into the comparative coolness of the night.

He had not gone far before he was reminded that there was watchfulness
around; for he was challenged by first one and then another sentry, who,
however, in turn, let him pass, on finding who it was. And so he
wandered restlessly here and there amidst the trees, longing to go in
one direction, but fighting hard against the desire; as he told himself
with a bitter smile that some of the old poison of the water-snake must
still be in his blood, and be the cause of all this restlessness and
pain.

He had wandered here and there for some time, seating himself amidst the
trees, and then going down to the landing-place to gaze at the calm
swift river that eddied and gurgled amidst the water-washed boats and
masses of rush at the edge of the island, wondering the while whether
possibly at some time or another the effect of the constant washing of
the water might not be to completely sweep away the island. "Not in our
time of possession," he said to himself; and turning slowly away he
stood hesitating for a while, and then, in spite of his self-restraint
he took the path leading to Mr Linton's house, to convince himself, so
he mentally said, that the place was quite safe.

The "place" in his brain really meant one solitary being in that house,
for if he felt assured that Rachel Linton was sleeping peacefully, and
with no overhanging danger, he said that he should be satisfied.

He went on then cautiously, getting nearer and nearer to the house, and
feeling surprised that he was not challenged by a sentry, till he was
quite close up, and then his heart began to beat fast, for he fancied he
heard whispering voices, and at last, after intense listening, he was
quite sure.

Here then was the danger; not such danger as he had fancifully
imagined--the swimming of tigers from the mainland, or some noxious
reptile; it was from man that the peril was to come.

He stole on again, making not a sound. And now he recalled how some
Malay had swum to the island and hurled a spear in through one of the
residency windows.

"Good heavens!" he muttered; "and I am quite unarmed." As this thought
occurred to him, he could hear the whispering continued; and mingled
with it there seemed to come a sound of hard breathing, like a sleeper
close at hand.

It was so--the sentry asleep; and following the sound two or three
yards, Adam Gray bent over a prostrate form, and caught up the rifle
with fi