Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-12
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could never be his. The knowledge ex
cited his passion the more. His hatred of
Anstruther now became mania, an in
sensate resolve to mortally stab this med
der who always stood in his path.
Robert hoped that his present ordeal
was over. 1t had only begun. He was
called on to answer questions without
number Why had the tunnel been made?
What was the mystery of the Valley of
Death? How did he manage to guess the
dimensions of the sun dial? How came he
10 acquire such an amazing stock of out
of-the-way knowledge of the edible prop
critics of roots and trees? How? Why?
Where? When They never would be
satisfied, for not even the British navy
poklng its nose into the receSSeS of the
World-often comes across such an amaZ-
ing story as the adventures of this couple
ON Rainbow Island.
He readily explained the creation of
quarry and cave by telling them of the
vein of antimony embedded in the rock
lear the fault. Anthony is one of the
substances that covers a multitude of
doubts NO one, not excepting the doctors
who use 1T, know much about it, and in
Chinese medicine it might be chief fac
tor. of exceeding nastiness.
inside the cavern the existence of the
partially completed shaft to the ledge
accounted for recent disturbances on the
lace of the rock. and newcomers could
lot of course, distinguish the bones of
poor j. S" as being the remains of
European.
"
them hazarded the remotest guess as to
the value of the gaunt rock they were
staring at, and chance helped him to baf-
file further inquiry.
y trumpeter on board the Orient was
blowing his lungs out to summon them to
luncheon when Capt. Fitzroy put a final
query.
Il can quite understand" he said to
Robert. that you have an affection for
this weird place"
Il should think so, indeed" muttered
the stout midshipman, CHANGING at Iris
but am curious to know" continued
the commander, why YOU lay claim to
the island? You can hardly intend to re-
turn here
He pointed to Roberts placard stuck
i ,n the 10 rock AnstrTther paused
Lord Ventnor's dark eyes We're fixed on him.
Everybody was more or less DESTROYS to
have this point cleared up. He looked the
questioner squarely in the face.
In some parts of the world" he said
there are sllnken reefs, unknown unchart-
ed, on which many a vessel has been lost
without any contributoTy fault on the part
of her offiCers?''
''tndoubtedly
We'll. Captain Eitzroy when I was sta
toned with my regiment in Hong Kong /
encountered such a reef, and wrecked my
life on it. At least, that is how it seemed to
me then Fortune threw me ashore here,
after a long and bitter submergenee You
can hardly blame me If | cling to the tiny
speck of land that gave me salvation"
No, admitted the sailor. He knew there
was something more in the allegory than
the text revealed but it was no business of
his.
Moreover continued Robert smilingly,
you see | have partner"
There cannot be the slightest doubt about
the partner" was the prompt reply.
Then every one laughed. Iris more than
any. though Sir Arthur Deane's gaiety was
forced, and Lord Fentnor could taste the
acidity of his own smile
Later in the day the first lieutenant told
his chief of AnStruthers voluntary state
nent concerning the court-rnartial. Captain
Fitzroy was naturally panied by this I'M
pleasant revelation, but he took exactly the
same view as that expressed by the first
lieutenant in Roberts presence.
Nevertheless he pondered the matter, and
seized an early opportunity of mentioning
it to Lord Ventnor. That distinguished
nobleman was vastly surprised to learn how
AnStruther had cut the ground from be-
meath his feet.
Yes" he said, in reply to the sailors re-
quest for information. Il know all about it.
1t could not well be otherwise, seeing that
next to Mrs. Costobell l was the principal
witness against him
That must have been id awkward for
YOU" was the unexpected comment.
Indeed. Why?"
Because rumor linked your name with
that of the lady in a somewhat outspoken
way"
You astonish me. Anstruther certainly
made some stupid allegations during the
trial; but 1 had no idea lie was able to
spread this malicious report subsequently.
Il am not talking of Hong Kong, my lord,
but of Singapore, months later
Captain Fitzroy's tone was exceedingly
dry. Indeed, some people might deem 1t Of
fensiye.
His lordship permitted himself the rare
luxury of an angry scowl.
"Rumor is a lying jade at the best, he
SAID CURLY. You must remember, Captain
Fitzroy that | have uttered no word of
scandal about Mr.. Anstruther. and any
doubts concerning his conduct can be set
at rest by perusing the records of his case
in the adjutant generals Office at Hong
Kong.
Hum said the sailor. turning on his
heel to enter the chart room. This was no
way to treat a real live lord. a parsonage Of
some political importance, toe Such as the
special envoy to Wang Hal. Evidently,
Iris was no mean advocate. She mad al
ready won Cor the "outcast the SURFACES
of the entire ships company.
The girl and her father went back to the
island with Robert. After taking thought,
the latter decided to ask Mir Jan to re-
rain in possession until he returned. There
was ret much risk of another Dyak inva-
sion. The fate of Taung ; Ali $ expedition
would not encourage a fresh set of marau-
ders and the Mohammedan would be wen
armed to meet unforeseen. contingencies,
whilst on his Anstruther s. representations
the Orient would land abundance of
stores In any event. it was better for
the native to live in freedom on Rainbow
Island than to be handed over to the au-
thorities as an escaped convict. which must
be his immediate fate no matter what mag
unanimous view the government of India
might afterward take of his services.
Mir JAMS answer was emphatic. He took
off his turban and placed ii on Anstruther's
feet.
''Sahib,' he said, II am your dog. If,
ny RI he
faithful servant, then shall l know that
Allah has pardoned my transgressions. L
only killed a man because"
Peace, Mir Jan. Let him rest.
why is he worshiping you. Robert?' de-
manded Iris.
He told her.
Really" she cried. Il must keep up my
studies in Hindustani. 1t is quite too
sweet"
And then, for the benefit of her father,
she ratified off into a spirited account of
her struggles with the algebraic and the
Urdu compound verb.
Sir Arthur Deane managed to repress
sigh. In spite of himself he could not help
liking Anstruther. The man was magnetic,
a hero, an ideal gentleman. No wonder his
daughter was infatuated with him. Yet
the future was dark and storm-toSsed, full
Of sinister threats and complications. Iris
did not know the wretched circumstances
which had to since they Darted.