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154
THE SURAKARTA

may not even await the time he himself appointed."

"The Soesoehoenan may be killing Baraka's children—that interesting and attractive gentleman, as you described him to me yesterday?" Hereford asked caustically. "And the Soesoehoenan would not regard this as a possible objection on your part to marrying him?"

"You misunderstand me," she said with sudden coldness.

"I beg pardon then."

"I did not say the Soesoehoenan would be killing Baraka's children. I said merely that word might come to Baraka that it was being done—the effect of which would be the same for you."

"For Baraka, if now I understand you rightly, being on close terms with the Soesoe-