ny of 'em."

Netta ignored the admonition. "They soothe my nerves," she said. "May I
have a light?"

He searched his pockets, and apparently drew a blank.

Netta frowned in swift irritation. "How stupid! I thought all men
carried matches."

Major Ralston accepted the reproof in silence. He was like a large dog,
gravely presenting his shoulder to the nips of a toy terrier.

"Well?" said Netta aggressively.

He looked at her with composure. "Talking about going Home," he said,
"at the risk of appearing inhospitable, I think it is my duty to advise
you very strongly to go as soon as possible."

"Indeed!" She looked back with instant hostility. "And why?"

He did not immediately reply. Whether with reason or not, he had the
reputation for being slow-witted, in spite of the fact that he was a
brilliant chess-player.

She laughed--a short, unpleasant laugh. She was never quite at her ease
with him, notwithstanding his slowness. "Why the devil should I, Major
Ralston?"

He shrugged his shoulders with massive deliberation. "Because," he said
slowly, "there's going to be the devil's own row if this man is hanged
for your husband's murder. We have been warned to that effect."

She shrugged her shoulders also with infinite daintiness, "Oh, a native
rumpus! That doesn't impress me in the least. I shan't go for that."

Major Ralston's eyes wandered round the room as if in search of
inspiration. "Mary is going," he observed.

Netta laughed again, lightly, flippantly. "Good old Mary! Where is she
going to?"

His eyes came down upon her suddenly like the flash of a knife. "She has
consented to go to Bhulwana with the rest," he said. "But I beg you will
not accompany her there. As Captain Ermsted's widow and--" he spoke as
one hewing his way--"the chosen friend of the Rajah, your position in
the State is one of considerable difficulty--possibly even of danger.
And I do not propose to allow my wife to take unnecessary risks. For
that reason I must ask you to go before matters come to a head. You have
stayed too long already."

"Good gracious!" said Netta, opening her eyes wide. "But if Mary's
sacred person is to be safely stowed at Bhulwana, what is to prevent my
remaining here if I so choose?"

"Because I don't choose to let you, Mrs. Ermsted," said Major Ralston
steadily.

She gazed at him. "You--don't--choose! You!"

His eyes did battle with hers. Since that slighting allusion to his
wife, he had no considerati