usic. Now, until your inconsiderate activities prevailed, this
person was confidently greeted as the one who would be first."

"The names of Wang-san and Yin Ho were not unknown to the expectant,"
suggested Lao Ting mildly.

"The mind of Wang-san is only comparable with a wastepaper basket,"
exclaimed the visitor harshly; "and Yin Ho is in reality as dull as
split ebony. But in your case, unfortunately, there is nothing to go
on, and, unlikely though it be, it is just possible that this person's
well-arranged ambitions may thereby be brought to a barren end. For
that reason he is here to discuss this matter as between virtuous
friends."

"Let your auspicious mouth be widely opened," replied Lao Ting
guardedly. "My ears will not refrain."

"Is there not, perchance, some venerable relative in a distant part of
the province whose failing eyes crave, at this juncture, to rest upon
your wholesome features before he passes Upwards?"

"Assuredly some such inopportune person might be forthcoming,"
admitted Lao Ting. "Yet the cost of so formidable a journey would be
far beyond this necessitous one's means."

"In so charitable a cause affluent friends would not be lacking.
Depart on the third day and remain until the ninth and twenty taels of
silver will glide imperceptibly into your awaiting sleeve."

"The prospect of not taking the foremost place in the
competition--added to the pangs of those who have hazarded their store
upon the unworthy name of Lao--is an ignoble one," replied the
student, after a moment's thought. "The journey will be a costly task
at this season of the rains; it cannot possibly be accomplished for
less than fifty taels."

"It is well said, 'Do not look at robbers sharing out their spoil:
look at them being executed,'" urged Sheng-yin. "Should you be so
ill-destined as to compete, and, as would certainly be the case, be
awarded a position of contempt, how unendurable would be your anguish
when, amidst the execrations of the deluded mob, you remembered that
thirty taels of the purest had slipped from your effete grasp."

"Should the Bridge of the Camel Back be passable, five and forty might
suffice," mused Lao Tung to himself.

"Thirty-seven taels, five hundred cash, are the utmost that your
obliging friends would hazard in the quest," announced Sheng-yin
definitely. "On the day following that of the final competition the
sum will be honourably--"

"By no means," interrupted the other, with un