How
I should have brought the conversation back to our Singapore days
I know not, but a suitable opening was presently offered by
Adderley himself.
"Do you ever see any of the old gang?" he inquired.
"I was in Singapore about six months ago," I replied, "and I met
some of them again."
"What! Had they drifted back to the East after all?"
"Two or three of them were taking what Dr. Matheson described as
a Busman's Holiday."
At mention of Dr. Matheson's name Adderley visibly started.
"So you know Matheson," he murmured. "I didn't know you had ever
met him."
Plainly to hide his confusion he stood up, and crossing the room
drew my attention to a rather fine silver bowl of early Persian
ware. He was displaying its peculiar virtues and showing a
certain acquaintance with his subject when he was interrupted. A
door opened suddenly and a girl came in. Adderley put down the
bowl and turned rapidly as I rose from my seat.
It was the lady of Katong!
I recognized her at once, although she wore a very up-to-date
gown. While it did not suit her dark good looks so well as the
native dress which she had worn at Singapore, yet it could not
conceal the fact that in a barbaric way she was a very beautiful
woman.
Pages:
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330