Cheong-Chau carried a hand to his face and stroked his wrinkled chin.
"I see that you are prudent," said he. "For myself, I never bargain with fools."
"Do you mean," asked the judge, "if the conditions are fulfilled on our part, you will guarantee our safety?"
"I mean no such thing," said Cheong-Chau. "I guarantee nothing."
"Then we have naught to rely upon," the judge answered, "but your oath--the oath of a robber?"
"That is so," said the other.
"And may I ask," said the judge, "how much Cheong-Chau reverences the Five Sacred Books?"
The Chinese answered nothing, but stretched forth a hand, and deliberately snapped his fingers.
Sir Thomas shrugged his shoulders and turned away.
"We must make the best of a bad business," said he to Mr Waldron. "I tell you frankly, I don't trust these men. I know what such scoundrels are."