“Now no false modesty,” said Grashuis; “we have come here on purpose to gain what information we can about the horrors of opium, and so each one of us must tell his experience. What was it you saw, Theodoor?”
“Don’t ask me,” cried Theodoor Grenits. “It is really too abominable; such things must not be uttered—And the victim—was a little Javanese girl—she struggled frightfully.”
“Aye,” said van Rheijn, “I thought I heard screaming.”
“And can we do nothing? Come, Verstork, you as Controller—”
But Verstork restrained his companions who were preparing once again to rush into the den.
“I shall take good care,” said he, “not to meddle in any opium matters. They, at Batavia, would very soon find me wholly unfit to hold any government appointment and, however revolting a deed may be, I should find no support in van Gulpendam my superior officer at Santjoemeh. My whole career would be ruined—No, my friends, I must let things take their course.”
“But,” cried Grenits, “I am not bound by any such considerations—I will—”
“You will keep quiet I hope,” said Verstork to his friend who was trying to make his way once again into the opium den. “Remember that I am in your company, and that even if you went in there quite alone you would still compromise me by your rash and foolish action. I beg you therefore—Here! you see the child is coming out.”
As Verstork spoke a little Javanese girl hardly ten years of age came rushing out of the loathsome den, she sobbed and moaned as she ran past the European gentlemen.
“Oh this is fearful—this is fearful,” cried Grenits, “and then to have to stand still while such horrors are going on! I should like to—But—” continued he as he turned to van Beneden, “will you still maintain that opium is in its effects to be compared to drink.”