"You mean to say that this third party in China is going to stand pat on the expediency of toleration. The Hindus have taken a hundred years—"
"Not exactly that," said Dr. Ti Kung. "We believe that Japan can be stupefied—even strangled."
A servant entered at this moment and spoke to Dr. Ti Kung—a hurried sentence. Voices from the street now reached them, as if an outer door had suddenly blown open.
Dr. Ti Kung arose quickly, beckoning Romney to follow. They made their way to the rear of the house and into the garden.
"Another little engagement. So glad you appreciate these absurd affairs. You have your pistol?"
"Yes—I have become attached to it."
Ti Kung thrust a packet of papers into Romney's hands.
"These are invaluable and safer with you. In case I am separated from you or hurt, deliver the packet in person to the address in the inner envelope, Tientsin. Now we must get over the masonry."
Together they lifted a bench from the poolside to the wall. Romney helped his companion over the jagged glass on the coping. He then removed his coat and laid it upon the top for his own passage over, his hands and arms already bleeding. On the coping, he perceived that Ti Kung was not alone below. Romney landed upon his feet between two struggling figures. A knife burned his back. He kicked with effect in the direction it came.
Meanwhile he called for Ti Kung, and a hand came up to him from below. The assailant had vanished. Something in the touch of that hand made him know that his friend was badly hurt.