Graäb

Front matter

GRAAB G. RAAB RY ELLEN BARKER, M.C.P. loit.on: REMINGTON & CO., PUBLISHERS Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, W.C. 1885 All Rights Reserved CONTENTS PACK I.— A CURIOUS QUESTION 1 II.— SHIP'S COMPANY 6 III.— THE QUEEN'S SON IS ENTERTAINED. . 18 IV.— MR ROCKINGHAM'S OPINIONS ... 25 V.—'BRITANNICUS' ». 'ASIATICUS' ... 33 VI.— BEWARE OF AVIDOAVS 46 VII.— STONE PICTURES AND SLABS . . . .54 VIII.— AVHAT ARE AVE COMING TO? ... 00 IX.— PRINCESS RAJMAHAL PAYS A VISIT . . 72 X.— THE STORY OF A PICTURE .... 78 XL— JACK'S LECTURE— I 87 XII.— AN INDIAN REBEL OF 1857 .... 100 XIII.— HERBERT AND GRACE GET MARRIED . 105 XIV.— MELTON'S EYES ARE OPENED . . .111 XV.— ST GEORGE DREAMS A DREAM ... 115 XVI.— THE HINDOO PAGE 120 XVII.— THE ESCAPE 125 XVIIL— CECILE ST GEORGE ...... 130 XVIX.— A SHORT SERMON , 135 XX.— AN INDIGNATION MEETING . . .141 CONTEXTS II PAGE XXI.— A BULL'S WING 150 XXII.— 'ASIATICUS' HAS A FRIEND . . . 156 XXIII.— AUNT LOUISA DON'T LIKE GLADSTONE . 161 XXIV.— CHUMS "... 168 XXV.— JACK'S LECTURE— II 171 XXA'L— A SURPRISE 180 XXVII. -LOGICAL PROPOSITIONS .... 187 XXArIIL— IN ROTTEN ROW 194 XXIX.— JIM SEES A LOOPHOLE 199 XXX.— THE MONSOON IS BURST ! . . . .203 XXXI.— A THIEF STEALS LETTERS .... 208 XXXII. — PATER AND SON AT THE ZOO ... 212 XXXIII. —A LOVE AFFAIR 220 XXXIV.— LADY ST GEORGE AND HER DAUGHTER . 227 XXXV.— THE EX-SOLDIER REFUSES MONEY . . 231 XXXVI.— JIM MAKES LOVE 238 XXXVII. — AVIDOAV DAAVSON FLOURISHES A SWORD . 242 XXXVIII.— PRINCE GUZIRAZ SAYS 'ADIEU' . . 247 XXXIX.— THE SUICIDE 254 XL.— THE LITTLE SING-SING 260 XLL— PRINCESS ORIEZ ...... 265 XLII.— A DYNAMITE EXPLOSION .... 269 XLIIL— MR ROCKINGHAM AGAIN .... 274 XLIV.— MARZA IS GENEROUS 280 XLV.— MARRIED AND HAPPY EVER AFTERAVARDS GRAAB — .«_>•-*-•«»■-—

Chapter I

A CURIOUS QUESTION ' Are you really London ? ' This curious question Avas asked in the Morse language, 7000 miles away. ' Yes ! ' flashed back the metallic answer, sent from the office of the Indo-European Telegraph Com pany, situated in Old Broad Street. ' Yes ! ' was the ansAver, received by the interrogator, 7000 miles off, ' at the other end of the wire ' in Cal cutta, the British capital of India. The mono syllable almost startled the official to whom it was sent. An expression of wonder and surprise settled on his face. Then he looked pleased, and a smile lit up his features. But there were duties to perform, therefore, he could not indulge in a reverie. He felt very much in the mood for one. Click ! click ! click ! went incessantly the telegraph needles. Business must be attended to. ' Yes,' was the little word, flashed into the office like lightning, all the Avay from London ; over land and A GRAAB 2 water ; Empires and Continents.

Click ! click [click ! went the needles at both ends. ' The extremities of & line are points,' says Euclid. In this case, the extremities of the telegraph line Avere two offices, one in London, and the other 7000 miles off in Calcutta. The two managers in charge of the Avidely separated offices, spoke to each other in Morse language. 'Yes' was the last word- The receiver of it looked at the instruments and mechanism' that were able to assist him to com municate with people 7000 miles off. ' Wonderful ! ' at last he exclaimed, and looked at the needles again and again, Avith the pride and satisfaction _ • * _ _» i tbat a Russian noble or an American might feel if his horse should Avin the Grand Prix. ' Well ! ' muttered the admirer of Avonderful things, nodding and shaking his head. ' Here's a feat of tele graphy !

Here's a triumph ! Here's an achieA'e ment!' He Avent up to the map of the world, and followed, Avith his eyes, the route that the distinguished visitor, ' Yes,' had travelled by — truly, a curious and wonderful visitor — unseen, but not unheard altogether — incognito, saA^e to the officials at the extremities of the line — noiseless, except the click ! click ! click ! announcing his entre into the telegraph office. ' This Avas the route,' said the telegraph operator. ' From London to Emden, then Odessa, Teheren, Kurrachee, Agra, Calcutta.' Mr Melton Steele smiled. ' Yes ! Over seas, bays, gulfs, cities, kingdoms, empires, and continents. I am satisfied. Oh ! Avhat are those lines in Virgil, I learnt when a youngster : — Great Jove himself whom dreadful darkness shrouds, Pavilioned in the thickness of the clouds, With lightning armed, his red right hand puts forth, And shakes with burning bolts, the solid earth." ' Clever Jupiter ! — Bravo Jove ! but you know it A CURIOUS QUESTION 3 is all a big talk.

What do you think of us ? Sending a word round a third and a fraction of the earth's girdle, Avhilst the process of inspiration and expiration is going on once or twice in my lungs.' Click ! click ! click ! went the needles. Mr Steele was soliloquising, ' Had I lived in the days of Jupiter the thunderer, and seen this, what a devout worshipper I should have been of the optimus maximus.' The telegraphist was evidently in a reflective mood, he could not forget that in Morse language he could address, in a few moments at least, an individual separated from him by two continents. ' Umph ! ' he muttered to himself. ' They say that Avhen Newton made his grand discovery, he is said to have expressed himself as being awe struck ; as if he had suddenly penetrated in the presence of the Great Unseen.

I can fully realise his feelings. Wonderful ! truly wonderful ! ' Click ! click ! click ! Avent the needles, there Avere questions and answers, and many feet to and fro, doors opening and shutting, business going on. Mr Melton Steele brushes himself together. Calcutta is a busy place ; it is also very Avarm, sometimes oppressively hot. The telegraph office is comfortable. It is an important place, and should be. The extremities of a telegraph line are offices, and from these two issued messages that influenced the lives of two very different men. When Melton Steele settled quietly down to his work again, there was a heightened colour on his cheeks, and an unusual brightness in his eyes. This slight paroxysm of delight, this pardonable enthusiasm about the electric wires, may have occasioned it.

At all events when his ' gush ' about ' feats of telegraphy,' ' triumphs of skill,' and so on had subsided, a shade came over GRAAB 4 his face, suggesting that some sober reflections were going on in his mind. Steele Avas a very deliberate nian. He never hurried. Everything in the office was done with 'decency, and in order.' His work entailed upon him much mental application and attention to every minutiæ. Exactitude and precision were the characteristics of the man. Nothing escaped the eye or notice of Melton Steele. Something un usual then was the cause of his flushed face. Everything in the office was orderly. The fact Avas, " Melton Steele, like Mr Tulkinghorn, in ' Bleak House,' Avas the possessor of many secrets. Many wonderful messages had he seen and em-eloped in official envelopes ; many private secrets had he also sent off in official envelopes, and been a compulsory possessor of many strange revelations of priA-ate and public men's lives and characters.

One grand secret he held, and had for years, in connection with the Avires. Many strange messages had been despatched from a certain individual thousands of miles aAvay. Cost was nothing. Expense quite immaterial. When, therefore, Melton found the through com munication SAvitched on to his line, and he had direct communication with the English capital, his curiosity was doubly aroused, and he sought some explanation for it. 'Are you really London?' he then exclaimed, in the Morse language, and got 'Yes,' for answer. In a short time Melton understood the why and Avherefore of certain things, and took the message and sent it off. The telegraph office where the little Avord ' Yes ' Avas flashed from was in the basement of a very unpretentious building in Old Broad Street. There was to be seen the Morse printer, in connection Avith the main line from London to Teheren.

A military-looking man approached the desk. The A CURIOUS QUESTION 5 clerks there were very courteous and business-like, but, appeared too pre-occupied to notice particularly the Englishman, who formed a group with the others — men of different ages, nationalities, and pursuits — all, perhaps, eager in the race for wealths Avhich was one of the many reasons Avhy they Avere in that office, framing telegrams to be sent off, re-writing, or altering them, asking questions, listening to answers, paying money. The gentle man Avho had just entered, was a strikingly handsome man, of a manly soldier-like stature. He had a noble bearing and most distinguished mien. His bronzed complexion led you to believe that he had been a sojourner in some hot clime, and of recent date. The expression on the face of this soldier of war reminded you of the ' Iron Duke.' There was a disagreeable look of ' Duty first and pleasure afterwards ; ' but you were ever conscious of the duty, mixed up with dreadfully stern realities, and very little pleasure coming after\ATards.

Such a man would not sacrifice habits of self-will and personal motives, however, to mere sentiment and ostentatious sensibility. Alfred the Great had wished his subjects to be as ' free as their own thoughts.' Noble prince ! Generous king ! Yet free as thoughts are to their OAvners, hoAv strange they should betray them in their faces ! Yes ! a combination of good or bad traits lie buried in the man's heart, who reflects them in his own mirror — his face. This man's message, then, had caused this perturbation in Melton Steele. What was the message ? and Avhat the nature of it ? General St George had framed his message, had sent it, and paid a good round sum, for the privilege of using 7000 miles of wire, to convey his wishes to another Hemisphere, and in about the same time, or a little longer, that he could say ' Jack Robinson.'

Chapter II

ship's company ' The glory of young men is their strength,' how truly says the Song-writer. What a high admir ation do women haATe for the strength of men. Their brains, power, force, and muscle, each and all so needful in this world's strife. The day had not drawn to its close, before Melton Steele had made some strong resolutions. It Avas clearly noticeable, to those around him, that something had occurred to ruffle the equanimity of the boss and guv'nor. Though astonished at the perfidy in human nature, he could not reconcile himself to the belief, that Satan is of the A-ery dark hue he is generally painted. He summoned all his mental energies noAv, and prepared himself to face truth, and encounter metaphorically a deadly snake crawling over his wires, entering his office, and then using his poisonous fang.

Melton Steele was a man of probity and honour. There Avas a secret, and a very profound one, mixed up with this ' through message.' There was a mystery in it all, inexplicable. It seemed A against B, or pro and con, in some important controversy. A contradicting B — warfare to the knife Avith pen and ink weapons only. They caused the same terror, or more, than a tomahawk would, to those who Avere interested parties — and, strange to say, Melton Steele was a very interested party at this moment. So Ave shall see. Everyone knows that Calcutta is considered a very noble city ; possessing great advantages from its situation. It is only 100 miles from the sea, on the Hooghley, a branch of the idolized and deified Ganges ; that riA^al of the giant rivers of the Eastern hemisphere. Its position is excel lent for inland navigation and commerce.

The branches and tributaries of the great riA'er afford a facility for the transport of goods and merchan dise. The same channels offer the advantage of depositing in Calcutta all the rich and valuable products of the interior and surrounding country, so that the trade and commerce of the city is considerable, both as regards imports and exports. Poor Melton had A'entured on neAV ground many years before, thinking that rupees could be picked up in the streets for only the trouble of stooping for them ; he had made a great mistake. He found appointments feAv and far between, and a keen competition for any post, either in the civil service, business, or profession. With a pride that might break, but never bend, he managed to suffer reverses, disappointments, and obstacles till the tide turned, and the proverbial long lane switched him on to a pleasant turning.

He was younger in years than he looked. He had few friends, and for that reason found companionship in his own thoughts. These were very uncomfort able, and indeed treasonable to the ' powers that GRAAB be.' Melton's day's Avork Avas clone, and he chose to saunter out and seek one of his acquaintances, Avhom he rightly trusted as a friend. The latter was Herbert Rockingham, ship's officer on a merchant vessel, trading at different ports of the Indian continent. Melton strolled down the esplanade, and passed the magnificent Government House. It Avas a gala night. There Avas one blaze of light. An electric-ball dazzled the eyes of the countless gay and fashionable throng. A full moon, like an orb of silver, shone over the brilliant scene, and shed her silver beams OA'er the classic looking edifices and Grecian architecture of the city.

Princely buildings, spacious, grand, and picturesque, ornamented with Grecian pillars and useful and elegant A'erandahs. Added to these, the quaint-looking ruinous pagodas and stately but curious mosques. Melton saAV and heard the festiA'al going on, as he glanced up. He was a looker-on only, and from a distance, but his teeth clenched, and he shook his fist tOAvards the stately pile, Avith a menace not to be disregarded. He passed on. ' We shall see ! ' he said. ' We shall see ! A dagger in your breast, or dynamite at your door, before 1 ever bend, or submit to that yoke.' Melton still passed on towards the shore, intend ing to go to the ' Punjaub,' and have a cigarette and chat with his friend Herbert. He found him self jostled and pushed against by as motley a crowd as could be seen in no other citA'' in the Avorld.

Men of all nations move on, in a huge living mass of dirt, noise, filth, smell, sounds, of all abominations. FeAv Avomen were counted in this medley. There Avere Brahmins, Hindoos, and Mahommedans; Malays, Christians, and Arabs, all moving. Dark sons of Africa, yelloAV skins of China, Avhite faces of Englishmen and Americans. The black fellows were fully there, and maintained their sturdy independence. They were black, and they lived in the 'Black Town,' so they were all of a colour. Melton pushed on quickly, glad to get on the water, and aAvay from the smell and sound. What a noise ! Indian drums for ever beating in honour of some deity. The jingle of cymbals came next — noise everywhere ; perfect pandemonium, and the black faces and the Black ToAvn made a perfect tout ensemble. ' Delightful,' said Melton. ' Fancy these Avretches ever being our masters !

This crew ! This motley crew ! Bah ! Well ! Well ! We shall see ! Ah ! old chappie, I've come to smoke a cigarette wdth you ! ' he exclaimed, as he recognised his friend yonder, avIio was leaning over the side of the ship. By the light of the full moon, Herbert had watched his friend push off in a rowing boat, and drift slowly and leisurely before the smooth current ; perhaps he was glad to merely rest in the boat, un willing to use any effort, with oar or muscle, to pro pel himself in the direction of the ' Punjaub.' Her bert thought it rather unusual for his friend to take such a circuitous route, before he made for the steamer. At any rate, he had seen Melton in fitful meditative moods before, and concluded there was something up now. Herbert was an amiable fello\Ar, good, kind, and true.

He had been all over the world in all kinds of ships and steamers. He had been transposed from one to another vessel of the same company. It was all the same to him. He was an erratic fellow himself, discontented somewhat Avith his own position. But what was the use of peevish ness. ' Do your best,' he said, ' and the rest leaA-e to Providence,' Perhaps Herbert himself was a little moody, ATery likely indeed — he was on his GRAAB 10 ship, and gazed towards the shore. It was a gala night, as said before. Government House was in a blaze of light and beauty. There was to be a grand reception and ball in honour of the Empress of India's third son, and his charming wife. ' Glad to see you ! Come up,' was the salutation of Herbert, pleased to see his friend. The two young men grasped each other's hand warmly, when they were on deck side by side.

Melton was known to be slightly ironical, so, smiling in his friend's face, he clasped his left fore-arm. Then, pointing with his own right hand towards the shore, sang the line, — " List ! 'tis music stealing o'er the moonlight sea, Music sounds the sweetest, when on the moon-lit sea," Melton laughed. Both young men lit their cigar ettes and smoked for a feAv moments in silence. They Avere both gazing in the direction of yon great house party. The Duke and Duchess of Connaught were being entertained. The noise and din of the Indian drums still sounded in Melton's ears — noise, din, clamour, jingle, hubbub — this was the every-day programme. Terms like ' fickle public ' did not apply to the Hindoos. Such an ancient people could never alloAAT their equilibrium to be disturbed by such notions of Wagner, and the ATarious ' schools ' of music.

No ; like their neighbours, the Medes and Persians, in olden times, whose laws were said to alter not, the Hindoos were loyal and faithful to old customs, and beat their drums, and beat them yet louder this night. ' Surely,' thought the poor ignorant benighted Avorshipper of 330,000,000 inferior gods and goddesses, ' For this one night I can include another God into my religion — Royalty ! ' ' God bless the Duke ! God bless the Duchess ! God bless the Queen Mother ! ' were the inscriptions on the flags and banners. It was all darkness to the Hindoo ; but he had looked on the handsome face of the Prince, and on the beautiful Princess, his Avife, and had beaten his drum Avith more fervour, and declared that ' Brahma was the creator of all ; Vishnu, the preserver of all ; and Sheva the destroyer of all.' The Hindoo confessed, and many more enlightened than he might do the same, that Sheva, the destroyer, has many more votaries than the others.

What says the God of drink ? or the God of gold ? ' Is not the name of their worshippers " Legion ? " ' Herbert and his friend still smoked. Neither Avas inclined to talk just yet. A brilliant light, like a glory, hovered over the building that was now one grand scene of festivity. Silken banners of artistic design, richly embroidered with silver and gold, waved gracefully from all the public buildings. There were pennons made of famous Indian texture, soft and delicate to thc touch, Avoven with silk and gold thread ; others were of rich material, of gorgeous colours, and streamed from every window and pointed arch or from some projecting part. The residents, military or civil, vied Avith each other to give eclat to the visit of the Queen's son. Bunting was seen from the masts of the ships yonder, but banners, flags, and pennons, flying in the city, were mostly silk ; rich in design, costly, and magnificent.

From the top of some Gothic structure, or over the Grecian pillars of some elegant building, was seen rich colour, lit up by the silver moon, and her small rival, the electric light. No money Avas spared to Avelcome England's Royal Prince. The gardens and conservatories of Government House were like Fairyland. Exotic plants, birds, and floAvers, and every luxury of this luxurious age, Avere not want- GRAAB 12 ing to make the entertainment Avorthy of so illus trious a guest. The colour everywhere, the beauty of the women, the splendid uniforms of the men, the music and dancing, surely satisfied those Avho Avere invited to enjoy it. The gardens Avere lit up by Chinese lanterns, though there was no need of their light. The moon lit up almost every leaf of eA^ery plant, and her beams fell on sheets of Avater, bordered round Avith the choicest floAvers, some in pots of the rarest china, or in rich coloured glass.

Whilst garlands of flowers were entAvined round marble pillars, or gracefully hung from every point that would heighten effect and please the eye. The grand fete had cost much, and must be a perfect success. The banquet was to be superb, and was said to have cost a fortune in itself. All the grandees of the place had had the honour of an invitation to meet Their Royal Highnesses, the Prince, Duke of Connaught, and the Princess, his wife. His Excellency Avould receive and entertain also the Lords and Ladies of the Royal Suite, the military and civil personages, few and select, that the conventional society of Calcutta chose to include in their narroAV but envied circle. Melton had finished his cigarette, and commenced another. ' Well, old chappie, Avhen am I to have the pleasure of wiring home good neAvs for the mum and sister ? ' ' Oh ! to let them know when I may be expected to rush into the bosom of my family ? ' ' I Avish I were in your place.' ' Don't think me intrusive, chappie Steele, I know I have bored you talking of myself and my love affairs ; but have you the same magnet that I have in England ? don't mind me asking.

My beloA^ed Grace, her charms, and my love for her must be a tiresome theme for your ears to be listening to always. But tell me ? have you ever been in loA'e ? Are you in love ? ' ' One question at a time, or both together, it is all the same,' laughed Melton. ' My answer is, No. ' Unhappy man,' thought Herbert. They changed the subject and talked of the city yonder. The site going on. ' We are out of the pale — beyond the charmed circle,' said Herbert jocularly, 'but among princesses, countesses and duchesses, my heart's love, my beautiful Grace Avould be a queen ; my queen, my queen ! ' ' I better not defer wiring the date and hour of your expected arrival,' said Melton, slyly. ' I wish I could start this moment ! ' ' What prevents you ? ' ' Lack of money ! ' ' Get on another ship, and get home that way ! ' ' That is what I am trying for ! ' ' Lots of captains come into the office.

If I can say a word, or do you a turn, I am at your service.' ' Thanks, chappie, many thanks.' ' I shall miss these chats and the companionship of a pleasant chum,' said Steele, 'but if I lose a friend, and the lovely Grace gain a thoroughly good felloAv for a husband, the happiness will far overbalance the sorrow. Well ! now old boy, tell me, what are your prospects ? You are not going to marry, and lead your present life ! Has the young lady money ? may I ask ? ' 'Most of the captains are married men,' remarked Herbert, passing over the last part of Melton's last sentence. ' I alloAv that for sea-faring men the marriage state has few advantages. It is not unlikely this will be my last sea-voyage. I hope so.' ' I read in the English papers there has been a conference amongst the ship people, things are GRAAB 14 quiet there, and the talk of England's commerce having the carrying trade all over the world, and that tall talk seems to be questioned.' ' Yes ! ' said Herbert, veering round. ' I do not think I shall keep to this much longer.

Grace's father, my uncle, is well of, he married late in life, and is getting on in years ; Grace, my beautiful cousin, is the only child. I am fond of figures and drawing. My uncle has hinted that he Avould try me in his office. I see no alternative than to accept what is thrown in my Avay. I am not cleA'er, like my brother Jack and you. My uncle is an architect ; he has done well, and become prosperous ; but I fear I should never be the architect of my own fortune. As I said before, I am not brilliantly clever, and if I Avere ' ' You Avould fret half your life away, before yow could make headway, and try till you AArere forced to cry, " despair." ' ' Well, if my mentor says this, what presumption for me to expect a better or luckier fate than to be the husband of my beautiful cousin, and the successor of her father's profession ! ' The tAvo young men changed the subject of their conversation again. ' You're a little cooler noAv, Steele, old chappie ; you were waxey when you got here.' ' Bah !

Wretched lot, these black fellows ! I hate them.' Melton, have you seen the neAvspapers ? ' Have I not, my boy ! ' What on earth does it mean ? ' Is His Excellency mad ? ' Worse than that.' I think so.' ' Fancy these black Avretches ever sitting on the judgment seat to try us !' Herbert Avas thinking. ' Well, old chappie, I'm not so clever as my brother Jack, or you ; but I see mischief and trouble brewing if this abominable Bill is intro duced. What do/We Avant it for ? ' Melton Steele' Avas smoking very hard, puffing out the smoke in volumes. ' Did you go on shore to-day ? ' he said. ' Yes,' answered Herbert, ' and glad to get back again, such a noisy crowd.' Melton looked at his friend. ' What did you want in the " Black Town," old boy ? ' said the latter. ' Business,' shortly answered Steele, but not looking at his friend.

After all, Herbert felt pleased to think that his goddess, Fate, had been so good to him. He saw a poor outlook for eATeryone. He Avas amiable in temper, kind-hearted and sympathetic. Though he only saw one path for himself, he could not be indifferent to the struggles of those around him, so truly and sincerely felt deeply interested in this new political scheme that would make such a wonderful difference to his countrymen, ah ! and country-Avomen, ' and affect the fortunes and lives of many good and honest men and women, and Her Majesty's European and British subjects in India.' ' To submit them to be tried on criminal charges by the natives of the country ! ' ' Monstrous ! ' Herbert saicl. ' Listen ! ' broke in his friend. ' For some months now, ah ! for a long time, we have had splendid letters and articles in the native newspapers.

A Junius ! A Junius ! in India. Men in high places, our own men, have not been able to ignore his splendid talents. Like Junius, no one can point a finger and say, ' thou art the writer.' We do not know, however, Avhether he is a native; all Ave know is, that he is a strong GRAAB 16 leader, and is trying to bend men's ideas to his own. Oh ! it will be a struggle before long ! Native against British ! European against Hindoo ! Anarchy and confusion ! ' ' I Avish you knew my brother, Jack ! Melton ! mind I have your promise to come over and see us. He is clever ! ' ' Is he your junior ? ' ' Yes ! by a year or so.' ' He has done well in Canada ? ' ' Remarkably well ! He goes to the old country for a trip and holiday soon, and I want, in fact, I must go home then to meet him, jolly fine chap !

Clever and bright ! You tAvo would be chums at once — just your Auews. ' Fair and square is his motto. He is dead set against those Cobdenites, those one-sided free-traders. He gives lectures in all the cities in Canada, Montreal, Ottaw7a, Toronto, and other places, Avith funny Red Indian names. Jack vows he Avill open the eyes of the colonists, and let them see Avhat open ports to all the world is doing for England.' ' It is a big question, a A'ery important question, and I fear there is no one to tackle it yet,' said Melton. ' I can't,' candidly confessed Herbert. ' Jack can ; of course he despises the Cobden and Bright party ; he says that Cobden never, either by printed or spoken word, even hinted at such a thing as Eng land being able to stand alone as a free-trade nation, and Avith free ports and free imports, fight taxed exports all the world over.' ' A muddle everywhere,' said Melton ; ' and noAv look at us here.' 'What is the purpose of all this?' inquired Her bert. ' Let well alone, we have done our duty to the natives — they are satisfied.