Part 13 (2/2)
Errington, sitting on a small stool, looking disconsolately out through a barred window upon the pleasant garden, was suddenly startled from a reverie by the sound of a voice which, m.u.f.fled as it came through the door, seemed to him to be that of the Mole. He turned about eagerly, then felt a keen pang of disappointment when he saw enter the tall straight figure of a moustachioed German. But the German was smiling at him; and puzzled as he was at the fiercely aggressive moustache, he could not mistake the steady honest eyes of his old chum. He sprang up, and rushed forward with outstretched hand--then drew back suddenly, muttering with a cloudy face---
”I was forgetting.”
”It's the apology, is it?” cried Burroughs. ”Well then, I apologize--you old fathead!”
They shook hands--and when English boys shake hands the action has a meaning beyond the conventional. The past was buried: they were chums again.
”You've come to get me out; it's jolly good of you,” said Errington.
”But why are you got up like this? Where did you get your moustache?
You look a regular German.”
”Like Reinhardt, eh?”
”Don't mention the fellow. What a fool I've been! But I mustn't say anything against him: I owe him five hundred dollars; and to tell you the truth, I was in so much of a funk that I was actually glad the brigands collared me: it staved off the evil day.”
”We'll settle with Reinhardt by and by. This moustache is his: it cost me a hundred dollars--cheap at the price.”
He told the story of his comprador's enterprise, and Errington was much tickled at the opium-house keeper's having to disgorge as a fine the sum he had received for shaving off the moustache. Burroughs checked his laughter; the guards at the door must not suspect that the Englishman and the supposed German were fraternizing. He then related how Lo San had trudged the weary miles to find his master, and explained why he had come disguised as a German, and the means by which he had gained admittance to Errington's room. Errington was troubled.
”I didn't suspect that,” he said. ”You're running a fearful risk. If that fellow Su Fing catches you here, we shall both be in the same cart: he owes you the same grudge as me.”
”Let's hope he won't come back in a hurry. He sent for more of his ruffians, which looks as if he's got his hands full. We'll get away together, old man. Chung Pi is such a genial a.s.s that we shall be able to get over him. You haven't tried to bolt?”
”No. Not much chance with the window barred and four blackguards at the door--not to speak of a ten-foot wall, and absolute ignorance of the lie of the land. You had better leave it to the consul, hadn't you?”
”Not I. Everything has worked out well so far, and with a little luck we'll dish Su Fing.”
”Look here, old Mole, there's a thing I must say. Since I've been here I've had plenty of time to think things over, and I see now what a thundering a.s.s and ungrateful beast I've----”
”Shut up!”
”No, I've got to get it out. I chucked away my money on those cards, got into debt all round, went to the c.h.i.n.ky moneylenders like a fool, and cut up rough when you and Ting tried to put the brake on----”
”Oh, chuck it! Wasn't I juggins enough to wonder if you'd done me over that deal with Feng Wai? We'll cry quits, old man.”
”Ting asked me to promise not to gamble again, and I let out at him.
But if you'll take the promise I'll be glad. If we get out of this I'll never play for money again.”
CHAPTER XIV
'MY BROTHER!'
The two friends sat for a long time discussing their situation. The problem of escape was a th.o.r.n.y one. The yamen was at some distance from the landing-stage, and the labyrinth of narrow ways by which Burroughs had come to it would puzzle anybody but a Chinaman acquainted with the town. Even if they contrived to elude the sentinels they might easily lose their way, especially in darkness--and they had already come to the conclusion that only by night could they hope to reach the river safely.
The appearance of two Europeans in a town where there were no European residents would at once attract a curious crowd, and detection must be inevitable. And the first step of all, the escape from the room in which they were, was itself at present utterly baffling. Time was of the utmost importance. Su Fing might return any day; it was scarcely possible that a man whose mental powers were attested by the pa.s.sing of so many examinations would be imposed on as the simple Chung Pi had been; and there was no knowing what summary methods he might use in dealing with the two Englishmen to whom he owed a grudge.
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