A strange smile passed over Edward van Rheijn’s lips; but he made no direct remark.
At length he said: “Baboe Dalima also seems to have mysteriously disappeared.”
Van Nerekool made an impatient gesture as one who would say: ‘What is that to me?’
“I happened lately to be at Kaligaweh,” continued van Rheijn, “and I chanced to meet old Setrosmito there. He tells me that Dalima started off some time ago for Karang Anjer.”
“For Karang Anjer!” exclaimed van Nerekool, “and what—?”
“But from that time to this her family have had no tidings from her,” continued van Rheijn.
“Have they heard nothing?” asked Charles.
“Not a single word—indeed her parents do not know whether she is alive or dead.”
Van Nerekool’s head sunk down despondingly on his breast. “One faint gleam of hope,” he murmured, “and then dark night again!”
For a while no one spoke. At length van Beneden, who wished to lead his friend’s thoughts into a different channel, broke the silence: