"I don't want nothin' out of your blasted shop, Pidgin!" roared a loud and thick voice. "I'm old Bill Bean, I am, and I want a pipe, I do!"
"Hullo, Bill!" replied the invisible 'Pidgin.' "Allee samee dlunk again!"
A red-bearded ship's fireman, wearing sea-boots, a rough blue suit similar to that which Stuart wore, a muffler and a peaked cap, lurched into view at the head of the steps.
"Blimey!" he roared, over his shoulder. "Drunk! Me drunk! An' all the pubs in these parts sell barley-water coloured brown! Blimey! Chuck it, Pidgin!"
Ah-Fang-Fu reappeared behind him. "Catchee dlunk ev'ly time for comee here," he chattered.
"'Taint 'umanly possible," declared the new arrival, staggering down the steps, "fer a 'ealthy sailorman to git drunk on coloured water just 'cause the publican calls it beer! I ain't drunk; I'm only miserable. Gimmee a pipe, Pidgin."
Ah-Fang-Fu barred the door and ascended.
"Comee here," he muttered, "my placee, all full up and no other placee b'long open."
Bill Bean slapped him boisterously on the back.
"Cut the palaver, Pidgin, and gimme a pipe. Piecee pipe, Pidgin!"