These two worthies stood trembling with apprehension.
“Did you fellows hear that?” shouted Lim Ho in a towering passion. “Did you hear that? I am waiting for you—what is your answer?”
“I do not know what has become of the girl,” stammered Than Khan.
“She has, very likely, been devoured by a crocodile, for all I know,” added Liem King.
“Did she get to land? Yes or no?” roared Lim Ho, while in his impatience he stamped about the little hut, shaking it to its foundations.
“She did,” replied Ardjan. “Those two scoundrels first tied me up, and then they bound Dalima’s arms and legs. They brought me in here, and after that they went out in quest of Dalima. But all I know is they came back without her.”
Lim Ho’s piercing eyes were watching the two Chinamen as Ardjan was speaking.
“I have no doubt,” Liem King again ventured to say, “that some crocodile has carried her off.”
“Or maybe,” said Than Khan, “a tiger has got hold of her.”
Lim Ho applied a small whistle to his lips. He blew a shrill piercing note, and at the summons one of the Javanese crew at once presented himself at the door of the hut.