d
hence he would have no opportunity of eluding their vigilance. Still he
was hopeful, for there is an elasticity in the mind of youth which some
things dash, when the spirit of middle or old age would be broken.

If he stayed where he was, sooner or later he felt sure that Hamet would
be weary of the trouble he caused, and give orders for his death. So
escape he must. But why should Hamet give orders for his death? Why
should he wish him to be kept a close prisoner?

It was a puzzle that he could not solve; but at last, as he lay there
thinking, the light broke more and more into the darkness of his mind.

It would be, he was sure, something to do with his intimacy with the
English; and if so, Hamet's friendship was false.

Ali had suspected him for some time; and as he lay thinking, it seemed
to him that he was correct in surmising that though Hamet was sincere
enough, perhaps, when he made his first arrangements for the reception
of a resident, the act had given such annoyance to several of the
neighbouring Malay princes, notably to Rajah Gantang, that in his fear
for his personal safety the sultan had repented of the arrangement, or
had been coerced by those who might, he knew, in spite of the English
being at hand, secretly have him assassinated.

This being the case, then, what should he do?

It was still a hard problem to solve, but as he went on thinking, Ali's
brow grew damp, for he started upon a strange current of reasoning.

Sultan Hamet knew little of the English power. Certainly, they had good
fighting men and guns; but they were small in number, and he might
easily overcome them, and the people at Singapore or Penang would not
dare to send more. If they did, the new contingent could be served the
same as the old.

Ali's blood turned cold. Certain little things, which had only slightly
roused his curiosity, now assumed an ominous significance; and as he
thought, he started hastily into a sitting position.

This movement caused his guards to turn upon him; and seeing that he had
excited their curiosity, he bent down over the supply of food placed for
him, and began to eat as calmly as if nothing whatever troubled his
spirit. But all the same, he was wet with perspiration, and his heart
beat painfully; for the light had come, and he saw plainly enough that
something was wrong.

This was why he was a prisoner. Hamet knew of his intimacy with the
young Englishmen, and feared that he would l