Again there was a weird interruption. A Chinaman lying in one of the bunks began to chant in a monotonous far-away voice:
"Chong-liou-chouay
Om mani padme hum."
"The Buddhist formula," whispered Stuart. "He is a real smoker.
Heavens! the reek is choking me!"
The chant was repeated, the words dying away into a long murmur. Ah-Fang-Fu continued to shuffle the cards. And presently Bill Bean's second pipe dropped from his fingers. His husky voice spoke almost inaudibly.
"I'm … old … Bill … Bean … I …"
A deep-noted siren hooted dimly.
"A steamer making for dock," whispered Max. "Brr! it is a nightmare, this! I think in a minute something will happen. Ssh!"
Ah-Fang-Fu glanced slowly around. Then he stood up, raised the lamp from the table and made a tour of the bunks, shining the light in upon the faces of the occupants. Max watched him closely, hoping to learn in which bunks the members of 'The Scorpion's' group lay. But he was disappointed. Ah-Fang-Fu examined all the bunks and even shone the light down upon Stuart and Max. He muttered to himself constantly, but seemed to address no one.
Replacing the lamp on the box, he whistled softly; and:——
"Look!" breathed Max. "The stair again!"