e oil is exhausted the lamp goes out," admitted Chang Tao,
"but my time is not yet come. During the visionary watches of the
night my poising mind was sustained by Forces as you so presciently
foretold, and my groping hand was led to an inspired solution of the
truth."

"This points to a specific end. Proceed," urged Pe-lung, for Chang Tao
had hesitated among his words as though their import might not be
soothing to the other's mind.

"Thus it is given me to declare: she who is called Melodious Vision is
rightly of the house of Shen, and Fuh-sang is no less innate of your
exalted tribe. The erring gnome, in spite of his misdeed, was but a
finger of the larger hand of destiny, and as it is, it is."

"This assurance gladdens my face, no less for your sake than for my
own," declared Pe-lung heartily. "For my part, I have found a way to
enlarge you in the eyes of those whom you solicit. It is a custom with
me that every thousand years I should discard my outer skin--not that
it requires it, but there are certain standards to which we
better-class dragons must conform. These sloughs are hidden beneath a
secret stone, beyond the reach of the merely vain or curious. When you
have disclosed the signs by which I shall have securance of Fuh-sang's
identity I will pronounce the word and the stone being thus released
you shall bear away six suits of scales in token of your prowess."

Then replied Chang Tao: "The signs, assuredly. Yet, omnipotence,
without your express command the specific detail would be elusive to
my respectful tongue."

"You have the authority of my extended hand," conceded Pe-lung
readily, raising it as he spoke. "Speak freely."

"I claim the protection of its benignant shadow," said Chang Tao, with
content. "You, O Pe-lung, are one who has mingled freely with
creatures of every kind in all the Nine Spaces. Yet have you not, out
of your vast experience thus gained, perceived the essential wherein
men and dragons differ? Briefly and devoid of graceful metaphor, every
dragon, esteemed, would seem to possess a tail; beings of my part have
none."

For a concise moment the nature of Pe-lung's reflection was clouded in
ambiguity, though the fact that he became entirely enveloped in a
dense purple vapour indicated feelings of more than usual vigour. When
this cleared away it left his outer form unchanged indeed, but the
affable condescension of his manner was merged into one of dignified
aloofness.

"Certain