d Monck's. A merry red face beamed
at him from under the great umbrella. Twinkling eyes with red lashes
shone with the utmost good-will.

Monck gripped the hand as if he would never let it go. But "My good man,
you're mad to come here!" were the only words of welcome he found to
utter.

"Think so?" A humorous chuckle accompanied the words. "Well, take me
indoors and give me a drink! There are a few traps in the cart outside.
Had we better collect 'em first?"

"I'll see to them," volunteered Tommy, whose sense of humour was still
somewhat out of control. "Take him in out of the rain, Everard! Send the
_khit_ along!"

He was gone with the words, and Everard, with his brother's hand pulled
through his arm, piloted him up to the bungalow.

In the shelter of the verandah they faced each other, the one brother
square and powerful, so broad as to make his height appear
insignificant; the other, brown, lean, muscular, a soldier in every
line, his dark, resolute face a strange contrast to the ruddy open
countenance of the man who was the only near relation he possessed in
the world.

"Well,--boy! I believe you've grown." The elder brother, surveyed the
younger with his shrewd, twinkling eyes. "By Jove, I'm sure you have! I
used not to have to look up to you like this. Is it this devilish
climate that does it? And what on earth do you live on? You look a
positive skeleton."

"Oh, that's India, yes." Everard brushed aside all personal comment as
superfluous. "Come along in and refresh! What particular star have you
fallen from? And why in thunder didn't you say you were coming?"

The elder man laughed, slapping him on the shoulder with hearty force.
His clean-shaven face was as free from care as a boy's. He looked as if
life had dealt kindly with him.

"Ah, I know you," he said. "Wouldn't you have written off post-haste--if
you hadn't cabled--and said, 'Wait till the rains are over?' But I had
raised my anchor and I didn't mean to wait. So I dispensed with your
brotherly counsel, and here I am! You won't find me in the way at all.
I'm dashed good at effacing myself."

"My dear good chap," Everard said, "you're about the only man in the
world who need never think of doing that."

Bernard's laugh was good to hear. "Who taught you to turn such a pretty
compliment? Where is your wife? I want to see her."

"You don't suppose I keep her in this filthy place, do you?" Everard was
pouring out a drink as he spoke. "No, no!