250 RIFLE AND ROMANCE 



glow on the antlered walls of the hall, on the skin of the 

 big tiger, and on the shining copper rivets of the mys- 

 terious chest beneath it. The grateful smoke from our 

 cheroots curled slowly aloft. And it came about that on 

 this our last evening together old Mulligatawny told me 

 the tale which I now repeat, so far as I can recollect, word 

 for word. 



" I have noticed, Alastair," he began, " that you are in 

 the habit of cocking your eye at the bunniatis chest over 

 there, and no doubt you have often speculated on its 

 business here and what its contents may be. Before I go 

 further, however, will you promise me to execute a small 

 commission for me, and take the box back to India with 

 you, either for delivery to a native agent whom I shall 

 name, or to dispose of in another manner which may 

 suggest itself when you learn its history ?" 



" My dear Colonel," I returned cheerfully, " I am very 

 much at your service, as you know, and shall be only too 

 happy to do so." 



"It is long since I have cherished a desire to get that 

 chest back to its native land," continued the old gentle- 

 man, " but it has hitherto been practically an impossibility, 

 owing to those infernal Customs people, who are at liberty 

 to break open anything, regardless of the feelings of the 

 owner. I have, therefore, not been able to employ the 

 usual agents in this matter. 



" I am extremely reluctant to ask you to do this for me, 

 Alastair," he went on, "the reason for which you may 

 shortly realise. But in you I see the last and only oppor- 

 tunity of fulfilling my portion of a bargain made long ago 

 on my solemn pledge and word of honour. Forgive an 

 old man for capturing such a promise in such a manner, 

 but you will promise me this, my dear boy, for the sake of 

 our friendship, will you not ? " 



Somewhat surprised by the solemnity of Colonel Mulli- 

 gatawny's manner, who, leaning forward, seemed to await 



