satisfaction at his heart.

"What a couple they make," said Greenoak, more to himself than to the
other. But it was overheard and heartily seconded.

Hazel was looking lovely in her fresh, plain, summer costume, which set
off her dark, piquante beauty to perfection.

"Good sport?" she cried merrily. "Ah, yes, rather," as her eyes fell
upon the rows of "little brown birds" laid out upon the grass with a few
hares and a rabbit or two. Then, still laughing and talking, she set to
work, aided by Dick, to extract and lay out the contents of the hampers,
and soon there was popping of champagne corks, and the glasses creamed
with their fizzing contents, and all fell to with a good appetite.

"There's something very restful about this English scenery," remarked
Greenoak, gazing dreamily out over the rich meadowland and soft,
towering foliage, to where, away in the distance, the gables and
chimneys of the Hall were irregularly glimpsed.

"Yes, and to-day might almost be an African day," said Dick. "It's so
still and lovely, and cloudless."

"Oh, talking of Africa," cried Hazel, "I've just got a lot of news--mail
letters--came soon after you had started. Dick--Mr Greenoak--what do
you think? Elsie is going to be married!"

"No!" shouted Dick; and he threw back his head and roared. "Oh, that's
good. Who to?"

"I don't remember the man, but he was one of the party who came to our
rescue that night. He's got a farm in the Chalumna district."

"He didn't see the play she made with that axe," laughed Dick. "That
might have scared him off--eh?"

"Perhaps that constituted the attraction, Dick," said Sir Anson.
"Useful sort of wife to have, you know, in such a troublesome
neighbourhood."

"She says that now her `bairn' has left her--that's me," went on
Hazel--"she might as well look out for herself. And so--she did."

"What a howling joke!" cried Dick. "Good old Elsie! We'll ship her out
no end of a tea-service--and things--eh, dad? What other news, dear?"

"The Commandant has resigned."

"Pity, fine old boy the Commandant. Why did he chuck?"

"He couldn't pull with the present Government. They hampered him too
much."

"Beastly shame! They don't know a good man when they've got him. Who
succeeds him--Chambers?"

"No, they've put in another man. Mr Ladell has been promoted
Inspector. Oh--and that man who helped you in that absurdly foolhardy
adventure, Dick--Sketchley--has been made a sergeant. Th