The Boy Fortune Hunters in China by L. Frank Baum

Mai Lo looked at me a long time in silence. Then he said:

"The noble physician is old and wise."

"And that means that we boys are young and foolish," I retorted. "But listen to me, Mai Lo. We have traveled in many lands, young as we are. We have had adventures, and faced dangers. Some who decided to oppose us are lying buried in Alaska, Panama, and Egypt -- and we are here to travel in your company to Kai-Nong."

I am not given to boasting, but here was an occasion when a little bombast might count in our favor; so I looked Mai Lo squarely in the eye and took a step nearer to him as I spoke, that he might understand that I was not afraid. Moreover, the mandarin was assuming airs of superiority that I resented. It would never do to let him believe that we were in his power.

But no one could have told by Mai Lo's expression whether my speech had impressed him or not. His eyes were like beads of glass, and I had begun to believe that there were no muscles in his face at all.

"What is your object in traveling to Kai-Nong? " he asked, after one of his irritating pauses.

"As a matter of fact, that does not concern you, my man," I replied. "A higher authority than your own has given me a mission to perform, and if I have any trouble with you I shall use the letter and ring of Prince Kai to provide a separate escort to Kai-Nong."

"I am your servant," said Mai Lo, in his rasping voice.

"Please do not forget it," I rejoined, curtly.

"I will put some of my own people on the elephant to guard the body of my illustrious master," said he.

"No; I will ride there myself, and perform the doctor's duties in preserving the body. I have assisted him so long that I understand the process perfectly, and I have a duplicate set of the keys in my pocket."

Again the mandarin stared at me silently before he ventured to speak. Then he said:

"It is not necessary to continue that farce longer."

It was my turn to stare now; and I heard Archie cough softly and Joe give vent to a low whistle.

"Farce! " I exclaimed indignantly.

"Yes. The body of the mighty and magnificent Prince Kai is by this time sufficiently preserved. Save yourself any further trouble concerning it."

"Oh, I intend to carry out the contract," I declared, hardly knowing how else to reply to this astounding statement.

"Do you intend to demand the ten thousand taels? " he asked.

"Certainly. We have earned it already."

"You shall have it," said Mai Lo, calmly. "This matter is between you and me, and I will pay you the money in Kai-Nong. But let the casket alone, hereafter, and save yourself trouble. Give me the keys."