nks and a cartload of late novels, which she had been too busy to read at home, was the first of the bewildered legatees to set foot upon the island of Japat. A rather sult

sensible reason why she should be compelled to abandon a very promising autumn and winter at home, to say nothing of the fol

ut forcing her to take this abominable step. Upon reflection, however, and after Mr. Bosworth had pointed

who went out to keep the legal strings untangled for them. He w

arried off the hand luggage when the native dock boys refused to engage in the work; it was he who unfortunately dropped a suitcase upon the hallowed tail of the red cocker, an accident which ever afterward gave him a tenacity o

on. The attitude of the brown-faced Mohammedans who looked coldly upon the fair visitor was far from amiable. They did not fall down and bob their heads; they did not even incline them in response to her overtures. What was more trying, they glared at the newcomers in a most expressive manner. Lady Deppingham's chin was

ldered visitors; not a word, not a smile of enc

n its sunny face, dark treachery in its heart. On the instant she realised that these people were her enemies, and that they were the real masters of the island, after all. She found herself wondering whether they meant to settle the question of ownership then and there, before she could so much as set her foot upon the coveted soil at the end of the pier. A hundred knives might hack her to pieces, b

she demanded imperatively, perhaps

g the silent lookers-on, but that was all. It was more than her pride coul

when the red cocker's tail came to grief. The dog arose with an astonished yelp and fled to his mistress; he had never been so outrageously set upon before in all his pampered life. Seizing the opportunity to vent her feelings upon one who could understa

e he felt that the clerk was better than a confounded dog, after all. He surprised every one, his wife most of

dent. The dog had no business going to sleep-" he paused and inserted his monocl

asleep," cr

offer for getting his tail in the way of the ba

adyship. "I suppose you expect

more interested in learning where we are and wh

wning in front of the low dock building, actually elbowing his way throu

ed it a street, don't you know," he exclaimed, disdainfully eyeing the narrow, dusty passage ahead. Here and there a ru

building to the right, sir?" said Mr. Saunders, more res

e is. I wonder why he isn

t know we were coming

say, we can't leave this luggage unguarded. They say

entative of the British Government. Saunders looked down the sullen line of faces, and blanched to his toes. He hemmed and hawed and sai

is lordship. "But remind him, damn him, that

instantaneous sprint in any direction but the one he was taking. Even the placid Deppingham was somewhat disturbed by the significant glances that followed their emissary as he passed by each separate knot of native

urmured Bromley, her ladyship's maid. The others

live," said his lordship with a smile. It was a well-known

, recognising the symptom, "do y

ded after a moment's pause, in which he saw that the steamer was getting under way. The Japat company's tug was returning to the pier.

f shrieked

" he added, scr

oment, "I hope I was not to

because he expected a tragedy in the opposite direction. She dropped Pong without another word, and, her face quite serious, seated h

time after the departure of the clerk, and then, to the horror of the servants, made off in various directions, more than one of them handling his ugly kris in an ominous manner. Bromley was not slow to acquaint his lordship with these movements. D

one thought of the white umbrellas. Sau

l stared at the sea. Lady Deppingham's little jaws were shut tight and her fingers wer

minutes later, "this is Mr. Bowles, his Ma

his lordship turned his stare from t

be good enough to tell us how we are to reach the-er-chateau

and wholly asleep during the remainder. A middle-aged man was he, yet he looked sixty. He afterward told Saunders that it seemed to take two days to make one in the beastly climate; that w

been unable to secure assistance in removing your belon

teau? Are there n

and the chateau is two miles farther up the s

to say we a

if you expect

o there. Are there no hors

ners ride them. One can't take them by the hour, you know. The servants a

e who

vants, m

eyes grew wide w

hat the servants have le

They were nat

to do with it?" d

Lady Deppingham is one of the angles; Mr. Browne, the American gentleman, is another; the native population is the last. Each wants to be the hypothenuse. Whi

grasp-" muttered

st us, just as we are, in a way, against them and Mr. Browne. Really

n here on this pier. I say, Mr.-er-old chap, can't you possibly engage some

here until I run back to the bank, I daresay I'll find a way.

e started off toward the bank. Then they

ed his lordship. The progress of Bowles

heir brown legs. At first they could not believe it was Bowles. Lord Deppingham had a sharp thrill of joy, but it was shortlived. Bowles had changed

e where this one came from. These fellows will carry your boxes up to the chateau, sixpence to the man, if you please, sir; and I've sent for two carts to draw your party up the slope. They'll be here in a jiffy, my l

and walked off in the direction of the chateau. Bowles triumphantly saluted Lord and Lady

of real Tommy Atkins