“Is that true?” asked Verstork.
The Chinaman did not answer at once, vile and utterly depraved though he was, yet even he hesitated. He could not quite make up his mind utterly to destroy the poor girl whom he had so deeply injured. But Singomengolo gave him a significant look and made him a sign which was almost imperceptible.
“Yes,” said Lim Ho at length, “that is perfectly true.”
“Is that true?” said Verstork turning to Mokesuep.
“Yes—it is true,” replied the latter with the utmost effrontery.
“Did you actually see the bandoelan find this box in the girl’s possession?”
“Yes,” replied the wretch.
At this word Dalima fell into a dead swoon. The other men present at the scene could not repress gestures of contempt and loathing, for all were firmly convinced of the poor girl’s innocence and of the perjured scoundrel’s infamy.
“You damned wretch!” shouted Theodoor Grenits beside himself with fury and utterly unable any longer to restrain himself.
A contemptuous smile, accompanied with a still more contemptuous gesture, was Mokesuep’s only reply.