The Boy Fortune Hunters in China by L. Frank Baum

That evening, being unable to sleep, we sat up late, packing our booty into the chests furnished by the eunuch. They were light and strong and so closely did the gems pack that we were able to get our ivories and some other valuable ornaments into an extra case. Before we went to bed all the boxes were tightly nailed, wound with cords, and the cords sealed with wax. As the seals bore the impression of Prince Kai's signet ring I felt sure they would be respected.

Next morning we sent for Wi-to, and when he appeared, looking still a bit "groggy," as Archie expressed it, we told him the story we had invented to suit our necessity.

"Mai Lo is dead," I began.

The Chief Eunuch started.

"You have killed him? " he asked.

"No; he committed suicide."

"Impossible!"

"So I would have said had I not seen it," I answered, gravely. "And perhaps, after all, the governor did not intend to fulfil his duty so hastily. Sit down, Wi-to, and listen to the story."

He sat down, but looked incredulous and uneasy.

"While you were ill yesterday," I began, "we went out to take a walk."

"With the governor's soldiers guarding every door? " he asked.

"Why, you yourself have said there were secret passages that the governor did not know of. You must not forget, sir, that we are the trusted friends and emissaries of Prince Kai Lun Pu."

This may or may not have satisfied him. Anyhow, he said nothing but looked at me inquiringly.

"We wandered through the grounds, trying not to meet anyone," I continued, "until we came to the great pool by the rocks which your people say is inhabited by the devil-fish."

"It is true," said Wi-to. "I, myself, have seen the monster."

I was much relieved to hear this, for it made my invention seem more plausible.

"While we stood looking into the pool," said I, "the governor suddenly stepped from the grove of trees nearby and advanced toward us. He held a naked scimitar in his hand, such as his soldiers use, and he seemed very angry. He reproached us for making the acquaintance of his wife and daughter and for opposing his soldiers, and declared we should not escape him again."

This struck the eunuch as quite reasonable. He began to look interested.

"We were angry, and argued with him," I went on, "and while we were quarreling Mai Lo suddenly gave a loud cry. We looked around and saw the great ape called Fo-Chu, the King, leaping toward us from the grove."

I paused and Wi-to said: