As soon as morning parade was over Major Hannay went back to his
bungalow, looked round to see that his bachelor quarters were as
bright and tidy as possible, then got into a light suit and went
down to the post house. A quarter of an hour later a cloud of dust
along the road betokened the approach of the Dak Gharry, and two
or three minutes later it dashed up at full gallop amid a loud and
continuous cracking of the driver's whip. The wiry little horses
were drawn up with a sudden jerk.

The Major opened the door. A little man sprang out and grasped him
by the hand.

"Glad to see you, Major--thoroughly glad to be back again. Here
is your niece; I deliver her safe and sound into your hands." And
between them they helped a girl to alight from the vehicle.

"I am heartily glad to see you, my dear," the Major said, as he
kissed her; "though I don't think I should have known you again."

"I should think not, uncle," the girl said. "In the first place, I
was a little girl in short frocks when I saw you last; and in the
second place, I am so covered with the dust that you can hardly see
what I am like. I think I should have known you; your visit made a
great impression upon us, though I can remember now how disappointed
we were when you first arrived that you hadn't a red coat and a
sword, as we had expected."

"Well, we may as well be off at once, Isobel; it is only five
minutes' walk to the bungalow. My man will see to your luggage being
brought up. Come along, Doctor. Of course you will put up with me