‘She said that Annie came at once to her side.’

‘She did indeed. The girl’s unconscionably brave.’

‘Georgiana said there was a second tiger, but unseen … that Major Garratt somehow divined its presence.’

Hervey smiled. ‘He has a remarkable eye. He says it’s the Rifles’ way.’

A khitmagar came with a jug of lime water, and then another with a tray for Kezia to mix and make their tea.

‘I wish I’d been there to see it … Although perhaps on that I am not so sure.’

Hervey wasn’t surprised. Kezia was full of spirit, but Annie’s account – and Georgiana’s the more so (with, no doubt, corroborative detail from Corporal Johnson) – would have been vivid, and, as she’d implied, she was herself by no means unacquainted with the hazards.

‘It is well that you weren’t. Besides, if you’re so inclined, Garratt is gone for the second beast. We might ride out to see the sport.’

‘I am all admiration for Major Garratt, but I shall forgo the pleasure, for it might otherwise be thought reckless.’

He smiled. ‘There might be talk, yes.’

She laughed.

‘By the bye, do you know what is an ophicleide,’ he asked, drinking a glass of lime water in one go.

She shook her head. ‘Yet another sort of snake?’

‘Oh, yes; I hadn’t made the connection – serpent. It’s an instrument of some sort is all I know – a band instrument. Garratt said to me this morning he intended procuring one. I confess I didn’t want to disappoint him by appearing not to know. You recall I asked him to make good the band as soon as may be. He does sterling work already.’

‘We shall all be happier for a little more music,’ said Kezia decidedly.

It was one of the minor calamities of the passage to India that but a dozen musicians had come with the regiment, and that most of their instruments lay on the bed of the sea in the Madras roads, practically the only loss in the transfer of men, women and chattels from trooping ship to shore.

‘He really is quite extraordinary. He’s conceived the most fantastical scheme of reprieve for Askew.’

Kezia looked at him keenly. She knew every detail of Private Askew’s transgression. Although it was rare for Hervey to speak of the discipline of the regiment – it was merely part and parcel of everyday life – a capital offence was a different matter.

‘He came to see me this morning. He says that once a tiger has scent of easy prey it will return, so he intended lying in wait for it this evening, but to quieten the villagers he’d set a bait some distance out. Then he said he proposed Askew act as the bait—’

‘What?’

‘I know; we’ve denounced more than one rajah for baiting with village boys. I said it was fantastical, but Garratt proposed to skin a goat and for Askew to wear it.’

Kezia was all astonishment. ‘Like Jacob? Why cannot the goat simply be tethered instead?’