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"That, I think," he said steadily, holding the little revolver hidden in his hand as he spoke "Dear, I' to do it nowclose your eyes, and then you will know nothing till you open theh shook her from head to foot Then she closed her eyes obediently

"Thank you" They were the last words he heard her say as he raised the revolver; and the next moment the merciful deed was done, and Hilda Ryder was safe for ever froly enraged

Then, as the door opened at last, and two grave-faced Indians entered and motioned to Anstice to accoly into the sunlight to ht two British officers sat on the verandah of a bungalow in the hills, discussing the tragedy which had happened at dawn

"It's an appalling affair altogether," said the elder ar "If we had been five irl, and the ret"

"Yes" The other officer, as young and very huood deal worse for the ot his face when he realized that he was saved? And by Jove it was a near thing for him, too"

"Too near to be pleasant," rejoined his coriirl to enter that Teo, when two A Payton's voice was dubious "But you must remember, sir, Anstice was a new-comer, and didn't know the yarn--and it is just possible Miss Ryder didn't know it either Or she may have over-persuaded hiirl" Colonel Godfrey rose "Her uncle's off his head about it, and what the fellow she was to marry will say remains to be seen I suppose he'll want an explanation from Anstice"

"Why, you don'tofficer spoke boyishly "After all, it was the only thing to do Fancy, if the girl had fallen into the hands of those fanatics! Shooting would have been a ht have had to endure"