“Now,” resumed Laurentia in a subdued voice, “now we can go on with our conversation:
“You seem to be very lukewarm about that monopoly business, babah. I fear you will have a competitor at the auction.”
“Who is he?” asked Lim Yang Bing somewhat eagerly.
“I have heard the name of Kwee Sioen Liem mentioned, the Solo man; you know!”
“Indeed,” muttered the Chinaman evidently much put out.
“Yes, they say he is a rich man, he may do you some damage perhaps, babah,” continued Mrs. van Gulpendam fixing her glittering eyes upon her companion.
To this Lim Yang Bing made no reply, but he kept on with measured step walking by the side of the Resident’s wife.
“That bit of information does not seem to affect you very much?” continued Laurentia with a slight sneer.
“Is that why the Resident wants to see me?” asked the Chinaman.
“Yes, I think so, partly at least for that; and I believe he has some other business to transact with you. The Government, you know, expects the bids to go much higher this year.”