The San Francisco call., 1904-04-24

NINTH now and then a grunt OF
M a Russian oath the old war
Wv riOr listened to me to the end,
and then stood looking away
across the city toward that black spot
on the horizon.
saw he was moved, so I did not
press him. At last he Spoke, and softly,
for him.
You mean to go out the Little West
Gate" he unused, nursing a knuckle in
his beard. 1T would be roundabout.
and a more difficult journey; there
and the cart the coffin travels in might
come 10 grief" He was talking TO him
self-Only incidentally to me.
Then suddenly he answered as though
he had not spoken a word before:
Now. Martyr. ] don't like this more
than you: but it's too late TO change
the orders. This circus is a mighty big
affair. and everything is located with
reference to the route selected More.
the route has only been known for an
hour or two so they-er, well, no one
could have planned much Of a-er-at-
tack. Suppose we go down on our own
responsibility and order the coolies
around from the Chinese quarters and
let them line the course 70 the Little
West Gate. It viii seem as though the
line Of march had been changed. At
the last moment they can hasten to
their former places"
I doubt IL old Dejneff ever made so
long a speech before, and I doubt If he
ever will make a longer one again. It
was plain he was greatly Influenced,
and equally plain, now, that his plan
was the best that could be adopted at
this last moment. So I urged him TO
give the order; he did so, and / started
10 return. But as 1 went my old
doubts came back in fioodtide. With
the route now marked to the Little
Gate. why not try the King, after all?
I knew something, now, Of Tuen's
desperation-aye, more than any living
man. And Dulcine's life was at stakel
lnvoluntarily 1 pushed through the
crowds to the Kings antechamber and
asked a passing eunuch for the King.
He pointed me to another eunuch who
understood English.
He is in the mourning chamber" the
latter replied.
Il must see him." l said with a sig
nifcant gesture.
"Cherumr he exclaimed in the YER
nacular. He worships in the mourn
ing chamber until the march to the
tomb, captain"
/ moved impatiently.
can you get my name to one Of the
eunuchs of the mourning chamber"
Il can do that" the man answered.
He took il and left. Since the King had
deigned to recognise and counsel me in
the throne room, did not believe he
would refuse me a hearing at this
time.
Nor was I wrong, for in a few mo-
ments the man returned and beckoned
me TO follow.
1 went on through a maze Of smaller
rooms, being conducted by one official
after another. each more elaborately
dressed than the other until a last door
was opened from within.
I entered, and there stood the Kink.
When he saw me he turned and waved
his hand behind him, and two female
inmates OF his household went giggling
into further room. The place was
thick with cigarette smoke.
thus Whang-Su worshiped in the
mourning chamber during the last
hours before the imperial funeral.
Yet the Kings eyes grew serious as
he bade me enter, and I knew he had
not thought I asked audience for
nothing. I decided before saw him to
come straight 10 the point. There was
little time in which TO make changes,
however great the dispatch.
Sire. is the trail of earth to be laid
through the West Cater"
Il believe so" he answered blandly.
Through the Chinese quarter?"
To this he nodded, while he drew at
his cigarette. What" he then cried
through a cloud of smoke; you
laughed at my fears in the throne room
and boasted Of our strength" He saw
my point quickly. at leasti
] did not tell him what thought 1t
was another kettle of fish now that I
knew who was in that golden sarcoph-
agus.
But strong as we are, sire, is it not
fooIhardy to tempt Prince Tuen un-
necessarily"
Then told the King Of the situation
in the Chinese quarter and Of Dejneff's
plan. He seized upon that instantly.
The ruse is good, and il is all we
can do: the old palace is on the road to
the Little Gate.' he added; and / real
lied that he could not order the funer-