condensed master

Will Bonner
Changing his clothes he took one further precaution. He had been taught how
to help protect his wallet carrying the one thousand rupees from being stolen, so
binding it with thin, strong cord, he passed the end through a hole in his pocket and
threaded it up under his shirt, terminating it into a loop around his neck. Giving the
wallet a pull, and feeling the tug around his neck indicating that it was working, he
proceeded ashore.
His only desire was to get to the shop as quickly as possible, to give little time
for thought. Even though he had his primitive anti theft device, his hand still
clutched his wallet, as he bumped and jostled his way through the crowds.
The shop front was the same, and the boy who had followed him back to the
ship made no sign of recognition as he approached. He had seen no one that
would fit the description of Blyth's accomplice engaged to have Will under
surveillance. Stepping into the shop he expected things to move rapidly, but he
was mistaken.
There was a customer in the shop, and Will was directed to a chair and a
pretence enacted that he was being served. Fortunately, the other customer must
have been in the shop for some time and very soon left, with the usual entourage
of salesmen seeing him to the door. Like lightning, the Goanese from yesterday's
encounter approached Will, ushering him quickly out of sight into the small office
in the corner.
The room was bigger than Will had first thought, and contained the usual office
necessities, a small desk, two chairs, with a filing cabinet pushed into one corner.
The Goanese pointed to a chair and Will sat down, there was just the two of them
in the office.
"Have you brought the money?"
"Yes, I have brought enough but will only pay what the goods are worth. You
can't ask me for a thousand rupees for something only worth five hundred."
The Goanese smiled. "I understand." Even though the immediate future was
unknown to him, Will felt more relaxed and in control of his feelings as the
connection between the two men had now taken on a trading atmosphere. The
Goanese seemed to have been calling the shots from the beginning.
Has Blyth been given the wrong information? Will wondered. This man was
probably the agent, not the Hindu. It's not my concern, Will countered. Just keep
your mind on what you are doing! The Goanese stood up and went across to the
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