ds of gold upon their tusks. It is the
will of Heaven and we obey. Say to the English Government that we are
too noble for bitterness or revenge. Say to the English Government that
we are pleased to rescue our subjects and to yield up our soul, if the
sacrifice is pleasing to the Gods."

The "Rajah" rang for the attendant and gave him the letter, quietly and
with great dignity. Then he undressed and went to bed, prepared to die.

At nightfall, when it was growing dark, the lawyer, much excited,
rushed into Michael Petroff's room, without knocking, or waiting at the
door, as he was in the habit of doing.

"Help me. Captain!" he whispered, and threw himself into the arms of
the astonished Michael Petroff. The lawyer was trembling with fright.

"What in the world--?" exclaimed Michael Petroff, surprised and
startled.

"He is standing in the corridor!" whispered the lawyer.

"Who? What is the matter with you?"

"Engelhardt! He is standing at the 'Rajah's' door. He is taking away
his soul."

"What's that you say?" Michael Petroff laughed softly.

"I saw him standing there. Don't let him come near me. Oh good God!"

"Hush!" interrupted Michael Petroff. "I will attend to it."

The lawyer clung to his knees. "He will come in here! Oh my God, my
God!"

"My dear friend," Michael Petroff reassured him, "control yourself. He
shall not come in here. I promise you. But I must go and see!"

The little lawyer cowered on the floor and covered his face with his
hands. But Michael Petroff left the room. After a while he came back,
looking somewhat pale, but laughing to keep his courage up.

"Yes," he said in a low tone, "he is standing at the 'Rajah's' door
listening. What makes you tremble so, my friend?"

"Don't leave me!" whispered the lawyer, still covering his face with
his hands.

The "Rajah" lay motionless in his bed, gazing far, far away with his
great, brilliant eyes. His swarthy face was transfigured by a solemn
peace and resignation. He declined to get up and refused all
nourishment. Dr. Maerz took his temperature and found it somewhat low,
and his pulse rather slow, but he could not discover any symptoms of
bodily disorder or of an approaching illness. With cheerful earnestness
he advised the "Rajah" to get up and to eat, but as the "Rajah" did not
answer, he left him in peace. He was accustomed to his patients' whims
and knew that they went as suddenly as they came.

But Engelhardt, on the contrary, cau