lain paid a flying visit to Muktiarbad to
minister to the spiritual welfare of his flock. Otherwise, it devolved
on the Collector to officiate at Divine worship, as a paternal
government enjoined this duty on the leading official in the stations
not provided with resident clergy.

Thus it was that on most Sunday evenings Mr. Meredith read the Church
Service in the general room of the Club to a congregation consisting
mostly of ladies, while Jack Darling, usually flushed and breathless
after tennis and a lightning change, went through the ordeal of reading
the lessons.

To make certain of a couple of unreliable members of the choir, Honor
cycled last of all to a picturesque little bungalow near the Police
Court, and dismounted at its tumble-down gate. From frequent removals
for jumping competitions for raw ponies, it was considerably damaged and
swung loosely on its hinges, swayed by every wind that blew.

The bungalow was thatched, the eaves supported by square pillars; and
the verandah was screened by bamboo trellis-work up which climbed the
beautiful _Gloriosa superba_.

Boars' heads, buffalo horns, and the antlers of deer, ornamented what
could be seen of the walls inside, and the tiled flooring was scattered
over with long-arm easy chairs and "peg-tables."

A gravelled walk led to the steps, bordered on either side with
straggling marigolds and dwarf sunflowers, dear to the hearts of
_malis_, but evidently the worse for the depredations of the village
goats. Date-palms drooped gracefully above a tank in the background, and
a gorgeous hedge of acalypha hid the outhouses and kitchen.

Honor's appearance at the gate was the signal for a wild stampede from
the verandah by Jack and Tom, who were enjoying a "Europe morning," to
change into suitable garb; an orderly being dispatched meanwhile to
crave the lady's indulgence. Rampur hounds and fox-terriers received her
effusively on the road, and showed their appreciation of her presence by
leaving marks of muddy paws on her drill skirt.

Tommy was the first to appear neatly apparelled, and smoothing his wet
hair with both hands. He was followed soon afterwards by Jack, looking
like an overgrown schoolboy in flannels. They hung about the gate since
she could not be induced to enter, and pulled rueful faces on receiving
instructions as to their duty at six-thirty, sharp.

"I believe there has been a riot at Panipara," put in Tommy with
inspiration. "It is my duty as