ed
the ladies courteously, and then bowed gravely to the strangers, to whom
they were introduced as two of the chief officers of the rajah in the
most formal way; after which, as a brief conversation took place in the
Malay tongue, and gave Ned the opportunity to examine their silken
jackets and gay kilt-like sarongs in which were stuck their krises with
the handles covered by the twisted folds, the doctor turned to Murray.

"These gentlemen," he said, "have been sent by his highness the rajah to
ask why you have come here, and to desire your presence before him."

"Tell them," said Murray, "that I am sorry I cannot speak their tongue;
and that as I am going on at once, I beg the rajah will excuse me from
waiting upon him."

"My dear sir," whispered Mr Braine; but Murray flushed a little, and
went on:

"Tell the rajah, please, that I am an English gentleman, a subject of
Her Majesty Queen Victoria, travelling with my nephew to collect objects
of natural history, and that I shall be obliged if he will give me a
safe conduct to pass through his country unmolested by his people."

An answer to this was made at once by the elder and more grave-looking
of the two Malays, showing that, though he spoke in his own language to
the doctor, he had comprehended every word that had been said.

The doctor listened, and then interpreted again to Murray.

"The Tumongong desires me to say that he is sure his highness will be
glad to further your wishes, but that he dare not go back and deliver
such a message. You will excuse me for saying so, Mr Murray, but you
must obey, and at once."

"And suppose I refuse, sir?" said Murray, warmly. "British gentlemen
are not accustomed to be told that they must."

"No," said the doctor, smiling, "and do not like it; but there are times
when Englishmen and Scotchmen find that they must submit to
circumstances--eh, Braine?--eh, Greig?"

"Oh yes," said the merchant, taking out his snuff-box, opening it, and
offering it to each of the Malay gentlemen, who bowed gravely, and took
a pinch.

"It is not pleasant, I know, sir," said Mr Braine quietly; "but may I,
as a fellow-countryman, offer you a little advice?"

"Of course."

"Then pray go, sir. And, excuse me for saying, it would be uncourteous
not to obey the summons. Vous parlez Francais?" he added quietly.

"Yes, badly."

"Croyez moi: il faut."

Ned noticed a slight twitching of the Tumongong's facial muscles, and an
intent lo