Chang's side. They moved at the head of a long, slow train, for here
bandits were not feared, despite the loneliness of the land through
which they were traveling. Farms became more scattered, more widely
separated by patches of broken, barren rock; and, finally, all traces
of the microscopic cultivation which gave Szechwan Province its lean
fruitfulness were left behind them.

The mandarin rode for many miles in silence, occasionally changing
reins, looking steadily and gloomily ahead of him, with his attention
riveted, it seemed, upon the sharp and ceaseless clatter of his mule's
hoofs and the twisting rock road.

Peter's mind was fixed upon the problem which crept hourly nearer. His
head was cast between his shoulders as if the weight of a sorrowful
world rested upon that narrow, well-proportioned skull, with its
covering of shining light hair.

He loved his task as a man might love a selfish and thoughtless woman,
who demanded and craftily accepted all that he could give, to the last
ounce of his gold and the final drop of his blood. It was a thankless
task, yet it had grace.

It was well past mid-morning before Chang spoke the first word.

"A grateful dream came into my sleep last night. For years I have
fought in the darkness with a man who has the heart of Satan himself.
He has robbed me. Time after time he has sent into my camp his spies.
Some were more adroit than others. But none so adroit as the coolie
from Len Yang."

Peter repressed his surprise, and merely winked his eyes thoughtfully a
number of times. Chang went on:

"In this dream last night a young man was given into my keeping whose
spirit and manliness have not yet been soiled. His gratitude was
immediate. In return for the acts which grew out of that gratitude, I
am prepared to give him anything that is mine, or in my power, whether
he desires wealth, or position, or my friendship."

"The young man," said Peter gravely, "desires neither wealth nor
position. If he has been of service to the man who befriended him,
that is enough."

"Should he desire a favor of any kind----"

"Then help him to reach his enemy, who is your enemy, who is the Gray
Dragon of Len Yang!"

"In jest----"

"In all seriousness!" said Peter.

"It is death to enter Len Yang!"

"My mind is made up, mandarin!"

They had entered a narrow ravine, and on both sides of the slender
trail rose up sharp elbows of hard rock. Peter's head was inclined a
li