“Maybe I could be there but not be seen,” Muscles said. “Any cover near the spring where I could hide? Maybe I could overhear what this Li character has to offer.”
“I think so, Muscles. Come, we go down now and see. Not too long before sun stand straight up.”
Near the spring, they found a heavy thicket where Muscles could conceal himself.
“When you’re translating for Biff, raise your voice slightly, Chuba. Not loud enough to cause suspicion, but loud enough for me to hear.”
“Let’s have a dry run of that,” Biff suggested.
Muscles concealed himself in the thicket. Chuba talked to Biff in a tone slightly louder than normal.
“You hear all right, Muscles?” Biff asked.
“You’re coming through loud and clear,” was the reply.
“How much time before noon?”
“Ten minutes,” Muscles called back.