“Yes, Resident, I accuse the opium farmer of a gross attempt at bribery.”
Such were the words with which Mr. Meidema concluded his detailed account to Mr. van Gulpendam of what had taken place at his house that morning.
“Avast! Mr. Meidema, steady a bit! You are going ahead much too fast. Can you be quite sure that the five thousand guilders were concealed in that parcel of silk samples for the purpose of bribery?”
“I have already told you, Resident, that what he came for was to induce my wife to exert her influence over me in favour of Lim Ho. Yes, most decidedly. I know that the money was intended for a bribe.”
“But, Mr. Meidema,” observed the Resident, “would it not be much more charitable to suppose that Lim Yang Bing, who is, by nature, a kind and generous man, really felt some concern at your financial difficulties?”
“My financial difficulties!” exclaimed Meidema, fairly white with rage. “I should like to find out who spreads those absurd rumours. I am not rich, I admit; but if every man’s affairs were in as good order as mine! Then—”
“Let us not get out of our course, my dear sir,” remarked van Gulpendam, interrupting him at the right moment.
“Very good, Resident, I do not wish to do so; but who gives that confounded Chinaman any right to trouble himself about my private affairs. What right has he to offer my wife and daughters presents of five thousand guilders?”
“But, can you be sure it was meant for a gift?”
“What else could the money have been meant for?” asked Meidema.