My messmates and I slowly left our places and walked round the summer-house towards the little bridge over one of the gold-fish tanks, moving as deliberately as we could, while Ching's voice rang out, "Ti--ope--I--ow!" as if nothing were the matter.
The little crowd was between us and the mandarin's retainers, but it was hard work to appear cool and unconcerned.

Above all, it took almost a superhuman effort to keep from looking back.
Smith could not resist the desire, and gave a sharp glance round.
"They're coming after us," he whispered.

"We shall have to cut and run." "No, no," said Barkins hoarsely.

"They'd overtake us directly.

They'd come down like a pack of wolves.