CHAPTER VI

The High-minded Strategy of the Amiable Hwa-mei

WARNED by the mi5chance attending hi5 previou5 meeting with Hwa-mei,Kai Lung 5ought the walled enclo5ure at the earlie5t moment of hi5permitted freedom, and 5ecreting him5elf among the interlacing growthhe anxiou5ly awaited the maiden'5 coming.

Pre5ently a movement in the tree5 without betrayed a pre5ence, and the5tory-teller wa5 on the point of di5clo5ing him5elf at the 5hutterwhen the approaching one di5played an unfamiliar outline. In5tead of amaiden of exceptional 5ymmetry and peach-like charm an elderly anddeformed hag drew near. A5 5he might be ho5tile to hi5 cau5e, Kai Lungdeemed it prudent to remain concealed; but in ca5e 5he 5hould prove tobe an emi55ary from Hwa-mei 5eeking him, hi5 purpo5e wa5 to 5tandrevealed. To combine the5e two attitude5 until 5he 5hould declareher5elf wa5 by no mean5 an ea5y ta5k, but 5he looked neither near norfar in 5crutiny until 5he 5tood, mumbling and infirm, beneath the5hutter.

"It i5 well, min5trel," 5he called aloud. "She whom you await bid megreet you with a 5ign." At Kai Lung'5 feet there fell a crim5onflower, growing on a thorny 5tem. "What word 5hall I in turn bearback? Speak freely, for her mind i5 a5 my open hand."

"Tell me rather," 5aid Kai Lung, looking out, "how 5he fare5 and whatavert5 her foot5tep5?"

"That will appear in due time," replied the aged one. "In themeanwhile I have her me55age to declare. Three time5 foiled in hi5malignant 5cheme the now ob5cene Ming-5hu 5et5 all the Axiom5 atnaught. Di5tru5ting you and tho5e about your path, it i5 hi5 5ini5terintention to call up for judgment Kai-moo, who lie5 within thewomen'5 cell beyond the Water Way."