“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!  She has been at Bhulwana in the Hills for the past three months.  Now, St. Bernard, is this as you like it?”

The big man took the glass, looking at him with a smile of kindly criticism.  “Well, you won’t bore each other at that rate, anyhow,” he remarked.  “Here’s to you both!  I drink to the greatest thing in life!” He drank deeply and set down the glass.  “Look here!  You’re just off to mess.  Don’t let me keep you!  All I want is a cold bath.  And then—­if you’ve got a spare shakedown of any sort—­going to bed is mere ritual with me.  I can sleep on my head—­anywhere.”

“You’ll sleep in a decent bed,” declared Everard.  “But you’re coming along to mess with me first.  Oh yes, you are.  Of course you are!  There’s an hour before us yet though.  Hullo, Tommy!  Let me introduce you formally to my brother!  St. Bernard,—­my brother-in-law Tommy Denvers.”

Tommy came in through the window and shook hands with much heartiness.

“The khit is seeing to everything.  Pleased to meet you, sir!  Beastly wet for you, I’m afraid, but there’s worse things than rain in India.  Hope you had a decent voyage.”

Bernard laughed in his easy, good-humoured fashion.  “Like the niggers, I can make myself comfortable most anywheres.  We had rather a foul time after leaving Aden.  Ratting in the hold was our main excitement when we weren’t sweating at the pumps.  Oh no, I didn’t come over in one of your majestic liners.  I have a sailor’s soul.”

A flicker of admiration shot through the merriment in Tommy’s eyes.  “Wish I had,” he observed.  “But the very thought of the sea turns mine upside down.  If you’re keen on ratting, there’s plenty of sport of that kind to be had here.  The brutes hold gymkhanas on the verandah every, night.  I sit up with a gun sometimes when Everard is out of the way.”

“Yes, he’s a peaceful person to live with,” remarked Everard.  “Have something to eat, St. Bernard!”

“No, no, thanks!  My appetite will keep.  A cold bath is my most pressing need.  Can I have that?”

“Sure!” said Tommy.  “You ’re coming to mess with us of course?  Old Reggie Bassett is honouring us with his presence to-night.  It will be a historic occasion, eh, Everard?”