ng the whole of that period, I don't think I'm very far wrong in
saying that I know as much about the East as any man living--perhaps a
good deal more. And there's not very much going on out there that I
don't know about. Sometimes, even, I get to know about things before
they begin to happen, and am able to make my plans and put a little
money in my pocket thereby.

"`This is one of the occasions upon which I have managed to get wind of
something in advance, and in this case also I can see my way to making
quite a nice little pile of money. First of all, however, I must ask
you to pledge your word that, if after I have told you my plans you
don't feel inclined to come in with me, you'll do nothing to upset those
plans in any way whatever.'

"I gave him the required promise, perhaps just a little too readily, and
Drake resumed his story.

"`It so happens that my last port of call was--well--a small seaport in
Korea; and, while there, I heard some news that made me sit up and take
notice, as the Yankees say. It seems that, for some time past, the
Government of Korea has been playing some very hanky-panky games: taxing
the people until the burden has become unbearable; punishing the
smallest offences with death by torture; confiscating the goods and
money of every man who dared to allow himself a few more luxuries than
his neighbours; and, in short, playing the very mischief all round.
Naturally, even the mildest-mannered worm will turn under too much of
that kind of thing, and the average Korean is anything but
mild-mannered; so that, a little while ago, a party of officials decided
that they had had quite enough of it, and proceeded quietly and
methodically to foment a rebellion against the Government.

"`When I left Korea, things were very nearly ripe for the outbreak; but
it would have been suicidal folly for the rebels to have attempted
anything of the kind without proper arms to back it up, for the Korean
soldiery are naturally on the side from which they draw their pay--that
is to say, the side of the Government--and they also happen to be
particularly well armed just now. It was therefore necessary for the
would-be rebels to procure weapons before any successful revolt could be
undertaken, and one day I was interviewed by one of the officials on the
subject of supplying the rebel army with modern rifles.

"`To make a rather long story short, the upshot of the interview was
that I was commissioned to supp