“I will put some of my own people on the elephant to guard the body of my illustrious master,” said he.
“No; I will ride there myself, and perform the doctor’s duties in preserving the body. I have assisted him so long that I understand the process perfectly, and I have a duplicate set of the keys in my pocket.”
Again the mandarin stared at me silently before he ventured to speak. Then he said:
“It is not necessary to continue that farce longer.”
It was my turn to stare now; and I heard Archie cough softly and Joe give vent to a low whistle.
“Farce!” I exclaimed indignantly.
“Yes. The body of the mighty and magnificent Prince Kai is by this time sufficiently preserved. Save yourself any further trouble concerning it.”
“Oh, I intend to carry out the contract,” I declared, hardly knowing how else to reply to this astounding statement.
“Do you intend to demand the ten thousand taels?” he asked.
“Certainly. We have earned it already.”