Page:The Specimen Case.djvu/47

38 but insistent, at the shutter overhead recalled him to the moment. Scarcely daring to hope that it was that other now returned again, he drew the footstool to the wall and cautiously looked out. The cloud of night had gathered, but the great sky lantern hung above and by its beams Ming saw another, such as he himself, standing below.

"Who art thou standing there?" he whispered down, "and wherefore are you come?"

"I would see you face to face," replied a voice no less well guarded. "Thrust forth thy arm that I may clamber up."

"Stay while I get a worthier hold," responded Ming, and having done so complied. The one outside made good his claim, and twisting through the space adroitly they fell upon the floor together. As they got up the other laughed, and standing thus apart regarded Ming.

"Canst thou not guess?" he demanded artlessly. "I am that San, heir of the one who is lord here, and this is my own chamber. I know who you are though I must not speak the name. So that is as I am!" and he continued to regard Ming closely.

"Should he chance to come this way our skins will bear witness of the meeting to the day when that last measurement is taken," observed Ming darkly; then going to the door he pushed home the wedge above the latch so that none could enter.

"That I well know," admitted San, "but we shall have warning by his sonorous breathing from afar and you can then speed me through the shutter."

"True," agreed Ming. "Yet whence are you?"

"For seven days and nearly seven days more I have dwelt at the elder Kong's, under a very strict injunction that confines me there. But I may not tell thee why."

"Then how comes it now that you have disobeyed?"

"The way is left unguarded and I adventured down.