"I suppose," he said, "there is no danger from outside? I wonder they do not try and effect an entrance from without." "They would find it a little difficult," replied Mr. Li. "No cat could climb these walls, and only a cat could get in at the windows. No, the danger does not lie here, but further on. From this room there is a subterranean passage about a quarter of a mile long, but unfortunately it has no communication with the rest of the house opposite; the exit being at the other end of the grove of plantains, under which it runs. I always intended to complete the work, but it has not been done, and the consequence is, we must risk getting across twenty yards of open country. For men it would not be so difficult, but the care of two ladies complicates matters. We must hope and pray that the men will be so occupied with getting into the house that they will not think of anything beyond. Still, we must prepare for emergencies. I shall lead the way, for I must open the door of the other house. The lock is a complicated one, and only I can turn the key. You and Mr. St. John will follow with the ladies. It will be as well to acquaint Mr. St. John also of the possible danger, without alarming the ladies. Ah, here he is." "Brother," said Paul St. John, laying his hand on the other’s arm, "what fills me with wonder is your great ingenuity. Surely you must have travelled a great deal, for I have never seen a house like this in China." "No," replied Mr. Li, smiling; "_I have_ travelled a great deal, and am very cosmopolitan in my tastes. When I was a boy I used to pore over Eastern tales of adventure, and I determined to build one of those wonderful fairy palaces one reads of: a place of concealed doors, sliding panels, and underground passages." "It is the dream of most children," said Mr. St. John, smiling, "but very seldom realized. You have succeeded admirably." "Not quite as well as I could wish, though." added Mr. Li; and he then told Mr. St. John wherein the danger lay. Paul St. John grasped his hand. His smile was as bright and radiant as before. "Well, brother," he said, gently, "it shall all be well. You can say with us now; ’For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.’" CHAPTER XII "THEY WANDERED IN DENS AND CAVES OF THE EARTH"