Page:Henry rideout--The siamese cat.djvu/63

 "Yit ba bat," sang the pawnbroker, with a quick gleam in his beady eyes.

"M-hai!" Owen laughed in scornful good humour. "Ngō gin po guai a!"

Negotiations ceased. Scarlett turned airily and surveyed the crowd outside.

"What did you tell him?" asked Miss Holborow, amused.

"I asked how much can catchee this cat," Owen replied. "He wants a hundred tics,—absurd: so I told him to lower his price. Don't be impatient."

The coolies and the children gaped. One tall Chinaman, who had looked feverishly intent, turned about tactfully to await the renewal of the bargain, presenting an oily brown back.

"Hallo," said Owen. "See that, Miss Holborow."

Between the muscular shoulder-blades, in