Both gentlemen spoke in Malay, and the Chinaman was thus able to understand all that was said.
“And what cause of complaint may he have?” asked the Celestial, with his imperturbable smile.
“You ask me,” replied Meidema, “what I accuse you of? I will tell you. I accuse you of offering me a bribe—to me, the head of the police!”
“I, Kandjeng toean?” asked the Chinaman, with well acted surprise. “When could I have done such a thing?”
“Not much more than an hour ago,” was the reply. “Just now, this very morning at my own house!”
“The toean Assistant Resident must be poking fun at me. It is true that I met him a little while ago; but I had not the honour of exchanging so much as a single word with him.”
“I know that well enough,” interrupted Meidema impetuously; “but did you not this morning call at my house?”
The Chinaman looked upon the interview as a farce, in which every actor had to play his part. He had often acted in such little plays himself and had performed pretty creditably on such occasions. He continued therefore; “Oh, yes, Kandjeng toean, I did pay your ladies a visit, it was to invite you and them to the wedding, just in the same way, and for the same purpose, as I called at the Residence to invite the njonja and his Excellency.”
“Indeed!” said Meidema, sarcastically, “I suppose you came to offer silk dresses to the njonja Resident? Eh?”
Lim Yang Bing winced under the blow; and his sallow face grew several shades paler. It was beginning to dawn upon him that matters were serious after all, and, in some confusion, he glanced at the Resident; but van Gulpendam, who was seated directly opposite to the Assistant Resident, could not, just then, make him any sign; yet Lim Yang Bing thought he could detect an encouraging expression in the Resident’s eye.