conversation with this gentleman; and when I require your
attendance again I will send for you. Pray leave us."

"Your Highness's commands shall be obeyed," replied the Governor,
bowing; and with a sullen scowl on his brow the man turned and left the
room, giving the impression that he would gladly have slammed the door
behind him, had he dared.

"Highness!" thought Frobisher to himself, during the short pause that
ensued. "I seem to be suddenly getting among very important
personages--with a big `P', too. This particular prince must be quite a
celebrity in his own country, I should judge, by his behaviour. The
Governor seemed to be a man of considerable importance, I thought; but
even he has to curl up and eat humble pie when this man speaks to him."

"Now, Mr Frobisher," continued the admiral, "I trust that you will
excuse my claiming your attention for a few minutes longer, for I should
like to have a little conversation with you, and this appears to be the
only room in the fortress where we can talk without being overheard.
You informed me, just now, that you are an ex-naval officer. Would you
object to informing me of the reason why you are no longer in the
Service?"

"Not at all," replied Frobisher. And thereupon he proceeded to give the
admiral a circumstantial account of the accident which led to his
dismissal from the Navy. When Frobisher had finished his recital,
Wong-lih pulled his long moustache thoughtfully for a few moments
without speaking; then he said:

"Well, Mr Frobisher, I am bound to admit that I think you have been
very harshly treated. I do not consider that the fault lay with you at
all, but with the men who ought to have been on the look-out aboard the
steamer which ran you down. There was never any question, I presume, as
to your efficiency as a seaman?"

Frobisher flushed slightly. "None whatever, sir," he answered. "I have
always been considered a quite capable officer, I believe; and, previous
to the accident of which I have spoken, my skill as a seaman was never
once called in question."

"I am glad to hear that," was the admiral's reply, "for I have a
suggestion to make which I trust may meet with your approval. I suppose
I may take it for granted that you are open to an offer of employment in
your own vocation?"

"Well," returned Frobisher, hesitatingly. "I scarcely know how to
answer that question. You see I signed on under--under--"

"You may safely continue, M