"Well, you are forgiven," said Miss Kendrick. "Now I’ll tell you that there’s just one compromise we will make. Big Sam may come here once a week to see Moon Ying. He’s the only Chinaman who can get past that door." "I suggested something of the sort, and he took it as though I had proposed an impropriety. I believe that a Chinese gentleman isn’t supposed to observe that another gentleman has a feminine side to his establishment." "Then he can stay out," said Miss Kendrick with decision. "You can go right back and set his mind at rest. He can have Moon Ying when she gets well and he finds a man who is fit to be her husband. It’s my private opinion that there isn’t such a one in Chinatown. And he can’t have her a minute sooner." I delivered this ultimatum to Big Sam. He had recovered his composure, and showed neither surprise nor disappointment when I reported the result of his mission. "Am I to understand that this message is from Mr. Kendrick or Miss Kendrick?" he inquired blandly. "From Miss Kendrick." "Ah! I presumed that such a matter would be decided by the head of the household." His tone was even, and I looked to his face for the flavor of sarcasm that seemed the proper dressing for the words. But the bland, inscrutable mask of China gave back only the expression of polite attention. "Her decision would be final in such a matter," I replied with something of resentment. "Then," said Big Sam in his suave tone, "I trust that she understands the responsibility she is taking." "I explained the importance you set upon it." "Oh, I did not refer to my interests," said Big Sam, waving them aside as though they were of no moment. "Then I am afraid I don’t understand you," I said in perturbation. "It is very simple. If the girl dies I can no longer answer for the conduct of the tongs. And if she dies in Mr. Kendrick’s house--" Big Sam left the sentence unfinished, and I asked: "Do you mean that as a threat of an attack on Mr. Kendrick or his niece?" "Oh, I do not threaten. I merely suggest. There are very bad men in these tongs, and they will be very angry. You can not be surprised if they put something of the blame for the girl’s death on those who have her in charge. And angry men will go far for revenge." "This is a serious threat," I said, with more alarm than I cared to show. "I do not intend it as such," said Big Sam calmly. "I merely state circumstances." "I am obliged to you for the warning," I said, "but I can only say that the considerations you mention would not move Miss Kendrick. She is convinced that to send the girl here is to sacrifice her life. Miss Kendrick has a woman’s courage--the courage that defends the helpless--and I know it would be useless to appeal to her fears." "Then," said Big Sam, with the air of one dismissing the subject, "there is nothing more to be said. What will happen will happen." And with royal courtesy he bowed me out. *CHAPTER XIV*