"She talked too much--I was afraid," said the man, quietly. "But she took compassion on me and went to fetch the doctor. `Now,' I said, `my task is done.' But my enemies were too watchful, and soon after my messenger to the doctor had gone, six men entered the house; I was seized, gagged, and carried off to a boat, and rowed away. They questioned me, but I was dumb; and then they kept me prisoner till two days back, when I escaped and came down here." "Then why were you not kept back from approaching me this time?" said the Resident, sternly. "I know not, master, only that those who watched are gone. The place was full of Murad's men before. Now they are not." "He is right," said Hilton. "Murad has taken the alarm. He knows by his spies that the game is up." "Could you take us to this place?" said the Resident. "I could; but I wish to live," said the Malay. "I have a wife." "You mean that Murad's people would slay you if you led us there?" The Malay bowed. "You may trust to the English power," said the Resident, sternly. "If what you say be correct, Murad's reign is at an end, and you may depend upon us for protection. Will you lead us to the place where this lady is shut up?" "If the English chief will promise me protection." "You shall be protected," said the Resident, quietly; "and you shall be well rewarded." The Malay bowed again. "What do you think?" said the Resident, turning to Hilton, and speaking in French, to make sure that the Malay did not understand. "I think the man is right, and I would take him for guide; but all the same, we know what these people are: it may only be a treacherous, misleading plan." "We must be well on the alert as to that," replied the Resident. "I think the man is honest." "So do I," said Chumbley, "for there is no temptation for him to have been otherwise." "Stay with those two men," said the Resident, addressing the Malay; "we are going with an armed expedition directly, and you shall be our guide." The man was led away, and the Resident watched him intently as he went out. "Yes, I think the Malay is honest," he said quickly. "Are you fellows ready?" "Yes; we only wait your orders," replied Hilton. "I am fidgeting to be off." "There is much to be done first. Let us go now and see Perowne, I promised to communicate with him before we left. You have not seen him yet?" "No." They walked down to the landing-place, where the Resident's large boat was being well manned, and ammunition and rations for three or four days were being stored. There a small boat was waiting, and they were paddled across, to walk up to Mr Perowne's, both Hilton and Chumbley starting, as they saluted the merchant, to see what a change his late troubles had wrought upon his personal appearance. He shook hands with the officers in a quiet, grave way, and then stood looking in a vacant manner out of the window and across the lawn towards the river.