Part 11 (2/2)
CHAPTER XII
THE PRICE OF A MOUSTACHE
A man in a rage cannot think clearly; and Burroughs was in such a heat of indignation with Reinhardt that it was some time before he was able to devote himself calmly to the still unsolved problem. The solution came to him presently in a flash: he must save Errington himself. He could not leave his friend to an unknown fate; something must be done; he alone could do it. His flying boat was the fastest craft on the river. He must fly up to Meichow, get Errington out of the yamen by hook or crook, and bring him back. If he were discovered and pursued, his speed, whether on the water or in the air, would give him at least a good chance of escape.
He sent for his comprador.
”I'm going up to Meichow, Sing Wen,” he said. ”You'll be in charge during my absence. If any one inquires for me, tell nothing.”
”Hai galaw! No can do!” cried the astonished Chinaman. ”Fly boatee velly good: no can get inside plison; China fellas look-see Yinkelis[#]
man; makee plenty bobbely, catchee all-same.”
[#] English.
”Could you make me look like a Chinaman?”
”Plaps can do,” said the comprador, doubtfully. ”Yinkelis man no can talkee Chinee all-same; he no smart inside.”
”That's true. I wish I could talk Chinese like Reinhardt. But look here: why shouldn't I go as a German? Mr. Errington's firm is German; and if there is any hanky-panky between the Germans and the rebels I shall be all right in Meichow; at any rate I can bluff it out.”
”My no aglee all same.”
”I don't want you to agree; you've nothing to do with it.”
”Supposey you catchee tlouble, what my tellum boss Shanghai side? He say my no do plopa pidgin let you go wailo.”
”I'll leave a note saying that I went against your advice, so that in case anything happens to me my father won't hold you responsible. You needn't say any more: it's fixed. You must make me look as much like a German as you can; darken my eyebrows, crop my hair. I can't grow a moustache, worse luck.”
Feeling that an awkward situation might arise if he made any change in his appearance at Sui-Fu, he decided to run up to the creek below Pa-tang, and do on board the boat what little was possible to disguise himself. He set off when the Europeans were taking their midday meal, accompanied by Sing Wen, who would leave him at Pa-tang, and by Chin Tai and Lo San, the latter because he had already visited Meichow, and knew something of the conditions there.
Very reluctantly the comprador proceeded to carry out his master's instructions. An hour's work with burnt cork and scissors changed the Englishman's appearance pa.s.sably to that of a young German.
While Sing Wen was putting the finis.h.i.+ng touches to his work, Burroughs saw Reinhardt's launch pa.s.s the mouth of the creek in the direction of Pa-tang.
”Not after me?” he said. ”He's probably going for his smoke; don't you think so?”
”Yes, sah: Ma.s.sa Leinhadt velly fond smokee.”
”Well, I only wish I had his moustache. I'd give a hundred dollars down for one like it.”
He felt that all that was wanted to complete his transformation was a thick moustache like the one that Reinhardt brushed and tended with such affectionate care.
”It's a pity he has come, though,” he went on. ”I mustn't start before dark, in case he sees the boat, or hears it. And I ought to keep that opium fellow's mouth shut. Sing Wen, you'd better go and tell your disreputable relative that it'll pay him to say nothing about me.”
”Velly good, sah,” said the comprador. ”Hai! My fo'get one ting. No hab got no chow-chow.[#]”
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