A minute later the doctor appeared. "I was just in the middle of
a rubber, Dick, and if you have not an uncommonly good reason for
calling me up I will make you smart for it, the first time you get
under my hands. Whom have we got here?"

"He is a messenger from Hassan; he mentioned our names and yours."

"Ah, I am glad of that," the doctor said, rubbing his hands
together; "they have been chaffing me in the wardroom about it,
and prophesying that I should never hear of him again. Well, what
does he say?"

"He has not said anything except our names, Doctor, and that he
comes from Hassan. I don't suppose he knows any more English, and
I thought we had better consult you, whether it would be best to
send for Soh Hay; he may have brought some message of importance."

"Right, lad. I think the most prudent thing will be to tell the
captain first. It may only be a message to say why he has not come,
or it may be a matter of some importance. I will go to him at once."

Two or three minutes later he returned. "You are to bring him to
the captain's cabin. Here, Davis, pass the word forward that the
captain wants to see Soh Hay in his cabin."

Harry touched the native, who had been standing quietly by his
side, and signed him to accompany them, and with Dr. Horsley and
Dick went direct to the cabin.

"So your friend has sent a message at last, lad?" Captain Forest