"It might be dangerous--to go beyond Liangchowfu. Your country and mine are most friendly, Captain Gray. I esteem your welfare as my own. My sorrow would greaten if injury happen to you." "Your kindness does honor to your heart." "I suggest," Wu Fang Chien looked mildly at the uneasy Delabar, "that you have me _visé_ your passports so that you may travel safely this side of Liangchowfu. Then I will give you a military escort who will be protection against any outlaws you meet on the road. In this way I will feel that I am doing my full duty to my honored guests." "The offer is worthy," said Gray, who realized that the sense of duty of a town official was a serious thing, but did not wish an escort, "of one whose hospitality is a pleasure to his guests." Wu Fang Chien shook hands with himself. "But we have little money to pay an escort----" "I will attend to that." "Unfortunately, an escort of soldiers would spoil my chances at big game. We shall pick up some native hunters." Wu Fang Chien bowed, with a faint flicker of green eyes. "It shall be as you wish, Captain Gray. But I am distressed at the thought you may suffer harm. The last American who went beyond the Western Gate, died." Gray frowned. He had not known that one of his countrymen had penetrated so far into the interior. "Without doubt," pursued the mandarin, stroking his fan gently across his face, "you have a good supply of rifles. I have heard much of these excellent weapons of your country. Would you oblige me showing them to me before you leave Honan?" "I should be glad to do so," said Gray, "if they were not packed in our luggage which will not be here before we set out. But I have two small presents----" The gift of the clock and electric light turned the thread of conversation and seemed to satisfy Wu Fang Chien, who bowed them out with the utmost courtesy to the waiting sedan chairs. Then, as the bearers picked up the poles, he drew a small and exquisite vase from under his robe and pressed it upon Gray as a token, he said, to keep fresh the memory of their visit. At their room in the hotel Gray showed the vase to Delabar. It was a valuable object, of enamel wrought on gold leaves, and inscribed with some Chinese characters. "What do you make of our worthy Wu Fang--hullo!" he broke off. Delabar had seized the vase and taken off the top. "It is what the Chinese call a message jar," explained the scientist, feeling within the vase. He removed a slim roll of silk, wound about an ebony stick. On the silk four Chinese characters were delicately painted. [Illustration: four Chinese symbols] "What do they mean?" asked Gray, looking over his shoulder. The Syrian glanced at him appraisingly, under knitted brows. His companion's face was expressionless, save for a slight tinge of curiosity. Delabar judged that the soldier knew nothing of written Chinese, which was the truth.