CHAPTER XI 



SIR FRANCIS AND LADY YOUNGHUSBAND 



I MAKE the acquaintance of the two most important 

 persons in Cashmere Major Wigram, the demi-god 

 of the shooting, and Mr Peychaud, the head bailiff 

 of the Royal gardens. 



Being desirous of shooting a markhor, I make 

 love to the former ; but he who prefers roses and 

 good Burgundy had better pay court to the French- 

 man. As such he is a favourite of the Lady Sahib. 

 He has to-day presented the members of the 

 Residency with a little gift a hive full of bees just 

 on the point of swarming. Sir Francis is very fond 

 of bees. I must say I prefer their honey, and I 

 find it considerably sweeter than Mr Peychaud's 

 Burgundy. 



Major Wigram is going away on a year's leave, 

 and his divine office is to be filled meanwhile by the 

 ordinary human being, Joe Phelps, a jolly Irishman, 

 beloved of everyone, and not for these twelve 

 months only. 



Joe Phelps lays himself out to be especially 



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