, in fact, to take much notice of the
others, till Frank began to make remarks.

"I say, how nice Amy Barnes looks, doesn't she! Got quite a colour."

Ned glanced at her, and saw that she was flushed and looked excited, but
was evidently doing her best to be at ease, talking readily enough with
the Resident, and letting him translate in answer to some remark made in
a grave and stately way by the rajah, who scarcely ate anything, but
kept on giving instructions to his attendants to take this dish or that
wine to his guests.

"What's the matter with your uncle?" said Frank, suddenly; "not poorly,
is he?"

"Matter?" said Ned, looking across to where Murray was seated.
"Nothing; he only looks cross."

"But he is hardly eating anything. Overdid it to-day in our walk, or
else riding the elephants has made him queer. It makes some people ill,
like going to sea for the first time."

Just then the rajah spoke to one of the attendants, who directly after
went and filled Murray's cup with some kind of palm wine, and then the
Resident's, and the doctor's.

"The rajah will take wine with us, Murray, in the English fashion," said
Mr Braine; and though Murray felt as if he would like to refuse, he
told himself that so far he had no real cause, and that such an act on
his part might mean peril to all present. So in a very distant quiet
way he took wine, the rajah merely putting his cup to his lips, while as
Murray drank he could not help thinking how easily such a man might get
rid of any one he disliked, and how little likelihood there was of his
being ever called to account for the murder.

These thoughts gave a bitter flavour to the by no means unpalatable
draught.

He had no time to dwell further on the thoughts which had been troubling
him ever since he had entered the place, for the rajah spoke to Mr
Braine, who bowed and turned to the naturalist:

"Our host is eager to know whether you have made any fresh discoveries."

Murray replied that he had only found more tin, and this was interpreted
to the rajah, who scowled a little, and then spoke rather sharply to Mr
Braine, who again interpreted.

"His highness is disappointed," he said, "for he is sure that there is
an abundance of gold, and that there are precious stones in the hills.
He wishes you to go again."

"Orders me to go again, you mean," said Murray, warmly.

"For Heaven's sake, man, be careful," whispered Mr Braine; but with a
smile upon his face