第70章

"This house at Calcutta owes considerable sums both to me and our colleague at Pondicherry, and it is said that M.Tripeaud has involved himself to a dangerous extent in attempting to ruin, by opposition, a very flourishing establishment, founded some time ago by M.Francois Hardy, an eminent manufacturer.I am assured that M.Tripeaud has already sunk and lost a large capital in this enterprise: he has no doubt done a great deal of harm to M.Francois Hardy; but he has also, they say, seriously compromised his own fortune--and, were he to fail, the effects of his disaster would be very fatal to us, seeing that he owes a large sum of money to me and to us.

"In this state of things it would be very desirable if, by the employment of the powerful means of every kind at our disposal, we could completely discredit and break down the house of M.Francois Hardy, already shaken by M.Tripeaud's violent opposition.In that case, the latter would soon regain all he has lost; the ruin of his rival would insure his prosperity, and our demands would be securely covered.

"Doubtless, it is painful, it is sad, to be obliged to have recourse to these extreme measures, only to get back our own; but, in these days, are we not surely justified in sometimes using the arms that are incessantly turned against us? If we are reduced to such steps by the injustice and wickedness of men, we may console ourselves with the reflection that we only seek to preserve our worldly possessions, in order to devote them to the greater glory of God; whilst, in the hands of our enemies, those very goods are the dangerous instruments of perdition and scandal.

"After all it is merely a humble proposition that I submit to you.Were it in my power to take an active part in the matter, I should do nothing of myself.My will is not my own.It belongs, with all I possess, to those whom I have sworn absolute obedience."

Here a slight noise interrupted M.Joshua, and drew his attention from his work.He rose abruptly, and went straight to the window.Three gentle taps were given on the outside of one of the slats of the blind.

"Is it you, Mahal?" asked M.Joshua, in a low voice.

"It is I," was answered from without, also in a low tone.

"And the Malay?"

"He has succeeded."

"Really!" cried M.Joshua, with an expression of great satisfaction;

"are you sure of it?"

"Quite sure: there is no devil more clever and intrepid."

"And Djalma?"

"The parts of the letter, which I quoted, convinced him that I came from General Simon, and that he would find him at the ruins of Tchandi."

"Therefore, at this moment--"

"Djalma goes to the ruins, where he will encounter the black, the half-

blood, and the Indian.It is there they have appointed to meet the Malay, who tattooed the prince during his sleep."

"Have you been to examine the subterraneous passage?"

"I went there yesterday.One of the stones of the pedestal of the statue turns upon itself; the stairs are large; it will do."

"And the three chiefs have no suspicion?"

"None--I saw them in the morning--and this evening the Malay came to tell me all, before he went to join them at the ruins of Tchandi--for he had remained hidden amongst the bushes, not daring to go there in the daytime."

"Mahal--if you have told the truth, and if all succeed--your pardon and ample reward are assured to you.Your berth has been taken on board the `Ruyter;' you will sail to-morrow; you will thus be safe from the malice of the Stranglers, who would follow you hither to revenge the death of their chiefs, Providence having chosen you to deliver those three great criminals to justice.Heaven will bless you!--Go and wait for me at the door of the governor's house; I will introduce you.The matter is so important that I do not hesitate to disturb him thus late in the night.

Go quickly!--I will follow on my side."

The steps of Mahal were distinctly audible, as he withdrew precipitately, and then silence reigned once more in the house.Joshua returned to his desk, and hastily added these words to the despatch, which he had before commenced:

"Whatever may now happen, it will be impossible for Djalma to leave Batavia at present.You may rest quite satisfied; he will not be at Paris by the 13th of next February.As I foresaw, I shall have to be up all night.--I am just going to the governor's.To-morrow I will add a few lines to this long statement, which the steamship 'Ruyter' will convey to Europe."

Having locked up his papers, Joshua rang the bell loudly, and, to the great astonishment of his servants, not accustomed to see him leave home in the middle of the night, went in all haste to the residence of the governor of the island.

We now conduct the reader to the ruins of Tchandi.

[5] This report is extracted from Count Edward de Warren's excellent work, "British India in 1831."--E.S.