The motive which had prompted him to leave the
neighboring house and to seek the companionship of Sin Sin Wa was so
obscure and belonged so peculiarly to the superdelicacies of chivalry,
that already he was laughing at himself. But, nevertheless, in this
house and not in its secret annex of a Hundred Raptures he designed to
spend the night. Presently:
"Hon'lable p'lice patrol come 'long plenty soon," murmured Sin Sin Wa.
"Indeed?" said Sir Lucien, glancing at his wristwatch. "The door is
open above."
Sin Sin Wa raised one yellow forefinger, without moving either hand
from the knee upon which it rested, and shook it slightly to and fro.
"Allee lightee," he murmured. "No bhobbery. Allee peaceful fellers."
"Will they want to come in?"
"Wantchee dlink," replied Sin Sin Wa.
"Oh, I see. If I go out into the passage it will be all right?"
"Allee lightee."
Even as he softly crooned the words came a heavy squelch of rubbers
upon the wet pavement outside, followed by a rapping on the door. Sin
Sin Wa glanced aside at Sir Lucien, and the latter immediately
withdrew, partly closing the door. The Chinaman shuffled across and
admitted two constables. The raven, remaining perched upon his
shoulder, shrieked, "Smartest leg in Buenos Ayres," and, fully
awakened, rattled invisible castanets.
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