Argosy, Vol. 85, No. 3 — page 88: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

430 the prince and his suite as they stared phlegmatically about at the gray, battle- mented buildings and the sparkling sweep of snow-covered plain. Out of the corner of his mouth he whispered to Darwin, who stood next him: ‘“Don’t seem to be much difference in looks, does there, between a royal Chink and one of the ordinary washee-washee variety?”’ he commented. “There isn’t,” Darwin responded with assurance. ‘All Chinks run in one of two patterns, either fat and greasy, or skinny and dried up. Don’t you remem- ber piping off the members of the Chinese embassy when we were down at the in- ‘auguration at Washington? No; you don’t need to-.be afraid of bracing this prince, I tell you. Just make yourself think you’re talking to some old laundry- man.” There was no chance to say more at the moment; for with the conclusion of the salute the battalion was relieved until the time set for an exhibition drill later in the afternoon, all except the members of the Third Division, who were ordered to shape their rooms immediately for special inspection by the visitors. Kerr and Dar- win, being among those so designated, hurried off to busy themselves with broom and dustpan in tidying up. They had expected this, and never had they gone at the distasteful chamber-maid work of their joint establishment with such zest and anticipation; for upon the forthcoming inspection they were basing all their hopes. | | That had seemed to them the propitious moment for preferring their request to the prince, and they had rehearsed again and again the scene they expected to be en- acted. Knowing the custom of visitors on such occasions, they never doubted but that the prince would make some comment or ask a question regarding the arrangements of the room. He might address the cadets directly, although they believed it more probable that he would speak through an interpreter. THE ARGOSY. In either case, this was to be Kerr’s op- portunity. He would give the answer in Chinese, and the prince, surprised and in- terested at hearing his own language spoken, would hardly fail to pursue the conversation, and thus afford an opening for broaching the all-important subject. Indeed, it seemed to the two cadets that no possible bar could now arise to the complete ‘success of their project. Every circumstance was in their favor. The Chinese, from the time of Li Hung Chang down, have been. given to asking ques- tions at every opportunity, and so infre- quently must it be that the prince heard himself spoken to in his own tongue that Kerr’s use of it would almost certainly stir him to feelings of good-will. And now the footsteps of the party could be heard upon the stairs. Hastily the two assumed an attitude of rigid “ at- tention” as they awaited the expected knock upon the door. Kerr’s breath went a little faster, and he involuntarily braced himself for the ordeal. The footsteps were at the very threshold now. But—there was no knock on the door. Without pausing the party passed on down the corridor. Blankly the cadets stared at each other. For some reason or caprice—they could not tell why, possibly from the sheer mal- evolence of fate—the superintendent had chosen not to show their quarters. ‘Maybe they’ll stop in on their way back?”’ ventured Monk, hopefully, al- though his lips were pale. But Kerr only shook his head. He sank down miserably in a chair and buried his head in his arms. Their chance was gone, and he knew it. His was not a nature, though, to cry long over spilt milk or to languish in de- feat. Indeed, when he dropped his head into his arms, it was less in token of sur- render than to review the situation and to ponder what steps next to take. And now he straightened up suddenly, his jaw set, a glint of determination in his eye. ‘By Jove, I’m not going to ‘ fess out’ comicloool C©