“I don’t care,” said van Rheijn, “I am heartily glad we have got rid of the fellow, for the time, at all events. I say, Verstork, how in the world did you manage to get hold of such a sneak as that?”
“Oh,” replied Verstork, “I often find the fellow useful. He is thoroughly up, you see, in all excise quibbles; and I think it best to keep in with him. You can all understand that—can you not?”
“Well,” said van Rheijn, “I wish he would be off altogether and go right on to Santjoemeh.”
“No,” said Verstork, “I don’t think he will do that.”
“Wedono, will you see to it that Mr. Mokesuep is called early to-morrow morning?”
“Yes, kandjeng toean,” replied the native.
“And now, gentlemen,” said Verstork, “I must leave you for half an hour or so to the care of the Loerah, he will make you as comfortable as he can—won’t you, Loerah?”
“Yes, kandjeng toean,” was the invariable reply.
A few minutes later the sportsmen had taken possession of the passangrahan, while the Controller sat in the small verandah of the tjarik’s house busily writing his letters.