With a start he recognised the handwriting as that of Mrs. Yale. The second was addressed to himself, and was from the same lady. He tore it open quickly and read its contents with a sinking heart. It ran: “Dear Captain Talham,-- “Yvonne left London yesterday for China to join you. She is travelling by the overland route. “Naturally, I felt very chary of allowing her to go by herself, but your telegram was so emphatic that I could not deny the dear girl the pleasure which I know she will feel in meeting you. “I am sure you will telegraph her arrival the moment she gets to Hoo Sin, and that the ladies who have so kindly offered her their hospitality will not be disappointed in my gem! I should be glad if you will thank them for me.” “My God!” muttered Talham, for he had sent no cablegram to the girl or to her mother. CHAPTER XVIII. IN THE CAVERN OF THE DEAD. “The honourable stranger has received bad news,” said the Mandarin. Talham looked at him thoughtfully. Could he help? “I have received very bad news,” he said, “with which I will not assail your magnificent ear. Yet I would ask you this. Where is the nearest telegraph town?” The Mandarin considered. “There is one at Tai Pan,” he said, looking straightly at the other. “That is the nearest. Otherwise you would have to go to Cho Sin, which is a hundred and fifty _li_ from here.” “I shall send to Tai Pan,” said Talham, and took his leave with a little ceremony. All messages that went through Tai Pan would, of course, be seen by Soo. It was Cho Sin or nothing. He got back to the compound, and found Tillizinni making an inspection of the walls. “I’ve bad news,” he said, and with remarkable brevity told the contents of the letter. “The girl has been lured here by Soo,” said Tillizinni; “that’s evident.” “My God, she may be in Tai Pan now!” said Talham. “He would have met her at one of the wayside stations on the Trans-Siberian. It’s horrible, Tillizinni, horrible!” Tillizinni considered. “One thing is evident,” he said after a while. “Once you have penetrated the tomb of the Emperor you must clear out quick. Why not make the attempt to-night and leave China by way of Tai Pan? You have fifty men. Make a dash upon Soo’s stronghold and take your chance of finding Yvonne there.” Talham thought for awhile. “That is one scheme,” he said; “but I think I know a better. I will leave twenty men to defend this place and use this as my base. We’ll go to the tomb to-night.” Talham could have let the tomb go--but there was nothing to be gained by this. Mount Li was on the way to Tai Pan--the two expeditions could be accomplished in one night. He could reach Tai Pan before the dawn. Soo would not be prepared for an early morning rush upon his city. Prudence and interest dictated parallel courses. Talham had committed to memory the instructions which the dead builders had left, some of which apparently conflicted with those upon the jade bracelet.