The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-09

l had not had a holiday for FIVE years,
my Imperial Master, the Son of Heaven, to
whom l had once rendered an important
service. deeming my presence at Pekin,
where was connected with the secret SER
vice bureau, necessary adjunct to his WE'LL
being. How l. an Englishman, came to hold
such position is matter need not enter
into here; but may add that / spoke Chin
ese fluently, and that was favored with a
dark, Oriental cast of countenancs which
enabled me TO pass as a.Chinaman without
arousing the least suspicion.
Well, the holiday being granted, / deter
mined TO 90 as Ear south as Hongkong, there
to spend few weeks with some relatives;
but on the way down l put into Hangchow
to call on my old friend. Chi-li-Ling. the
Governor of Che-Kiang. He and l, before
he received his great appointment had
studied together in the capital, and when
at length fortune came his way. and he
depa.t ted for his honorable office, he beg
ged of me not ito forget old friends. 1
promised. but long time passed before /
was able to avail myself of his hospitality.
found him apparently well in health,
and yet obviously weighted with the cares
of office. Indeed. his two years OF govern
orship of an important province had added
quite ten years to his appearance. Before
he took up this appointment he was sleek
good-natured notwithstanding man: now he
was thin. weary, and careworn. Most men
grow fat in office; CHS responsibilities had
contrary effect on him. And this you may
read as best suits your inclination. All
the same. when an honest man undertakes
a great responsibility it causes him many
a sleepless night.
/ rallied him in Il grandly serious way, not
forgetting the difference due to man Of
his exalted rank, ior between Chi, the ex-
pectant Office holder, and Chi, the Govern
or Of Che Kiang, there was world of Off
ference. And yet he had not found his posi-
ton such an unmixed blessing that he could
forget the common fact that he was only
human being like the millions about him:
one petty little human creature in whom
was invested an almost gud-,iie author
ity, answerable only to the greater gods
at PeiSin. After dinner. when thanks to
good meal, his face seemed to reflect a
happier mood, he admitted as much. The
realization of his hopes had not brought
with it those blessings Of which he had SO
fordly dreamed.
And yet once II seemed all that was
necessary to make your life supremacy
happy
He sighed as he blew great cloud Of
smoke to the ceiling
''Ah my friend" he said, ait might be
something to be great Independently; but
to be great on sufferance irritates the soul
OF an honest man."
Come, come l replied. do you not
overstate the case? Even the Emperor
himslf is answerable to" ] was going
to say 1.-The people, but / continued Ito
Cod
He smiled ever so slightly, this wary
Chi, and took another long pull at his
cheroot. No doubt, before he went to
Court, he too, had had his moments OF
Emperor-worship.
The Emperor he murmured. loyalty.
ais all wisdom. 1t is the vermin about him
who poison his august ears"
We'll, and what then? Do they not
seek TO vllify every great man. these con-
temptible vermin? Ii the Emperor gave
ear to their ISLANDERS there is nc man in this
country whom he could entrust with a re-
sponsible post"
But 1 greatly fear" said Chi. that he
is beginning to listen
This was bad. Once an official was "sus-
pect" it went hard with his enemies il he
was not soon deprived of office.
Il am sorry my friend. / wish / could
help you."
He stared above him, watching the smoke
die Enthusiastically on the ceiling, his eyes re-
fleeing the serious thoughts that lay be-
ElIC ICStn- luGu SuUttuls NE Eat
and looked at me. My words had not fall
en- on unheeding ears.
II believe you can-if you will
Have you sc little faith in my friend
ship"
'sForsive me- Clandon Before became
Governor of Che-Kiang l had many friends.
now / have more"
II am your Excellency's obedient ser
want replied. bowling with mock haugh-
tiness.
NO. no. he said with a smile. You
want nothing from the Governor Of Che
Kiang"
Pardon me, but I do"
well. what can he do for you?'
Give me his friendship"
He gave Ii long ago-though you are a
foreign devil"
That is mr. misfortune. But. tell me,
how can help my fTiend?"
No doubt you fully appreciate the diff
culties Of post like mine. To keep the
people contented would seem work enough
for one man. but 10 control the authorities
at Pekin as well is a problem somewhat
difficult to solve. Well. We all solve it.
more or less satisfactorily: have the mis-
fortune TO stand in the latter category" /
began to condole with him. but he cut me
short There is no crime imputed to me,
no mismaDagement OF the funds, no charge
Of extortion; yet the vermin AZ Pekin are
afsurediy working my ruin
"And the cause?"
Il will tell you. For nearly year now,
varied at long or short intervals, series
of mysterious disappearances has been 60
ing on In our city. The first one occurred
some nine or ten months ego. Flu, the ED |
est son OF Wang-Leh the banker suddenly |
disappeared. and nothing has been heard Of
him since. Enquiries disclosed the fact |
that. like many rich young men, he had
swerred from the rigid paths of morality,
and had taken up with other young men
equally reprehensible. IT also transpired
that he had stolen largely from his fathers
chest. and that he was believed to have
gaubled il all away. Well, of course they
came 10 US. and We set the law working !
in the usual official channel but never the
slightest trace Of Flu have We been able |
10 discover.
"a month after the son of tie great tea /
merchant. Chang-Si. disappeared in a SINH |
lar manner. Again we set the law working I
in the usual official channel. but to our great |
chaerin discovered no clew whatever. /
Within the next two months four more of |
our wealthy young men disappeared, while
within the last three months there have
been no fewer than five disappearance
Of similar character"
And you have no trace Of them?"
"None wha.ever-beyond the fact that
we know they were all moro or less bitten ,
by the gambling spider"
How do you know that?"
1T has come to US in many ways, but /
] do not attach much Importance TO IT."
Why not?''
Because / have had all the gaming |
establishments under the strictest surveil-