Page:Mr. Wu (IA mrwumilnlouisejo00milniala).pdf/225

 "Oh! I do not blame you," Basil Gregory's mother said. And her eyes were full of tears.

"Thank you," Wu said softly. "I will help you to find your son. I swear it. Trust me—and I shall not fail."

"I do."

Wu bent his head.

"And try to believe how much I regret to seem petty; but, really, Mrs. Gregory, frankly, if your husband and I were to meet again, even under the restraining influence of your presence, his strange animosity, his extraordinary prejudice against me, and his curious ideas of the language which a European may use to a Chinese gentleman—if I may so describe myself—would, I fear, tempt me to wash my hands of the whole affair. In short, I can not again enter any place that is Mr. Gregory's, and he has made it impossible for me to invite him to my house or to receive him there; but if you will so far honor me, and my kinswoman Sing Kung Yah, and my daughter—bring your amah with you" (he indicated Ah Wong with a gesture), "she has a loyal face, and I am sure you can trust her not to report your visit—and indeed," he added in a low tone, "she need not know how far I aid you. But all that I leave to you, naturally. All I ask is your promise that Mr. Gregory shall be ignorant always that your son has been restored to you by a 'damned Chinaman'; promise me that, and"

She bowed her head.

"I promise you that it shall not be my fault if your son is not restored to you within a few hours."

"Then you know"

"I know nothing," Wu Li Chang said earnestly,