marks
on it, no signs of a violent end; and yet he was the last man in the
world to commit suicide."

"Yes," assented Sophy; "he had so many plans and schemes for the
future."

"They say a little bunch of coarse black hair was found in his clutch;
however, at the inquest they brought in a verdict of 'Found Drowned.'
It saved trouble. I wonder who will get his money. He was enormously
rich."

"With ill-gotten gains."

"Well, he must have some German kin to claim his fortune, and I'll make
it my business to find out all I can when I return here."

"So you are coming back?"

"Why, of course--possibly in six months. I leave my house and
belongings all standing. Business is but temporarily closed. Burma,
as old Krauss used to say, is 'the land of opportunity.' When next I
see the Golden Pagoda, the whole of this rich and fertile country will
belong to _us_."

"You are sanguine!"

"Sanguine! I am certain; and why not? Look at our wonderful trade!
And the Burmese themselves like us a million times better than you
English."

"Simply because you bribe them with money and presents."

"But look at the crowds," waving his hand towards the masses, "who have
come to say '_Auf Wiedersehen_'; thousands and thousands." Then he
turned his bold arrogant eyes on Sophy and said: "Your country has no
chance against us, Miss Leigh; we shall crush you like pulp--your
money, treasures and trade will all be ours. Hullo!" he exclaimed,
"what are these police doing? Mounted police, too! Any escaped
convicts on board?"

As he stood and watched, the swaying masses were parted with authority
and a large force ranged up on the quay. Officers and officials came
on board, armed with an order from the Lieutenant-Governor. Among the
first strode FitzGerald in full uniform, not the everyday genial
Patrick, but a smart stern guardian of the law. Approaching the
bragging Bernhard, he said, with frigid severity: "Be good enough to go
ashore, Herr Bernhard."

"What!" stammered his prisoner, who had become livid. "What the devil
are you talking about! How dare you interfere with me? Or give me an
order?"

"Official order," rejoined FitzGerald, entirely unmoved. "All men of
German nationality to disembark immediately and be interned."

Sophy now made a forcible and frantic effort to effect her escape from
this hateful situation, and struggling through the crowd eventually
managed to join her own friends.

Disembark--to b