leader of the two harshly, in the
midst of Kai Lung's courteous obeisance; "and do not presume to
disparage yourself as if in equality with the one who stands before
you. Have two of the inner chamber, attired thus and thus, passed this
way? Speak, and that to a narrow edge."

"The road lies beyond the perception of my incapable vision,
chiefest," replied Kai lung submissively. "Furthermore, I have slept."

"Unless you would sleep more deeply, shape your stubborn tongue to a
specific point," commanded the other, touching a meaning sword. "Who
are you who loiter here, and for what purpose do you lurk? Speak
fully, and be assured that your word will be put to a corroding test."

Thus encouraged, Kai Lung freely disclosed his name and ancestry, the
means whereby he earned a frugal sustenance and the nature of his
journey. In addition, he professed a willingness to relate his most
recently-acquired story, that entitled "Wu-yong: or The Politely
Inquiring Stranger", but the offer was thrust ungracefully aside.

"Everything you say deepens the suspicion which your criminal-looking
face naturally provokes," said the questioner, putting away his
tablets on which he had recorded the replies. "At Yu-ping the matter
will be probed with a very definite result. You, Li-loe, remain about
this spot in case she whom we seek should pass. I return to speak of
our unceasing effort."

"I obey," replied the dog-like Li-loe. "What men can do we have done.
We are no demons to see through solid matter."

When they were alone, Li-loe drew nearer to Kai Lung and, allowing his
face to assume a more pacific bend, he cast himself down by the
story-teller's side.

"The account which you gave of yourself was ill contrived," he said.
"Being put to the test, its falsity cannot fail to be discovered."

"Yet," protested Kai Lung earnestly, "in no single detail did it
deviate from the iron line of truth."

"Then your case is even more desperate than before," exclaimed Li-loe.
"Know now that the repulsive-featured despot who has just left us is
Ming-shu, he who takes down the Mandarin Shan Tien's spoken word. By
admitting that you are from Loo-chow, where disaffection reigns, you
have noosed a rope about your neck, and by proclaiming yourself as one
whose habit it is to call together a company to listen to your word,
you have drawn it tight."

"Every rope has two ends," remarked Kai Lung philosophically, "and
to-morrow is yet to come. Tell me