82
THE SURAKARTA
after his first visit, with two police officers."
"And formally charged you with the theft?"
"Yes; but was dissuaded by the police from taking out a warrant. The inexplicable nature of the robbery, which has perplexed and confused the police as much as it has bewildered the Javanese themselves, as well as my connections and reputation that assure the police that I will not run away, made them want to await further developments. They seemed, too, to feel that the motive assigned to me by Baraka was inadequate."
"Then that motive"
"Baraka does not accuse me of making away with the stone for its intrinsic value, but in order that the negotiations for Miss Regan's marriage might be stopped. He
