“You are going to meet him, as you have gone every evening, since you expect his return from Sumatra?”
“Yes, but how do you know all this?” said the Indian looking at the Smuggler with as much surprise as curiosity.
“Is he not to land at Batavia, to-day or to-morrow?”
“Are you sent by him?”
“Perhaps,” said Mahal, with a distrustful air. “But are you really the son of Kadja-sing?”
“Yes, I tell you—but where have you seen General Simon?”
“If you are the son of Kadja-sing,” resumed Mahal, continuing to regard Djalma with a suspicious eye, “what is your surname?”
“My sire was called the ‘Father of the Generous,’” answered the young Indian, as a shade of sorrow passed over his fine countenance.
These words appeared in part to convince Mahal of the identity of Djalma; but, wishing doubtless to be still more certain, he resumed: “You must have received, two days ago, a letter from General Simon, written from Sumatra?”
“Yes; but why so many questions?”