“In the morning?” said another of the company in no agreeable surprise.
“Yes, of course,” said Verstork. “Supposing for a moment that in order to keep you company, I had not held that inquiry this evening; but had ridden back with you to Banjoe Pahit as we proposed to do, why—then I must have gone through it all to-morrow morning and then we must have said good-bye to our hunting party.”
“To-morrow morning!” echoed Edward van Rheijn. “Would not Monday morning have done just as well?”
The Controller gave the young man a look which evidently was full of displeasure. He had indeed a sharp answer on the tip of his tongue; but he refrained from uttering it, and very quietly replied:
“No, no, Monday would have been too late in a matter of this kind. Remember, we have to do with a case of man-slaughter which is moreover complicated by an opium scandal, and as matters stand even now we shall find this a sufficiently perplexing business.”
“And are you quite ready now?” asked van Rheijn.
“Yes,” replied the other.
“So that to-morrow morning there will be nothing to detain you?”
“All right, all right!” said Verstork somewhat impatiently.
“And you will be able to take the lead in our expedition, I hope.”