12/28 Almayer lay ruined and helpless under the close-meshed net of their intrigues, owing his life only to his supposed knowledge of Lingard's valuable secret. He wrote once from Singapore saying the child was well, and under the care of a Mrs.Vinck, and that he himself was going to Europe to raise money for the great enterprise. There would be no difficulties," he wrote; "people would rush in with their money." Evidently they did not, for there was only one letter more from him saying he was ill, had found no relation living, but little else besides. |