“Look here,” said Dr. Gaylord, testily, “have you gone crazy?”
“I hope not, sir.”
“Then what’s this nonsense about escorting Prince Kai’s body——”
“To Kai-Nong, so he may rest with his ancestors,” I interrupted. “That will save Mai Lo from disgrace, and will enable him to return home in triumph. To do this, he will gladly show us the way.”
The doctor’s stare turned to a grin.
“I begin to understand,” said he. “So that is why you wanted me to join your party.”
“Exactly,” I replied. “We can’t get along without you.”
“And the spoils of war?”
“There shall be an equal division.”
“Very good!” said the doctor. “Very good indeed. The conspiracy is an established fact, and the conspirators are bound to win.”