With the Chinese, murder is very lightly regarded, and Little Pete never doubted that his enemies of the See Yups would try to murder him when they got back from Washington. For weeks he went about wearing a coat of mail, and followed by two sturdy Sam Yups, his hired guards.
One night he went into the barber's, and, feeling safe, sent his guards away. The See Yups were watching for just such an opportunity, and rushed into the shop and killed him.
Every effort was made to find the murderers. Several men were arrested, but it was not possible to show that they were connected with the crime, so nothing could be done.
The news of the murder was sent on to China, and there the matter should have rested but that the two rival societies declared a boycott on each other.
The Consul got tired of this, and insisted that it be stopped. The See Yups obeyed, but grumbled, and gave the Consul a great deal of trouble.
The quarrelling still kept on, and finally the Consul sent the fatal letter, accusing the ten See Yups of treason.
The See Yups declare that they can prove that the Consul is in league with the Sam Yups, and that he has made this false accusation against them to oblige the Sam Yup society.
Their only hope is that the Minister, who returns to China very shortly, may straighten matters out for them. If he will not help them they will have to choose between going back to China and having their heads cut off, and allowing their innocent relatives to be punished for them.
It will interest you to know that this is Maple Sugar time, and that all through New England the manufacture of the delicious Maple Sugar is in full swing.