He was of Irish parentage, and was understood to have political influence.
"Wayne," said Benson, "how would you like to go to China ?" And Honaton repeated portentously, "China," as if Benson might have made a mistake in the name of the country if he had not been at his elbow to correct him.
Wayne laughed.
"Well," he said, "I have nothing against China." Benson outlined the situation quickly.

The firm had acquired property in China not entirely through their own choice, and they wanted a thorough, clear report on it; they knew of no one--_no one_, Benson emphasized--who could do that as impartially and as well as Wayne.

They would pay him a good sum and his expenses.

It would take him a year, perhaps a year and a half.

They named the figure.