ling civility, he is trying to crush me down
or to sweep me out of his path. Do you not see what this expedition
to-morrow means."

"Ah, I did not think of that!" cried Greig, excitedly.

"But I did," said Murray. "I will not go so far as to say that the
wretch means to have me killed, but I do say that as my presence here
might interfere with his plans, I am to be either put out of the way, or
kept up the country a prisoner, doing his work until such time as he
considers it safe for me to return."

"Murray is right," said Mr Braine; "too right, I fear. You must not,
you shall not risk the journey to-morrow alone. I must speak plainly
now. I would not answer for your life."

"I will not go," said Murray, firmly. "I am a quiet enthusiast, but
there is some old Scottish blood in my veins, gentlemen, that can be
roused, and I'll fight to the death before I will see this wrong done."

"As we all would," said Mr Braine, warmly. "God bless you, Murray!
You will be a tower of strength to us; but this is not a time for
fighting. We are weak--the rajah is strong. He is cunning, too, with
all the smiling deceit of these people, who throw you off your guard so
as to get a better opportunity for striking."

"But we must act and at once, Braine."

"Yes, but it must be with quiet and dissimulation; cunning for cunning.
Violence is useless."

"I don't know," said Murray, fiercely. "The future of a lady whom I
boldly tell her father I love and reverence so dearly that, though my
suit may be hopeless, though she may never look upon me as aught but a
friend, I will die in her service to save her from such a fate as
threatens her. My life is, I know, menaced now. Well, I had better try
to do some good before I go, if it is only to rid the world of this
tyrannical scoundrel and--"

Murray stopped short, the doctor darted to a chest and snatched out a
revolver, and Mr Braine seized a sword hanging upon a couple of hooks
against the wall; for all at once a violent scuffling and panting arose
from beneath their feet, telling that two men were contending, and all
doubt as to who one of them might be, was set aside the next moment by a
familiar voice.

"Ah-hah! would ye--ye thayving baste? Shure, would ye? Take that, and
that, and that."

It was plain, too, what the donations were from the sounds which
followed them--dull heavy thuds of blows delivered by a sturdy fist.

The struggle was continued as all hurried out