The lad was all fire and enthusiasm. He did me no end of good, for the sordid environment, the appalling meals--principally of pork served in great gobbets with quantities of onions--which Mrs. Abbs provided for the H.F., herself and me, and above all the overpowering, incredible structure at hand which seemed, in its strength and majesty, to laugh at the ant-like activities of such an one as I, were beginning to depress and to tinge my hours with the quality of a fantastic dream. But Rolston changed all that and we talked far on into the night, planning, plotting, and arranging all the details of our campaign. "To-morrow," he said, "I'll paint the board to go over the side door, in black and gilt Chinese lettering. As soon as it's done, we will make one or two alterations to the upstairs room, buy a gas urn with constant hot water and some special tea which I know where to get. When that's done, I'll start the game by going down to the 'Rising Sun' and meeting the Chinese there." "You are quite certain that you won't be discovered?" "I think it's in the last degree improbable. Certainly no one could find me out owing to my speech. That I can assure you, Sir Thomas, and it's nearly all the battle. So very, very few Europeans ever attain to good colloquial Chinese that there would never be a doubt in any one but I was what I seemed to be. I not only know the language, but I know how these people think and most of their customs. As far as disguise goes, I think it's good enough to deceive any one. When I was a prisoner within the inclosure, the Chinese who saw me were for the most part coolies and laborers, engaged upon the works. All these have now gone away forever and there's only the regular, selected staff. Some of these of course must have seen me as I was, but I don't think they will penetrate my get-up. You see the whole shape of the face is altered to begin with, and the coloring of hair and face has been done so well as to defy detection. I certainly was afraid about my ears," and he grinned ruefully, "but I saw the way out by having them pierced and these rings put in. Most of the natives from the Province of Yuen-Nan, where I come from, wear these rings. The ones I have on at the present moment are made of lead, and gilded. They have pulled my ears right out of their ordinary shape." "Good Lord!" I cried, astounded at the length to which he had gone. "You're torturing yourself for me." "Not a bit of it, Sir Thomas," he replied. "I--I rather like it!" "And you think you will be able to get us a Chinese clientele?" "I am quite certain of it. First of all I don't suppose I shall get the best class--I mean the upper and more confidential servants who ascend the tower itself--for I understand there's a very rigid system of grades. But little by little they will come also. It will take us weeks, maybe months, but it will be done." "If it takes me half a lifetime I'll go through with it," I said savagely.