ain't fair, Barry. There's nothing to keep me here
now the dust's aboard. Besides, Vandersee was here, half an hour ago,
and mentioned the same thing. Said it as if he knew what he was talking
about, too. Told me to tell you he was in reach of us all the time, and
that we might safely leave the station."

"Vandersee here?" cried Barry. "I'd give something rich to know exactly
what piece he plays in this band!"

"Same here, Barry. But never mind him. I feel safe about him. I'll come,
hey? How about it?"

Barry considered awhile, his forehead deeply wrinkled and his eyes
aglitter. Soon he brightened, and, "Just as you say," he replied. "Get
those six men. If you can't find them yourself, ask the gateman for
them. Get 'em to the ship as soon as you can. I've got a little business
to attend to yet."

He left Little in ecstasies and tramped down the path and around the
stockade. Scarcely directing his steps, he walked towards the Mission,
knowing no reason except impulse. And he travelled swiftly, coming to
the cane-brake dividing the post from the Mission before he was well
aware of his progress. Here he was brought to an abrupt halt by nearby
voices, and he could not possibly avoid hearing some of the
conversation.

The voices were those of Mrs. Goring and Leyden, and anger was the
keynote of the discussion.

"I tell you, Juliana, I won't stand this hounding!" Leyden was saying.
"Remember you are not in Batavia now; and if you drive me to extremes,
this jungle can hide a secret."

"I fear neither the jungle nor you any more," Mrs. Goring returned, and
Barry shivered at the intensity of her voice. "As for hounding you, I
warned you. I came here to prevent this, your latest piece of rascality,
and I'll do it. You might as well go back to Java."

"I suppose so," retorted Leyden sneeringly. "You've no doubt spread your
lies to good effect already, eh! Do you expect to be believed against my
word? You are foolish. I stand too high here for you to harm me."

"Stand high, fall deep," laughed the woman. "No, I have spread neither
lies nor truth about you--yet. I can do that--"

"Not yet, eh? Then, by the Lord Harry, you shall not!" cried Leyden, and
there was a crackling of underbrush as he made a forward movement.
Barry peered through the thicket, ready to leap to the aid of Mrs.
Goring; but he saw his help was not needed and drew back.

"Stop!"

The word was sharp as a pistol shot, and Leyden was brought to a halt