"Dash it all, lad," vociferated the elder Anstruther, "what ails thee? I never heard you talk like this before!"
The old gentleman's amazement was so comical that further tension was out of the question.
Robert, in calmer mood, informed them of the manner in which he hit upon the mine. The story sounded like wildest romance--this finding of a volcanic dyke guarded by the bones of "J.S." and the poison-filled quarry--but the production of the ore samples changed wonder into certainty.
Next day a government metallurgist estimated the value of the contents of the two oil-tins at about £500, yet the specimens brought from the island were not by any means the richest available.
And now there is not much more to tell of Rainbow Island and its castaways. On the day that Captain Robert Anstruther's name appeared in the _Gazette_, reinstating him to his rank and regiment, Iris and he were married in the English Church at Hong Kong, for it was his wife's wish that the place which witnessed his ignominy should also witness his triumph.
A good-natured admiral decided that the urgent requirements of the British Navy should bring H.M.S. _Orient_ to the island before the date fixed for the ceremony. Lieutenant Playdon officiated as best man, whilst the _Orient_ was left so scandalously short-handed for many hours that a hostile vessel, at least twice her size, might have ventured to attack her.
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.