Not even the hero of the island could prevail against the terrible indictment of the court-martial.

Finally, at Singapore, three days distant, Colonel Costobell and his wife were staying.

Lord Ventnor, alone of those on board, knew this.

Indeed, he accompanied Sir Arthur Deane largely in order to break off a somewhat trying entanglement.

He smiled complacently as he thought of the effect on Iris of Mrs.Costobell's indignant remonstrances when the baronet asked that injured lady to tell the girl all that had happened at Hong Kong.
In a word, Lord Ventnor was most profoundly annoyed, and he cursed Anstruther from the depths of his heart.