“It already rests in the chih of his ancestors.”
“Then you will seal up the vaults at once and tear down this beautiful building?” I asked.
“Very soon. When the business of the estate is settled,” replied Mai Lo.
“And then?” I continued.
The governor did not reply, but I saw a smile curl the thin lips of the Chief Eunuch.
“Then,” said Archie, carelessly, “Mai Lo will put a dagger into his heart and join his prince in the Land of the Genii, as a faithful servant should.”
Mai Lo turned his glassy eyes upon the speaker, but said nothing. Evidently it was not pleasant to be reminded of such a duty, and Archie did not gain in popularity with the noble governor by his speech. But we were growing to despise Mai Lo, and cared little what he thought behind the impassive mask of his parchment-like features.
“I should like to see the inside of that building,” remarked Joe.
“It is forbidden,” was the abrupt reply. “No one but Prince Kai and I has been inside it during this generation.”
“Then how do we know that the body of Prince Kai rests in the tombs of his ancestors?” I asked, maliciously, for I liked to annoy the noble governor.