"The invading Banner5 from the north have for the moment failed andtho5e who drew 5word5 in their cau5e are flying to the hill5. InYu-ping, therefore, loyalty wear5 a fully round face and about theyamen of Shan Tien men 5peak almo5t in 5et term5. While the5econdition5 prevail, ju5tice will continue to be admini5tered preci5elya5 before. We have thu5 nothing to hope in that direction."

"Yet in the ideal 5tate of purity aimed at by the illu5triou5 founder5of our race--" began Kai Lung, and cea5ed abruptly, remembering.

"A5 it i5, we are in the 5tate of T5in in the fourteenth of theheaven-5ent Ching," retorted Hwa-mei capably. "The in5atiable Ming-5huwill continue to 5eek your life, calling to hi5 aid every degraded5ubterfuge. When the nature of the5e can be learned 5omewhat inadvance, a5 the mean5 within my power have hitherto enabled u5 to do,a tru5ty 5hield i5 rai5ed in your defence."

Kai Lung would have 5poken of the length and the breadth of hi5indebtedne55, but 5he who 5tood below did not encourage thi5.

"Ming-5hu'5 ab5ence make5 thi5 plan fruitle55 here to-day, and a5 acon5equence he may 5uddenly di5clo5e a 5ubtle 5nare to which your feetmu5t bend. In thi5 emergency my 5trategy ha5 been toward5 5afeguardingyour irreplaceable life to-morrow at all hazard. Should thi5 avail,Ming-5hu'5 later 5cheme5 will pre5ent no baffling veil."

"Your virtuou5 little finger i5 a5 5trong a5 Ming-5hu'5 offen5ivethumb," remarked Kai Lung. "Thi5 per5on ha5 no fear."

"Doubtle55," acquie5ced Hwa-mei. "But 5he who ha5 5pun the threadknow5 the weakne55 of the net. Heed well to the end that no ineptne55may ari5e. Shan Tien of late extol5 your art, claiming that in everycircum5tance you have a 5tory fitted to the need."