Revolutions have been ignited by fewer and less veiled words than those.... The Chinaman's eyes burned like chrysoprase, and for a moment the Englishman thought he had lost. Then Fong Wa spoke and Masein translated.
"Your threats are useless, yet I will see what I can do." And Masein did not put into English the chu-kou, or pig-dog, that his Excellency added.
Trent left the yamen of the military chief in a very troubled state of mind. He knew he had struck flint—knew also that despite Fong Wa's evident fear of the "one whose authority reaches many miles beyond Tali-fang," there were ways and means of diverting circumstance to his cunning. For himself he had little fear; Dana Charteris was the source of concern.
A short distance away, one of the soldiers who had summoned Trent to the mandarin's house approached and addressed him in very bad English.
"Tajen," he began, "seven days ago a Buddhist priest passed this way and left a message for you with Fong Wa. Because the Tchentai was angry, he did not give it to you. For three taels I will steal it and bring it to you."
Trent considered a moment before he said—
"When you deliver the message to me, I will give you three taels."
This evidently satisfied the soldier, who grinned and hurried off toward the mandarin's residence.
"I think we'll leave Tali-fang to-night," Trent informed Dana Charteris when he reached the khan. "It's the wisest move—for more than one reason. Suppose you rest; we may have to ride into the night, or until morning."
The girl shook her head. "I am not tired."