Soon afterwards, Robert resigned his commission.  He regretted the necessity, but the demands of his new sphere in life rendered this step imperative.  Mining engineers, laborers, stores, portable houses, engines, and equipment were obtained with all haste, and the whole party sailed on one of Sir Arthur Deane’s ships to convoy a small steamer specially hired to attend to the wants of the miners.

At last, one evening, early in July, the two vessels anchored outside Palm-tree Rock, and Mir Jan could be seen running frantically about the shore, for no valid reason save that he could not stand still.  The sahib brought him good news.  The Governor of Hong Kong felt that any reasonable request made by Anstruther should be granted if possible.  He had written such a strong representation of the Mahommedan’s case to the Government of India that there was little doubt the returning mail would convey an official notification that Mir Jan, formerly naik in the Kumaon Rissala—­he who once killed a man—­had been granted a free pardon.

The mining experts verified Robert’s most sanguine views after a very brief examination of the deposit.  Hardly any preliminary work was needed.  In twenty-four hours a small concentrating plant was erected, and a ditch made to drain off the carbonic anhydride in the valley.  After dusk a party of coolies cleared the quarry of its former occupants.  Towards the close of the following day, when the great steamer once more slowly turned her head to the north-west, Iris could hear the steady thud of an engine at work on the first consignment of ore.

Robert had been busy up to the last moment.  There was so much to be done in a short space of time.  The vessel carried a large number of passengers, and he did not wish to detain them too long, though they one and all expressed their willingness to suit his convenience in this respect.

Now his share of the necessary preparations was concluded.  His wife, Sir Arthur and his uncle were gathered in a corner of the promenade deck when he approached and told them that his last instruction ashore was for a light to be fixed on Summit Rock as soon as the dynamo was in working order.

“When we all come back in the cold weather,” he explained gleefully, “we will not imitate the Sirdar by running on to the reef, should we arrive by night.”

Iris answered not.  Her blue eyes were fixed on the fast-receding cliffs.

“Sweetheart,” said her husband, “why are you so silent?”

She turned to him.  The light of the setting sun! illumined her face with its golden radiance.

“Because I am so happy,” she said.  “Oh, Robert, dear, so happy and thankful.”

* * * * *

POSTSCRIPT

The latest news of Col. and Mrs. Anstruther is contained in a letter written by an elderly maiden lady, resident in the North Riding of Yorkshire, to a friend in London.  It is dated some four years after the events already recorded.