Then she relapsed into silence.  In spite of the terrible experiences through which she had just passed she felt happy at the pressure of Dermot’s arm about her and the sensation of being utterly alone with him in a world of their own, as they were borne on through the darkness.  Fatigue made her drowsy, and the swaying motion of the elephant’s pace lulled her to sleep.

She woke suddenly and for an instant wondered where she was.  Then remembrance came and she felt the warm blood mantle her face as she realised that she was nestling in Dermot’s arms.  But, drowsy and content, she did not move.  Looking up she saw the stars overhead.  They were out of the forest.

“I must have been asleep,” she said.  “Where are we?”

“At Malpura.  There are the lights of your bungalow,” replied Dermot.  He said it almost with regret, for he had found the long miles through the forest almost short, while the girl nestled confidingly, though unconsciously, in his arms and he held her against his heart.

As the elephant neared the house Dermot gave a loud shout.

Instantly the verandah filled with men who rushed out of the lighted rooms and tried to pierce the darkness.  A little distance from the bungalow a large number of coolies, seated on the ground, rose up and pressed forward to the road.  From behind the house several white-clad servants ran out.

Dermot shouted again and called out Daleham’s name.

There was a frantic rush down the verandah steps.

“Hurrah! it’s the Major,” cried a planter.

“And—­and—­yes, Miss Daleham’s with him.  Hooray!” yelled another.

“Good old Dermot!” came in Payne’s voice.

Through the throng of shouting, excited men the girl’s brother broke.

“Noreen!  Noreen!  My God, are you there?  Are you safe?” he cried frantically.

Almost before Badshah sank to the ground, the girl, with a little sob, sprang into her brother’s arms and clung to him, while Dermot was dragged off the pad by the eager hands of a dozen men who thumped him on the back, pulled him from one to another, and nearly shook his arm off.  The servants had brought out lamps to light up the scene.

From the verandah steps Chunerbutty looked jealously on.  He had been relieved at knowing that the girl had returned, but in his heart he cursed the man who had saved her.  He was roughly thrust aside by Parry, who dashed up the steps, ran into the house, and emerged a minute later holding a large tumbler in his hand.

“Where is he, where is he?  Look you, I know what he wants.  Here’s what will do you good, Major,” he shouted.

Dermot laughed and, taking the tumbler, drank its contents gratefully, though their strength made him cough, for the bibulous Celt had mixed it to his own taste.

“Major, Major, how can we thank you?” said Fred Daleham, coming to him with his sister clinging to his arm.