"You will understand, Senhor," said Colhemos, "that I am doing that which may make me unpopular. For that I care nothing! My country is my first thought, and the glory and honour of our flag! Some day you may hold my portfolio in the Cabinet, and it will be well if you bring to your high and noble office the experience...." Then they all talked together, and the dark room flickered with gesticulating palms. Colhemos came to see the boy off by the M.N.P. boat which carried him to the African Coast. "I suppose, Senhor," said the duc, "there would be no objection on the part of the Government to my calling on my way at a certain British port. I have a friend in the English army--we were at Clifton together----" "My friend," said Colhemos, pressing the young man's hand warmly, "you must look upon England as a potential ally, and lose no opportunity which offers to impress upon our dear colleagues this fact, that behind England, unmoved, unshaken, faithful, stands the armed might of Portugal. May the saints have you in their keeping!" He embraced him, kissing him on both cheeks. * * * * * Bones was drilling recruits at headquarters when Hamilton hailed him from the edge of the square. "There's a pal of yours come to see you, Bones," he roared. Bones marched sedately to his superior and touched his helmet. "Sir!" "A friend of yours--just landed from the Portuguese packet." Bones was mystified, and went up to the Residency to find a young man in spotless white being entertained by Patricia Hamilton and a very thoughtful Sanders. The duc de Sagosta leapt to his feet as Bones came up the verandah. "Hullo, Conk!" he yelled hilariously. Bones stared. "God bless my life," he stammered, "it's Mug!" There was a terrific hand-shaking accompanied by squawking inquiries which were never answered, uproarious laughter, back patting, brazen and baseless charges that each was growing fat, and Sanders watched it with great kindness. "Here's old Ham," said Bones, "you ought to know Ham--Captain Hamilton, sir, my friend, the duke of something or other--but you can call him Mug--Miss Hamilton--this is Mug." "We've already been introduced," she laughed. "But why do you let him call you Mug?" The duc grinned. "I like Mug," he said simply. He was to stay to lunch, for the ship was not leaving until the afternoon, and Bones carried him off to his hut. "A joyous pair," said Hamilton enviously. "Lord, if I was only a boy again!" Sanders shook his head. "You don't echo that wish?" said Pat. "I wasn't thinking about that--I was thinking of the boy. I dislike this M'fusi business, and I can't think why the Government sent him. They are a pretty bad lot--their territory is at the back of the Akasava, and the Chief of the M'fusi is a rascal." "But he says that he has been sent to reform them," said the girl. Sanders smiled. "It is not a job I should care to undertake--and yet----" He knitted his forehead.