Prince Shan stood in the tiny sitting room of his suite upon the _Black Dragon_ and looked around him critically.

The walls were of black oak, with white inlaid plaques on which a great artist had traced little fanciful figures,--a quaint Chinese landscape, a temple, a flower-hung pagoda.

There were hangings of soft, blue silk tapestry, brought from one of his northern palaces.

The cloth which covered the table was of the finest silk.

There were several bowls of flowers, a couch, and two comfortable chairs.