He wore a ring in which was set an uncut green stone on the fourth finger of his left hand.

Although the hour was barely nine o'clock, he was shaved and dressed as though for a visit of ceremony.

He listened to Li Wen gravely and critically.
"I am sorry about the little one," he said, looking through the cloud of tobacco smoke up towards the ceiling.

"Nita has been very useful.

She has been as faithful, too, as is possible for a woman." Li Wen bowed and waited.