The report seems to have been sent to him for safety, but the sender of it, of whose probity, by the by, the American Ambassador pledges himself, appears to have been sent to China by you." "Jesson!" Nigel exclaimed.

"I have heard of this already, sir, from a friend in the American Embassy." "The dispatch," Mr.Mervin Brown went on, "is in some respects a little vague, but it is, on the other hand, I frankly admit, disturbing.

It gives specific details as to definite military preparations on the part of China and Russia, associated, presumably, with a third Power whose name you will forgive my not mentioning.

These preparations appear to have been brought almost to completion in the strictest secrecy, but the headquarters of the whole thing, very much to my surprise, I must confess, seems to be in southern China." "In that case," Nigel pointed out, "if you will permit me to make a suggestion, sir, you have a very simple course open to you." "Well ?" "Send for Prince Shan." "Prince Shan," the Prime Minister replied, with knitted brows, "is not over in this country officially.

He has begged to be excused from accepting or returning any diplomatic courtesies." "Nevertheless," Nigel persisted, "I should send for Prince Shan.