They arranged matters to their satisfaction. Yung How was to attempt to discover the destination of Sir Thomas Armitage and the wealthy American. Men-Ching would lie in wait upon the river bank. Yung How would signal to him as the launch went by. If their destination was the North River, Yung How was to place his left hand upon the shaven fore-part of his head. If it was the West River, he was to raise his right hand. In either case, Men-Ching was to take horse and ride to Pinglo, where he would inform Cheong-Chau that the fish were swimming into his net. As for Ah Wu, at a later date, he was to play a certain part for which--on account of his cunning and secretive nature--he was eminently suited.
It was an exceedingly well-arranged plot, which will be duly explained in the appointed place. There was some discussion in regard to what sum it would be possible to obtain; but in the end it was decided that twenty thousand dollars would be sufficient, allowing that Cheong-Chau would take the bulk of it himself.
It was long past midnight when they came to the end of their deliberations. By then they were heavy with opium, and their eyes glazed from the drug. They threw themselves down upon the soft matted couches in the outer room, and slept and dreamed--as Chinese will--of things celestial, transcendental, such as cannot be expressed in words. For all that, the following morning Yung How presented himself at the breakfast-table of Sir Thomas Armitage in the Shamien Hotel.
"Well, Yung How," said the judge, "did you see your brother in Canton?"
"Yes, master," said Yung How, without moving a muscle of his face. "He makes bobbery with his wife."
"You mean," said Sir Thomas, for the edification of Mr Waldron, "that he and his wife have quarrelled?"
"Yes, master. She does not like that he smokes opium--once a week."
The judge made a wry face. "A nasty habit," said he.
"Yes, master," said Yung How; "only bad men smoke opium."
Sir Thomas looked at Yung How's eyes. The pupils were shrunken to the size of little beads.