‘The tawny tigress ’mid the tangled teak Drags to her purring cubs’ enraptured ears The harsh death-rattle in the peafowl’s beak, A jungle lullaby of blood and tears.’ ”

Bertie van Tahn rose hurriedly from his recumbent position and made for the glass door leading into the next compartment.

“I think your idea of home life in the jungle is perfectly horrid,” he said. “The cobra was sinister enough, but the improvised rattle in the tiger-nursery is the limit. If you’re going to make me turn hot and cold all over I may as well go into the steam room at once.”

“Just listen to this line,” said Clovis; “it would make the reputation of any ordinary poet: