The Man from Brodney's
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