The sport was fairly good.  When lunch-time came the adjutant and Mrs. Norton had got quite a respectable bag of partridges and a few hares.  The entomologist was in high spirits, for he had secured two rare specimens; and Wargrave had shot a good buck.  So in a contented frame of mind all gathered under the trees near the end of the tank, where lunch was laid by a couple of the Residency servants on a white cloth spread on the ground.  As they ate their tiffin (lunch) the members of the party chatted over the incidents of the morning; and each related the story of his or her sport.

After the meal Mrs. Norton decided to rest; for the ride and the long walk with her gun had tired her.  The servants spread a rug for her under the trees and placed a camel saddle for her to recline against.  Then carrying away the empty dishes, plates, glasses and cutlery they retired out of sight.

“Are you sure you don’t mind being left alone, Mrs. Norton?” asked Wargrave.

“Not in the least.  Do go and shoot again,” she replied, smiling up at him.  “I’m very comfortable and I’m glad to have a good rest before undertaking that tiresome ride back.  It’s very pleasant here.  The wind comes so cool and fresh off the water.  Isn’t it strong, though?”

The breeze had freshened to a gale and under the trees the temperature was quite bearable.  The Resident had already gone out of sight over the rim of the basin, having exhausted the neighbourhood of the tank and being desirous of searching farther afield.  Wargrave and Raymond now followed him but soon separated, the latter making for the cultivation again, while his friend set off for the open plain.  Ordinarily the heat would have been intense, for the hours after noon up to three o’clock or later are the hottest of the day in India; but the gale made it quite cool.

To Wargrave, tramping about unsuccessfully this time, came frequently the sound of Raymond’s gun.

“Ray seems to be having all the luck,” he thought, as through his field-glasses he scanned the plain without seeing anything.  “I’m getting fed up.”

At last in despair he shouldered his rifle and turned back.  After a long walk he came in sight of the adjutant standing near the edge of the fields talking to Norton.  When Frank reached them he found that his friend had increased his bag very considerably.

“Well done, old boy, you’d better luck than I had,” he said.  Then turning to the Resident he continued:  “How have you done, sir?”

“Nothing of any value,” replied Norton “Have you finished?  We’re thinking of going back now.”

“Yes, sir; I’m through.  By Jove, I’m thirsty.  I could do with a drink, couldn’t you, Ray?”

“Rather.  My throat’s like a lime-kiln.  We’ll join Mrs. Norton and then have an iced drink while the camels are being saddled.”

They strolled towards the lake, which was hidden from their view by the rim of the basin.  As they reached the slight ridge that this made all three stopped dead and gazed in amazement.