excepting the old general. Somehow, he became convinced by our
preparations that there would be much gold found as a just reward. Now
once again he accused us all of making a fool of him, of knowing from
the beginning that it was a wild-goose chase. I thought sarcastically
about his telegram and the desire he had had in the first place to
haggle about the terms; and I let him mutter on. It is always the one
who laughs last who laughs best. I made a little plan.

We retired from the Chinese Treasury with rather indecent haste. L----
did not even look at the guard which turned out as we passed the
entrance. When we had entered they had hurrahed him, and hoped that
his health was good, in a chorus after their custom; and he had made a
little speech in return, trusting that his children were also well! It
was amusing if you happened to be able to appreciate that kind of wit.
Most of my companions, however, did not. And yet with the clouds of
dust which had settled on us and covered us from head to food with
dirt it was impossible to look even dignified with success. And all my
friends, who had been so cordial and admiring in the morning, how cold
and distant they had become! They had not made anything--was not that
a sufficient excuse for any behaviour?

Somehow news of this expedition must have leaked out everywhere
through the indiscretion of confident busybodies, until everybody knew
about it, for we kept on meeting men riding across our road as if by
chance, and asking what luck we had had. This made the companions I
had gathered more furious than ever, and at the last moment, as we
parted, I could not restrain myself. I rode up to one of the staff
officers who had been the most officious and the most offensive, and
begged him not to forget to remind the general that he had a duty to
perform. An account must be telegraphed at once to Alexieff! That was
the last word--the very last.

VIII

THE PALSY REMAINS

September, 1900.

* * * * *

I have now ridden to every point of the compass in the city, and even
beyond, and I have inspected everything with a critical eye. It is
wonderful how things shape themselves. There are now some portions of
the city that are reasonably peaceful even at night, and where even
women can come forth and walk openly about; others that are quiet on
the surface and yet throw up mad things at all hours; and lastly,
there are those where riot and di