2/22 Abdulla, in his surprise, hesitated on the threshold. He had prepared himself to see some seaman--some old officer of Lingard's; a common man--perhaps difficult to deal with, but still no match for him. Instead, he saw himself confronted by an individual whose reputation for sagacity in business was well known to him. How did he get here, and why? When within two paces from Willems he stopped and lifted his right hand in grave salutation. |