"Alas! my nephew, nothing can be more difficult, for it is crowded with bonzes, and I fear worse--rebels, who swarm around the royal person like hornets; but whom seekest thou within the outer palaces?" "Even the Son of Heaven himself, at the feet of whose throne I would kneel." "Is the youth bereft of his senses? does he not know that it is certain death to pass the prohibited wall of the inner palace?" "May then the illustrious Prince Woo-san-Kwei be found within the palace?" asked Nicholas. "Nay, even if thou couldst boast the friendship of the great Woo-san-Kwei thou wouldst not be safe. The prince is too honest and brave to be much in favor just now. Wouldst thou be safe, youth, thou must seek the Prince Li-Kong." "The vile traitor," muttered Nicholas at the name. "Hist, hist! thou wilt assuredly lose thy head, boy," said Yang, placing his finger upon his lips. "Let the friend of the merchant of the south open his lips to a purpose. Can, or can he not, aid me to gain admittance within the palace? for it is my father's command that I should seek the Emperor or the Prince Woo-san-Kwei, and at the peril of my life he must be obeyed," said Nicholas firmly. "Since thou art determined, take this," said Yang placing a ring on the boy's finger; adding, "It will pass thee through the guards of the outer palaces and courts as far as the prohibited wall, and then proceed no further, as you value your life, but await the approach of one of the officers of the guard, to whom you must show that ring, and tell him that you have business with the red-girdled Prince Woo-san-Kwei; further, be prudent, or thou wilt seek thy death." "The worthy Yang has indeed filled me with gratitude," said Nicholas, who then sent Chow for a chair. When the boy returned he asked his master to what part of the city he would be carried. "To the palace." "By the five social relations the noble Nicholas is tired of this world, for he has no sooner escaped one death than he seeks another," said Chow. "Wag not thy foolish tongue, O Chow, but if thy heart fails thee stay behind." "And leave the noble Nicholas to go to the world of spirits alone? that would indeed be base. No, no; Chow will follow; but my noble master has forgotten his sword, he may require it," said the boy. "I am sufficiently armed," replied Nicholas showing the hilt of a small dagger beneath his robe, adding, "Now let us proceed."