He glanced quizzically at his associate.
"By the way, mynheer," he observed, "you ought to know something about that. I understand you get a per cent on it."
"I?" Muller exclaimed, and looked affrightedly about him. "I, kapitein?"
"Oh, yes you do," Van Slyck asserted airily. "You've got money invested with Ah Sing in two proas that are handling that end of the business. And it's the big end just now. The merchandise pickings are small, and that is all I share in."
He looked at Muller meaningly. There was menace in his eyes and menace in his voice as he announced:
"I'm only mentioning this, mynheer, so that if the new resident should happen to be one of us, with a claim to the booty, his share comes out of your pot, not mine. Remember that!"
For once cupidity overcame Muller's fear of the sharp-witted cynical soldier.
"Wat de drommel," he roared, "do you expect me to pay all, kapitein, all? Not in a thousand years! If there must be a division you shall give up your per cent as well as I, stuiver for stuiver, gulden for gulden!"
A hectic spot glowed in each of Van Slyck's cheeks, and his eyes glittered. Muller's anger rose.
"Ah Sing shall decide between us," he cried heatedly. "You cannot rob me in that way, kapitein."