“Beg pardon, sir,” said Ramball quietly, “I am ready for anything now, cunning as I used to think myself. But does your honour understand elephants?”
“Does he understand elephants, Glyn!” cried Singh.—“Why, Mr Ramball, my friend’s father has trapped scores out in the Terai.”
“Of course he has, sir,” said Ramball.—“Thank you kindly, then, sir. I’ll have my pony put to and go after him at once.”
Ramball hurried out of the hall, and the Colonel with his young guests was about to return to the dining-room when they found that Morris and Professor Barclay were standing close behind them.
“Quite a succession of adventures, Mr Singh,” said Morris.
“Yes,” said the Professor, “and most interesting your knowledge of the habits of those great beasts.”
“Yes, exactly,” said the Colonel drily. “They are rather difficult to deal with.—Come boys,” and he led the way into the dining-room. “There, sit down for a bit,” he said, resuming his old seat. “Are both those your masters, Glyn, my boy?”
“No, father; only one. The other’s a friend of his, I think.”
“What, that rather shady-looking individual?”
“No, father, the Professor—Professor Barclay. He dined at the Doctor’s the other night.”