"Where is he?"
The money was too much for Ah Goon's cupidity, so he gave in.
"Him playee fan-tan-ayah!" he answered, in a sing-song voice, "allee same."
"Oh!"
Mr. Naball did not waste any words, but threw the half-crown to the expectant Ah Goon, and turned towards the door. Just as he reached it there was a noise of hurried footsteps outside, and Villiers' voice, husky and savage, was heard,--
"Ah Goon, you yellow devil, where are you?" and there came a heavy kick at the door.
In a moment Naball drew back into a shadowy corner, and placed his finger on his lips to ensure silence, a pantomime which the intelligent Ah Goon understood at once.
Villiers opened the door and lurched noisily into the room, stopping for a minute on the threshold, dazed by the yellow, smoky glare.
"Here, you, Ah Goon," he cried, catching sight of the Chinaman, "I want some money--more money."
"Ah Goon no have," murmured that individual, clutching his half-crown.