He stowed the body under a bunk and threw a blanket before it.
Then wiping the knife on a curtain, he tiptoed his way closer to the cabin.
"I do not see how your plan can succeed," he heard the English captain say.
"But it will succeed," replied one of the Chinese captains, with a strong accent. "Chan Lee and I have it well in hand."
"Then you must have a strong hold upon President Adams."
"We have."
"I doubt if he will agree, even so. Why, sir, if he did that, he would be a traitor to his country—a regular Benedict Arnold."
At this both Chinese captains shrugged their bony shoulders and drew down their almond-shaped eyes.
"That is nothing to us," remarked the captain, who had heretofore remained silent.
"He won't do it, I tell you."