Page:Guy Boothby--A Bid for Fortune.djvu/283

Rh a nine-jointed oath of remarkable atrocity, and, having done so, would have recommenced the performance of acrobatic feats had I not asked the reason of it all. He looked at me with a grin and said:

"'I dunno, but all I cares is that China Pete in there gives me a sprat (sixpence) for every Chinkie what I keeps out of the 'ouse. He's a rum one is China Pete, an' can't he cough, my word!'

"I was about to put another question when the door opened, and the girl who had brought me to the house beckoned me into the room. I entered, and she left us alone together.

"Of all the filthy places I have ever seen, and I have had the ill-luck to discover a good many, that one eclipsed them all. The room was at most ten feet long by seven wide; had a window at the far end, and the door through which I had entered, opposite it. The bed place was stretched between the door and the window, and was a filthy exhibition. On the bed, propped up by pillows, and looking in the last stage of collapse, was the man called China Pete, whom I had seen walking out of the dock at the Supreme Court a couple of months before. When we were alone together he pointed to a box near the bed and signified that I should seat myself. I did so, at the same time taking occasion to express my sorrow at finding him in this lamentable state. He made no reply to my civilities, but after a little pause found strength enough to whisper: 'See if there's anybody at the door.' I went across, opened the door and looked into the passage, but, save the boy, who was now sitting on the top step of the stairs at the other end, there was not a soul there. I told him this, and having again closed the door, sat down on the box and waited for him to speak.