It was not Frobisher's policy, however, to let Ling see that he was
suspected, otherwise the man might become desperate and adopt some still
more strenuous measure, which it might be difficult if not impossible to
frustrate. Therefore, forcing back the words of indignation and
accusation that leapt to his lips, and making a strong effort to command
his voice so that it might not quiver, he remarked quietly: "Hi, Ling!
This tea is very strong. You've forgotten to put in any sugar. I
suppose there is some, isn't there?"

Ling repressed a smile, dived under one of the cart hoods, and presently
reappeared with a few lumps of the required sweetening, which Frobisher
calmly dropped into his cup, stirring them round so as to dissolve them
completely. He then set the cup down beside him, as though to let the
liquid cool, and watched Ling keenly until that wily Oriental was
looking another way, when he quickly capsized the contents of the cup on
to the grass, where the liquid was immediately absorbed by the damp
earth.

When Ling returned for the cup Frobisher observed him closely, and could
not avoid noticing the expression of satisfaction which even the man's
usual impassivity failed to suppress completely. Frobisher was by this
time quite convinced that Ling was a traitor, either belonging to, or in
the pay of, the Government party; and he began to wonder whether, after
all, the man had spoken the truth when he had affirmed that Korean
troops were approaching to capture the caravan along the Yong-wol road.
Might not the very reverse be the fact, and the troops be hiding in
ambush along the very road that they were about to traverse? Frobisher
was almost inclined to take the risk of altering the course of the
caravan in order to regain the main road; but a few seconds'
consideration caused him to abandon that idea. There were no less than
four roads to Yong-wol, including the customary route, and the
Englishman had only selected the one they were on at the last moment
before starting--after the arrival of Ling from the ship, in fact; so
that, unless Ling had arranged to have messengers waiting for him
ashore, and had found means to communicate with them--which Frobisher
could scarcely believe possible--the route they were taking could hardly
have leaked out. He therefore made up his mind to stand by his original
plan; and, the men having finished their meal, he gave orders for the
caravan to proceed, himself leading