usually
severe; the obstacles large and formidable--especially the notorious
Log Jump--and casualties were not a few. Shafto and FitzGerald, on hot
and heaving horses, had only halted for a moment at the hospitable
"Finish," where refreshments were being served, as care for their
precious steeds was taking them and their animals home. After an
unusually long silence FitzGerald exclaimed, apropos of nothing in
particular:

"So--sits the wind in that quarter?"

Shafto turned his head and met a pair of knowing Irish eyes.

"That quarter!" repeated FitzGerald, indicating the red-tiled roof of
the Krausses' bungalow, where it peeped out from amid a solid mass of
palms and bamboos.

"I haven't the remotest idea what you are driving at," said Shafto
impatiently. "Is it a bit of dialogue in the play you are rehearsing?"

"No, me boy, that is fiction--this is fact! In my official capacity I
am bound to take notes, and within the last week I have twice met you
early of a morning riding with Miss Leigh--no third party visible to
the naked eye. In fact, you were there before the rest of the
crowd--and, of course, the early bird gets the worm!"

"And which is the worm--Miss Leigh or I?"

"Oh yes, you may try to laugh it off, but there's some reason for these
early _tete-a-tetes_. The reason is as plain as the stick in my
hand--no, I beg its pardon, the reason is uncommonly pretty."

"FitzGerald, you are talking most blatant bosh."

"Maybe I am and maybe I'm not, and, let me tell you, you're not the
only string to the lady's bow; she has as many as a harp! There's
Fotheringay, the A.D.C.; there's Captain Howe; there's Bernhard----"

"Bernhard's a beast," burst out Shafto.

"Naturally _you_ would think so--it's only human nature. But Otto is a
handsome man and has a fine seductive voice; and mind you, music has
charms to soothe the breast, savage or otherwise; as for your
prospects, you may apply to me for a testimonial of character: steady,
sober----"

"There, Fitz, that's enough--drop it!"

"Drop it!" repeated FitzGerald with a laugh. "Don't get your frills
out, old boy, I mean no harm; she is by a long way the prettiest girl
in the place."

"That will do," exclaimed Shafto impatiently; "leave the ladies alone,
or, if you must discuss them, what about the little American Miss
Bliss? You danced with her half the night at the last Cinderella."

"Ah! now I suppose you think you're carrying the war into the