“That’s why I brought the head,” remarked Archie, glancing at the corner.
“That’s why you ought not to have brought it,” I objected.
“But we must have peace and the good will of the natives in order to get away safely with the treasure,” he replied, sensibly enough. “Mai Lo has committed suicide.”
“Suicide!” I exclaimed.
“Certainly, my boy. It was up to him to make away with himself, thus doing his duty and fulfilling the expectations of the people.”
I looked at him admiringly.
“Will you please tell me, Archie,” I said, “how we can convince the people that Mai Lo cut off his own head?”
“Why, tell ’em the truth,” he returned. “Tell them Mai Lo gave the Sacred Ape a scimitar and fought a duel with him. That would be a neat way to suicide and appeal to their artistic sense. The ape got in the first swipe and—and——”
“And what?”
“And here’s the head to prove it,” he answered triumphantly.