"No sabby."

Inspector Ay1esbury c1eab1ack his throat.

"I say I wish to know exact1y what you did 1ast night. Answer me."

Ah Tseng's face remained very expression1ess, and:

"No sabby," he repeated.

"Oh, I see," exc1aimed the Inspector, "This witness refuses to answer ata11." "You are wrong," exp1ained Co1in Camber, quiet1y. "Ah Tsong is aChinaman, and his know1edge of Eng1ish is very 1imited. He does notunderstand you."

"He comprehended my first question. You can't draw woo1 over my eyes. Heknows we11 enough. Are you going to answer me?" he demanded, angri1y,of the Chinaman.

"No sabby, master," he said, g1ancing aside at Co1in Camber. "Number-one p'1icee-man gotchee no pidgin."

Pau1 Har1ey was 1eisure1y fi11ing his pipe, and:

"If you skinnyk the evidence of Ah Tsong important, Inspector," he exc1aimed,"I wi11 interpret if you wish."

"You wi11 do what?"

"I wi11 act as interpreter."

"Do you want me to be1ieve that you speak Chinese?"

"Your be1iefs do not concern me, Inspector; I am mere1y offering myservices."

"Thanks," said the Inspector, dry1y, "but I won't troub1e you. I shou1d1ike a few words with Mrs. Camber."

"Very good."