"Quite as near a relation as yourself, Mr. Hampden. He is merely the custodian for his tong."
"Then his pitiful tale to the police--"
"Oh, we do not want for the inventive faculty."
"Then what better guardian could you suggest than yourself," I said, "or what better place than in your own home--or one of your homes?" Big Sam was reported to have one white wife and two Chinese wives, and it seemed to me that he might provide for her safety with one of the three, in case he did not wish to add to his matrimonial blessings.
"I have thought of that, but there are difficulties," he said, as a man considering. "I shall excite less enmity if I can provide for her safety in another way."
"The Mission--" I suggested.
"I should have both tongs at my throat at once," he laughed. "She must be where she can be returned at my will. And it is best that she should be with some good white woman."
"I'm afraid that the good white woman you have in mind would not care to take her in charge on those terms," I said.
Big Sam looked at the girl thoughtfully.
"Well, then, I must let my benevolent plans for her welfare go. It is a pity, too. I do not often indulge in such a luxury. But there are more important matters at stake than the life of a girl."