"Hush! don't be hasty. You know that your threat may have been heard,
and will perhaps be reported to the rajah."

"Let them report it."

"Be sensible, man," whispered Mr Braine. "I feel all this as keenly as
you do, and I cling to the hope that we may find the boys at my place.
Come with me."

Murray made no answer, but went to one of the cases he had brought up
the river in the boat, and took from it his revolver and some
cartridges, charged the weapon, and then thrusting it into his breast,
he turned to the Resident.

"I am ready now," he said, in a low harsh voice. "Come on."

The bamboos creaked, and the house shook with the heavy steps of the two
men, as they went down, and conscious all the time that they were
watched, and fully expecting to have their way barred at any moment,
they retraced their steps, to halt for a minute and listen, as they came
opposite the entrance to the doctor's garden. But all was silent there,
and the lamps were burning just inside the door.

"Come on," whispered Mr Braine, with his voice trembling with the
intense strain from which he suffered.

The distance was very short, not many yards on in the direction of the
rajah's place, and here they crossed a carefully-tended garden toward
the veranda, about whose creepers the fireflies were gleaming.

But there a low fierce voice challenged them from the darkness, and
Murray's hand flew to his breast.

"I, Yussuf," said Mr Braine, quietly; and then, in Malay, he asked if
the boys had come, and received his answer.

"Not here, and they have not been," he whispered to Murray.

"No. There is some other meaning to it," said Murray, sternly. "The
rajah has had them seized. To-morrow I was to have been sent out of the
way, but this is a fresh plan. Is it in consequence of what was
overheard at Doctor Barnes's?"

"It is impossible to say," replied Mr Braine. "I am beginning to feel
bewildered. But we must be calm. No great harm can have befallen them.
It is part of some plan to force Barnes to consent to this hateful
marriage."

"Then we must take time by the forelock, and go."

"It is impossible, I tell you."

"There is no such thing in a case like this, man," cried Murray,
angrily. "Have you not thought of what I feel?"

"Sir," retorted Mr Braine, bitterly, "have you not thought of what I
feel?"

"Forgive me," said Murray, humbly. "I am half mad with rage and
excitement. But, for pity's sake, propose somethi