"It is of the greatest importance," said he, "that I find Men-Ching without delay. I have news for him."
Ling whipped round at once.
"News," he exclaimed. "I tell you, my good man, you may be perfectly frank with us. We are in the secret."
"You are!" cried the man.
"All four of us," said Ling, whose capacity for falsehood appeared to be in proportion to his other faculties.
The man looked in surprise from Ling to Ah Wu, from Yung How to Frank.
"I see you doubt me," continued Ling. "Permit me to enlighten you. You are one of Cheong-Chau's band--that is evident from your coat. You came south with Men-Ching in order to convey certain letters to Hong-Kong. Cheong-Chau demands a ransom of twenty thousand dollars as the price of the lives of three European prisoners whom he holds in his hands. This sum of money is to be conveyed by junk, before the new moon, to the Glade of Children's Tears. It has already been arranged between my very good friend, Cheong-Chau, and Men-Ching, that we four, accompanied by Men-Ching himself, proceed to the Glade of Children's Tears in order to take possession of the money. I am surprised that Men-Ching did not inform you of all this. I presume you no longer doubt me?"
"I cannot doubt you," said the man. "You know more of the matter than myself. I was aware that Cheong-Chau had agents in Canton, but I was never informed who they were. Perhaps you will be so good as to advise me what to do."
Ling stroked his black moustache. He appeared to be deep in thought.
"If I were you," said he, "I should leave the matter in Men-Ching's hands. He cannot be far away. If I were you I should return at once to Cheong-Chau."