"I have passed the limits of my power," said Big Sam placidly. "What is it you say of Russia? 'Despotism tempered by assassination?' Well, I am but little of a despot, and the assassin has so much the better opportunity."
"And by to-morrow you would give her up?" I asked.
"To be frank with you, I would give her up to-night, Mr. Hampden, if it would purchase peace and safety."
I looked sharply at Big Sam, but the oriental mask gave back the record of nothing but bland and child-like simplicity.
"Then why not?" I asked.
"There is but one girl. There are two tongs," said Big Sam.
"That makes a difficulty," I admitted. "Yet only one tong owns the girl."
"I fear I could not explain to you the attitude and customs of the tongs in this matter," said Big Sam with a smile. "One tong demands the delivery of the girl, or five thousand dollars. That is the one you would perhaps call the owner of the girl. The other demands the girl, or twenty-five hundred dollars."
"Seventy-five hundred dollars for a girl--that is a little expensive."
"I believe some of your countrymen have paid more. Though the bargain has not been made in so simple a fashion."