It was early next morning when the two separated, and then they had decided not to let Hopkins suspect that they knew his treachery, and still to allow him to reckon on joining the expedition.
"In fact," said Helston, "to have him on board will be our best safeguard, and we must see that he does not give us the slip."
The detective reported that Hopkins had been to the "doss-house" the night before, adding, with a smile, "which you probably know already, sir, for you were there too".
As the Doctor and Helston were leaving the hotel—Helston going to his office and the Doctor for a walk—Hopkins joined them. "Any work for your secretary, Captain?" he asked good-humouredly. "I guess I'm just aching for a bit of quill-driving. I'm just about the cut of a secretary, am I not?" and he opened out his broad shoulders and smacked his chest vigorously.
"Not till we get afloat, thanks," said Helston.
"All right; I'll just come along with you to the corner, and then I'll be off. Have to make a few dollars—you Britishers aren't half smart—before I go sailoring again."
As they came to the end of the street they saw a small crowd curiously gazing at three Chinamen looking in at an A.B.C. shop.
"I'll pull those three fellows' legs," said the American, and, as they forced their way through the little crowd, he whistled the first line of "Chin, Chin, Chinaman".
The crowd recognized the tune at once, and there were shouts of "Chin, Chin, Chinaman!"
The Chinese turned round with fury in their eyes, whilst the crowd jeered at them.