s.

"You may say so," he replied, eagerly gazing at the dense passing
throng--animated women with flower-decked hair, square-shouldered,
sauntering men, carrying flat umbrellas and smoking huge cheroots,
Khaki-clad Tommies and yellow-faced John Chinamen.

"Oh, there's lots to see in Burma," continued Salter, "an extraordinary
mixture of people and races, and a most beautiful country; such
splendid rivers and forests--but here, in Rangoon, everyone has but one
idea."

In answer to Shafto's glance of interrogation he said:

"We are a commercial community, and our sole aim and object is to work,
to get rich, and go home."

"But that doesn't apply to the native?"

"No, the Burman does not work; he is merely a spectator. The industry
of others amuses him; his chief object is to enjoy life. Well, here is
the hotel; let us go in and have a look at your quarters."

After the baggage had been disposed of and Shafto's room inspected and
criticised, his companion still lingered talking. To Salter, the
proverbially eccentric, this new-comer appeared to be an intelligent
young fellow whom he would like and take to. There was no superior
"just out from London to the back of God-speed" air about him. On the
contrary, he appeared to be genuinely interested in his surroundings
and insatiable for information. It struck him, too, that the forlorn
stranger would put in a mighty dull and solitary evening and, stirred
by a benevolent impulse, he said:

"Suppose you come back and dine at my diggings? I may be able to give
you a few hints as I am an old hand."

"I should be delighted," assented Shafto, "if it won't be putting you
out?"

"Oh no, not a bit; Mrs. Salter is accustomed to my bringing home a
stray guest."

"Had I not better dress?"

"Certainly not; come along with me now, just as you are."

Thus the matter being arranged, the pair once more entered the taxi,
and were presently steering through the traffic of various
thoroughfares and teeming bazaars. All at once, with an unexpected
lurch, the car turned into a wide, well-shaded enclosure and halted
before a low, heavily-roofed house, supported on stout wooden legs--an
old-time residence.

"Do you go up," urged Shako's host, "whilst I pay the taxi--you can
settle with me later." Here spoke the canny Yorkshire tyke.

Shafto, as requested, climbed the stairs leading up to a wide veranda,
on which opened a sitting-room, lined with teak wood and lighted by
l