“ ‘Messrs. Gladbach and Co., will sell by public auction on Monday the 24th inst., the whole of the Furniture and Effects belonging to William Verstork, Esq., Controller at Banjoe Pahit. The principal items include: seats, rocking and easy chairs, tables, marble-topped consoles, mirrors, paintings, lamps of all descriptions, terra-cotta statuettes, awnings, screens, bedsteads and bedroom furniture complete—wash-stands, wardrobes, linen-presses, cupboards, kitchen and stable furniture—all in excellent preservation and as good as new. Further a splendid collection of plants such as roses, crotons, ferns, &c., in pots and ornamental tubs. One Bengal cow with calf in full milk, a considerable quantity of poultry; turkeys, geese, ducks, fowls and pigeons. Several carriages all nearly new—a well-trained saddle horse, a pair of iron-grey carriage horses, a pair ditto, black Battakkers. Messrs. Gladbach & Co. are prepared to supply full particulars, catalogues and conditions of sale. Nota Bene. On Monday next from 7.30 to 8.30 carriages will start from the green at Santjoemeh to convey intending purchasers to and from Banjoe Pahit free of cost.’ ”
As Grenits concluded, his hearers looked at one another in some surprise.
“Come, that’s not a bad idea,” said one, “that free conveyance is a capital dodge.”
“Verstork going to leave!” cried another. “Where is he off to—it seems he is going to sell even his saddle-horse.”
“He is going to Atjeh,” replied Grenits. “He won’t want a horse there.”
“To Atjeh! why that is impossible” cried another, “the army is in charge there, there can be no vacancy in that place for a civilian like Verstork!”
“I know nothing at all about it—I can only tell you what William has told me. But, in order that no mistake may arise, allow me to tell you gentlemen that my friend Verstork knows nothing whatever about the free conveyances to Banjoe Pahit, that is entirely my doing, about which I have not consulted him. I alone am responsible for that addition to the advertisement.”
“I see,” laughed one of the company, “you do not want the thing to hang fire.”
“Very likely not,” said Grenits coolly.
“But,” asked another, “why is Verstork to be removed, and to Atjeh, of all places in the world?”