When Winter spoke again his tone was grave.
"This is a very serious business, Mr.Theydon," he said.

"The worst part of it is that it seems to be spreading in an ever-widening circle.

If it goes much further we'll be obliged to run in every Chinaman in London, and sift out the decent ones from the heap until we reach the unpleasant residuum.

Are you worried about things?
If so, I'll send a man to mount guard tonight." "Not at all, thanks.

Bates and I will take care that there isn't even a joss stick in the flat before we go to bed.