Evening star., 1937-05-30
Mvssrofsd by
}. Oymss

}. Oymss
old eyes took in the young mans Pickering
smile and somewhat fabby chin.
welcome, Mr.. Mas, to this poor house of
mine," he said gravely II regret was not at
the jetty to meet you, but my old bones do not
relish these jungle tracks. hope that my serv-
ants have made you comfortable"
"Oh, I'm comfortable enough" said the
young man. Don't worry your head about
that" His eyes f1ickered towards the girl and
then away again. "Your daughter said that you
would not mind my coming" He helped him
self to cup of the green tea and rice-cake
which he proceeded to consume noisily.
Have you been long in Singapore? in
quired Arafura John.
1.-TWO years - in tea The slump damped
my style, but I'm marking time for rise. The
Dutch Consul told me about this place OF
yours"
"Are YOU a Dutchman then, Mr.. Maas?" In
his chair Arafura John had become very rigid.
my father was Dutch my mother Ger
man.
Excuse me-" he said. Il have something to
attend TO- My daughter will entertain you"
The young man looked after him in as
tonishment.
Whats biting your father?" he demanded
'He seems upset about something"
Il remember now," she said frowning, that
he doesn't like Dutchmen. Silly, isn't it," She
gave him sidelong, glimmering smile. Lets
90 for walk, Robert. want to show you the
island"
As they went down the steps from the high
portico, his arm went about her possessively.
From the top, the little Cantonese secretary,
his eyes two points of alert blackness, watched
them slowly disappear into grove of Casua-
rina trees.
1t was two mornings later, that the Can
tonese, carrying small black box slipped,
bobbing, into Arafura Johns private sanctum
to wait patiently until the old Chinaman turned
his head from contemplation of three porcelain
figures of Mi-le-fo. Putting aside the silver file
with which he had been pointing his long nails,
Arafura John regarded his servant inquiringly.
Il have brought, Exoellency. the dictograph
which was set in the Room of Mirrors. It has,
oASAOAA'
1T takes two to make conversation" OBJ
served Arafura John heavily.
The other clicked button, and two thin,
metallic voices became audible.
For as long as the revolving black cylinder
continued to give up its secrets Arafura John
did not stir. His eyes were closed in face
wiped clear of any vestige of emotion; and
only close observer could have disoerned
that the old hands were grasping the arms
of his chair with an intensity that was painful.
When the machine, with staccato click, had
ceased its whirring he opened his eyes to ind
that the secretary had vanished.
He rose and, drawing his yellow gown tightly
about him as though ne were oo'd +''~Aad"d his
Way through the aromatic sandalwood corri-
doris to the portico. Against the morning sun,
the high Pandanus trees were silhouettes OF
graceful blackness.
Approaching the central pillar, he brushed
aside the trailing Bougainvillaea and pressed
his thumb upon raised protuberance shut
ter flew open to reveal the plated handle of
switch Arafura John paused. as if celebrating,
and then, with quick, decisive movement, he
pulled down the switch into vertical position.
A h;oh uhictlino sihilance came into being