"And that is?" enquired the admiral, raising his eyebrows.

"That I have practically no knowledge of the Chinese language," replied
Frobisher. "To be of any real use as captain of a cruiser it seems to
me that a thorough acquaintance with Chinese is an absolute necessity."

"If that is your only objection," exclaimed Wong-lih in a tone of
relief, "you may dismiss it at once. I had not overlooked the fact that
you might be ignorant of Chinese; but we shall do for you exactly what
we are doing in the case of Captain Foster of the battleship
_Chen-yuen_, who is also an Englishman. We shall provide you with an
efficient interpreter, whose sole duty it will be to remain constantly
at your side and translate your wishes and commands into Chinese; so,
you see, there will be no difficulty at all on that score. Now, if you
are quite ready, shall we go? I have no time to spare, and, moreover,
the atmosphere of this place is anything but agreeable."

As he spoke, the admiral opened the heavy door and, courteously signing
to the Englishman to precede him, allowed Frobisher to pass out into the
stone-flagged corridor. Thence they followed the route by which the
Englishman had been brought on the previous day, until they came to the
room in which he had been cross-examined by the commandant of the fort;
and there they found the latter, with the Governor and several other
officials, all of whom respectfully rose to their feet upon the
admiral's entrance.

With a somewhat curt gesture Wong-lih directed them to be seated; and
then ensued a rather lengthy conversation in Chinese, the principal part
of which was borne by the admiral, who seemed to be asking questions and
issuing instructions. Then, rising to his feet, he dismissed the little
group and requested Frobisher to follow him.

"Before we leave, sir," exclaimed the Englishman, suddenly remembering,
"I should like to ask a favour. When I was captured by the Korean
troops I had in my possession a pair of rather valuable revolvers, which
I prize very much, apart from their intrinsic value, from the fact that
they were given me by a very dear friend. I feel convinced that the
officer who seized them has not allowed them to pass out of his hands;
and, if he happens to be in the fort, I shall be very much obliged if
you will request him to return them to me. Also, if the jacket that was
taken from me has been preserved, I should like to have that as well. I
may perhaps b