THE SIAMESE CAT
I was in Bangkok once, an' they 'ad … Don't have no such sharp noses, I tell you There's a Blue Funnel man 'ad a monkey that … 'E's a bloomin Manx, wot run away afore they could chop off his tail … spit an' image of 'im. Old Spiesen o' the "Chow Fa" has one, name of Peter … I can bloomin' well prove it …"
Ransacking his pockets, Scarlett felt only a handful of Straits silver and his useless letter of credit … Chao Phya's possessor noted the movement, and his surly eyes brightened.
"I'm willin to sell," he admitted. "But this cat—w'y, this old chum an me, we wouldn't part under five pound—no, nor under fifty dollars!"
Scarlett could contain himself no longer.
"You'll part with him for nothing," he said angrily. "Will you give him up without trouble, or do you want to fight for him?"
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