uch agony?"

"Because I am helping them--or preparing to," said Mr Braine,
cheerfully. "Then the game is not lost; be guided by me, and you shall
marry Amy, and some day we will talk and chat over these troubles, which
time will soften, and they will not be so horrible then."

"But if it comes to the worst," cried Murray. "If this wretched despot,
presuming on his power, insists upon that poor girl becoming his wife--
Wife? No; it is an insult to the name."

"He will not succeed," said Mr Braine, sternly; "even monarchs are not
all-powerful. The night before the marriage, if everything else has
been tried, that man will die."

"What! be murdered?" cried Murray, in horrified tones.

"No; the cup of his iniquities will be full; he will be adjudged worthy
of death; he will die, and a new rajah will reign."

"A new rajah! Who will it be?"

"Hush! these places are very thin; our words might be heard."

"But tell me. You can trust me."

"Hist! some one."

There was a foot upon the steps, and the Tumongong entered and saluted
both gravely.

"His highness bids me tell you," said the officer, "that he does not
forget the many good services you have done for him. He desires now
that you content yourselves by staying here, where you will have
everything you desire."

"Except liberty," said Mr Braine, bitterly.

"Except liberty," replied the Tumongong. "Good-night. Sleep. Be
obedient, and your lives are safe."

He bowed and left them, and as soon as he was out of hearing, Mr Braine
told Murray what had passed.

"Then our lives are safe?"

"If we are obedient."

"I shall be obedient till I see an opportunity to strike, sir. But go
on; tell me who will reign in his stead."

"That man," said Mr Braine, quietly puffing at his pipe.

"The Tumongong?"

"Yes. Still waters run deep."

"But--"

"Hush, man! Keep that in your breast. I know, and I am certain. He is
our friend, but is compelled to act as he does. You saw just now--you
heard his words--so did the Malays by the door, and every sentence will
be reported to the rajah," said Mr Braine.

"Yes."

"If the tyrant dreamed that his officer was friendly toward us to the
extent of trying to give us help, he would be marched to the river-bank
at sunrise; there would be another execution, and the world would hold
one honest man the less. Now, drink your coffee, and lie back and
sleep."

"I cannot."

"You must. We can do nothing but wait