"Tell me about that!" laughed McGlory. "Sure we picked it up, pard. How could we have missed it?"
"It is unfortunate," spoke up Tsan Ti gloomily, "that the yellow cord was lost at the time the devil car took fire. It was of great importance to me as the means of carrying out the invitation given by our gracious regent. The sailor and his confederate have fled, and the Eye of Buddha has gone with them. The ten thousand demons of misfortune continue to make me feel their displeasure. There is nothing left but the happy dispatch."
"Aw, cheer up," growled McGlory. "Buy a string of laundries, somewhere, and tell your gracious regent to go hang."
"I am bound by ancient ceremony to accept and use the cord," insisted Tsan Ti, mildly but firmly.
"Well, you've got a few days yet. Don't use the cord until you have to."
"I cannot use it until I find it, solicitous friend."
"Suppose you never find it?"
"Then Kien Lung will hunt for me and give me a second."
"Sufferin' heathens!" murmured McGlory, in disgust.
Matt got to his feet.