say so, my lad! A Malay and his wife who have been patients
of the Doctor bringing in such news as that! Why, it's grand! Poor,
dear girl! Tut, tut, tut, tut, tut, tut, what she must have suffered!
Well, Mr Rajah Suleiman will have to pay for it. Morley says he
believes in these people. Not some trap, is it?"

"He feels sure not, sir. The people are grateful to him for all he has
done for them. Oh, I am certain it is genuine, sir."

"Don't be too sure, my lad. These people can't help looking upon us as
their enemies, and they are as treacherous as they are high. Look at
this Suleiman. I have been trusting him. I looked upon him as a
sensual brute, but it was so much to his advantage to be friendly. The
fool! He's given his country away. He will be either shot or made
prisoner, and then another Rajah who is friendly to us will reign in his
stead."

"Rajah Hamet, sir?"

"No," said the Major shortly. "And look here, young fellow, don't you
mention him to me again. He's your friend, and you have a strong bias
towards him."

"I can't help believing in him, sir."

"Then you must, sir, as a British officer, working for your country's
good. I presume you don't know that I have it on trustworthy authority
that Rajah Hamet has been for some little time past strengthening his
position and gathering his men, like the savage he is, to go out on the
war-path? And all the time he has been educated in England! A young
fool! Well, this news is splendid, but it comes at a horrible time.
Here is Suleiman hanging about, dodging our men; Hamet in all
probability waiting for us to be in a dilemma, and then he will come
down; and my little force here depleted till we are as weak as weak. I
ought to say I can't spare a man. I feel it's my duty to refuse to send
an expedition to save that poor girl. It means sending up a couple of
boats with not less than twenty men, for Suleiman is sure to have a
certain number of the brutes in charge of the place. But of course it
must be done, and they must start at once. Where's the Doctor?"

"Gone on to the Residency, sir."

"Yes. And I want Sir Charles. Send a man to ask him to step here.--No;
go yourself--save time."

Archie was making for the door, when steps and voices were heard, and
the Resident hurried in, closely followed by Dr Morley.

"You have heard this news, Knowle?"

"Yes; everything."

"And you will send a party of men at once?" said the Resident in