Part 17 (1/2)
At the conclusion of the meal, Burroughs said politely--
”I regret the necessity of tying you up again.”
”And I,” said the German, with equal courtesy, though his eyes were blazing, ”I regret to be ze cause of so much trouble.”
Burroughs called in his servant and the sentinels, and by their hands Reinhardt was again bound. Chin Tai caught sight of the ear-wads lying beside the German's plate.
”He wantchee he 'nother time all-same?” he asked his master.
”Your conversation--is it not finished?” the German interposed. ”One is incomplete wizout ears.”
”I'm afraid you must remain incomplete for a while,” said Burroughs.
”Put them in, Chin Tai; then tell those fellows they can clear away the food and eat what's left. I want you.”
As soon as the door was closed behind the guard, Burroughs took Errington and Chin Tai to the window, and the three remained for some minutes in earnest conversation.
”Now,” said Burroughs at last to the servant, ”you know what you have to do. First of all, cut off to the captain; he has finished his luncheon by this time--and say that I request the honour of waiting upon him on a matter of great urgency.”
”Allo lightee, sah; my talkee he allo plopa.”
And he went with an air of much self-importance to fulfil his errand, reflecting with a chuckle that Lo San was out of this.
CHAPTER XVII
THE DASH FROM THE YAMEN
Chin Tai returned in about twenty minutes.
”Captain he say hon'ble genelum come this time; he velly glad look-see.”
”Good luck,” said Errington as Burroughs got up. ”If there's any hitch, don't mind about me.”
Burroughs mumbled something and went out with his servant. The chair was awaiting him at the outer gate. Ordering two of the guards there to accompany him for appearance' sake, he had himself carried to the captain's quarters hard by. On the way he noticed, without any appearance of concern, a large number of wild-looking warriors a.s.sembling to form, as he guessed, a guard of honour for the chief on his return. Many of the men scowled at him as he pa.s.sed. They did not distinguish one ”foreign devil” from another. To many of the lower orders of Chinamen, all foreigners are poison.
Chung Pi had evidently been indulging freely in the pleasures of the table. He was breathing rather hard; melon seeds are very ”filling”; and the number of thimblefuls of hot sam-shu, a fiery drink made of millet, which he had consumed had reddened his face and put him on very good terms with himself.
”Honourable stranger,” he said, when Burroughs entered, ”your honourable face is like the sun at noon-day. You have fed well?”
”Excellently, n.o.ble captain.”
”You cracked many melon seeds?”
”Not a great number.”
”Then you will never be fat. Will you take a little sam-shu?”
”Thank you, not now. Better reserve that until your august chief returns. There has been no further message from him?”
”No; but I have made preparations for greeting him. The bannermen and gong-beaters will go down to the river in due time, and we shall issue forth to greet the ill.u.s.trious Su Fing with bands of music.”