noon
came the provocative answer . She _ was _ flirting with him . Nevertheless , he merely grunted and relapsed again into the form of meditative lethargy which of late had grown habitual if not popular with him . A little after noon the train thundered into the narrow , dirty streets of China 's most flourishing city , geographically , the New Orleans of the Celestial Empire ; namely , Canton , on the Pearl River . As Peter and his somewhat amused young charge emerged into the street he cast a furtive glance back toward the station , and was dumfounded to glimpse , not two yards away , the man with the red , deeply marked face . His blue eyes were ablaze , and he advanced upon Peter threateningly . It was a situation demanding decisive , direct action .