Part 2 (2/2)
”It evidently looks that way,” replied Mr. Wilburn.
”Now we are in a box!” exclaimed Clarence. ”How are we to go on without our sampan man?”
”Well, we have the sampan,” remarked Mallard cheerfully. ”The only other thing now is to look out for some one to take charge of it.”
”Easier said than accomplished,” commented Mr. Reid. ”Besides, though Mr. Kit-ze has deserted us, yet the sampan is his. We can't take possession without his consent.”
”He has forfeited his right to protest against such a step,” declared Mr. Wilburn, ”by his desertion and breach of contract. I am for taking possession of the sampan, engaging some one to have charge of it, a.s.sisted by Mr. Chefoo here, then allowing Mr. Kit-ze so much for its use.”
”But a competent sampan man is hard to find,” said Mr. Reid. ”That was why I stuck to Mr. Kit-ze.”
”Oh, but it is too bad to lose our trip!” exclaimed Mr. Wilburn, ”especially when so much relating to our work depends on it,” and he looked wistfully at Mr. Reid.
”Yes, too bad,” a.s.sented Mallard.
”Oh, we must go,” declared Clarence.
Even Helen and Dorothy were for going on, that is, if satisfactory arrangements could be made.
”But maybe Mr. Kit-ze will return,” suggested Helen.
”Yes,” said Mr. Chefoo, who now spoke for the first time, ”he will return.” All turned to look at him inquiringly. He had spoken very positively.
”What makes you say that?”
”Because, honorable sirs, he went away as one who will come back. There was no parting word. He will return.”
”He didn't have sense for any parting word,” commented Clarence. ”It seemed all taken from him.”
”No,” a.s.serted Mr. Chefoo, ”it was only the excitement that comes when one knows there has been a loss.”
”'A loss'!” echoed Clarence.
”Yes; Mr. Kit-ze has either lost something of very great value, for which he has now gone to make search, or else he has forgotten something that he has gone to bring. It is one or the other as you will in time discover, son of the honorable teacher.”
”But why act in that demented way? Couldn't he have explained to us, and then gone after it in a respectable fas.h.i.+on?”
”It was something by which he set so great a store, youthful sir, that he was overcome by what its loss signified to him. I should say,”
continued Mr. Chefoo, ”that it is something without which he could not proceed, or without which he----”
Here Mr. Chefoo paused.
”Well?” asked Clarence.
”Without which he would fear to go on.”
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