ranslated by Chok-foo.

When at last he was fairly in possession of all that the messenger had
to relate, Edgar paced up and down the room for a few seconds with rapid
strides.

"We must go into action at once, sir," suggested Joe Baldwin.

"Of course, of course, but _how_? That's the point," exclaimed Edgar,
with a look of impatient vexation. "Borneo is a long way off. There
are no steamers running regularly to it that I know of. However, it's
of no use talking; let's go at once and make inquiry. I'll go see our
consul--perhaps--"

"P'lhaps," interrupted the messenger, "p'lhaps the pleeceman can
talkee."

"If he can, let him speak," cried Edgar, with impatience.

"Pleece he nevir too muchee quick," returned the man, coolly. "We knows
what we's can do. Hai, yach!"

Edgar sat down with a sharp sigh of discontent, and waited for more.

"Well?"

"Well," repeated the policeman, "there be steam-boat here now--go for
Borneo quick."

"At once!" cried Edgar, starting up and seizing his hat, "why did you
not--"

"Sh! Keepee cool, you no 'casion makes so fashion," interrupted the
policeman, who thereupon went on to explain that on his arrival in
Hong-Kong he had gone at once to head-quarters, before delivering his
message to Edgar, in order to make himself master of all the news about
town that was worth knowing, or likely in any way to advance the
interest of those whom he sought to serve. Among other things he had
learned the important fact that, two days before his arrival, a small
gun-boat, belonging to a certain Rajah of Borneo, and commanded by a
certain Scotchman, and employed for the express purpose of hunting up
and rooting out the pirates of the China seas, had put in to the port
for repairs. He had hurried down to the gun-boat in time to prevent her
departure, had told his story, and had just come from her to say that
her captain would like much to see Mr Berrington.

On hearing this, Edgar again started up and eagerly ordered the native
policeman to guide him to the gun-boat in question without another
moment's delay. He was followed, of course, by his male companions, who
were nearly as much interested in the matter as himself. They were soon
on the deck of the gun-boat.

It was a neat trim screw-steamer of small size, 180 tons burthen, and
manned by about sixty Malays and a few Englishmen. Everything on board
was as bright and orderly as if it had been a British man-of-war. Her
comman