THE BEAST OF PREY In a darkened room Netta Ermsted lay, trembling and unnerved.

As usual in cases of adversity, Mrs.Ralston had taken charge of her; but there was very little that she could do.

It was more a matter for her husband's skill than for hers, and he could only prescribe absolute quiet.

For Netta was utterly broken.

Since the fatal moment when she had returned from a call in her 'rickshaw to find Major Burton awaiting her with the news that Ermsted had been shot on the jungle-road while riding home from Khanmulla, she had been as one distraught.