t of a naturalist and a bit of a sportsman. Glad of a
ride through the jungle on an elephant. Glad of his board and lodging.
Bit of a student he thinks himself in his dilettante, Parisian way. Oh,
there's no harm in him."

"So much the better," said the Major. "But what about that other
fellow--what's his name?--Hamet?"

"Ah-h!" ejaculated the Resident, expiring his breath rather sharply,
almost in a hiss. "I am rather doubtful about that fellow. I'm afraid
he's an intriguer."

"Why, there's nothing to intrigue about in this jungle."

"Don't you make any mistake, Major. There's as much intriguing going on
in this half-savage country as there is in Europe. That fellow Hamet,
on the strength of his European education, is very anxious to be friends
with me, and his civility covers a good deal."

"Good deal of what?" said the Major.

"Politics."

"Politics! Rubbish!"

"Oh no, my dear sir; not rubbish. This long, narrow Malay Peninsula is
cut up into countries each ruled over by a petty Rajah, and these
half-savage potentates are all as jealous of one another as can be.
Each Rajah is spoiling for a fight so as to get possession of his
neighbour's territory, and if we were not here one or the other of them
would swallow up Suleiman's patch, and he, knowing this, submits as
pleasantly as he can to the rule and protection of England, which keeps
them safe."

"Do you think, then, that this young fellow Hamet has any of these
grasping ideas?"

"Think? I am sure of it. He wants to be very friendly with me; and
what for?"

"Well, I suppose," said the Major, "he thinks you would be a very good
friend, and lend him a company or two of men to help him against one of
his grasping neighbours. What do you say?"

"Between ourselves," said Sir Charles, lowering his voice, "I think he
goes further than that. He has his eye on Suleiman's rich territory,
and would like me to help him to sit in Master Suleiman's place."

"Ho, ho!" said the Major. "And what do you say to that?"

"Nothing," said the Resident shortly.

"Here, let's go," whispered Archie; and he started up from his chair,
whose bamboo legs scraped loudly over the veranda floor.

"Who's that out there?" said the Major sharply.

"Down, sir, and Maine."

"Oh," said the Major; and then, "Is it any cooler out there?"

"No, sir," said Archie sharply. "I thought it was getting rather warm."

"Is any one else out there?" said the Resident, leaving