14
THE SURAKARTA
he was taking part in a Mohammedan ceremony—in his native costume, which does not include trousers; and his harem now numbers upward of a hundred and fifty women—Malay, Hindu, European, black, white and black-and-tan."
"And you have dropped in to tell me that my ward, Miss Regan, has engaged to add herself to those?"
"Not at all; but she has engaged to marry him if he will give them up—including Alarna, his favorite and reigning wife; provided, also, he takes from Alarna and sends to Miss Regan the great emerald known as the Surakarta, as proof of it all. All of which he has done."
"I don't quite follow you now."
"I can't tell you everything from first
