Читать книгу The Memory Man - Coutts Brisbane - Страница 8

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"THUNDERING good copy this'll make, if I do say it as shouldn't," burbled Billy Harwood triumphantly as he and Ellice Davison made their way out by the stage door after interviewing the Great Hi Lo. "He's a great old bird! That's a quaint notion of his that every schoolboy should be taught conjuring. It would certainly make 'em keen on the uptake and able to use their hands."

"Yes." Ellice paused to glance at an odd-looking motor vehicle drawn up by the door. It was a van of sorts, with a closed rear compartment. Light glowed from the curtained windows, a Chinese chauffeur sat in the driving-seat stolidly regarding nothing in particular. "Is that his car?"

"Yes. I say, John, may we takee lookee insidee honourable Hi Lo's piecee car? We writee piecee 'long about Hi Lo in piecee newspaper. Lookee see. Hi Lo givee me thlis piecee Chinee carving, 'long just now."

The Chinese regarded him without blinking, as though used to such exhibitions of pidgin—as it is not spoken.

"Mr. Hi Lo does not usually show his car, sir, but you may look if you wish, since you are a pressman," he replied in English tinged with the Oxford accent. "However, there is very little to see."

He threw open the door, revealing a couch with cushions and a rug or two, a mirror, and lacquer boxes and chests.

"Mr. Hi Lo occasionally dresses in here when he is in a hurry. Sometimes, when he is unable to sleep well, I drive him out into the country that he may rest in quiet, near Nature's bosom. No, thank you, sir. Mr. Hi Lo does not like me to accept gratuities."

"Thank you, then," said Billy, and hurried Ellice away. "That was one in the eye for me!" he growled. "And I thought one could safely tip him. As it is, we come out the best of the whole affair. This carving and that bit of jade Hi gave you must be worth something. Perhaps we shouldn't have accepted them, but he made us feel that he'd be hurt to the soul if we didn't. Fine old boy. I wonder how old he is? There's no guessing with an Oriental. Now, what about a small spot of supper?"

"I can't, Billy, after that dinner with Nunky. Home and beauty sleep for me—and you'd better write up your copy before you turn in."