"I am always glad to welcome Mr. Hampden--even when he is the bearer of bad news."
I had heard no sound of his entry, and turned with a start at his voice. Then I exclaimed in surprise. Instead of Big Sam, in his Chinese costume, I saw an American gentleman regarding me with an impassive face. His light plaid suit was of fashionable cut, and no detail of costume was wanting. But for the voice, I should have supposed, at first glance, that another visitor had followed me into Big Sam's reception-room, and it was only a closer look that revealed the features of Big Sam himself. A touch of art had lightened the color of his skin, and only the eyes and cheek-bones suggested his Asiatic origin.
"I hope it is no bad news that brings me," I said, as Big Sam advanced to shake my hand. "I think I bring none myself."
Big Sam seated himself behind his desk, looking incongruously out of place--a modern American as master of an oriental domain.
"In this time of broils and alarms, one's first thought must be of sudden evil," he said gravely. "You may guess, by my disguise, I have been observing how your people comport themselves when they assemble to consider the interests of their race. I have been much edified."
In his American dress, and with his perfect command of English, I had no doubt that he might have brushed shoulders with Kearney himself without rousing suspicion of his nationality.
"It has been an inspiring evening," I replied with a gravity equal to his own. "I see you have prepared for trouble."
"I am not insensible to the advantages or rights of self-defense," he said dryly. "But I trust that you have found nothing incorrect in our attitude--if I may borrow a phrase from your diplomats. I would be unwilling to take any course objectionable to the country that is my host--possibly a somewhat unwilling host, if I may judge by the words I have heard to-night." Big Sam looked at me with the inscrutable irony of the Orient.
"I can see no ground for complaint," I replied. "I have come to learn, not to reprove or to warn."
"I am, as ever, at your service."