nity appeared only a doubtful
blessing set beside it. He drew his own wits together, and leaning near
the Burman laid before him the rough outline of a plan.

Mhtoon Pah's ways were known to him. Usually he went to the Pagoda after
the shop was closed, and he returned from there late; it was impossible
to be accurate as to the exact hour of his return. To risk detection was
to shatter all chance of success, and it was necessary to make sure
before attempting to break into the shop and identify the silk rag with
the original roll, if that might be done.

There was only one course open to the Burman and Leh Shin, and that was
to wait until there was a _Pwe_ at the Pagoda, which Mhtoon Pah would
certainly attend, as his new shrine drew many curious gazers to the
Temple. It would also draw the inhabitants of Paradise Street out of the
quarter, and leave the place practically deserted. For many reasons it
was necessary to wait such an opportunity, though Leh Shin raved at the
delay. It seemed to him that the whole plan was of his suggesting, and
he did not realize that every vague question put by the Burman led him
step by step to the complicated scheme.

"To-morrow I will send forth my assistant to bring me word of the next
_Pwe_, so that the night may be marked in my mind, and that I shall gain
pleasure in considering the nearing downfall of my enemy."

Coryndon slipped off to his house. He was tired mentally and physically,
but before he slept, he took a bundle of keys from his dispatch-box and
tied them to the waist of his _loongyi_.

In the morning there was a fresh surprise for Leh Shin. His assistant
refused to leave the river house, and no persuasion would lure him out
to look after his master's shop. He was afraid of something or someone,
and he wept and entreated to be left where he was. Leh Shin beat him and
tried to drive him out, to no purpose, and in the end he prevailed over
his master, whose mind was occupied with other and more weighty affairs.

Like a black shadow, Leh Shin crept about the streets, and he questioned
one and another as to the festivities to be held at the Pagoda.
Everywhere he heard of Mhtoon Pah's shrine, and of the great holiness of
the curio dealer. Mhtoon Pah was giving a feast at the Pagoda with
presents for the priests, and the night chosen was the night of the full
moon.

"Art thou bidden?" asked one who remembered the day of Leh Shin's
prosperity.

"It is in my thoughts, fri