le," admitted Kai Lung, with a shadow of remorse. "That suited to
the need of a credulous and ill-balanced mind would doubtless be the
proverb: 'He who believes in gambling will live to sell his sandals.'
It is regrettable if the well-intending Mandarin took the wrong one.
Fortunately another moon will fade before the results are known--"

"In the meantime," continued the maiden, indicating by a glance that
what she had to relate was more essential to the requirements of the
moment than anything he was saying: "Shan Tien is by no means
indisposed towards your cause. Your unassuming attitude and deep
research have enlarged your wisdom in his eyes. To-morrow he will send
for you to lean upon your well-stored mind."

"Is the emergency one for which any special preparation is required?"
questioned Kai Lung.

"That is the message of my warning. Of late a company of grateful
friends has given the Mandarin an inlaid coffin to mark the sense of
their indebtedness, the critical nature of the times rendering the
gift peculiarly appropriate. Thus provided, Shan Tien has cast his
eyes around to secure a burial robe worthy of the casket. The
merchants proffer many, each endowed with all the qualities, but
meanwhile doubts arise, and now Shan Tien would turn to you to learn
what is the true and ancient essential of the garment, and wherein its
virtue should reside."

"The call will not find me inept," replied Kai Lung. "The story of
Wang Ho--"

"It is enough," exclaimed the maiden warningly. "The time for
wandering together in the garden of the imagination has not yet
arrived. Ming-shu's feet are on a journey, it is true, but his eyes
are doubtless left behind. Until a like hour to-morrow gladdens our
expectant gaze, farewell!"

On the following day, at about the stroke of the usual court, Li-loe
approached Kai Lung with a grievous look.

"Alas, manlet," he exclaimed, "here is one direct from the presence of
our high commander, requiring you against his thumb-signed bond. Go
you must, and that alone, whether it be for elevation on a tree or on
a couch. Out of an insatiable friendship this one would accompany you,
were it possible, equally to hold your hand if you are to die or hold
your cup if you are to feast. Yet touching that same cask of hidden
wine there is still time--"

"Cease, mooncalf," replied Kai Lung reprovingly. "This is but an eddy
on the surface of a moving stream. It comes, it goes; and the waters
press on