“Oh,” said I, “this must be the House of Ancestors.”
“You are right,” said a harsh voice beside me, and turning I beheld the expressionless, putty-like countenance of Mai Lo. He reminded me of “old Death’s-Head” more forcibly than ever, and I was not at all pleased to have him intrude upon us.
“What are you doing here?” I demanded angrily.
“This is my domain,” he replied, with a sweep of his arm. “I rule the Ancestral Halls as their especial guardian.”
“You ought to be the Keeper of the Sacred Apes,” I retorted, with a sneer.
“That is my function also,” quietly answered Mai Lo.
Somewhat at a loss how to proceed I turned again to gaze at the Ancestral Halls which were to play so important a part in our adventures. A guard paced slowly up and down before each entrance; not one of the eunuchs, but a soldier in handsome costume and armed with a naked scimitar.
“Do you live in the palace grounds?” Joe asked the governor.
“My residence is there,” said Mai Lo, pointing to a large, substantial building some distance away. “Prince Kai desired me to live near to the Ancestral Halls. I have another house outside the walls, in the city.”
“Where is the body of Prince Kai?” suddenly demanded Archie.