“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 I have a 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 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 pained by this unpleasant revelation, but he took exactly the same view as that expressed by the first lieutenant in Robert’s 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 beneath his feet.

“Yes,” he said, in reply to the sailor’s request for information, “I know all about it.  It could not well be otherwise, seeing that next to Mrs. Costobell I was the principal witness against him.”

“That must have been d——­d 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 I had no idea he was able to spread this malicious report subsequently.”

“I 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 it offensive.

His lordship permitted himself the rare luxury of an angry scowl.

“Rumor is a lying jade at the best,” he said curtly.  “You must remember, Captain Fitzroy, that I 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-General’s 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 personage of some political importance, too, such as the Special Envoy to Wang Hai.  Evidently, Iris was no mean advocate.  She had already won for the “outcast” the suffrages of the entire ship’s company.

The girl and her father went back to the island with Robert.  After taking thought, the latter decided to ask Mir Jan to remain in possession until he returned.  There was not much risk of another Dyak invasion.  The fate of Taung S’Ali’s expedition would not encourage a fresh set of marauders, and the Mahommedan would be well armed to meet unforeseen contingencies, whilst 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 on Rainbow Island than to be handed over to the authorities as an escaped convict, which must be his immediate fate no matter what magnanimous view the Government of India might afterwards take of his services.