In his spacious reception room, with its blue walls, the high vases of flowers, the faint odour of incense, its indefinable ascetic charm, Prince Shan sat in his high-backed chair whilst Li Wen, his trusted secretary talked.

Li Wen was very eloquent.

His tone was never raised, he never forgot that he was speaking to a being of a superior world.

He had a great deal to say, however, and he was eager to say it.

Prince Shan, as he listened, smoked a long cigarette in a yellow tube.