“Twelve hundred and forty thousand!” said another.

“Twelve hundred and fifty!” was heard in a corner.

“Twelve hundred and sixty!”

There was a pause of a few seconds.

“Twelve hundred and sixty is offered,” quietly repeated van Gulpendam.

“Thirteen hundred thousand!” exclaimed Kwee Siong Liem who stood at one side of the table.

Lim Yang Bing had not yet spoken a word; but now he looked up, gave one inquiring look at his rival and cried:

“Fourteen hundred thousand!”

“Fifteen!”

The real battle had begun.