“Of course,” said the Major; “every boy does, some time or other. I did myself. But I am as sure as sure that Monsieur the Count is playing a double game, and I have been thinking a deal, Archie Maine, about you and Down hearing that rustling as if somebody had been listening outside the veranda to what we were saying.”
“But I couldn’t be sure, sir, that it was the Count.”
“Count be hanged! It makes me feel savage. Say Frenchman, boy. No, you couldn’t be sure, of course; but it couldn’t have been one of the natives. They daren’t have done it, with the sentry close at hand; and it looks very strange that he should be caught later on in the night going down to the landing-place, with a boat waiting for him. Once more, sir, what do you say to that?”
“That I felt bound to be satisfied with the gentleman’s explanation, sir.”
“Gentleman!” said the Major sourly. “I believe he’s a mischievous hanger-on, and I should like to see him sent right away. There, I’ve done. As you, in your diplomatic fashion, would say, the debate is closed.”
“Yes,” said the Resident, smiling, as he uttered a sigh of relief. “Why, Major, it has made you quite cross.”
“Not a bit, not a bit; only a little warm. But while we are talking, I do think a little more might be done in support of your position as Her Majesty’s representative. And mind this, Dallas; I am not saying it unkindly, but really on account of the way in which your friend the Rajah swells himself out and behaves to me and my officers.”
“Well, I must confess that his assumption of hauteur and the disdain which he has exhibited towards you on more than one occasion has annoyed me very much; but I set it down to his ignorance of England and our power.”
“Yes,” said the Major; “and I have seen him treat you in a way that has made me ready to kick the scoundrel out of the place, when he has been here.”
“Well,” said the Resident, “you must make allowances for the natural pride and conceit of these men. We know that they are half-savages, while they, as armed fighting-men accustomed to their petty wars amongst themselves, most likely look down upon us as half-barbarian people, whom they hope some day to subject in turn.”