“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.”