“A dreadful outrage has been committed on that girl,” continued Verstork.
“An outrage?” asked Mokesuep as if much astonished. “I know nothing at all about it.”
“Nothing whatever has taken place here,” remarked Singomengolo speaking in Malay; for though he would not use it yet he understood the Dutch language perfectly. “Nothing at all has taken place here,” he repeated, “except the discovery of smuggled opium. Is that true or not, babah?” The Chinaman who had risen from his seat when the European gentlemen entered the hut, exchanged looks with Mokesuep, but answered at once, “Nothing else, Kandjeng toean.”
“I am not talking to you,” said Verstork to the Chinaman, and then turning to Mokesuep he continued.
“That girl, the baboe of the Resident at Santjoemeh, accuses both these men of having perpetrated a terrible crime.”
Mokesuep, who did not know Dalima, stood confounded when he learned who she was. The baboe of the Resident! What if that high and mighty one were to take up the cause of his servant? Indeed he did not know what to say or what to do.
“Did you hear my words?” asked the Controller very sternly and very impatiently.
The wretch caught a significant glance of Lim Ho who stood there audaciously puffing at his cigar.
“I have seen nothing whatever of it, Controller,” he replied.
“But I,” interrupted Singomengolo in a taunting tone of voice, “I accuse that baboe of having smuggled opium—I found it in her possession—the babah and the Dutch gentleman can bear witness to that.”