212 THE WOODLANDS ORCHIDS 



This was rather shockhig. ' Oh, I don't ask that. He 

 must be tried.' 



' What your matter, sir ? ' the chief snapped out. ' I 

 try him, and I say die ! Ahtan is Kunsi man. He play 

 trick before — I let him go. We catch him on river with 

 gold. He die this time.' 



Doubtless he did — not for attempted murder, but for 

 breaking his oath to the Kunsi. Smidt ought to have 

 denounced this monstrous illegality to the Rajah. But his 

 firm did a great business with Chinamen, and their secret 

 societies have a very long arm. I imagine that he held his 

 tongue. 



