He spat down the stairway, in disgust.
“Funny,” he continued after a pause; “you’re the only person would believe me. It’s just Abe’s word against mine, and he’s got clear. If they catch me—Humph! Finish!” He patted the coil of rope, and dropped head on shoulder, in a shocking pantomime. “But you’re the one I expected to founder on, not Abe. Ever since you sighted old Quong that night—you remember? The Chinaman: he bought for me. And yet here you sit, the one man to believe me!”—He leaned across, clapped Miles on the shoulder, and shook him gently. His face lighted, very grave and simple. “Lied to you so much, I don’t—Anyhow, God bless you, old Sober-sides!”
He leaned back again, laughed as though ashamed, and swung his feet vigorously.
“Opium was our game,” he said. “Tidy consignment stowed across the river. If I could once get over, and see Graves, the rest is all greased ways. I’d have made it, too, but that young red-head” (he raised a tattered shirt-sleeve) “nearly blew my arm off. We’ve seen enough of that. But we’ll see worse, unless you do what I ask you. They’re fools, but no cowards; that’s what I figure on—Just one way; do it, and all’s right and tight, every man Jack, safe and sound. Will you?”
“What is it?” said Miles. “I came up here to make terms.”
“So you did,” laughed Florio. “And here’s mine. You slip down, quiet as you can; unlock the door, quiet as you can; leave the key in the lock, and wait on the stairs till I signal you to come topside again. I promise not to lay a finger on one of ’em. Solemn!” Seeing Miles hesitate, he scrambled to his feet briskly. “Take or leave it, that’s my ultimatum. They’ve got me in a clove hitch. Lies with you, now, to fetch us all out alive.”
Slowly, far from satisfied, Miles swung down through the floor. He had already sunk into the darkness, when Tony called,—
“Steady a bit.”
He saw the man’s head and shoulder, sharp in the lighted square above; saw a great arm thrust down; and felt his own hand gripped with a surprising warmth.
“About that girl,” growled Tony. “I hope you know that she’s a wonder. You made me damned mad, because—Well, I’m getting old, maybe. I really did—She did fetch me. You that’s young! Tell her that, some day.”