Archie was turning to go, when the Doctor caught him by the arm. “There’s no need. I will jump up on the elephant as soon as I have got my bag, and go round by headquarters and make it right with the Major.”
“Yes, sir, do. Capital!—But no, no. He sent me to find out, and he won’t like it. I must go, Doctor.”
“What! am I not surgeon to this force, and are not all officers under me? Here, I will make him like it. You mind what I say—I give you leave to go.”
Just then Minnie and her aunt came to the door with the Doctor’s bag, and Archie hesitated.
“Look here, Minnie,” he cried, hurrying to her side; “I am going to— No, no,” he said, giving his foot a stamp, “I can’t! I will not, Doctor. Here, I will run on and get back. Look here; you see how important it is. Here’s Down coming as hard as he can to see why I have been so long.”
“Confound you, sir!” cried the Doctor. “And when I’d settled the whole thing!—Here, you, Down, what do you want?”
The Captain came up quickly, and the state of affairs was explained, ending with the new-comer being introduced to the two Malay officers.
“Look here,” said the Doctor, turning to the Captain; “you explain everything to the Major, and tell him I am off at once to Palm-Tree Palace, and am keeping Archie Maine here to take my place for an hour or two. You understand?”
“Quite,” said the Captain.
“Maine thinks, as the Major has sent him with a message to me, that he ought to go back; but your coming and the answer I send by you, I consider, will be sufficient to exonerate your subaltern. What do you say?”