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incomplete, to say the least. What I’m trying to say, Sirena, is that the Lady was sunk off the coast of Spain. No one is certain if the hands were captured by a marauding ship or lost at sea. There was a violent storm and that’s all I know. I myself just arrived back from ports near Cathay and the Far East. One of the men returned to port only this noon hour and gave me the message. I’m sorry, Sirena. If there’s anything I can do, feel free to ask.”
    Peter Dykstra’s brow was beaded with perspiration. It was unbelievable, she registered no emotion at all. He glanced at Frau Holtz and then back at Sirena.
    â€œYou must feel terrible about this, Peter. I know Regan was your friend.” She reached out and patted his hand in consolation. Her touch was ice cold, sending chills racing up his spine.
    â€œCertainly I feel terrible, Sirena, but I must say you’re taking it rather well. He was my friend, but he was your husband!”
    â€œYou have just learned that Regan is lost to you today. He’s been lost to me for months. Ever since he sailed away from Java, leaving me behind. My grief is an old one, yours is fresh. Forgive me if I didn’t react the way you anticipated, Peter. But I can’t. I feel as though I died a year ago and no one has had the decency to bury me. Thank you for coming here to tell me. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I want to be alone.”
    Dykstra rose from the bench. She was right. Her sorrow was an old one. She was dead inside. He heard it in her voice and saw it in her eyes. Regan may be dead but he hadn’t left behind a widow. His wife was dead long before he was. He placed a tender hand on Sirena’s shoulder. “Remember, if there’s anything I can do—” He realized she wasn’t listening.
    Frau Holtz watched Captain Dykstra as he rode toward the road leading back to Batavia. She stood closer to Sirena. The elderly woman was also puzzled by the Mevrouw’s lack of emotion.
    Suddenly Sirena laughed. “It’s a trick! Can’t you see through it? This is Regan’s way of getting me to come to Spain. He must need my signature on some documents or something of the sort. He has no interest in me, only in my money. I never thought he would do anything so drastic! Imagine. Regan, one of the best seamen in the feet, allowing his ship to be sunk. Never. The Spanish Lady could ride out any storm no matter how violent.”
    â€œMevrouw, I know Captain Dykstra told you on the day Regan left that the ship was not fit to sail. And I, myself, heard them arguing two days before the Mynheer left. Captain Dykstra was telling the Mynheer that the six months that he had been filling himself with rum the vessel was unattended. Captain Dykstra warned the Mynheer and told him to have the Lady seen to. There was no time to do it; the Mynheer left before he could—”
    â€œPoor Frau Holtz. I should have realized how Peter’s news would upset you. You’ve taken care of Regan since he was a small boy and you love him like your own.” Tenderly, she took the housekeeper into her arms and comforted her while the old woman shed tears for Regan.
    Something crept into Sirena’s heart. “Frau Holtz, do you really think that something has happened to Regan?”
    â€œI only tell you what I heard with my own ears. I woud not lie to you,” the old woman sobbed. “I raised that man from the time he was a boy. He would never trick you into believing he was dead. For what reason? For your name on a slip of paper? No, he would find his way around that. And it is not to pull you away from Java. If he wanted a woman, there is always someone beautiful ready to fall into his bed. No, Mevrouw, you may be his wife, but I know the Mynheer. Something terrible has happened. I can sense it!”
    Sirena comforted the other woman and felt a sinking sensation in her own heart. Perhaps Frau Holtz was right. But then