“Mr. Zuidhoorn,” quietly resumed Laurentia, “is, as you may have heard perhaps, on the point of starting for Holland to recruit his health—I am right, am I not?”
“Very good,” she continued as Charles made a gesture of assent, “there is a case coming before the Court which I am particularly anxious to see satisfactorily settled.”
“But, madam,” interposed the lawyer, “I am a member of the judicial council and have nothing whatever to do with the lower court.”
“At my recommendation,” replied Laurentia, “you will, being one of the junior judges, be appointed President of the lower court pending the arrival of Mr. Zuidhoorn’s substitute. That will be a step for you, will it not?”
“Certainly it will,” said van Nerekool, “I pray you go on.”
“And—who knows?—But to come to the point. There is a Javanese at present in custody whose name is Ardjan, the fellow has been smuggling opium.”
Van Nerekool’s heart began to throb almost audibly. Of course the mother of his dearest Anna could but wish to help this poor Ardjan out of his trouble, and was about to call upon him to lend her his assistance. He therefore thought that he quite spoke her mind when he interrupted her by saying:
“Who is accused of smuggling opium, you mean, dear madam.”
“That comes to the same thing,” replied Mrs. van Gulpendam somewhat tartly.
The young lawyer looked up in surprise, he could make nothing of it.