He felt a wave of intense irritation.
"No," he said, "I will not."
And he was too angry to express himself in any language
understandable by his messenger.
His host intervened and explained after a few questions that the
occasion was serious. Prothero, it seemed, had been gambling.
"No," said Benham. "He is shameless. Let him do what he can."
The messenger was still reluctant to go.
And scarcely had he gone before misgivings seized Benham.
"Where IS your friend?" asked the mandarin.
"I don't know," said Benham.
"But they will keep him! They may do all sorts of things when they
find he is lying to them."
"Lying to them?"
"About your help."
"Stop that man," cried Benham suddenly realizing his mistake. But
when the servants went to stop the messenger their intentions were
misunderstood, and the man dashed through the open gate of the
garden and made off down the winding road.
"Stop him!" cried Benham, and started in pursuit, suddenly afraid
for Prothero.
The Chinese are a people of great curiosity, and a small pebble
sometimes starts an avalanche.
Pages:
530
531
532
533
534
535
536
537
538
539
540
541
542
543
544
545
546
547
548
549
550
551
552
553
554