"It is one that exactly fills the conditions under which the girl was taken," he responded dryly. "A reputable man of her own race--a merchant--wishes to make her his wife."
"He is well-to-do, I assume."
"Naturally, or he would not be able to meet the demands of the tongs."
"Has he another wife?" I asked, with mistrust of the Chinese domestic arrangements.
"None."
"In that case, I think he may be ready to offer his credentials in something less than a month."
"He will find it difficult to repress his impatience," said Big Sam gravely. "He is a widower."
And with a bow of ceremony he dismissed me.
CHAPTER XXXII
THE ANSWER