acquaintance did not act for himself, but for a friend from Madras, who
having made much money out of a Sahib, whose bearer he had been for some
years, desired to open business in a small way with sweets and grain and
such-like trifles, whereby to gain an honest living.

The assistant glanced at the clock, when, after much haggling, the deal
was concluded, and the Burman knotted the remainder of his money in a
small corner of his _loongyi_, and stood rubbing his elbows, looking at
the Chinaman, who appeared restless.

"Where shall I find Leh Shin?" The Burman put the question suddenly. "In
what house am I to seek him, assistant of the widower and the
childless?"

The boy leered and jerked his thumb towards the direction of the river.

"Closed to-night, follower of the Way," he said with a smothered noise
like a strangled laugh. "Closed to-night. Every door shut, every light
hidden, and those who go and demand the dreams cannot pass in. I, only,
know the password, since my master receives high persons." He spat on
the floor.

Coryndon bowed his head in passive subjection.

"None else know my quantity," he murmured. "These thieves in the lesser
streets would mix me a poison and do me evil."

The assistant scratched his head diligently and looked doubtfully at the
Burman.