrey braced himself, and rising from his place stood up to meet his -ordeal.</p> - -<p>He looked over at the man who confronted him across the table, yet in -spite of strong nerves, and a certain amount of preparation, he gave a -sharp involuntary cry. What he beheld, was a grey bent old man, wearing -a black skull cap; his withered cheeks were deeply sunken, his scanty -beard, was white, and oh, the awful noseless face, the bare grinning -teeth, the lidless eyeballs,—expressing mute agonised interrogation, -and years of hopeless anguish.</p> - -<p>The sweat stood out on Mallender's forehead, as his eyes were set in a -fixed, and horror-stricken stare.</p> - -<p>"You could not blame me for <i>hiding</i>?" asked his Uncle thickly, "could -you?"</p> - -<p>Mallender caught his breath in a sort of sob, and stammered:</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>Then the expatriated victim, turning his back, and resuming his -disguise, once more seated himself, and there ensued an eloquent -silence. Mallender the younger, was so severely and unexpectedly -shaken, that for some moments he could not articulate; he felt -completely stunned, and incapable alike of speech or coherent thought. -At last he said in a broken voice:</p> - -<p>"Oh, Uncle Geoffrey, I can't express—what I feel for you!"</p> - -<p>"Thank you, my boy," came the answer in a husky tone, "now that you -have had your wish, you understand, don't you?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, oh my God, I do!" responded his nephew.</p> - -<p>"Few are acquainted with this horror—my fate," resumed Captain -Mallender senior. "Some devoted Coorg dependents, screen us from the -world, and their fellow-servants. I pose as a wealthy native who has -made a fortune in tobacco, and am related to the old princely family of -Gulberga, now, I may tell you, extinct."</p> - -<p>"But isn't it impossible to personate a native?"</p> - -<p>"Not at all. I had always a talent for languages, I speak Tamil, and -Canarese like my mother tongue. I pretend, that I was educated in -England—this accounts for my English tastes, my books, manner of -riding, choice of food, and so on. I have an English sitting-room, with -English arm-chairs, and lined with books, here and at Bangalore. It is -looked upon as one of my numerous eccentricities. On the other hand, I -smoke a huka, I maintain a royal reserve, and state; I give to the poor -with both hands, and I tolerate at least a hundred parasites."</p> - -<p>"And what of Brown and Brown? How much do <i>they</i> know?"</p> - -<p>"They know everything," was the startling rejoinder. "Never withhold -secrets from your men of business; and besides, in my case, they are -necessary to manage my affairs, remit money, receive letters, and keep -me in touch with England."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I can see that, they did not give me much of a welcome—a pair of -sun-dried old scorpions!"</p> - -<p>"Don't be hard on them, Geoffrey. Your unexpected descent naturally put -us out terribly. Probably you can now imagine how very uneasy you made -me feel, until I discovered that your methods were childish."</p> - -<p>"The whole thing was childish on my part."</p> - -<p>"No, I won't allow that. I am more than thankful that you came. You -have roused and shaken me out of a groove; to know, that a real live -nephew, had so far exerted himself, as to come to India to find me! -made me once more think of myself, as Geoffrey Mallender, and not as -the Nawab Dooloo of Idacotta. And now tell me something about yourself?"</p> - -<p>Geoffrey had not yet weathered the shock of his Uncle's history and its -illustration; in a few halting sentences he spoke of his upbringing, -his having left the service, and his hitherto uneventful career.</p> - -<p>"Well, out here, your career has been fairly eventful, thanks to <i>me</i>," -said his Uncle. "I intend to make up to you, for your hardships. I -expect you are in pretty low water with regard to money, eh, my boy?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I am afraid so; however, I have enough to take me home."</p> - -<p>"You have. Brown and Co. have executed a deed in which Mallender is -made over to you altogether. Of what use is it to a man like me? it is -now yours absolutely."</p> - -<p>"But that would never do! I could not accept it," protested Geoffrey, -"what are you to live on? If you will continue the allowance you made -my father——"</p> - -<p>"Don't worry about me," interrupted his Uncle, "I am not a poor man, -even minus Mallender. For thirty years, my expenses have been moderate. -I've no society to entertain, no clubs, no cards, no racers, no polo -ponies. Like old Beamish, I have put by, and invested large sums, most -of which will go to you after my death and Alida's. I've left some -legacies to servants, and pensioners, and a trifle to Freddy; what a -stiff-necked little beggar it is!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, but as far as I'm concerned, I don't blame him."</p> - -<p>"Little does he guess, that <i>I</i> am his obnoxious next-door neighbour! -or how I like to hear him storming at me, for a nuisance, when we burn -weeds and woods, and the wind is his way; nor does he imagine, that I -am often in Madras. I wear a pair of goggles, and sometimes drive my -own car, and get about a good deal. I go to races, and cricket matches, -I was at the polo, and witnessed your performance. When I appear in -public, I wear a turban and beard, and sit well back in the car like a -'Gosha' woman, so as to keep up my reputation, of an eccentric native -gentleman of high degree. You ride well, Geoffrey, and I intend to -give you a horse to take home; a splendid black Arab called 'Baber.' I -shall like to think that he who has carried me out here, later on, will -gallop round the old park, and the place where I was born."</p> - -<p>"Surely something could be done for you, Uncle Geoffrey?" said -Mallender. "Why not come home yourself? In these days, surgeons and -science seem to work miracles."</p> - -<p>"My good nephew! I now see that Fred has some ground for saying you -have a strain of madness in your brain. I'm beyond human help. Here, I -have dree'd my weird,—here I'll die. Supposing I were to accompany you -home,—and my old heart leaps at the thought!—what do you think people -would say? They'd swear I was a rank impostor. Mallender of the Blue -Hussars, was drowned years and years ago."</p> - -<p>"But you could do the same as out here, take another name?" urged -Geoffrey the persistent.</p> - -<p>"Always optimistic, and full of schemes, I see! No, no, the Nawab will -bide in Madras."</p> - -<p>Then rising from his place he came nearer, a strange but not horrifying -object, with false nose and beard, the eyeballs looking out from the -black-rimmed glasses wore a soft expression as he said:</p> - -<p>"You must make it up with Fred, tell him, you've carried out -your project and seen me, are reinstated, and sole owner of -Mallender,—park, property, house, and its contents down to the very -teaspoons!"</p> - -<p>"But listen to me, Uncle Geoffrey. I really cannot take it all like -that, in your lifetime."</p> - -<p>"You can, in short, there's no help for it. Mallender is yours now, as -much as the coat on your back."</p> - -<p>The new owner of Mallender was about to expostulate, but his Uncle held -up his hand.</p> - -<p>"To let you into a secret, Geoffrey—I am proud of you!"</p> - -<p>"It's awfully good of you to say so, Uncle, but although I meant well, -I've been more or less, of a pig-headed idiot."</p> - -<p>"As for that, I happen to know, how you came to the rescue of that -unfortunate girl, Miss Sim; packed her off home, and paid her passage. -It was you, who faced Rochfort's wife, stifled a terrible scandal, and -made peace. Finally, I'm told that you saved the life of old Beamish's -daughter, and nearly lost your own. Now for each of these deeds, I give -you a good mark."</p> - -<p>Mallender laughed uncomfortably.</p> - -<p>"Your next exploit, must be to find a really nice girl—and marry her."</p> - -<p>"I have found her."</p> - -<p>"What! Who? Not Tara Beamish? No—no."</p> - -<p>"Miss Miller—you may have seen her?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, a pretty little fair girl, rides like a bird—had a narrow escape -of marrying her father's old pal. That young woman has grit; I give you -my consent, and she shall have a suitable wedding present. I'm glad you -did not fall in love with the other!"</p> - -<p>"Then you've seen the youngest Miss Beamish?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, in Bangalore—a beautiful creature, with wild, blue blood in her -veins. I've also seen her mother—that was many years ago.—And I knew -more of the girl's history, than her adopted parents; but then, as I've -told you, I live behind the scenes and hold many secrets. Well, there -is no mystery about your future wife, and I wish you joy. The moon is -favourable, and to-night, we shall celebrate two great events; your -visit to me, and your engagement. I shall inaugurate a big Tamasha -and my retainers will call it the feast of the full moon; but to me, -it will be the fête of Geoffrey, and his little lady! Now, my boy, -this has been a trying interview; I know," and his voice broke, "that -you feel for me; but you'd better go now, and come again—I'm rather -played out. I know I need not ask you, to keep my secret," again his -voice failed, and he sat down, and struck a little hand bell. Instantly -the door opened, and the Coorg Princess appeared beckoning from the -threshold.</p> - -<p>"It has been an amazing exertion," she said as she and Geoffrey stood -together in the verandah, "I'm thankful it is over."</p> - -<p>"Yes," assented her companion, "so am I."</p> - -<p>"He likes you so much, you have been such a great interest to him, and -made him so proud and happy, for you have always been an honourable -gentleman. We heard of you up in Coorg, my country, and in beautiful -Mysore. I am your Aunt Alida."</p> - -<p>Mallender bowed assent, then as he looked into her face, stirred by an -inexplicable impulse, he stooped, and lifted her hand to his lips. Why -not? She was his Uncle's wife, and she held herself like royalty. For a -moment, she surveyed him earnestly with her burning black eyes, noting -as she did so, that the young man was woefully thin; his cheeks were -sunken, his clothes worn, and almost shabby. Undoubtedly, he had tasted -both sickness and poverty.</p> - -<p>"You have had a hard time," she murmured gently, "but if one leaves the -beaten road,—one has to pay!"</p> - -<p>As Geoffrey gazed into her worn but beautiful face, he realised with a -pang, that this low-voiced Aunt, who had abandoned a beaten road,—had -paid, heavily.</p> - -<p>"You will come again," she urged, "we will arrange with Brown and -Brown; they forward letters; the motor waits to take you wherever you -please. Good-bye!" and turning towards the drawing-room, she waved him -farewell.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">CHAPTER XXXII</p> - - -<p>His Aunt's offer of the splendid Panhard was not accepted by Geoffrey; -he preferred to depart on foot, realising that after his recent -experience, he must get away alone, into some quiet retreat, there to -steady his mind, and nerves. As he descended the steps, even in the dim -ill-lighted premises, he received the impression of an atmosphere of -wealth, extravagance, and a certain amount of slackness, secrecy, and -state; moreover an establishment crowded with retainers. The servants' -liveries were gorgeous, the massive ill-trimmed hanging lamps, of -beaten silver, splendid Persian rugs were carelessly strewn on the -flagged portico, and that curious smell, beyond analysis, that belongs -to the East hung in the air. From the rear, came the bitter pungent -odour of wood fires, cooking the evening meal, the cries of children, -the shrill whinny of horses. What, Mallender asked himself, was <i>he</i> -doing in this native <i>milieu</i>? He seemed to be under some spell of -unreality! Still walking as in a dream, he passed through a group of -salaaming peons, into the dark overgrown avenue. There he encountered -many vague stealthy figures, going or coming, and was presently -overtaken by three men; mounted Sowars, on fine horses, who clattered -by, in haste,—evidently bound on some important errand. Arrived once -more at the shabby entrance he halted, and looked about, standing out -of the traffic, under the shade of a great tamarind tree. As yet, he -could not bring himself to face his next door relatives, or enter their -well-ordered, well-illuminated English home; the contrast was so sharp -between the household of his Uncle, and his cousin—that even to think -of it made him flinch.</p> - -<p>For nearly an hour, he slowly paced the dusty road; enclosed within -high walls which lay between two entrances; where one, his nearest -relative lived, cut off from his own people, surrounded by mystery and -natives; whilst the other, great garden house, was no doubt as usual, -overflowing with gay, appreciative guests, the cream of Madras society.</p> - -<p>As he strolled along, his hands in his pockets, his eyes on the -ground, he was haunted by the face of his Uncle; that awful mutilated -countenance, with its jagged mouth, and wild bare eyeballs; he -shuddered more than once, that warm still evening, and tried to thrust -the hideous memory from his mental vision. Had such a fate overtaken -him, how would he have borne it? He could not, would not, survive—no, -even Barbie should not prevail. He endeavoured to put himself into his -Uncle's place,—as a young man of his own age and profession, full -of life, energy and expectation, suddenly shut out from his kindred, -friends, and nation. Left alone, to struggle as best he might, with an -absolutely hopeless future; abandoned to an existence of isolation and -pretence. Why, why, should fate exact through years of misery, such -remorseless punishment, for <i>one</i> folly?</p> - -<p>Undoubtedly Alida represented some mitigation of the sentence; but a -woman of another race and outlook. No doubt, she had been an angel of -mercy, yet could even Alida replace a wasted youth?—a lost world?</p> - -<p>Those first years must have represented the torment of Hades! they made -Mallender think of quivering flesh, and a fiery furnace, of a blind -lark in a tiny cage, of a starving old thoroughbred in a cheap coal -cart.</p> - -<p>What could <i>he</i> do to relieve a miserable existence? Yet if his Uncle -were to be believed, he had already—if unconsciously—contributed a -certain amount of interest and amusement to brighten some dark days. -Doubtless sensibilities become deadened by time—for to a man of -eight-and-twenty, thirty years seem an age;—perhaps his Uncle was -right to stick to India, and a disguise, since Mallender of the Blue -Hussars could never reclaim his former identity. It was close on eight -o'clock, when Geoffrey at last gathered his forces together, and turned -towards Hooper's Gardens. Here was a wide trim enclosure, guiltless of -jungle, cattle, or even goats, an admirably kept well-lighted "Europe" -establishment, from whence came the faint sounds of a piano, and a -woman's voice.</p> - -<p>Under the portico, the stout and stately butler received the visitor -with a beaming countenance; possibly this was an indication of -gratitude for past generosity—possibly, merely a token of welcome and -good-will. This particular young man was well spoken of in the go-downs.</p> - -<p>Mallender ran up the steps, into the familiar verandah, and immediately -came face to face with Nancy Brander in evening dress.</p> - -<p>"Geoffrey!" she exclaimed, lifting her hands in astonishment. "Oh, my -dear boy, how thankful I am to see you again!"</p> - -<p>"The same to you," he answered gravely.</p> - -<p>"We have been in <i>such</i> misery about you. When Fred saw that notice -in the papers, he was utterly crushed; he blames himself for -everything—for allowing you, a mere innocent, to go off alone. He -says he should never have let you out of his sight,—even if he had to -accompany you, and take <i>Fanny</i>! Where have you come from?"</p> - -<p>"A coffee estate in Mysore. I'm all right now. I suppose the house is -crammed as usual?"</p> - -<p>"No, indeed, we are alone. Fan and Fred are in no spirits for company, -they wired for me, and I arrived two days ago. Tom says I live here; -but on this occasion, my visit lies at your door!"</p> - -<p>"Nancy, Nan!" came a voice from within, "who are you talking to out -there? Why don't you bring them in?"</p> - -<p>"I must break it gently," she whispered. "Shall I go first, and prepare -them?"</p> - -<p>"Do, do," he urged, and stood aside, as she swept into the drawing-room.</p> - -<p>Freddy was sitting near a lamp, pince-nez on nose, holding a paper in a -limp hand. Fan was knitting with an abstracted air. They looked up when -Nancy entered.</p> - -<p>"My dear people, I bring you good news," she proclaimed, "very good -news! Geoffrey is all right—he is coming!" They had both risen to -their feet, when she added, "He is here!"</p> - -<p>Knitting and paper were hastily discarded, as the prodigal nephew -followed his herald into the drawing-room. His welcome was rapturous; -what a scene for the stage! Freddy nearly dragged his arm off. Fanny -sobbed and shed happy tears, but the many things she would have -uttered, choked in her throat.</p> - -<p>"A nice fright you gave us, my boy!" said his cousin blowing his nose, -"that note in the <i>Royàpetta Star</i>—you see, we had not had news for -months—my fault! my fault! and when I saw this, I telegraphed off to -General Beamish, but got no reply; though I wired three times, answer -prepaid; then I tried the postmaster, and he said you were dead."</p> - -<p>"He mixed us up," said Geoffrey, "General Beamish is dead,—he died a -month ago."</p> - -<p>"Yes, so we heard to-day, and that you had been taken away somewhere."</p> - -<p>"You are all right again, are you, Geoffrey?" asked Fanny, as she -scanned him critically. She, like her next door neighbour, the Coorg -Princess, noticed that he looked thin, haggard, and shabby, in -comparison to the Geoffrey of old days.</p> - -<p>"You want feeding up, that I can see," she remarked with emphasis, -"eggs and milk,—and early hours."</p> - -<p>"There's dinner," exclaimed her husband, "come along with me, Geoffrey, -and wash your hands in my room; your own will be ready in a brace of -shakes. Where's your luggage?"</p> - -<p>"I've very little, but that's at the station, most of my kit is still -here."</p> - -<p>"That's all right. Anthony can get it out, and unpack."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I did not bring him down with me, but I'll wire for him to-morrow."</p> - -<p>(He had left Anthony at Kartairi by the advice of Mrs. Bourne, who said:</p> - -<p>"I believe that you will come to the end of the mystery this time, and -if so, you don't want to take the whole bazaar into your confidence. I -am aware of Smiler's good qualities—but I would not trust him with a -family secret, till you know all about it first.")</p> - -<p>"I expect you are starving," said Fan to Geoffrey, as he entered, and -occupied his old place.</p> - -<p>"Yes, famishing. I had breakfast at ten o'clock at Jollapett."</p> - -<p>"Then you must have got in at four!" said Nancy, "But why didn't -you come up at once?—where have you been?" In Geoffrey's opinion -this was Nancy's one shortcoming, her mental eye was extraordinarily -penetrating,—she was much <i>too</i> sharp.</p> - -<p>"I had some business to attend to. I'll tell you all about it -afterwards," and the traveller glanced significantly at the eager-eyed -attendants, who were as anxious to hear Captain Mallender's news, as -any of the company. Why all this bobbery and trouble, and coming and -going? What had he been doing? they asked one another, and there was -unfortunately no Anthony to set their minds at rest.</p> - -<p>"We are a small party," said Colonel Tallboys, "we had invited a lot of -people, but we put them off."</p> - -<p>"Any of last year's lot?"</p> - -<p>"No, Sir William and Lady Bream are at home," said Fanny, "he has -just bought a place in the country, miles from everywhere, which she -loathes, poor dear! She wants a house in Mayfair, and a smart villa at -Roque-Brune."</p> - -<p>"I have made some discoveries about Lady Bream," announced Geoffrey, -"she is the grand-daughter of old General Beamish, and was your -school-fellow, Fan. It, excuse me,—seems incredible!"</p> - -<p>"Yes," replied Fred, "didn't I keep the secret well. I wonder what -Bream will say, when he learns the sum-total of her age, and debts!"</p> - -<p>"As for her debts, he may possibly hear the truth," said her -school-fellow, "but Lena is so ridiculously sensitive about her age. -She likes to pass for eight-and-twenty, and would not reveal that she -was forty-two last October—no, not if she were agonising on the rack!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, well, everyone is the age she looks," said Nancy cheerily. "Our -dear friends, the Wylies, who were here with you, Geoffrey, are now in -Japan, the guests of an American millionaire."</p> - -<p>"I'm not interested in the Wylies," said Mallender, "I hope I may never -come across them again."</p> - -<p>"You will—if you ever become rich, they will both be devoted to you!"</p> - -<p>"I need hardly tell you, that I'm dying to hear all your adventures," -said Fan. "We have not seen you for eight whole months."</p> - -<p>"No, and I've lots to tell you, important news too, but I'll wait, if I -may, till we are in the smoking-room, with no audience."</p> - -<p>"Meanwhile, I am on pins and needles," said Nancy, "and my imagination -is filling in the most wonderful adventures and scenes."</p> - -<p>"I saw some wonderful scenes when I was up in Coorg, and Mysore," and -the traveller proceeded to give brief descriptions of his excursions, -and experiences—omitting, however, all mention of Panjeverram, as he -had no desire to bring Major Rochfort's past into the supremely happy -present.</p> - -<p>"You were somewhere near Madras once," said Colonel Tallboys, "for -Proudfoot saw you, several times."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I was after, what turned out to be a mare's nest!"</p> - -<p>"I suppose you heard in the Hills of our anxiety and enquiries, and -came down at once, like the good fellow you are?"</p> - -<p>"Ye-e-s—that is to say, I had to come anyway."</p> - -<p>"Oh, the usual thing, I suppose, eh?" said his cousin with a sly smile.</p> - -<p>"The usual thing," repeated Geoffrey, but instead of a smile, a -momentary spasm crossed his face.</p> - -<p>"Now do begin at once, and open the budget," urged Fanny, when they had -all disposed themselves comfortably in the smoking-room, and the butler -had withdrawn, bearing the empty coffee cups. Mallender had not found -himself a seat, but walked about restlessly, with an unlighted cigar -between his fingers. At last, he came to a standstill before Fanny, and -said:</p> - -<p>"Well, my first piece of news is, that I am going to marry Barbie -Miller!"</p> - -<p>"Barbie!" echoed Mrs. Tallboys, then after a moment's pause, "Oh, my -dear boy, I am so glad, so glad!" and she rose from her chair, and -embraced him.</p> - -<p>"I would follow suit," said Nancy putting down her cigarette, "and kiss -you too, but Barbie might not like it."</p> - -<p>"I call it a very sound choice," said Colonel Tallboys, "and I -congratulate you, my boy. Yes, though there's no money, and a terrible -mother, Barbie is the nicest little girl I know, what hair, and what -hands!"</p> - -<p>"I never noticed her hands," said Nancy, "<i>I</i> always look at feet, she -has such pretty feet!"</p> - -<p>"Hands, on a horse's mouth."</p> - -<p>"But," resumed Nancy, sitting very erect, "I thought——"</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes, I know," interrupted Mallender precipitately, "that's all -right now."</p> - -<p>"Nothing like beginning, or going on, with a little aversion?"</p> - -<p>"There was no aversion on either side. I admired Barbie from the first -moment I saw her."</p> - -<p>"So did I. I was always fond of her, she is a darling; but oh, my poor -Geoffrey, have you thought of your mother-in-law?"</p> - -<p>"No, and I am not going to think of her!"</p> - -<p>"Is anything settled?" inquired Fanny, the matchmaker.</p> - -<p>"Mrs. Bourne and Barbie are coming down next week, and something will -be arranged then."</p> - -<p>"They stay here, of course," promptly put in Colonel Tallboys. "Fanny, -you will write at once."</p> - -<p>Geoffrey, who had taken another turn round the room, again came to a -halt, and said:</p> - -<p>"There is something else I have to tell you." After a momentary pause, -he added:</p> - -<p>"I have found my Uncle."</p> - -<p>"God bless me, you don't say so!" ejaculated Colonel Tallboys, leaning -both hands on the arms of his chair, and rising slowly to his feet.</p> - -<p>"You have found him," echoed Nancy, "then Peary must hide his -diminished head!"</p> - -<p>"Where is he? Why does he conceal himself?" demanded Colonel Tallboys -excitedly.</p> - -<p>To this double-barrelled question, Geoffrey at first made no reply, -then he said, "That is his secret, and one which I am bound to respect."</p> - -<p>"There's no disgraceful element in the matter?"</p> - -<p>"None. But please don't question me, for I can tell you nothing."</p> - -<p>"I think it remarkably strange, that <i>I</i> am to be kept in the dark," -said Colonel Tallboys speaking with a pink complexion, and rising -temper. "How is he? At least I suppose you may answer <i>that</i>. Is he -much changed—eh?"</p> - -<p>"You forget that until lately I had never seen him."</p> - -<p>"Yes, that's true. I knew him long ago! Such a smart handsome young -fellow, full of go and enterprise, and very popular. Lord! <i>how</i> I -admired and envied him!"</p> - -<p>"I think I may say, that he is fairly well in health, that he will -never leave India, was glad to see me, and to hear I was going to be -married."</p> - -<p>"And I am delighted that you have carried out your undertaking," added -Fan, "and not had all your searching and trouble for nothing!"</p> - -<p>"On the contrary, my trouble, as you call it, has been rewarded by a -fortune; my Uncle has made Mallender over to me altogether."</p> - -<p>"Hurrah! Hurrah!" cried Freddy clapping his hands, and once more -the soul of good-humour. "This is something like news! So you are -actually now, as you stand there, in your shabby serge, and disgraceful -'chuklers'' boots, Mallender of Mallender, with eight thousand a year!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I suppose I am."</p> - -<p>"I presume Brown and Co. have arranged everything, and made out the -deeds; if you'd like <i>me</i> to go and look into matters, you know, my -dear boy, you have only to say the word and I am heartily at your -service!"</p> - -<p>"Thank you. I believe it's all right, I've not heard any details, but -I'll let you know later on how things stand."</p> - -<p>"And so <i>this</i>, was your business in Madras, my rich young adventurer?"</p> - -<p>"Partly."</p> - -<p>"What a match for Barbie!" suddenly exclaimed Nancy, "dear little -simple girl. But only think of Mrs Miller!" she added with a touch of -light-hearted cruelty. "She will be lying in wait for you at Victoria -Station—if she is not arranging the house for your reception at -Mallender, with triumphal arches, and a band."</p> - -<p>"Don't mind her, Geoffrey," said his cousin, "she is only trying to -draw you. I should be sorry to think you were not able to grapple with -Mother Miller."</p> - -<p>"It is really incredible, what a change a couple of hours can make," -said Fan. "This evening, I felt so utterly miserable and depressed, I -would have thoroughly enjoyed a good cry; now, only it would be too -remarkable, I'd like to run out into the compound, and <i>sing</i>! We must -fill up the house at once, I'll wire first thing to-morrow for Mrs. -Bourne and Barbie. Nan, my dear, we shall have a right merry Christmas!"</p> - -<p>"Talking of singing in the compound, and a merry time," said Colonel -Tallboys, who had stepped into the verandah, "I'm blessed if the old -boy next door isn't sending up rockets, and fire balloons!—the best -sort too!—it's worth your while to come out, all of you! There must be -some big Tamasha in his family,—probably a wedding!"</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">CHAPTER XXXIII</p> - - -<p>The wedding of Captain Mallender and Miss Barbara Miller, was one of -the most popular functions of the Madras season. Scores of invitations -were issued from hospitable Hooper's Gardens, and not only was the -house crammed for the occasion, but the supplementary encampment was -on such a scale, that it might have been mistaken for a Durbar. Among -the guests, were the three Beamishes. Tom and Jessie were commonplace -enough, and appeared to be not a little bewildered by their gay -surroundings, but Tara, their bridesmaid sister, created a profound -sensation. Her beauty, lofty carriage, air of distinction and absolute -self-possession, found hosts of admirers; these were struck dumb when -they learned that this young Royal, and Imperial Highness, was merely -the daughter of old Beamish, and his third wife,—an homely humble -body, whose father had been an hospital dresser. The girl presented -an almost ludicrous contrast to her relatives! Tom passed as a young -planter, a rough diamond in his way, and a good sort: he soon made -friends; but Miss Beamish, who was shy and ill-dressed, did not know -what to talk about, or what to do with her hands—and grand climax, -impartially distributed little pink tracts, dealing with the souls of -the heathen!</p> - -<p>Her sister, on the contrary, wore her clothes with admirable grace, and -seemed not merely to find herself at ease, but to dominate the company! -As people looked at Tara, a fragile aristocrat seated with nonchalant -dignity in the midst of her Court, and then at Jessie, bashful and -self-conscious, perched on the edge of a chair, feverishly twisting her -ugly fingers, they decided that "Heredity" was an amazing factor in -human life,—and enchanting Miss Tara a most remarkable "throw back."</p> - -<p>But Mrs. Fiske, who had recently descended on Madras, put an entirely -different construction on the case; one alas! that was not creditable -to the virtue of Mrs. Beamish.</p> - -<p>In his mysterious excursions through the Presidency, it was evident -that Captain Mallender had picked up some strange acquaintances—this -was another of Mrs. Fiske's pronouncements. On the afternoon of -the wedding, amidst the fashionable crowd in the Cathedral, were -two youths, who were almost black, and an elderly European woman, -conspicuous in green velveteen, yellow silk gloves, and an appalling -hat. Yet to the trio, the bridegroom, whilst awaiting the bride, most -particularly addressed himself. What could he possibly have in common -with such low people? Here even Mrs. Fiske's lurid imagination was -at fault; and besides these undesirables, close to the entrance, and -completely in the background, Mrs. Fiske was amazed to descry, two -<i>natives</i>! A black-bearded man, wearing spectacles and an immense -turban, and a lady who was closely veiled. Apparently, anxious to shun -recognition, they were the last to arrive, and effected a stealthy -departure before the Wedding March burst forth, and the bridal -procession left the altar.</p> - -<p>Barbie, who looked lovely, and wore wonderful pearls, and a lace train -and veil, was given away by Colonel Tallboys, whilst Captain Byng -supported his friend. There were eight charming bridesmaids, many -brilliant toilettes and smart uniforms, and it was pronounced to be the -prettiest and most popular wedding that had been celebrated in Madras -for years.</p> - -<p>Subsequently, the reception was held at Hooper's Gardens; here the -presents were on view; these were numerous and varied; from an -Annamulley cane, and a bamboo tiffin basket, to a moon-shaped amulet -set in brilliants, and a string of magnificent pearls.</p> - -<p>When, a few weeks later, the happy couple sailed for home, their -departure was deplored by many,—even although they had faithfully -promised to return ere long.</p> - -<p>Pending this fulfilment, Anthony had accepted service with Colonel -Tallboys; he talks much in cook-house, and pantry, of his master, the -Captain, and boasts, that before he went away, he paid in one hundred -pounds for him, Anthony, to the Madras Bank. "Two thousand five hundred -rupees, all for me, and my services. My master thinking plenty much of -<i>me</i> therefore, fortune giving."</p> - -<p>This as it happened was the truth; but his jealous associates comforted -one another with the statement, that it was only one of Anthony's many -lies!</p> - -<p>On the day of departure, the Tallboys, accompanied by the Branders, -ascended to the flat roof of Hooper's Gardens, in order to see the very -last of the steamer that was bearing their relatives to England. Their -eyes followed it, or rather its smoke, till it dwindled and dwindled by -degrees, and as the little speck finally faded below the horizon Nancy -turned, with a dramatic gesture, and addressed her companions:</p> - -<p>"They're gone, and only think of it! just one year ago, Geoffrey -came out here, on a wild-goose chase, a stranger in the land, and -empty-handed,—for his allowance was cut off from the day he arrived. -Behold, now, he returns, leaving crowds of Indian friends—not to -mention a weeping Anthony—and carries away with him, a sword, a horse, -a fortune, and a bride!"</p> - - -<p class="ph3">THE END</p> - - -<p class="ph3"><i>Printed at The Chapel River Press, Kingston, Surrey.</i></p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>MABEL BARNES-GRUNDY has rapidly come to the front as one of -our most successful novelists. Her stories excel in wit, humour, -observation and characterisation. The complete and uniform edition of -her novels, as under, will be published, at short intervals, during -the Spring and early Summer, at the popular price of 1/-.</p> - - -<p class="ph3">By<br /> -MABEL BARNES-GRUNDY</p> - -<p class="ph3"><i>Each bound in cloth, with most attractive picture wrapper, 1/-net.</i></p> - -<p class="ph3">An Undressed Heroine<br /> -Marguerite's Wonderful Year<br /> -Hilary on Her Own<br /> -Two in a Tent—and Jane<br /> -The Third Miss Wenderby<br /> -Patricia Plays a Part<br /> -Candytuft—I mean Veronica<br /> -The Vacillations of Hazel</p> - - -<p>Like Gertrude Page's Shilling Novels, published in 1916, Mabel -Barnes-Grundy's Shilling Novels for 1917 will be the outstanding -success of the year.</p> - - -<p class="ph3">London: HUTCHINSON & CO., Paternoster Row.</p> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IN OLD MADRAS ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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