ofessor von Schalckenberg, an eminent German
scientist, a most delightful companion, and a man clever enough, I
firmly believe, to help us all out of our present difficulties."

A general shaking of hands ensued; and then Mrs Scott laughingly
invited the gentlemen to seat themselves on the four bamboo pallets
which occupied opposite sides of the apartment, apologising at the same
time for the lack of suitable sitting accommodation.

"And now," said Mrs Scott laughingly, "to which of you gentlemen are we
to look for the cure of our madness?"

"It is expected, I believe," said Sir Reginald, "that we shall each aid,
to the best of our ability, in the good work. But," he continued in a
lower and more cautious tone of voice, "is it not rather imprudent of
you to behave in so very sane a manner before these women?"

"Oh," said Mrs Scott, "they are all right. They are perfectly
trustworthy--indeed, they are actively aiding and abetting us in the
exceedingly disagreeable but necessary deception we are practising upon
king M'Bongwele. The wretch!" she continued, starting indignantly to
her feet. "Would you believe it? He actually has the audacity and
impudence to--to--to--"

"To aspire to a matrimonial alliance with one, if not all, of you. Yes,
I am aware of his ambition," said the baronet with a smile; "and whilst
we are here to-day, at his request, to remove the obstacle which your
most deplorable insanity interposes, I hope that the ultimate result
will be your speedy deliverance, with our own, from his power. We are,
like yourselves, prisoners, but we are by no means hopeless of escape,
and I pledge you my word that we will not leave until we can take you
all with us."

Mrs Scott shook her head somewhat doubtfully. "We are all infinitely
obliged to you for your generous promise," she said with a sigh; "but I
greatly fear you are somewhat overrating your powers. The difficulties
of escape--in the first place, from this village, and, in the next
place, from the country itself--are so formidable that we have almost
given up all hope. May I ask what strange accident brought you hither?"

"Assuredly," answered the baronet. "And when I have informed you of the
facts, you will see that the difficulties of escape are, after all, not
so very enormous, and I trust that you will all take heart once more."

Sir Reginald then proceeded to give a detailed description of the
_Flying Fish_; and of his own and his compani