at once turned the subject
by asking how Aunt Betty supposed the man managed to escape. Aunt Betty
had no ideas to suggest. Alan frowned at Marjorie, but she went on quite
serenely.

'Do you know, Auntie, what the summer-house contains? Peet keeps the
place locked up as if he had something of value there. I wish you would
let us go and see. Father says it is dangerous because of the falling of
stones from the roof, but if it is safe for Peet, and the stones don't
crash down on his head, why should they on ours?'

'I think it would be a good lesson if they did knock him over for once,'
said Alan, grimly.

'I know he is trying at times,' said Lady Coke, in her soft, gentle
voice, 'but he is a sterling old man all the same, and it is a pity you
cannot let him alone.'

'He won't let us alone, Aunt Betty,' said Alan, 'and he is cheeky too. I
suppose we do worry him a bit,' he added, as recollections came to him
of the havoc made with the tidy paths, or the injury to shrubs when
hunting for lost balls after games of tennis.

'We went to see Dick just now,' said Estelle, 'and oh, Auntie, what a
dreadful thing it seems that he should have become like that! Mrs. Peet
told us a little about him, and how good he is.'

'Perhaps,' answered Lady Coke, 'you would all feel more kindly towards
Peet if I were to tell you how sadly he has suffered. Almost as much as
his son, only in another way.'

(_Continued on page 102._)

[Illustration: "'Are you well to-day?' asked Georgie."]

[Illustration: "Charlie Eccles half lay, half sat upon the ground."]

ROUND THE CAMP FIRE.

III.--IN THE JAWS OF DEATH.

(_Concluded from page 83._)

'I waited a moment (continued Denison) in order to give the shikari time
to recover himself. I can tell you that I was not feeling at that moment
much more cheerful than the poor fellow himself, who had evidently
witnessed some terrible calamity to my poor friend, Charlie Eccles. I
waited on tenterhooks; then I could bear the suspense no longer.'

'Did the tiger then spring upon the Sahib and kill him?' I faltered.
'Where is the Sahib's body?'

'Alas!' said the shikari, 'who can tell! Listen, Protector of the Poor.
The Sahib Eccles shrieked, for the great yellow beast--may he lead a
life of pain!--sprang upon him, as you say. The Sahib's bullet had
struck but not killed him. He bore the Sahib to the earth, and lay for a
moment upon him, the Sahib crying out once and twice again. With the