“Well, I suppose,” said the Major, “he thinks you would be a very good friend, and lend him a company or two of men to help him against one of his grasping neighbours. What do you say?”
“Between ourselves,” said Sir Charles, lowering his voice, “I think he goes further than that. He has his eye on Suleiman’s rich territory, and would like me to help him to sit in Master Suleiman’s place.”
“Ho, ho!” said the Major. “And what do you say to that?”
“Nothing,” said the Resident shortly.
“Here, let’s go,” whispered Archie; and he started up from his chair, whose bamboo legs scraped loudly over the veranda floor.
“Who’s that out there?” said the Major sharply.
“Down, sir, and Maine.”
“Oh,” said the Major; and then, “Is it any cooler out there?”
“No, sir,” said Archie sharply. “I thought it was getting rather warm.”
“Is any one else out there?” said the Resident, leaving his chair and stepping through the Malay French window out into the sheltered spot.