Yes, all is explained! That is also why a detachment of Chinese soldiers has taken over the van at Kachgar, in relief of the Persians! That is why Pan-Chao never heard of Yen Lou, nor of any exalted personage of that name existing in the Celestial Empire! We started to time, and, as may be supposed, our traveling companions could talk of nothing else but the millions which were enough to enrich every one in the train.
"This pretended mortuary van has always been suspicious to me," said Major Noltitz.

"And that was why I questioned Pan-Chao regarding the dead mandarin." "I remember," I said; "and I could not quite understand the motive of your question.

It is certain now that we have got a treasure in tow." "And I add," said the major, "that the Chinese government has done wisely in sending an escort of twenty well-armed men.

From Kothan to Lan Teheou the trains will have two thousand kilometres to traverse through the desert, and the safety of the line is not as great as it might be across the Gobi." "All the more so, major, as the redoubtable Ki-Tsang has been reported in the northern provinces." "Quite so, and a haul of fifteen millions is worth having by a bandit chief." "But how could the chief be informed of the treasure being sent ?" "That sort of people always know what it is their interest to know." "Yes," thought I, "although they do not read the _Twentieth Century._" Meanwhile different opinions were being exchanged on the gangways.

Some would rather travel with the millions than carry a corpse along with them, even though it was that of a first-class mandarin.