Hugh turned squarely on Nikka.
"My mistake, old man," he said. "I apologize for what I didn't say. But will you please give him my thanks, all the same."
Wasso Mikali's bright eyes, eyes that sparkled with vitality, took on a humorous gleam.
"He says," Nikka translated, chuckling, "that he appreciates your thanks, but he never does anything for thanks. He is here because I am interested and there is a chance of fighting, and he never loses an opportunity to draw his knife, if there is loot to be won or a friend to be aided."
"He's a sportsman," approved Hugh.
"And there are six more like him in the next room," I added.
"I say, Nikka, you brought a feudal levy—what?" Hugh exclaimed delightedly. "Well, we shall need them. This is going to be a tight job, if you ask me."
"Is Toutou here?"
"I think not. So far as we have observed, none of the headliners has appeared on the scene, but the underlings are very efficient. Vernon King and I have been over the ground rather thoroughly. He's been a priceless help, Jack. Don't know what Watty and I would have done without him. He saved us from having to rely on a guide to learn the city. And Betty—she's the most enthusiastic worker on our side."
"She would be," I agreed. "But you don't mean to say that you and she have really done any work?"