sentry abruptly ceased his conversation with Drake, pushed the little
skipper aside, and presented arms, his face assuming the fixed
expression of a wooden image, touched, Frobisher imagined, with more
than a trace of fear. And indeed, upon closer inspection, the
official's countenance itself was seen to be anything but pleasant in
expression.

He did not deign to return the sentry's salute, but stared in a
particularly offensive manner at the two Englishmen, finally coming to a
halt and putting several questions to the sentry, who replied in tones
that positively quavered with apprehension. During this time the
personage never took his eyes off the two friends, and Frobisher was on
the point of losing his temper when the unknown, with a distinctly
perceptible sneer, turned his back rudely and, with a curt command to
his waiting attendants, stalked majestically away.

"Who the--?"

"What a--" began Drake and Frobisher simultaneously, then stopped.
Frobisher, simmering with rage, continued:

"Drake, ask this sentry, here, who in thunder that insolent bounder is.
By Jingo! I have half a mind to go after him and tweak his pigtail
soundly. Why, he looked at us as though we were dirt beneath his feet--
as though we had no business to be alive. Confound his impudence!"

Drake, fully as indignant, sharply put the desired question, and in
reply received a long explanation from the sentry, who constantly sent
glances after the mandarin, as though fearful that the latter might
overhear what he was saying, even at that distance. Presently he
concluded, and Drake translated whilst the two continued their search
for Wong-lih.

"The fellow says," explained Drake, "that the individual who treated us
to such a close scrutiny is a very important official indeed. He is one
of the members--the chief, in fact--of the Naval Council, also a
four-button mandarin, entitled to wear the insignia of the golden
peacock. And he is also the captain of the battleship _Ting-yuen_, the
flagship of the Chinese northern fleet, which flies the flag of the
celebrated Admiral Ting himself. Last, but by no means least, he holds
an important post in the dockyard (though how he manages to carry out
the duties of that and those of captain at one and the same time I do
not know); while, to cap everything, he is a member of the Chinese Royal
Family, a Prince, no less, I assure you. What do you think of that for
a tally, eh, Mr Frobisher?"

"W