"Yes," I replied. "I must say I do not fully approve of what I am going to do. But it is not on account of your ward. Nothing could be better for her than what I have to offer." Then I explained with some detail the plans that had been approved by Miss Kendrick. He listened with studious attention. "Miss Kendrick is too kind," said Big Sam diplomatically. "She is young, I believe?" I bowed. "And Miss Fillmore also?" I bowed again. "And you do not approve?" "I do not." "I see your reasons. Perhaps you are right. Do you wish to abandon the girl to her fate?" "Oh, not at all. But with more time--" "There is no more time." "Not to-morrow?" "The tongs are even now in session. I have word that before morning there will be a demand for the girl, and if she is not surrendered there will be the reward of blood." "You are more powerful than they," said I, remembering the scene of the morning. "I have passed the limits of my power," said Big Sam placidly. "What is it you say of Russia? ’Despotism tempered by assassination?’ Well, I am but little of a despot, and the assassin has so much the better opportunity." "And by to-morrow you would give her up?" I asked. "To be frank with you, I would give her up to-night, Mr. Hampden, if it would purchase peace and safety." I looked sharply at Big Sam, but the oriental mask gave back the record of nothing but bland and child-like simplicity. "Then why not?" I asked. "There is but one girl. There are two tongs," said Big Sam. "That makes a difficulty," I admitted. "Yet only one tong owns the girl." "I fear I could not explain to you the attitude and customs of the tongs in this matter," said Big Sam with a smile. "One tong demands the delivery of the girl, or five thousand dollars. That is the one you would perhaps call the owner of the girl. The other demands the girl, or twenty-five hundred dollars." "Seventy-five hundred dollars for a girl--that is a little expensive." "I believe some of your countrymen have paid more. Though the bargain has not been made in so simple a fashion." Big Sam allowed himself to smile. "I don’t see how we are to help you then," I said. "But if you think it will put the tongs in better humor to have the girl in our custody, we are at your service." "This evening," said Big Sam, "I saw three dogs quarreling over a bone. A fourth dog much larger came by and snatched it. The three dogs ceased to quarrel and started in chase of the fourth." "A cheerful augury," I said. "I wish no quarrel with assassins, and least of all would I wish to bring them upon Mr. Kendrick’s household." "The fourth dog," continued Big Sam, "was larger--much larger--than the three put together. They ceased the chase before it was fairly begun, and joined in mourning their loss." "You put me in doubt," said I. "I must not bring danger to others."