girl to be natural and
unaffected, without a trace of conceit, gifted with a keen sense of
humour and evidently as full of the joy of living as a school-boy. He
thought her laugh delightfully musical, and it was frequently and
readily evoked by Burke's droll remarks or the quaint oracular sayings
from the self-possessed elf on Wargrave's knee. Her admiration of and
genuine affection for Mrs. Dermot was very evident when Noreen joined
their group.

The subaltern, covertly and critically observing her, could hardly
believe the tales which their hostess had previously told him of the
courage and ability that this small and dainty girl had frequently
shown. But only a few minutes' conversation with her father convinced
Frank that he was an amiably weak and incompetent individual, more
fitted to be a recluse and a bookworm than a roamer in wild jungles
where his work brought him in contact with strange peoples and constant
danger. It was evident that the reputation which his large section of
the Terai Forest bore as being well managed and efficiently run was not
due to him and that somebody more capable had the handling of the work.
Hardly had Wargrave come to this conclusion and begun to believe that
the stories that he had heard of the daughter's business ability and
powers of organisation were true when he was given a very convincing
proof of her courage and coolness in danger.

After tea, as the sun was nearing its setting and a deliciously cool
breeze blew down from the mountains, a move was made to the garden,
where the party sat in a circle and chatted. When evening came and the
dusk rose up from the world below, blotting out the light lingering on
the hills, Mrs. Dermot made her children say goodnight to the company
and bore them reluctant away to their beds. As the darkness deepened the
servants brought out a small table and placed a lamp on it, and by its
light carried round drinks to the men of the party. Miss Benson was
leaning back in a cane chair and chatting lazily with Burke, who sat
beside her. She had one shapely silk-clad leg crossed over the other,
and a small foot resting on the grass. Opposite her sat Colonel Dermot
and Wargrave. As the brilliant tropic stars came out in the velvety
blackness of the sky occasional silences fell on the party. A tale of
Burke's was interrupted by the Political Officer's voice, saying in a
quiet forceful tone:

"Miss Benson, please do not move your foot. Remain perfect