Proof positive of their total failure to realize the danger that threatened from amidst the frowning, grey-cragged mountains was the fact that their womenkind were allowed to remain at the station, and even rode and drove forth unattended on the rocky, mountain roads.

True, they were warned against crossing the Frontier.  A few officers, of whom Captain Raymond, who was Averil’s brother-in-law, and Toby Carey, the innocent-faced subaltern, were two, saw the rising wave from afar; but they saw it vaguely as inevitable but not imminent.  Captain Raymond planned to himself to send his wife and her sister to Simla before the monsoon broke up the fine weather.

And this was all he accomplished beyond administering a severe reprimand to his young sister-in-law for running into danger among the hills.

“There are always thieves waiting to bag anyone foolish enough to show his nose over the border,” he said.  “Isn’t the Indian Empire large enough for you that you must needs go trespassing among savages?”

Averil heard him out with the patience of a slightly wandering attention.  She had not recounted the whole of her experience for his benefit, nor did she intend to do so.  She was still wondering what the mysterious message she had delivered to Toby Carey might be held to mean.

When Captain Raymond had exhausted himself she went away to her own room and sat for a long while gazing towards the great mountains, thinking, thinking.

Her sister presently joined her.  Mrs. Raymond was a dark-eyed, merry-hearted little woman, the gay originator of many a frolic, and an immense favourite with men and women alike.

“Poor darling!  I declare Harry has made you look quite miserable!” was her exclamation, as she ran lightly in and seated herself on the arm of Averil’s chair.

“Harry!” echoed Averil, in a tone of such genuine scorn that Mrs. Raymond laughed aloud.

“You’re very rude,” she said.  “Still, I’m glad Harry isn’t the offender.  Who is it, I wonder?  But, never mind!  I have a splendid piece of news for you, dear.  Shut your eyes and guess!”

“Oh, I can’t indeed!” protested Averil.  “I am much too tired.”

Mrs. Raymond looked at her with laughing eyes.

“There!  She shan’t be teased!” she cried gaily.  “It’s the loveliest surprise you ever had, darling; but I can’t keep it a secret any longer.  I wanted to see him now that he is grown up, and quite satisfy myself that he is really good enough for you.  So, dear, I wrote to him and begged him to join us here.  And the result is—­now guess!”

Averil had turned sharply to look at her.

“Do you mean you have asked Dick to come here?” she said, in a quick, startled way.

“Exactly, dear; I actually have,” said Mrs. Raymond.  “More—­we had a wire this morning.  He will be here to dinner.”

“Oh!” said Averil.  She rose hastily, so hastily that her sister was left sitting on the arm of the bamboo chair, which instantly overturned on the top of her.