"Yes, I am sure I may," was the reply. "Look here, then. I was going to say that the only weak point in our arrangements here seems to be that!" He nodded his head in the direction in which they were going, and the ensign stared. "I mean about allowing that Malay, Abdullah, to set up his tent among us. He has such freedom of communicating with the banks of the river on both sides. He is a man, too, whom I rather distrust." "Indeed?" said Long. "Yes, I don't know why. But unless for some good and sufficient reason it would, I think, be bad policy to attempt to oust him." "Yes," calmly said Long. "He is a violent fellow, too;" and he related the incident about their first meeting. "If the major had known of this," said Captain Smithers, "he would never have allowed the man to settle here. You did wrong in not speaking of it, Long." "He was so apologetic and gentlemanly afterwards," said the ensign, "that I did not care to speak about it, and upset the fellow's plans." "Well, it is too late to talk about it now," replied Captain Smithers; "but I shall have his actions quietly watched. Let me see, who will be the man?" "There's Private Gray yonder," suggested the ensign. "I hate Private Gray!" exclaimed Captain Smithers, with a sudden burst of rage, of which he seemed to be ashamed the next moment, for he said hastily,--"It is a foolish antipathy, for Gray is a good, staunch man;" and making an effort to master himself, he made a sign to Gray to come to them. "You are right, Long; Gray is the man. He is to be trusted." The private came up, and stiffly saluted his officers, standing at attention. "Gray," said Captain Smithers, "I want you to undertake a little task for me." "Yes, sir." "You will be off regular duty; another man will take your place. I want you, in a quiet, unostentatious manner, to keep an eye on Abdullah the fruit-seller. Don't let him suspect that you are watching him, for really there may be no cause; but he is the only native here who has free access to the island, and during the major's absence I wish to be especially strict." "Yes, sir." "You understand me? I trust entirely to your good sense and discrimination. You will do what you have to do in a quiet way, and report everything--even to the least suspicious proceeding--to me." "Yes, sir." "You shall be furnished with a permit, to pass you anywhere, and at all times." "Thank you, sir." "I'd go in undress uniform, and apparently without arms, but have a bayonet and a revolver under your jacket." "Do you think there is danger, sir?" exclaimed the private hastily, forgetting himself for the moment. "Private Gray, you have your orders." Gray drew himself up stiffly and saluted. "Begin at once, sir?" "At once," said Captain Smithers. "I trust to your silence. No one but Mr Long knows of your mission." Gray saluted again and went off, while the two officers continued their walk towards Dullah's hut.