oniacal
possession, the degraded Shen Heng maintains an unworthy silence.
Indeed, at the mention of Hsi Min's name he wraps his garment about
his head and rolls upon the floor--from which the worst may be
inferred. They of Min's house, however, are less capable of guile, and
for an adequate consideration, while not denying that Shen Heng has
paid them to maintain a stealthy silence, they freely admit that the
facts are as they have been stated."

"In that case, Shen Heng shall certainly return the thousand taels in
exchange for this discreditable burial robe," exclaimed Wang Ho
vindictively.

"Venerated personality," said Lin, with unabated loyalty, "the
essential part of the development is to safeguard your own
incomparable being against every danger. Shen Heng may be safely left
to the avenging demons that are ever lying in wait for the
contemptible."

"The first part of your remark is inspired," agreed Wang Ho, his
incapable mind already beginning to assume a less funereal forecast.
"Proceed, regardless of all obstacles."

"Consider the outcome of publicly compelling Shen Heng to undo the
transaction, even if it could be legally achieved! Word of the
calamity would pass on heated breath, each succeeding one becoming
more heavily embroidered than the robe itself. The yamens and palaces
of your distinguished friends would echo with the once honoured name
of Wang Ho, now associated with every form of malignant distemper and
impending fate. All would hasten to withdraw themselves from the
contagion of your overhanging end."

"Am I, then," demanded Wang Ho, "to suffer the loss of a thousand
taels and retain an inadequate and detestable burial robe that will
continue to exercise its malign influence over my being?"

"By no means," replied Lin confidently. "But be warned by the precept:
'Do not burn down your house in order to inconvenience even your chief
wife's mother.' Sooner or later a relation of Shen Heng's will turn
his steps towards your inner office. You can then, without undue
effort, impose on him the thousand taels that you have suffered loss
from those of his house. In the meantime a device must be sought for
exchanging your dangerous but imposing-looking robe for one of proved
efficiency."

"It begins to assume a definite problem in this person's mind as to
whether such a burial robe exists," declared Wang Ho stubbornly.

"Yet it cannot be denied, when a reliable system is adopted in the
fabricatio