The khitmutgar watched the start with grave, inscrutable eyes and finally turned back into the bungalow with the aloofness of a dweller in another sphere.  The all-pervading Christmas cheer seemed to have gone to the sahibs’ heads already.  Perhaps he wondered in what condition they would return.

“I say, you don’t mind?” said Noel coaxingly, as they drew ahead along the dusty road.

And Olga answered lightly, “I’m not going to mind anything or think of anything serious all day long.”

He laughed.  “I’m with you there.  It’s a jolly world, isn’t it?  And it’s a shame to spoil it.  As a matter of fact, I tried to get Peggy for a companion, but her mother wouldn’t hear of it.  I am too headlong and Peggy is too precious.”

Olga laughed.  “The Rajah was talking about a man-eating tiger at Khantali only the other day.”

“Oh, yes, there is one too.  But I’m afraid we are not very likely to come across him.”

“Afraid!  Do you want to then?”

Noel’s eyes shone with enthusiasm.  “I’m just aching to get a shot at one of these creatures.  I’ve never so much as seen one in the wild yet.  If the Rajah gets up an expedition I hope he’ll take me along.”

“He asked me if I would go,” said Olga.

“Did he though?  Very affable of him!  I hope you said No!”

She laughed at his tone.  “Well, yes, I did.  But it was only because I didn’t think I should like it.”

“Not like a tiger-hunt!” ejaculated Noel.

She coloured a little.  “Do you really like seeing things die?”

“Oh, that!” said Noel.  “You’re squeamish, are you?  No, I’m never taken that way myself.  That is in great part why I came here.  I hoped—­everyone thought—­there was going to be some sort of shindy.  But—­I suppose it’s the result of your clever little uncle’s tactics—­it seems to have fizzled out.  Very satisfactory for him no doubt, but rather rough luck on us.”

“Was there really any danger?” Olga asked.

“Oh, rather!  The city was simply swarming with budmashes, and it was said that the priests had begun to preach a jehad against the British raj.  Then there was a bomb found on the parade-ground one night, close under the fort.  It would have blown a good many of us sky-high if it had exploded, and damaged the fort as well.  Badgers was quite indignant.  You see the fort has just been painted and generally smartened up in anticipation of General Bassett coming this way.  He is expected on a tour of inspection in a few weeks, and we naturally want to look our best when the officer commanding the district is around.  Hence the righteous wrath of Badgers!”

“I never heard of all this,” said Olga, from whose ears the seething unrest of the State had been studiously kept by Nick.

“No?” said Noel.  “Well, there’s no chance now of any fun here.  I’m pinning all my hopes on the possibility of a shine on the Frontier.”