The crew escaped in
boats before we could take possession. As our boats neared the craft it
blew up with a tremendous explosion; one of the boats being too near got
swamped. Two men drowned--that is the result of your speculation, Mr.
Almayer. Now we want this Dain. We have good grounds to suppose he is
hiding in Sambir. Do you know where he is? You had better put yourself
right with the authorities as much as possible by being perfectly frank
with me. Where is this Dain?"
Almayer got up and walked towards the balustrade of the verandah. He
seemed not to be thinking of the officer's question. He looked at the
body laying straight and rigid under its white cover on which the sun,
declining amongst the clouds to the westward, threw a pale tinge of red.
The lieutenant waited for the answer, taking quick pulls at his
half-extinguished cigar. Behind them Ali moved noiselessly laying the
table, ranging solemnly the ill-assorted and shabby crockery, the tin
spoons, the forks with broken prongs, and the knives with saw-like blades
and loose handles. He had almost forgotten how to prepare the table for
white men. He felt aggrieved; Mem Nina would not help him. He stepped
back to look at his work admiringly, feeling very proud.
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