“It is not news to me,” replied Kenyon, without a trace of feeling in his voice or manner. “She dislikes me, in fact, and is at no pains to conceal it.” Hong Yo bent forward across the table, his narrow eyes fixed upon the young adventurer. “I thought last night that you seemed struck by her appearance,” spoke he. “Perhaps so.” Kenyon’s voice was cold and repellent; the Chinaman noticed it and drew slightly back. “I merely wished to warn you, that is all. This is a matter of business. It will not do to introduce any entanglements or impediments. We have had enough of them.” Kenyon nodded. “I understand,” replied he. “But there is no need to warn me, as you call it. My eyes are clear enough to see what I must avoid.” Farbush smiled grimly and nodded his head. “I think we may safely trust you for that,” remarked he. Kenyon looked at his watch. “Is there anything else?” he asked, in a bored sort of way. “I really have very little time.” “Nothing,” and Farbush laughed a little, “except that the girl threatened to proceed on her own account and in her own way, if she were not dealt with considerately.” Kenyon fancied that he detected a shade of anxiety in the man’s laughing words; but he said nothing, allowing him to proceed. “And her coming here to-night shows that she might have some notion of keeping her word. She came to see Hong Yo, as she said she would--and with her came an astounding companion. I had laughed at her up to that point; but now,” with a shrug, “I don’t know what to think.” “It has a queer look,” admitted Kenyon. “But perhaps it is not as serious as it seems. At the worst, she can know but little of consequence. And that little she cannot use.” “Let her attempt it,” cried Hong Yo, with that deadly creeping gesture of the hand toward his breast, “and I’ll--” “I think,” interrupted Kenyon, “that you left that plaything of yours inside there. So there is no use in your feeling for it.” He arose to his feet, and slowly began drawing on his gloves. His face was cold and hard, and the look in his eyes was unmistakable. “And I think it as well,” he continued, “to warn you against anything of that sort. My short acquaintance with you, Hong Yo, has shown me that you have the temper of a half-dozen devils; and, also, that you are not given to controlling it. But this girl must not be harmed! Do you understand? No matter what she does or says, she must not be harmed. She can injure us but little, if she does her worst. But, as I have told you, _he_ knows about her, and from that you must draw your line of policy.” “I understand,” answered Hong Yo, sullenly. “Good. And now if you will have the worthy Sing Wang or someone else show me the way, I’ll be going.” XII AND THE THIRD NIGHT BEGINS “Men go quietly upon the missions which they think will bring them much.” --_A Maxim of Hong Yo._