"In an hour's time. The scoundrel has not been seen by any of his people in Sindang, so they say." "We shall have some warm work up there in the jungle." "No doubt of it; but we'll rout the serpent out--Oh, here is Harley!" The Resident was coming up hastily from the landing-stage, followed by a couple of soldiers leading a Malay between them. "A prisoner, eh?" said Chumbley. "Well, his evidence will have to be taken with a pinch of salt. Now, Harley, what's the news?" "This fellow has come, saying that he bears an important message. I would not hear him till I had you two present." They went out into the veranda, took seats, and the man salaamed, and was asked his business. He said that he had been charged with a message to the Resident by one of the Rajah's women. It was to tell him that the lady Helen had been taken up the river to the Rajah's shooting-house, and was kept there against her will. "Are you sure of this," said the Resident, hoarsely. "I have said," replied the man, with dignity. "Have you seen her there?" "Once only, master. She is kept shut closely up." "And when did you get this message?" "It is nearly thirty days ago, master." "Then why did you not bring it sooner?" "I came down the river by night in my little boat, master, and reached the town here; but found that I could not get near the Resident." "Why not?" said Mr Harley, sharply. "I am always to be seen." "You were watched, master; and I was watched." "Watched! Who watched me?" "Murad's men. They were everywhere." "Murad's men? Watching?" "Yes, master, it is true. They lay about in boats or idled, chewing their betel on the shore and landing-stage. They would seem to you like common people who had nothing to do, but they were all watching carefully the while." "And would they have stopped you?" "Yes, master; they did." "Then you have kept this message all the time in spite of this?" "Yes, master." "Without trying to deliver it?" "No; I tried. I could not get to you or any I could trust unseen; but I know that you Englishmen are all friends, and that if I told one he would tell you, so I thought of the doctor." "And told him?" said the Resident. "No; I could not approach an Englishman at all. I waited my chance: two days had gone, and then, after much thinking, I made my plan." "Yes, be quick," said the Resident, impatiently. "I pretended to be hurt." "Yes; and went to the doctor," said Hilton. "Did you tell him?" "If my masters will let me tell my story," said the man, with dignity, "it will be best." Mr Harley made a sign to his companions to be silent, and the man went on: "I looked about for a house where I fancied I should not be watched, and went to a lady, saying I was badly hurt, and asking that she would fetch the doctor to me." "Why did you not tell her your message?"