“You?” asked Charles in surprise.
“Yes,” rejoined the young merchant. “I also have been at work. I have made inquiries amongst all the commercial men in Dutch India; but from all sides I have had but one answer. ‘No young girl in any way corresponding to the description of Miss van Gulpendam has started from any of the shipping stations.’ ”
“You think therefore—?” asked van Nerekool.
“I think that Miss van Gulpendam has not left Java at all.”
“But where on earth can she be then?” cried van Rheijn.
“God only knows!” sighed van Nerekool.
“But her parents?” observed Leendert Grashuis, “we can hardly suppose that a young lady of her age could have thus disappeared without consulting her parents.”
“No,” said van Rheijn, “especially as we know that Resident van Gulpendam is not exactly the papa to play tricks with.”
“Yet,” rejoined van Nerekool, “I am of opinion that neither the Resident nor his wife have the least idea where Anna now is.”
Thereupon he told his friends all about his conversation with Mrs. Steenvlak; and when he had given them a detailed account of all that passed between him and that lady, he concluded by saying, “She only could give us the information we want if she would.”