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CHAPTER FIVE
"Never saw that ox and cart, this morning," Spikey said, as they approached the dredge site.
"Went out of my bloody mind. It and the other fellow, could be a problem. We'll check around here and...." Matt didn't finish, for the sight of a bicycle leaning against the office wall, was unnerving. "We have company.”
Spikey nodded his head, and took the safety off the revolver. Then a youth appeared from the other side, and stood there, watching them approach.
It was Matt who recognised him. "That's thingo, um, Alfred. Told him we'd let him know if we wanted a hand. Watch it.”
They stopped, and got out. Matt walked over, but Spikey stayed with the truck, casting an eye around. "What can we do for you, Alfred. We'd let you know if we needed a hand." Matt noticed a squashed cigarette stub, nearby. "you didn't come all the way up here, just for a smoke.”
The lad instinctively looked at the spot, then at Matt. "Came up to tell you there's a stranger in our village. He came before daylight, so I heard. He's in the back of the rice store.”
"What's that got to do with us?", asked Matt, looking around.
The boy shuffled self consciously on his feet. "Thought it might have something to do with the attack on your friend, yesterday. He has a bullet wound.”
Matt's mind was thinking. He unlocked the door, and went in. The youth followed. "It was a girl that did it, so our mate says. She got away in the dark. Don't know about a bloke, but thanks. Sit down." Walking to the door, he signalled Spikey, and waited at the end of the veranda.
A few words brought Spikey up to date. "Problem is," said Matt in a low voice, "do we go down and front this guy?”
The decision made, they offered Alfred a lift back. "This person might know about the girl," Matt said, looking at the young fellow. The boy didn't reply or didn't understand. "She came in an ox cart. Haven't seen one on your way up?”
"Ah, yes, mister. Belongs Tungto, in our village. Recognise the cart. He brings vegetables to you, but haven't seen him, oh two days. Girl must have taken it.”
"Like I said, she came in a cart with stuff. She got away." Matt honked at a large rodent, which disappeared into the forest verge. They reached the river, and decided to leave the truck, and cross without it. "Here," said Matt and offered him the rest of his cigarettes. "Don't smoke them all at once." The boy smiled, and put them out of sight. "Suggest you keep out of sight, until we come back."
The youth, slid off the seat, and into the bush. Matt pulled the punt over, and the two men went back with it. They walked straight to the rice store, Spikey carrying the rifle over his shoulder. The normally inhabited village, was quiet, people having hid themselves in their houses. Matt kicked the door open. The room was empty. Some blood soaked bandages and an empty bottle of beer, lay on the floor.
"Either heard us, and shot through, or is waiting somewhere. Not a devout Moslem," as he kicked the bottle across the floor. They went to the headman's hut, and found him standing outside.
"He gone. One hour. To Padang.”
"And his wound?" asked Matt.
"Some blood, but not bad. Bullet went straight through flesh. You shoot him?", the old man asked.
"No. Some one broke into the mine. Thought he might be here. If he or any one else comes back, let us know. There's some money in it." The old man beamed, and nodded.
They walked back to the river. "Let's hope, never. We'll report it tomorrow," said Matt.
"Should be interesting," replied Spikey, "that bastard of a police chief, won't believe a word.”
"Why should he? It's all garbage. He knows it, but can do little about it. Have to ring Johnston, when we get to town. Oceanic is going to have fits. Old man Darius probably doesn't know his empire has a tin mine in Sumatra. Should get our story pat for the law."