THE DRUMS BEAT AT SUNSET Japp was drunk for the next day or two, and I had the business of the store to myself.

I was glad of this, for it gave me leisure to reflect upon the various perplexities of my situation.

As I have said, I was really scared, more out of a sense of impotence than from dread of actual danger.

I was in a fog of uncertainty.

Things were happening around me which I could only dimly guess at, and I had no power to take one step in defence.