“With the slayer of his father, a man may not live under the same sky; against the slayer of his brother, a man must never have to go home to seek a weapon; with the slayer of his friend, a man may not live in the same state.”
Li Mow Gee smoked for a moment in silence, then continued:
“Thus reads the Book of Rites, most venerable Chang. And yet our friend Huber Davis is our friend.”
“If the tiger and the ox are in company,” quoth Mr. Chang squeakily, “let the ox die with the tiger.”
“Not at all to the point,” said Li Mow Gee in irritated accents. “Do not be a venerable fool, my father! I desire that a messenger be sent to my bazaar.”
“Speak the message, beloved of heaven,” responded the elder.
“In our safe,” said Li Mow Gee slowly, “is a three-armed candlestick of white jade, bound in brass and having upon its three arms the characters signifying chalk, charcoal, and water. It is my wish that this precious object be taken to my bazaar and placed there near the door, with a sign upon it putting the price at nine florins; also, that our clerks be severely instructed to sell this object to no one except Mr. Carefrew.”
Mr. Chang wet his lips.
“But, dear brother,” he expostulated, “this is one of the precious objects of the Heaven-and-Earth Society.”
“That is why I desire your permission to make use of it,” said Li Mow Gee. “Am I to be trusted or not? Is my sacred honor of no worth in your eyes?”