"That may be so," he exclaimed, with a quiet chuckle, "but if I can show you an official document of the Russian government proclaiming me what I say I am, giving me such powers as I say I possess, what then?"
"Then we will discuss the position diplomatically," I answered. "Where is the paper?"
"In the adjoining room," he said, and again I bent my eyes upon the ground.
"It is made jointly to Hun Sun and myself. We were the two great Russian allies in China, and we, by strange coincidence, were chosen to deliver this message to France. Your deduction that I killed Hun Sun, although clever, is wrong. The Emperor of China does not guard his secrets quite so barbarously. Hun Sun was advanced in years, and died a natural death."
"Then let me see this paper and I will believe you, and perhaps—"
He smiled and turned away from me, and I rose from my seat.
"I will bring it to you."
"We are not allies yet, Ling Wen, and I do not trust you. I will come."
"As you will," he answered. "I admire your caution, for it tells me how invaluable you will be to us;" and with a bow he crossed the room, and held the door of the inner apartment open for me to enter.
I half advanced, paused irresolute, and then drew back.