The doctor took a step or two back, and then, as coolly as if nothing had occurred, he shook out the folds of the handkerchief--one of a very delicate texture and edged with lace, while in one corner were the two letters, "H.P.," embroidered by a woman's hand. There was a deep groan here, and as the gentlemen turned, it was to see that Murad was resting his face upon a bamboo fence, his hands to his brow, and, turned from them as he was, the lookers-on could see that his breast was heaving, and that the young man was suffering great agony of mind. "Collect all these together," said the doctor in a whisper; and one of the soldiers proceeded to obey his orders, when the young Malay leaped upon him fiercely, and tore the handkerchief from his grasp, thrust it into his bosom, and strode away. The Resident did not move, but stood gazing after the Sultan, his brows contracted, and a peculiar look of dislike gathering in his eyes; but he did not speak, and without a word the various relics were gathered into a basket and carried across to the Residency island, where Dr Bolter announced that he would make a further and more searching examination. Then the party separated, save that the doctor and Neil Harley had a long conversation together, in which the latter related how thoroughly the river banks had now been searched by the boats enlisted to carry the soldiers, who were most energetically aided by the people belonging to Rajah Murad and the Inche Maida, both of whom continued to almost live at the station, only going away for a few hours at a time to see to their own affairs, journeys from which they came back, with the rowers of the small boats they used looking terribly distressed. "You can trust me, Harley," said the doctor. "I will not chatter, even to my wife, though she is to be trusted, too. How do you feel about the matter now?" "Feel!" said Neil Harley, quietly. "I feel that little Miss Stuart was right in what she said to me." "And what was that?" "That this is a contest between the wits of the Eastern and the European; that we are being deceived; and that Sultan Murad is playing a part." "What, after the miserable relics we have just seen?" "After the miserable relics we have just seen. He has slaves who would die in his service, and who would consider it a merit to deceive the heathen English." "Then he is playing his part marvellously well," said the doctor. "Magnificently; and if Miss Stuart is right, as I believe she is, for the simple reason that her ideas accord with mine, he is a born actor. That show of grief, and that seizure of the pocket-handkerchief were admirably done." "If you believe all this, then," said the doctor, "why not boldly charge him with the crime!" "To create a little war, with no better reason than my suspicions? A charge made in face of the most earnest work--while he is striving might and main to serve us." "Apparently," said the doctor.