not very much mistaken, our friend Maine here
has done the same thing."

"Oh yes, lots of times," said Archie.

"Of course," said the Major; "every boy does, some time or other. I did
myself. But I am as sure as sure that Monsieur the Count is playing a
double game, and I have been thinking a deal, Archie Maine, about you
and Down hearing that rustling as if somebody had been listening outside
the veranda to what we were saying."

"But I couldn't be sure, sir, that it was the Count."

"Count be hanged! It makes me feel savage. Say Frenchman, boy. No,
you couldn't be sure, of course; but it couldn't have been one of the
natives. They daren't have done it, with the sentry close at hand; and
it looks very strange that he should be caught later on in the night
going down to the landing-place, with a boat waiting for him. Once
more, sir, what do you say to that?"

"That I felt bound to be satisfied with the gentleman's explanation,
sir."

"Gentleman!" said the Major sourly. "I believe he's a mischievous
hanger-on, and I should like to see him sent right away. There, I've
done. As you, in your diplomatic fashion, would say, the debate is
closed."

"Yes," said the Resident, smiling, as he uttered a sigh of relief.
"Why, Major, it has made you quite cross."

"Not a bit, not a bit; only a little warm. But while we are talking, I
do think a little more might be done in support of your position as Her
Majesty's representative. And mind this, Dallas; I am not saying it
unkindly, but really on account of the way in which your friend the
Rajah swells himself out and behaves to me and my officers."

"Well, I must confess that his assumption of _hauteur_ and the disdain
which he has exhibited towards you on more than one occasion has annoyed
me very much; but I set it down to his ignorance of England and our
power."

"Yes," said the Major; "and I have seen him treat you in a way that has
made me ready to kick the scoundrel out of the place, when he has been
here."

"Well," said the Resident, "you must make allowances for the natural
pride and conceit of these men. We know that they are half-savages,
while they, as armed fighting-men accustomed to their petty wars amongst
themselves, most likely look down upon us as half-barbarian people, whom
they hope some day to subject in turn."

"Yes, that's it," said the Major. "But what I say is, we must teach
them better."

"Well, that's what I am trying to do," s