The twins nodded, impressed as always by the story and the hint of mystery surrounding it. Also they had seen the “presents” in question, beautifully carved jade of deep, clear green, lengths of rich silks, ivory fans, and cunning teakwood boxes with trick drawers and detachable bottoms; things, as Aunt Charity pointed out disapprovingly, that were far too fine for a simple little Nantucket girl in her early ‘teens. “Tommy, listen to me,” Erica cried, suddenly, her sea-blue eyes very bright with the new, exciting idea that had come to her. “It’s just possible that you _will_ meet Sun Li if the _Spray_ goes to Canton. Anyway, I’m going to give you something that will introduce you to him as my cousin if you do.” It was Erica whose voice held an important note now, but both her listeners were too absorbed to smile. “Wait here for me,” she added, eagerly. “I’ll be right back.” She ran into the house, slamming the porch door behind her in the headlong tomboy fashion nothing that Miss Charity could say had succeeded in moderating. The twins heard her flying feet on the steep, carpeted stairs, and a moment later heard her come racing down them again. She held a small ebony box very carefully in one hand, and, opening it, drew out a heavy gold ring set with a green jade seal. There were strange Chinese characters cut in the stone, and the ring itself formed a conventional dragon’s head, which held the seal in its wide-open mouth. “Remember this?” she asked, breathlessly, holding it out to Tommy. “He sent it to me two years ago. Father said I was always to take great care of it, because it was Sun Li’s private seal, and the ring would have belonged to his son if he had lived. I’m going to give it to you, Tommy. When you’re in Canton, you can try to find out whose seal it is, and go to see Sun Li.” “But he may not like that, Rick,” Lister interposed, his tone troubled. “If Uncle Eric hasn’t told us much about him, perhaps its because he’s been asked not to. Sun Li may not care to have visitors from across the ocean.” “I don’t see why not,” Erica objected. “Anyhow, Tommy can use his judgment. He can inquire round a bit first, if you think he’d better——” “Tommy’s judgment is just about as much to be relied on as your own,” Lister said. But his smile was gentle for her, as always. Lister felt himself years older, most of the time, than his twin and Erica. Tommy took the ring and tried to slip it on his fourth finger. But it proved too small for that one, and too large for his little finger. He stared at it, frowningly, his face full of ingenuous disappointment. “Never mind. You can wear it round your neck, like a sort of talisman,” Erica giggled. “I’ve got just the very cord for that—it’s Chinese, too. It came round the last box Sun Li sent me.”