“Phew!” whistled the doctor. “I had forgotten them.”
“I had not,” said Mr Linton, sadly, “and I fear the worst.”
“Keep up your spirits, man. There are those on the island, and aboard that steamer, who will keep every Malay in the country at bay.”
“If they are not overcome by treachery, as we nearly were.”
“We must hope then,” said the doctor; “hope that those in charge will be more on the alert. I say, though, Linton, did you give these people credit for such a trick?”
“Yes; for I have had more experience of them than you; and I blame myself most bitterly for not being more cautious.”
“Regrets are vain,” said the doctor. “Let’s do all we can to make up for our lapse—if lapse it has been.”
“We will,” said the resident. “Would to heaven, though, that I could feel more at ease about those we have left behind. If we only had a guide on whom we could depend, matters would not be so bad.”
“I have one for you,” said the doctor, joyfully.
“Who? Where is he?” exclaimed Mr Linton.