“Very well,” said Mr. Temple. “Here.” And he handed the man a bill.
Under the conduct of the new guide, the party started down Grant Street. The original guide watched their disappearing figures several minutes, then walked over to the chauffeur at the wheel of the hired car.
“Gave me a tenner, George,” said he. “Here’s your split. I wonder what ‘Black George’ wants with ’em. Look like fruity pickin’s all right.”
“Easy, pal. Easy,” said the chauffeur, low-voiced. “What the Big Chief wants with ’em is his own business. We had our orders to pick ’em up an’ we carried ’em out. Climb in and we’ll blow.”
The other complied, and the car departed.
Meantime, midway of the next block the party had come to a halt. The new guide, a capable man of middle age with a twinkling eye turned to Mr. Temple.
“Now, sir,” he said, “just what would you like to see?”
“Nothing rough,” said Mr. Temple hastily, looking at the boys. “Just show us the usual tourist places.”
“Oh, Father,” protested Bob, aggrievedly. “We want to see the sights.”
“The young man wants some excitement,” said the guide, slyly. “Well, maybe we can show him a thing or two.”
Mr. Temple did not like the man’s tone. Nevertheless, he made no comment.
Flanked by Bob and his father, and followed by Jack and Frank, the guide brought them presently to the mouth of a dark alley. There he paused.
“Up here’s the Joss House,” he said. “Chinamen’s temple, you know. Follow me single file. It’s dark in this here alley, but we’ll soon be all right.”
Obediently, they fell into line behind him and stumbled along through Stygian darkness, only the dim light from the street over their shoulders. Presently, the close walls on either hand turned sharply to the right, and they emerged into a narrow courtyard. It was so dark their surroundings could only be guessed at.
“Look here, my man,” said Mr. Temple, “I went to a Joss House in Chinatown once years ago, and I don’t seem to remember this route.”
“It’s all right,” said the guide. “The place is just ahead here through a door. Follow right along.”
Mr. Temple took several more steps, the boys after him, then halted again. Once more he started to protest, but at that moment the guide turned and grappled with him while a number of other shadowy forms materialized out of the darkness and closed with the boys.