mausoleum was effectually closed, so that not one of the workmen escaped. Trees and grass were then planted around, that the spot might look like the rest of the mountain.” Tillizinni nodded. “That is the trouble,” he said. “Trouble?” It is not etiquette for a high-born Chinaman to express his astonishment in the exclamatory style of the West; yet the Prince was obviously astonished. As briefly as possible Tillizinni gave a résumé of the events which had preceded and followed the stranding of the China mail-boat. His Excellency listened, his features composed to that immobility which is characteristic of his race. When Tillizinni had concluded, he asked: “You suggest that the thieves were seeking information which they knew I would publish, and which is to be found in every historical text-book on China.” “I suggest to your Excellency,” said Tillizinni quietly, “that amongst your documents there was one which threw greater light upon the Treasure House of the Dead than anything you have published.” The Ambassador was silent. His delicate fingers played restlessly with a silver paper knife on his desk, and his eyes were averted from the other’s face. Tillizinni offered no encouragement to speech. He understood that he had been right in his surmise. There was reason for the attempted burglary and the reason was to be found in the contents of the mail-bag. It was fully three minutes--no inconsiderable period of time--before the Ambassador spoke: “I can only imagine,” he said at last, speaking very slowly, “that the people who tried to rob the safe desired information which I am not prepared to give.” He looked up sharply. “Do you realise, Mr. Tillizinni,” he asked, “that buried with Ts’in Hwang Ti are jewels computed to be worth over two million pounds?” “Two millions?” The Prince nodded. “Two millions,” he repeated. “All the authorities agree that even in those days, China was enormously wealthy in gold and precious jewels, and that the value of the First Emperor’s possessions were enormous. He was originally the King of Ts’in, and he it was who established the Empire. By conquest alone he must have secured enormous wealth apart from that which he obtained through the recognised revenues of peace.” The knowledge that this wealth lies buried is sufficient to tempt the foreign adventurer--no Chinaman save some of the worst criminal characters would desecrate a tomb. “I have in my possession the exact location of Mount Li,” he added simply. “But----” “You think that is easy to find, but as a matter of fact the Empire is filled with Mount Lis, and though on one of these--the most obvious one--the tomb has been located, the great Emperor is really buried on a small and barren island in the Gulf of Pe-chili.” Tillizinni’s eyes narrowed. What mystery there was in the burglary had now vanished. “Why is not the location generally known?” he asked. The Ambassador favoured him with one of his rare smiles.