ed
aspirations of the one who relates towards the one who is receptive,
there are many passages even in the behaviour of Wei Chang into which
this person could infuse an unmistakable stress of significance were
he but given the opportunity."

"The day of that opportunity has not yet dawned," replied the Golden
Mouse; "nor has the night preceding it yet run its gloomy course.
Foiled in his first attempt, the vindictive Ming-shu now creeps
towards his end by a more tortuous path. Whether or not dimly
suspecting something of the strategy by which your imperishable life
was preserved to-day, it is no part of his depraved scheme that you
should be given a like opportunity again. To-morrow another will be
led to judgment, one Cho-kow, a tribesman of the barbarian land of
Khim."

"With him I have already conversed and shared rice," interposed Kai
Lung. "Proceed, elegance."

"Accused of plundering mountain tombs and of other crimes now held in
disrepute, he will be offered a comparatively painless death if he
will implicate his fellows, of whom you will be held to be the chief.
By this ignoble artifice you will be condemned on his testimony in
your absence, nor will you have any warning of your fate until you are
led forth to suffer."

Then replied Kai Lung, after a space of thought: "Not ineptly is it
written: 'When the leading carriage is upset the next one is more
careful,' and Ming-shu has taken the proverb to his heart. To
counteract his detestable plot will not be easy, but it should not be
beyond our united power, backed by a reasonable activity on the part
of our protecting ancestors."

"The devotional side of the emergency has had this one's early care,"
remarked Hwa-mei. "From daybreak to-morrow six zealous and
deep-throated monks will curse Ming-shu and all his ways unceasingly,
while a like number will invoke blessings and success upon your
enlightened head. In the matter of noise and illumination everything
that can contribute has been suitably prepared."

"It is difficult to conjecture what more could be done in that
direction," confessed Kai Lung gratefully.

"Yet as regards a more material effort--?" suggested the maiden, amid
a cloud of involving doubt.

"If there is a subject in which the imagination of the Mandarin Shan
Tien can be again enmeshed it might be yet accomplished," replied Kai
Lung. "Have you a knowledge of any such deep concern?"

"Truly there is a matter that disturbs his peace of l