of Lingard's; a common man--perhaps difficult to deal with, but still
no match for him. Instead, he saw himself confronted by an individual
whose reputation for sagacity in business was well known to him. How did
he get here, and why? Abdulla, recovering from his surprise, advanced in
a dignified manner towards the fire, keeping his eyes fixed steadily on
Willems. When within two paces from Willems he stopped and lifted his
right hand in grave salutation. Willems nodded slightly and spoke after
a while.

"We know each other, Tuan Abdulla," he said, with an assumption of easy
indifference.

"We have traded together," answered Abdulla, solemnly, "but it was far
from here."

"And we may trade here also," said Willems.

"The place does not matter. It is the open mind and the true heart that
are required in business."

"Very true. My heart is as open as my mind. I will tell you why I am
here."

"What need is there? In leaving home one learns life. You travel.
Travelling is victory! You shall return with much wisdom."

"I shall never return," interrupted Willems. "I have done with my
people. I am a man without brothers. Injustice destroys fidelity."

Abdulla expressed his surprise by elevating his eyebrows. At the same
time he made a vague gesture with his arm that could be taken as an
equivalent of an approving and conciliating "just so!"

Till then the Arab had not taken any notice of Aissa, who stood by the
fire, but now she spoke in the interval of silence following Willems'
declaration. In a voice that was much deadened by her wrappings she
addressed Abdulla in a few words of greeting, calling him a kinsman.
Abdulla glanced at her swiftly for a second, and then, with perfect
good breeding, fixed his eyes on the ground. She put out towards him her
hand, covered with a corner of her face-veil, and he took it, pressed it
twice, and dropping it turned towards Willems. She looked at the two
men searchingly, then backed away and seemed to melt suddenly into the
night.

"I know what you came for, Tuan Abdulla," said Willems; "I have been
told by that man there." He nodded towards Babalatchi, then went on
slowly, "It will be a difficult thing."

"Allah makes everything easy," interjected Babalatchi, piously, from a
distance.

The two men turned quickly and stood looking at him thoughtfully, as
if in deep consideration of the truth of that proposition. Under their
sustained gaze Babalatchi experienced an unwonte