"No, but there is some parsley," replied Burroughs, in best phrase-book style; and a minute or two afterwards the meal and the difficult conversation came to an end together. During the pauses each of the party had been busily thinking: Burroughs and Errington of the scheme which they had partially discussed, Reinhardt of the extraordinary circumstances in which he found himself. For once, at any rate, the German felt that he had no trumps. He saw through Burroughs’ imposture; and he was pretty sure that the moustache which had fascinated his eyes during the meal was his own. Inwardly boiling with indignation and outraged vanity, he was sportsman enough to enter into the spirit of the situation so far as speech was concerned; his brain was cogitating an exemplary vengeance, and he hugged himself with the thought that the hour of revenge was at hand. The apparent coolness of the Englishmen amazed him. With Su Fing already on his way down the river, their heads were as good as gone. Yet nobody watching them, or listening to their talk, could ever have imagined that their lives hung on a thread. At the conclusion of the meal, Burroughs said politely-- "I regret the necessity of tying you up again." "And I," said the German, with equal courtesy, though his eyes were blazing, "I regret to be ze cause of so much trouble." Burroughs called in his servant and the sentinels, and by their hands Reinhardt was again bound. Chin Tai caught sight of the ear-wads lying beside the German’s plate. "He wantchee he ’nother time all-same?" he asked his master. "Your conversation--is it not finished?" the German interposed. "One is incomplete wizout ears." "I’m afraid you must remain incomplete for a while," said Burroughs. "Put them in, Chin Tai; then tell those fellows they can clear away the food and eat what’s left. I want you." As soon as the door was closed behind the guard, Burroughs took Errington and Chin Tai to the window, and the three remained for some minutes in earnest conversation. "Now," said Burroughs at last to the servant, "you know what you have to do. First of all, cut off to the captain; he has finished his luncheon by this time--and say that I request the honour of waiting upon him on a matter of great urgency." "Allo lightee, sah; my talkee he allo plopa." And he went with an air of much self-importance to fulfil his errand, reflecting with a chuckle that Lo San was out of this. CHAPTER XVII THE DASH FROM THE YAMEN Chin Tai returned in about twenty minutes. "Captain he say hon’ble genelum come this time; he velly glad look-see." "Good luck," said Errington as Burroughs got up. "If there’s any hitch, don’t mind about me."