Page:Max Havelaar; or, the Coffee Auctions of the Dutch Trading Company (IA dli.granth.77827).pdf/396



deep secrecy does not hide my investigations, and prevent the criminal from concealing himself?

“At the least suspicion the Regent would send an express to his nephew, who is coming here, and whose interest it is to maintain him, at any sacrifice, and to distribute money with a profuse hand to every one whom he had recently swindled, the consequence would be (I need not say be) that  have passed a rash judgment, and am an unserviceable functionary, not to say worse.

“To prevent that result I write this letter. I have the highest esteem for you; but I know the spirit of East Indian functionaries, and I do possess that spirit.

“Your hint that it would have been better to have treated the affair privately at first, makes me apprehensive of such a course. What I said in my missive of yesterday is but perhaps it would  untrue if the affair was treated in such a manner as would reveal my accusation and suspicion  the removal of the Regent. I may not conceal from you that even your unexpected arrival in connexion with the express sent by me yesterday to Serang, gives me reason to fear that the accused, who would not listen to my exhortations, will now awake too soon, and endeavour, if possible, tant soit peu to exculpate himself.

“I have the honour to say that I still refer literally to my missive of yesterday; but I take the liberty to