CLEVE BRANCH was studying Ling Soo. He knew instinctively that the ancient Mongol was speaking the absolute truth. But he sensed a subtle something in Ling Soo’s phraseology.
While Cleve was considering the statement that had just been made, Joseph Darley asked another question, and Cleve forgot all else in his interest in this new subject.
“Does the Wu-Fan,” asked Darley, “intend to be a ruling power here or elsewhere?”
Cleve knew that Ling Soo’s reply would be important.
“The Wu-Fan,” said the Chinaman blandly, “is an ideal. It consists of those who think and believe in common.
“You Americans have your orders — your lodges, as you call them. They have swayed the minds of those who belong to them — many working toward the common good. Such is the Wu-Fan; but it is Chinese, not American.”
“That is just my point,” declared Darley. “The Chinese are different from Americans.”
“Exactly,” said Ling Soo, in a precise tone. “The Chinese are more peaceful than your race. We bide our time. We are not on the rush. The Wu-Fan seeks no quick results. It is patient.”
“Then,” prompted Darley, “your attitude toward American customs and government is—”
He left the statement for Ling Soo to fill. The Chinaman did not hesitate.