“He has returned to his house. But his soldiers are left to guard the exits of the palace, and they are ordered to capture you alive or dead. It is an insult to me to invade my territory in this way, and had you been guilty of any other crime I could have driven away the slaves of the governor. But a violation of the sanctity of the harem is so serious that our laws allow the criminals to be taken wherever they seek refuge.”
“We haven’t been near the harem,” protested Archie.
“Your action is worse. You met the women clandestinely.”
“Are not foreigners sometimes introduced to Chinese women by their lords?” I asked.
“It is sometimes done in the coast cities, such as Shanghai and Hong-Kong; but never where the ancient laws of our Empire prevail,” said the eunuch. “Besides, only the master of the harem can demand the death penalty for its violation; so, had Mai Lo introduced you to his wife and daughter, you would have had nothing to fear. As it is, the old serpent will have your lives.”
“Not if we can help it,” said I. “What would you advise us to do, Wi?”
He paced up and down for a time in deep thought. Then he said:
“Your only hope is to escape from Kai-Nong. Perhaps the governor will not care to follow you, once you are out of his way.”
“We won’t go until we have carried out the wishes of Prince Kai,” I returned, stubbornly.
“You can do that very easily and quickly.” He cast his eyes around the room and noticed the ashes of the burnt paper in the brazier. “I see you have examined the cabinet.”