Page:Ballinger Price--Fortune of the Indies.djvu/157

 see Chinee city. Me velly hon'able plecious guide." He here flashed some sort of official-looking button from inside his coat.

All this had been shot off with such speed that Mark had not been able to answer a word. Now he said:

"I haven't time to go sightseeing to-night. Go away—pronto—get out, savvy?"

His self-appointed guide paid no attention to this, however, and skipped before him, offering attractions.

"Velly click walkee," said he, in his abominable pidgin English. "Catchem tiny little piecee Chinee-town. See velly famous tea-house all same Willow Plate—velly nice—moonlight. Velly famous guide he want only twenty cent one hour. Can catchem?"

"Oh, pshaw!" thought Mark, looking around at the quiet, eminently civilized streets of the American Quarter; "it might be any city at home. I don't believe it's as risky as they say. I'd like to see the old Willow Pattern tea-house; I daresay I'd be back in no time. I can't stand just walking around and thinking. All right, boy," he said aloud; "can do."

The Chinese bowed and grinned delightedly,