ll him to look
sharp." Then, turning to his guests, he continued, "I wonder who the
fellow is, and what he wants with me at this hour of the night." In
his own heart he thought he knew pretty well.

"By the way," remarked his guest, "I should advise you to keep your
eyes open while you are in this port. You can have no idea what queer
sort of people you will have to do with; but when I tell you that it is
the favourite meeting-place for half the villains of the East, you will
have some very good notion."

"Thanks for the warning," returned Browne. "I'll bear it in mind."

He had scarcely finished speaking, before the figure of a man appeared
at the top of the gangway and came towards them. He was tall and
slimly built, was dressed entirely in white, and wore a helmet of the
same colour upon his head. From an indescribable something about
him--it may possibly have been his graceful carriage or the drawl in
his voice when he spoke--he might very well have passed for a gentleman.

"Mr. Browne?" he began, lifting his hat, and, as he did so, looking
from one to another of the group.

"My name is Browne," said the young man, stepping forward. "What can I
do for you?"

"I should be glad if you would favour me with a few minutes' private
conversation," answered the other. "My business is important, but it
will not detain you very long."

"I can easily do that," replied Browne, and as he said it his guest of
the evening came forward to bid him good-bye.

"Must you really go?" Browne inquired.

"I am afraid I must," the other responded; "the boat has been alongside
for some considerable time, and to-morrow the homeward mail goes out,
and I have my letters to finish. I must thank you for a very jolly
evening. My only regret is that you are not staying longer in
Hong-kong. However, I hope we shall see you on the return voyage, when
you must let us entertain you, in a somewhat better fashion, than we
have been able to do to-day."

"I shall be delighted," said Browne as he shook hands; but in his own
heart he was reflecting that, when he did return that way, there would,
in all probability, be some one with him, who would exercise such
control over his time and amusements, that bachelor pleasures would be
out of the question. The man having taken his departure, Browne begged
his friends to excuse him for a few moments, and then passed down the
deck towards the tall individual, whom he could see waiting for him