“I will listen to no excuse, Arthur. Unless Henry, who understands the place, accompanies you, I forbid your going again. I hope you have not been into any other dangerous place.”
“Oh, no, my dear Mary; I only went and called upon Mr Perowne.” Mrs Bolter started, and the doctor burst into a roar of laughter.
“Ha, ha, ha!” he cried. “Why, my dear boy, that’s a far more dangerous place than the jungle.”
“I—I do not understand you, Henry,” said the chaplain, with a faint flush in his cheek.
“Not understand me, my dear fellow! Why, Perowne keeps a most ferocious creature there, and it’s loose too.”
“Loose?” cried Mrs Doctor, excitedly.
“Oh, yes: I’ve seen it about the grounds, parading up and down on the lawn by the river, and in the house as well.”
“Gracious me, Henry, the man must be mad! What is it?” cried Mrs Bolter.
“Regular tigress—man-eater,” said the doctor.
“And you allowed your brother-in-law to go there without warning, Henry? Really, I am surprised at you!”