“Close to the hut, you say,” cried Anna. “They found it at the same time that they discovered Ardjan?”
“Yes, Na,” faltered Dalima, scarcely audibly.
For a moment the fair girl stood as if lost in thought. “I hope it will not compromise poor Ardjan,” said she, musingly, and then, having collected her thoughts, she again turned to Dalima, and said:
“Were you quite alone with Ardjan when you left the ship in the djoekoeng?”
“Quite alone, Nana.”
“You are sure, there was nothing in the djoekoeng when you got into her? Now think well.”
“Quite sure, Nana, nothing whatever,” replied Dalima. “How could there be? We slid along a bit of rope into the boat, while the storm was howling all round us, and glad enough we were to get out of the ship and away from her as soon as possible.”
Nonna Anna reflected for a few moments. Then she started as if a sudden thought had struck her, ran into her own room, which adjoined the pandoppo, and soon returned carrying with her a writing case. She put it down before one of the lamps which were burning there, and hurriedly scribbled a little note. When she had sealed it, she handed it to the maid, and said:
“Now, Dalima, listen to me. Do you really love Ardjan, and are you anxious to save him?”
“Oh, Nana,” cried the poor girl, ready again to burst into tears; “how can you ask that?”