Herewith he took up the bundle of papers which he had replaced among other documents on the ledge over his writing-table. For some time he fingered the pages, turning them over impatiently, at length he exclaimed: “Oh, here we are! No. 228. Now let us see, clause 23—‘All offences committed against the regulations herein laid down to which no special penalties are attached, are punishable by a fine of one thousand to ten thousand guilders for every hundred katies of opium or under, and of one hundred guilders for every additional katie?’ By Jove! the fellow is right after all!—that’s where the coast lies, is it? We shall have to get out another anchor. It is not at all a bad idea, but—”
“The inspector requests the honour of an interview with you Kandjeng toean!” cried one of the oppassers, as he flung open the door to announce Mr. Meidema.
“Show him in,” was the reply.
“Resident,” began the inspector as he entered, “I just now met your secretary, and he told me that you wished to see me.”
“Quite right, Mr. Meidema, pray be seated. I have just seen your report on that smuggling business at Moeara Tjatjing; but I am surprised to find that your statement does not at all agree with the actual facts of the case.”
“How is that, Resident?”
“No, Mr. Meidema, no it does not. Will you please try to recall our conversation on the very evening of the discovery?” continued the Resident with his eye steadily fixed upon his subordinate.
“I remember that conversation perfectly, Resident.”
“Well,” resumed van Gulpendam, “if my memory serves me, I then pointed out to you—and I did so by means of witnesses—that the opium was found in the possession of the Javanese called Ardjan. At the time you seemed to agree with me.”
“Certainly, Resident, I did not just then venture to contradict the opinion you had formed, and which you so positively stated as your conviction. It was, however, my duty to investigate the matter—”