“And if my letter goes to the rajah first, he may get it interpreted for him, and know what we intend to do.” Murray made an impatient gesture.
“You are right,” he said. “My brain is all confused. We cannot escape without those boys.”
“I am as confused as you are,” replied Mr Braine. “The rajah has had those two taken to hold as hostages. I am sorry to give you pain, but the truth must be told.”
“But why—why?”
“Do you need to ask?”
“No,” said Murray, despairingly. “I know well enough, and in my selfish love for her, I am ready to say she must be saved from such a fate.”
“And my son condemned to death in company with your brother’s child.”
Murray sprang up, and began to pace the room, making the floor wave and the walls quiver with his impetuous tread.
“Tell me what to do,” he said at last. “I feel helpless. I will follow your instructions, and look to you for what is right.”
Mr Braine shook his head sorrowfully, finished his letter, and handed it to Murray to read.