"Well, suppose we say Now that Mrs Bolter is away?" said the Resident, smiling. "Hadn't we better drop that line of argument?" said the doctor, uneasily. "Really, Harley, you know, it's too bad--'pon my honour it is. It isn't gentlemanly!" "My dear Bolter," began the Resident. "There are private matters!" cried the doctor, fuming, "upon which no man ought to touch, and my domestic relations are of that kind!" "I should not have spoken," said the Resident, "only you--a man who can do as he likes about going out collecting--came to me with such a weak piece of sham by way of excuse for your actions, Doctor, I blush for you!" "Well, come, I will be honest with you; I am going out collecting and exploring." "Of course you are. I knew." "Stop a moment," exclaimed the doctor, "let me finish. I should not go, only the idea occurred to me that I might perhaps get upon the track of that poor girl! If I do, I shall follow it to the end." The Resident said something in a hasty, indistinct tone, and the doctor stared at him, quite startled by his manner. "Why, Harley!" he exclaimed, "one would think that you were hard touched in that direction!" "Touched!" cried the Resident, recovering his equanimity, and putting on his official mask. "Why man, of what stuff do you suppose I am made? Am I not answerable to Government as well as to my own conscience for the welfare of all who are here; and do you suppose that I can bear this terrible visitation, even after this length of time, with equanimity?" "No, no, of course not--of course not," cried the doctor, hastily. "Well, there, go, and good speed to you. I sincerely hope that you may discover something. Would you like Sergeant Harris with you?" "No, no, certainly not! I believe in going quietly and almost alone. Look here, Harley, you would trust me entirely if you were unwell. Now suppose you do the same over this matter." The Resident nodded. "Now, to tap this subject once again--repetition though it may seem-- tell me, after due thought, what is your opinion now? Do you still suspect Murad?" "I cannot say," replied the Resident. "I did suspect him, but he has been so earnest in his offers of help, and his men have joined so thoroughly with ours in searching the river and scouring the jungle-paths, that there are times when I cannot believe him guilty." "Have you heard any more from your fresh allies?" "Nothing," replied the Resident. "They confess themselves at fault; while Murad has been here this morning to tell me that he was put upon a new scent yesterday, but that it turned out to be a false one. This man puzzles me, clever as I thought myself, for I have not found out yet whether or no he has been throwing dust in my eyes. Probably I never shall." "I am afraid he is deep," said the doctor, thoughtfully. "Very deep or very shallow," said the Resident. "Some day, perhaps, we shall know. You are going up the river, then? When do you start?"