"Well, it would be quite time enough to feel afraid when the operation was about to be performed," said Chumbley, coolly. "I never meet troubles half way." "I cannot understand you," said the Princess. "You are a very strange man. It is because you are so big, I think, that you are not afraid." Chumbley bowed. "Perhaps so," he said. "I came back," said the Princess, "to tell you that I was sorry I spoke so angrily; but you must both know that I will be obeyed. If I were not firm, my people would treat me like you do your servants. I wish to speak to you both now." "Say a civil word to her, Hilton," whispered Chumbley. "Tell her to put an end to this absurd piece of folly," said Hilton, in the same tone. "We shall be the laughing-stocks and butts of the whole service." The slight twitch at the corner of the Inche Maida's mouth betrayed the fact that she had heard their words, but she took no notice, and went on addressing Chumbley now. "I ask you both to share my home," she said. "You are his friend, Mr Chumbley, and I know he likes you, so I felt that it would be too much to expect him to be quite happy here without an English friend. Besides, I know how great and good a soldier you are." "I modestly accept your praise, madam," said Chumbley, "but I haven't seen yet the record of my noble deeds." "You puzzle me when you speak like that," said the Princess. "You are laughing at me; but I will not be angry with his friend, whom I brought to be companion, counsellor, and guide." "So you had me kidnapped to amuse Captain Hilton--eh?" said Chumbley. "Well, really, madam, I am honoured!" "Not only for that!" said the Princess, eagerly. "Do I not make you understand? You are a soldier and a brave man!" "How do you know that?" said Chumbley, with a good-humoured twinkle in his eye. "How do I know?" cried the Princess. "Would the English Queen have chosen you to guard Mr Harley with your men if you were not? My people know already that you are brave. You beat them so that they could hardly master you; and they talk about you proudly now, and call you the great, strong brave rajah." "Well, it's very kind of them," said Chumbley, drily; "for I laid about me as heartily as I could." "Yes, they told me how you fought, and I was glad; for they would have despised you if you had only been big, and had let them tie you like a beaten elephant." "That comes of being big, Bertie," said Chumbley. "You see, they compare me to an elephant." "I have commanded that you shall be chief captain for your friend, and lead our fighting men, as well as being Tumongong, my lord's adviser. A chief is trebly strong who has a brave and trusty friend." "I say, old man, do you hear all this?" said Chumbley. "Yes, I hear," said the other, quietly. "This is promotion with a vengeance! Yesterday lieutenant of foot, to-day commander-in-chief of her highness the Inche Maida's troops."