ok in his eyes, as if he were trying to understand the last
words, which puzzled him.

"I am at his highness's service," said Murray, abruptly. "Come Ned, you
may as well come too."

The chief officer smiled gravely, and placed himself beside Murray, his
companion following his example, and walking up to Ned. Then they both
bowed politely to the ladies, and signed to the visitors to go toward
the steps.

"You are coming, then?" said Murray, as he saw Mr Braine step forward.

"I? Oh yes. You will want an interpreter," said the gentleman
addressed.

"Excuse me a moment," said Murray, addressing the Malay chief.--"Ladies,
I'll say good-bye once more, and thank you heartily for your kindness to
us."

"You can do that later on," said the doctor, quietly. "If you do go
to-day, of course we shall come and see you off."

"To be sure. Thank you," said Murray smiling.--"Now, gentlemen, I am at
your service. I see that you speak English."

"Understand? yes," said the chief officer; "speak? no."

By this time they were in the garden, the group of swarthy spearmen
standing back in line with military precision, and holding their weapons
at the salute as the party passed them, and then falling in behind to
march after them in a way which showed that they had been carefully
drilled.

"Come, Ned," said Murray, as they passed out of the gate, "don't look so
serious, lad; they are not leading us out to execution."

"Did I look serious, uncle?" said the boy merrily. "I was not thinking
that, but of our clothes."

"Eh, what about them, lad?"

"That they look very rough and shabby beside these grand dresses. We
hardly seem lit to go to court."

"Not our fault, boy. It is a special invitation," replied Murray
merrily.--"We must study up the Malay language so as to be independent,
Mr Braine."

"I should advise you to master it as soon as you can," said that
gentleman, who was now walking beside them as they threaded their way in
and out among the houses, where every now and then they could catch a
glimpse of a pair of eyes watching them, though the people they passed
took not the slightest notice of them, or just glanced, turned their
betel-nut in their mouths, and went on chewing it with their eyes
half-closed, as if the coming of strangers was not of the slightest
importance to them.

"Is it far to the palace?" asked Murray, giving Ned a quaint look.

"Just beyond those houses, and amongst the group of trees