“We’ll have to see our guardian about this. We’ll have to talk with Mr. Howbridge, our guardian, Hop Wong, and we’ll see you later—at your laundry. That is all for to-night.”
It was surprising to note the change that came over the Chinese. He appeared to shrink and grow even smaller and terror was clearly manifest on his face.
“No tell! No tell him!” he cried. “No call guard and have Hop Wong alested. No tell! I not bad! Oh! Oh!” and in a perfect wail of fright he turned and fled, being soon lost among the moonlighted shadows of the garden.
“Oh!” exclaimed Nalbro, in pity.
In an instant the three boys had leaped from their hiding places and had joined the girls, so close and ready were they.
“Shall we take after him?” cried Neale.
“No, the poor fellow is frightened to death now,” said Ruth.
“But what happened?” asked Luke. “What did you say to him that made him yell like that and run as if a dragon were chasing him? We couldn’t hear all that was said.”
“I merely announced that we would have to see our guardian about paying Hop Wong one hundred dollars,” stated Ruth. “Then off he ran.”
There was silence for a moment and then Luke exclaimed: