He waited for an answer a short time, then added--

"All that I have said is true, and there is nothing more."

Nina, held back by her mother, heard a soft voice reply with a calm
evenness of intonation peculiar to the better class Malays--

"Who would doubt a white Tuan's words? A man seeks his friends where his
heart tells him. Is this not true also? I have come, although so late,
for I have something to say which you may be glad to hear. To-morrow I
will go to the Sultan; a trader wants the friendship of great men. Then
I shall return here to speak serious words, if Tuan permits. I shall not
go to the Arabs; their lies are very great! What are they? Chelakka!"

Almayer's voice sounded a little more pleasantly in reply.

"Well, as you like. I can hear you to-morrow at any time if you have
anything to say. Bah! After you have seen the Sultan Lakamba you will
not want to return here, Inchi Dain. You will see. Only mind, I will
have nothing to do with Lakamba. You may tell him so. What is your
business with me, after all?"

"To-morrow we talk, Tuan, now I know you," answered the Malay. "I speak
English a little, so we can talk and nobody will understand, and then--"

He interrupted himself suddenly, asking surprised, "What's that noise,
Tuan?"

Almayer had also heard the increasing noise of the scuffle recommenced on