She saw the trouble deepen in his face. "God guard you, Sydney. What's the matter now?"
"Nothing serious, madam, but please sit quite still for a moment."
Even while he spoke a gunshot rang out close beside the Queen, a deep groan sounded from the bush behind her, and Trooper Browne rushed past with a smoking pistol.
"Let our Lady keep still," said Sydney, never moving; and presently Browne came back, with over elaborate calmness, to report.
"It's all right," he saluted; "only a duck."
"Ducks are out of season," remarked the Queen, gravely. "Trooper Browne, don't you know it's unlawful to poach ducks? This is not Canada."
"A wooden decoy duck," Browne explained, calmer than ever.
"Is it dead?"
"Quite dead, madam."
"Was it armed?"