n a
wide curve through the high grass. As they gradually rounded this, it
became evident that that stage of the journey was nearly over. The thick
walls opened out. They had a glimpse of wider country ahead dotted with
mango-trees.

"Hooray!" sang out Noel. "We return to civilization!"

But it was not a very populous civilization which they were approaching.
They came within view of a domed temple indeed, but it was a temple set
among ruins. There was no sign of any inhabitant, near or far.

"There's a well somewhere," said Olga. "Nick said we were to camp
there."

"So be it!" said Noel. "It's Nick's funeral. Let us find his precious
well!"

They emerged from the jungle-road with relief, and approached a group of
mango-trees. These led in a somewhat broken grove to the temple which
stood amidst stunted palms and cypresses. The mid-day sun was fierce,
and the shade of the mangoes was welcome. For about a hundred yards they
travelled over a road that was nearly choked by stones and grass, and
then somewhat unexpectedly they discovered the well.

It was plainly very ancient, its round stone mouth crumbling with age.
All about it and over its edges grew the coarse grass. It must have been
many years since native women had foregathered there to discuss the
affairs of forgotten Khantali. Above it, on rising ground, stood the
temple, domed, mysterious, deserted.

"A place for satyrs to dance in, what?" suggested Noel. "We ought to
have come here by moonlight. Let's get down and investigate. The others
can't be far behind."

"Yes, let us fix on a place before they come!" said Olga. "It will save
such a lot of discussion."

"Excellent notion! I'll tie up Tinker to one of these trees. I don't
call this a very promising site for a bean-feast," said Noel, wrinkling
his nose. "It's so beastly stuffy."

"Yes, we will try the temple first," said Olga. "It stands higher. There
will be much more air there."

They descended. There was still no sign of the rest of the party. "I
expect they gave us a start to keep out of the beastly dust," said Noel.
"They'll be here directly. Nick has pitched on a secluded corner anyhow.
I shouldn't think the foot of man had trodden it for a thousand years."

Olga laughed. "I wonder. It's better than the jungle, isn't it? I don't
feel nearly so creepy here."

"What price tigers?" grinned Noel.

"Oh, I've got over that," she declared. "But I didn't like your
Wilderness of Nasty Possibili