“You will not know of me, Mr. Doane. I am Sun Shi-pi of Shanghai. I was attached, as interpreter, to the yamen of the tao-tai. I left his service some months ago to join the republican revolutionary party. I was arrested shortly after that at Nanking and condemned to death, but his excellency, the viceroy--” “Kang?” “Yes. He is on this boat. He released me on condition that I go to Japan. I kept my word--to that extent; I went to Japan--but I could not keep my word in spirit. My life is consecrated to the cause of the Chinese Republic. Nothing else matters. I returned to Shanghai, and was made commander there of the 'Dare-to-dies.' You did not know of such an organization? You will, then, before the winter is gone. We shall be heard from. There are other such companies--at Canton, at Wuchang--at Nanking--at every center.” Doane seated himself on the narrow couch and studied the quietly eager young man. “You speak English with remarkable ease,” he said. “Oh, yes. I studied at Chicago University. And at Tokio University I took post-graduate work.” “And you are frank.” “I can trust you. You are known to us, Mr. Doane. Wu Ting Fang trusts you--and Sun Yat Sen, our leader, he knows and trusts you.” “I did know Sun Yat Sen, when he was a medical student.” “He knows you well. He has mentioned your name to us. That is why I am speaking to you. America is with us. We can trust Americans.” Doane's mind was ranging swiftly about the situation. “You are running a risk,” he said. Sun Shi-pi shrugged his shoulders. “I shall hardly survive the revolution. That is not expected among the 'Dare-to-dies.'” “If his excellency's soldiers find you here they will kill you now.” “The officers would, of course. Many of the soldiers are with us. Anyway, it doesn't matter.” “What is your errand?” “I will tell you. The revolution, as you doubtless know, is fully planned.” “I've assumed so. There has been so much talk. And then, of course, the outbreak in Szechuen.” “That was premature. It was the plan to strike in the spring. This fighting in Szechuen has caused much confusion. Sun Yat Sen is in America. He is going to England, and can hardly reach China within two months. He will bring money enough for all our needs. He is the organizer, the directing genius of the new republic. But the Szechuen outbreak has set all the young hotheads afire.” “I am told that the throne has sent Tuan Fang out there to put down the disturbance. But we have had no news lately.” “That is because the wires are cut. Tuan Fang will never come back. We will pay five thousand taels, cash, to the bearer of his head, and ask no questions. We must exterminate the Manchus. It has finally come down to that. It is the only way out. But we must pull together. Did you know that the Wu Chang republicans plan to strike at once?” “No.”