“Yes; but we must think only of ourselves.”

“Of our wives and children,” said Greig, quietly.

“Yes. But, tell me, what have you done?”

“Put a strong opiate in every cake.”

“But those who take it—does it mean risk to their lives?”

“No. The worst that can happen may be a day or two’s illness after. That is not what I fear,” said the doctor, significantly.

“What then?”

“The rajah’s punishment of the poor wretches.”

“Hah!” ejaculated Mr Braine, “but we must be selfish here for others’ sake.”

A few more preparations were made by Frank’s suggestion, every scrap of food from below being placed in a couple of baskets; the two women who assisted Tim in the house having gone for the night some time before.