"Don't ask questions. Are they all right?"

"Oh yes, all right; and all wrong too. There's me news, boy. The rajah's going to marry Miss Amy, and we're all prishners."

"I thought so," whispered Frank. "But prisoners?"

"Oh yes; ye saw the gyards."

"Where is Mr Murray?"

"Shut up at home wid sax or eight min to take care of him."

"Go and tell my father I'm here. No; take me up to them at once."

"Oh, murther! no, Masther Frank! Don't think of it, boy. Iv ye go up, the ladies'll all shquale out, and yer mother go wild wid sterricks.

Sure an' Masther Bang-gong's just been to say the owld chap's coming to see the ladies to-night."

"Oh!" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Frank.

"But where have ye been, lad?"

"Go quite quietly, and tell my father or the doctor I'm here."

"Yis."

"And Tim, have you got anything to eat? I'm starving."

"Lashins, me dare boy. Help yerself, for the sorrow a taste would they take in the parlour."

Tim hurried up, pa.s.sed through the main room, listened for a moment or two to the murmur of the ladies' voices in one of the inner places, and then crept out into the veranda, carrying a tray with a metal bottle and two cups, which he made to jingle loudly for the guard to hear.

"No, no, my man," said the doctor. "It's very thoughtful of you, but no.--Braine, will you?"

"No, no," said the Resident; and then he uttered a gasp, for Tim's lips were at his ear, as he stood behind his seat, and said softly:

"Whisht, Mr Braine, darlin': don't make a hurroo. Masther Frank's come, and he's below."

There was a dead silence for a few moments, and then Mr Braine said in a forced voice:

"No, no drink, Tim.--Doctor, come in and give me a cigar."

He rose, and walked quietly in with the slow careful acting of one who knows that his every action is watched, and, wondering at his friend's change, the doctor rose and followed.

"Get the cigars and matches," said Mr Braine, quietly; and then in a quick whisper: "Be firm, man, and act. Light a cigar. Frank has come back."

"Thank G.o.d!" muttered the doctor, and he pressed his friend's hand before getting cigars and matches, and they stood where those in the garden could see, striking a match, and holding it between them as they lit their cigars--great coa.r.s.ely-made ones of the native tobacco.

"Now, Tim, where?" said Mr Braine.

"In my room, shure, sor."

"Sit down there and smoke," said Mr Braine, in a low tone. "Take both cigars, man, and keep them alight, changing your position as you change the cigars."

"And desave the haythens. Yes, sor, I undherstand," said Tim, taking the cigars as the gentlemen prepared to descend, "and a moighty plisant way of desaving 'em," he muttered to himself, as he began smoking away; while the next minute Frank was in his father's arms, hurriedly telling him of his adventures.

"And when we heard the naga coming up the river before daybreak, we pulled in under the trees and bushes, just below the stockade," he said in conclusion, "and there we've been all day, not daring to stir, and even when it was dark we were afraid to move, till I thought of putting a sarong over my head, and coming like this. I pa.s.sed lots, and no one spoke to me."

"And the boat?"

"Safe under the trees with Ned and Hamet."

"Is it big enough to hold us all?" said Mr Braine.

"Plenty."

"Heaven has sent us help!" said Mr Braine fervently. "Barnes, we must by some means get all on board to-night, and trust to the darkness to run down the river."

"But the rajah's visit?" said the doctor.

"Ah! I had forgotten that," said Mr Braine, with a groan; "the rajah and our guards; but with help and ease of mind coming like this, we must not despair. Now, doctor, go back up-stairs. One moment--your women-servants?"

"They are to be trusted."

"Then go and set my wife's mind at rest. Tell her our lives depend upon her being calm. There must be no excitement, or we shall excite suspicion. Implore your wife and child to be careful."

"And Murray and Mr Greig's?"

"Another obstacle?" exclaimed Mr Braine. "Never mind; one thing at a time. We may get the women to the boat, then we might drop down opposite to Murray's place and cut him out. But we shall see. Go on, and in a minute or two I'll bring up Frank."

The doctor went up, pa.s.sed Tim, who was carefully keeping his two points of light glowing at a distance from each other, and communicated his tidings to the ladies, with the effect that Mrs Braine fainted dead away, but to recover directly, and eagerly whisper that she would be firm and not make a sound.

She kept her word, weeping silently over her son, while Mrs Barnes and Amy both clung to the lad's hands, in the faintly-lit room.

"Quick!" said Mr Braine, whose ears were preternaturally sharp.

"Frank, keep here in hiding. You three come out when the doctor summons you. Come, Barnes, back to our cigars. The rajah."

They glided back into the dark warm room, after adjuring those they left to be silent, and as they took their places they could see the gleam of lights through the trees, the sight of which had roused their guard into making the sound which had warned the Resident.

"Light both the lamps, Tim," said Mr Braine; "and be guarded. The rajah is coming."

The man obeyed, and as the lights shed a softened glow through the place, the guards could see the doctor and Resident seated back smoking calmly.

"What are we to say?" said the doctor, huskily.

"Surprised at his treatment--ask for a little time--the lady startled by the unexpected demand--diplomacy--diplomacy. Let him go back thinking that you will yield."

And as these last words were uttered, the lights drew near and lit up the swarthy faces of the rajah's guards and sword-bearers filing into the grounds.

"Whatever you do, be careful. Don't seem to yield easily. We are hurt by his treatment, mind."