“Wondering whether he can trust me,” I said to myself, as we rapidly approached.
Then, all at once, I found that I had overtaxed my strength. There was a curious mistiness before my eyes which blotted out the rajah and his men, and two companies of troops which I saw off to my left. Then I felt that I was falling, and made a clutch or two at vacancy. The next moment my sound arm was caught in a strong grip, and I heard the rajah’s voice say—
“Help him down. Too ill and weak yet for so much exertion.”
Then all was blank, and when I came to, the doctor was with me.
“Only beginning a little too soon,” he said pleasantly. “It takes long to grow strong.”
He left me after a short time to the care of Salaman, from whom I learned that the rajah had been very anxious about me, and had given orders that every care was to be taken, and that I was to be told how sorry he was that he could not stay.
“I am glad he is gone,” I said to myself; and then I turned cold with the thought which struck me.
“Suppose my note had been found!”
For a few moments I was afraid to try whether it was still where I had placed it, lest it should have been taken; but in thrusting my hand down into my pocket, there it was quite safe, and I drew a long deep breath full of satisfaction. For though I could not make it out, the rajah or the doctor would probably have guessed its meaning in an instant.
As I lay there I half determined to destroy it at once, but I gave up the idea, thinking that perhaps, after all, I might yet read it with ease.