"You are aware, then, that his Excellency is dead?"
"Yes. Why did you murder him?"
"This is childish, madame, and outside the point at issue."
"Neither the one nor the other, Ling Wen, for because I know this you are going to hand me that seal and conduct me to my carriage."
"You will be pleased to prove it, madame."
"Undoubtedly. Hun Sun was sent with a message to be delivered by word of mouth to France. A message that dare not be written."
Ling Wen nodded ever so slightly.
"It may be so, madame; I do not know."
"A man who knew what Hun Sun did was too dangerous to be allowed to return to China, for he might hold even the Emperor himself within the hollow of his hand."
"I follow your reasoning, madame; it is excellent."