The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1905-12-01

Douy was more or less DESTROYS to have
thls point cleared up. He looked the
questloner squarely in the face.
IN some parts of the world" he said,
Ihere are sunken reefs, unknown. un-
cnarted' on which many a vessel has
Deen lost without any contributory
tault on the part Of her officers"
Undoubtedly"
well Captain Fitzroy, when i was
stationed with my regiment in Hong
Kong encountered such a reef and
wrecked my life on it. At least that
Is how 1t seemed to me then. Fortune
Threw me ashore here after a long and
Dltter submergence. You can hardly
Diame me If l cling TO tie tiny speck
OF land that gave me salvation"
NO." admitted the sailor. He knew
tnere was something more in the al
legory than the text revealed, but it
was no business Of his.
moreover" continued Robert smil-
1ngly, you see l have a partner"
mere cannot be the slightest doubt
about the partner" was the prompt re-
ply.
1nen every one laughed, Iris more
tnan any, though Sir Arthur Deane's
gayety was forced, and Lord Ventnor
could taste the acidity of his own smile.
Later In the. day the first lieutenant
told his chief of Anstruther's voluntary
statement concerning the court martial.
captain Fitzroy was naturally paained
Dy this unpleasant revelation, but he
TOOK exactly the same view as that ex-
pressed by the first lieutenant in Rob-
ert's presence.
Nevertheless he pondered the matter
and seized an early opportunity Of men,
uoning 1t to Lord Ventnor. That dis
ungulshed nobleman was vastly sur
pr1sed to learn how Anstruther had cut
b ground from beneath his feet.
YES he said, in reply to the sailors
request for information, Il know all
about it. 1t could not well be other
wise, seeing that next to Mrs. Costobell
l was the principal witness against
him."
THAT must have been awkward for
you," was the unexpected comment.
Indeed! WhyY
Because rumor linked your name
with that Of the lady in a somewhat
outspoken way"
you astonish me. Anstruther Ger.
ta1nly made some stupid allegations
during the trial, but l had no idea he
was able to spread this malicious re.
port subsequently,"
II am not talking of Hongkong, my
lord, but of Singapore, months later"
Captain Fitzroy's tone was exceed.
ing dry. Indeed, some people might
deem it offensive.
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 l have uttered
no word of scandal about Mr.. An
struther, and any doubts concerning
his conduct can be set at rest by pc
rusing the records Of his case in the
adjutant generals Office at Hong
kong"
"Hum!" said the sailor, turning or
his heel to enter the chart room.
The girl and her father went back tc
the island with Robert. After taking
thought the latter decided to ask Mil
Jan to remain in possession until he
returned. There was not much risk
Of another Dyak invasion. The fate Of
Taung SALTS expedition would not en-
courage a fresh set of marauders, and
the Mohammedan would be well armed
to meet unforeseen contingencies, while
on his (Anstruther's) representations
the Orient would land an abundance
of stores. In any event it was better
for the native to live in freedom OF
Rainbow island than to be handed
over to the authorities as an escaped
convict, which must be his immediate
fate no matter what magnanimoul
view the government of India NIGH
afterward take Of his services.
Mir JAMS answer was emphatic. HI
took off his turban and placed it OF
Anstruther's feet.
"Sahib," he said, II am your dog
If some day l am found worthy to b
your faithful servant, then shall
know that Allah has pardoned m!
transgressions."
In spite Of himself Sir Arthur Dean
could not help liking Anstruther. Th'