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yellow devils！〃 exclaimed a voice from the spot where last the barbarian
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princess had reclined； and upon this person going to her assistance with
lights it was presently revealed that she alone had remained seated； the
others having all assembled themselves beneath the table in spite of the
incapability of the space at their disposal。 Most of the weightier evidences
of Kwan Kiang…ti's majestic presence had faded away； though the table
retained the print of his impressive hand； many objects remained
irretrievably torn apart； and in a distant corner of the room an insignificant
heap of shells and seaweed still lingered。 From the floor covering a
sprinkling of the purest Fuh…chow sand rose at every step； the salt dew of
the Tung…Hai still dropped from the surroundings； and； at a later period； a
shore crab was found endeavouring to make its escape undetected。
Convinced that the success of the manifestation would have enlarged
the one Glidder's esteem towards me to an inexpressible degree； I now
approached him with words of self…deprecation ready on my tongue； but
before he spoke I became aware； from the nature of his glance； that the
provision had been unnecessary； for already his face had begun to assume；
to a most distended amount； the expression which I had long recognised as
a synonym that some detail had been regarded at a different angle from
that anticipated。
〃May I ask；〃 he began in a somewhat heavily…laden voice； after he had
assured himself that the person who was speaking was himself； and his
external attributes unchanged； 〃May I ask； sir〃 （and at this title； which is
untranslatable in its many…sided significance when technically employed； I
recognised that all complimentary intercourse might be regarded as having
closed）； 〃whether you accept the responsibility of these proceedings？〃
〃Touching the appearance which has so essentially contributed to the
success of the occasion； it is undeniably due to this one's foresight；〃 I
replied modestly。
〃Then let me tell you； sir； that I consider it an outragea dastardly
outrage。〃
〃Yet；〃 protested this person with retiring assertiveness； 〃the expressed
object of the ceremony； as it stood before my intelligence； was for the set
purpose of invoking spirits and raising certain visions。〃
〃Spirits！〃 exclaimed the one before me with an accent of concentrated
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aversion； 〃yes； spirits； impalpable； civilised； genuine spirits； who manifest
themselves through recognised media； and are conformable to the usages
of the best drawing…room societyyes。 But not demons； sir； not Chinese
devils in the Camden Roadno。 Truth and Light at any cost； not paganism。
It's perfectly scandalous。 Look at the mahogany tableruined； look at the
wall…paperconventional mackerels with a fishing…net background； new
this springsoused； look at the Brussels carpet； seventeen six by twenty…
fivesaturated！〃
〃I quite agree with you； Mr。 Glidder；〃 here interposed the individual
Pash。 〃I was watching you； sir； closely the whole time； and I have my
suspicions about how it was done。 I don't know whether Mr。 Glidder has
any legal redress； but I should certainly advise him to see his solicitors to…
morrow； and in the meantime〃
〃He is my guest；〃 exclaimed the one whose hospitality I was enjoying；
〃and while he is beneath my roof he is sacred。〃
〃But I do not think that it would be kind to detain him any longer in
his wet things；〃 said another of the household； with pointed malignity； and
accepting this as an omen of departure； I withdrew myself； bowing
repeatedly； but offering no closer cordiality。
〃Through a torn sleeve one drops a purse of gold；〃 it is well said； and
as if to prove to a deeper end that misfortune is ever double…handed； this
incapable being； involved in thoughts of funereal density； bent his
footsteps to an inaccurate turning； and after much wandering was
compelled to pass the night upon a desolate heathbut that would be the
matter of another narrative。
With an insidious doubt whether； after all； the far…seeing Kwan Kiang…
ti's first impulse would not have been the most satisfactory conclusion to
the enterprise。
KONG HO。
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LETTER VII
Concerning warfare； both as waged by ourselves and by a nation
devoid of true civilisation。 The aged man and the meeting and the parting
of our ways。 The instance of the one who expressed emotion by leaping。
VENERATED SIRE；You are omniscient； but I cannot regard the fear
which you express in your beautifully…written letter； bearing the sign of
the eleventh day of the seventh moon； as anything more than the
imaginings prompted by a too…lavish supper of your favourite shark's fin
and peanut oil。 Unless the dexterously…elusive attributes of the genial…
spoken persons high in office at Pekin have deteriorated contemptibly
since this one's departure； it is quite impossible for our great and
enlightened Empire to be drawn into a conflict with the northern
barbarians whom you indicate； against our will。 When the matter becomes
urgent； doubtless a prince of the Imperial line will loyally suffer himself to
Pass Above； and during the period of ceremonial mourning for so pure and
exalted an official it would indeed be an unseemly desecration to engage
in any public business。 If this failed； and an ultimatum were pressed with
truly savage contempt for all that is sacred and refined； it might be well
next to consider the health even of the sublime Emperor himself （or；
perhaps better； that of the select and ever…present Dowager Empress）； but
should the barbarians still advance； and； setting the usages of civilised
warfare at defiance； threaten an engagement in the midst of this
unparalleled calamity； there will be no alternative but to have a formidable
rebellion in the Capital。 All the barbarian powers will then assemble as