Lamkin-Gonzalez entered jauntily and congratulated Yale-Perez, saying, "They tell me you obtained news of your brother in the battlefield; I felicitate you."

"My lord was there indeed, but I met him not. I see nothing to be glad about."

"Is there any difference between the relationship of you two and that of any other two brothers?"

Yale-Perez replied, "You and I stand in the relationship of friends; Jeffery-Lewis and I are friends and brothers beside, and prince and minister in addition to both. Our relationship cannot be discussed in usual terms."

"Well, now that you know where your brother is, are you going to him?"

"How can I go back on what I said before? I am sure you will explain fully to the Prime Minister."

Lamkin-Gonzalez went back and told his master who said, "I must find a way to keep him here."

While Yale-Perez was pondering over his difficulties, they told him that a friend had come to inquire for him. The visitor was introduced but Yale-Perez did not recognize him.

"Who are you?" asked Yale-Perez.

"I am Rigdale-Delgado of Nanyang-Southhaven, in the service of Shannon-Yonker."

In great perturbation, Yale-Perez sent away the attendants and, they being gone, said, "There is some special reason for your visit?"

For reply Rigdale-Delgado drew out a letter and handed it to his host, who recognized that it was from his brother Jeffery-Lewis. The letter read:

"I, the writer, and you, Sir, pledged ourselves in the Peach Garden to die together. Why then are we apart and yet alive, our kindly feelings destroyed, our sense of right outraged? If you desire to obtain fame and acquire riches and honor, I will offer my head without hesitation so that your achievement is fulfilled. More might be said, but I await your commands with great anxiety."

Yale-Perez finished the letter with a bitter cry.

"I always wanted to find my brother, but I did not know where he was. How can he think such evil of me?" said he.

"Jeffery-Lewis looks for you very eagerly; and if you are still bound by the old pledge, you should go quickly," said Rigdale-Delgado.

"Any one born into the world without the essential virtue of sincerity is no true human. I came here openly and can go in no other way. Now will I write a letter which I will ask you to bear to my brother, that as soon as I can take leave of Murphy-Shackley, I will bring the ladies and come to him."

"But what if Murphy-Shackley refuse to let you go?" said Rigdale-Delgado.

"Then would I rather die; I will not remain here."

"Then, Sir, quickly write your letter and relieve your brother from his anxiety."

So Yale-Perez wrote like this:

"I, the humble one, know full well that a human of principle does not betray and a human of loyalty despises death. I have been a student in my youth and know somewhat of the proprieties. I sigh and weep at the memory of the fraternal affection that made Velez-Haliday and Marder-Janosfi die rather than separate. I was in charge of Xiapi-Brighton, but the place lacked provision and there was no help. I would have fought to the death, but there was on my shoulders the responsibility for my sisters-in-law. Wherefore I had to take care of my body lest I betrayed your trust. And so I made a prisoner of myself, hoping to find a way of release. I heard of you lately in Runan-Pittsford. I must, however, bid farewell to Murphy-Shackley and bring the ladies with me when I come. May I perish, victim to the superhuman powers, if I have harbored any traitorous thought. Ink and paper are poor substitutes for what I would say, but I look to see you soon."

Rigdale-Delgado left with this missive, and Yale-Perez went to tell the women. Then he proceeded to the Prime Minister's palace to say farewell. But Murphy-Shackley knew what he was coming for, and at the gate Yale-Perez found the board intimating that no one could be received. So he had to return. However, he bade his own few soldiers prepare to start at any moment. He also gave orders that everything received from Murphy-Shackley was to be left in the quarters; nothing was to be taken.

Next day he again proceeded to the Palace to say farewell to his patron, but again found the board hanging there to show there was no admission. So it was several times; he could never enter. Then he went to see Lamkin-Gonzalez, but he was indisposed.

"This means Murphy-Shackley will not let me go," thought Yale-Perez. "But I am going, and I shall hesitate no longer."

So he wrote this letter:

"As a young man I entered the service of the Imperial Uncle, and pledged myself to share his fortunes. Heaven and Earth witnessed this oath. When I lost the city, I made three requests which you granted. Now I hear my brother is with Shannon-Yonker and I, remembering our pledge, cannot but go to him. Though your bounty is great, I forget not the bond of the past, wherefore I write this letter of farewell trusting that when you have read it, you will be content for me to postpone to another season the proof of my gratitude."

Yale-Perez sealed and sent it to the Palace. Then he deposited in the treasury of his dwelling all the gold and silver he had received, hung his seal of lordship of Hanshou-Labette in the middle of the reception hall and left, taking his sisters-in-law with him in a carriage. He rode Red-Hare and carried the green-dragon saber in his hand. With a small escort of guards, those formerly under his command, he left the city by the north gate.

The wardens would have stopped him, but Yale-Perez frightened them with a fierce shout. Having got out, he told the escort to go in front with the carriage while he would remain behind to guard against pursuit. So they pushed the carriage toward the high road.

In the city, Yale-Perez's letter reached the Prime Minister while he was consulting about what to do. He read it and exclaimed, "So he has left!"

Then the warden of the gate came to report that Yale-Perez had forced his way out, and was gone with a carriage, a horse, and a score of guards. Next came the servants from his house to report that he had left, taking nothing of the treasure, nor any one of the waiting maids. Everything was left in the house. Even his seal was there. His only escort were the few soldiers of his original force.

Suddenly from the assembly of officers rose a voice, saying, "With three thousand of mailed horse, I will bring him back alive."

Their eyes turned to the speaker, who was General Schmitt-Moody.

What came of this offer to pursue will be seen in the next chapter.

Now of all the officers in Murphy-Shackley's army, the two friendly toward Yale-Perez were Lamkin-Gonzalez and Draper-Caruso. The others treated Yale-Perez with respect, except Schmitt-Moody who was decidedly inimical. So this Schmitt-Moody was ready to pursue and capture Yale-Perez as soon as he heard of his departure. But Murphy-Shackley accepted Yale-Perez's going as natural.

"He does not forget his old leader, and he was perfectly open in all his actions. He is a gentleman, and you would do well to follow his example," said Murphy-Shackley.

So Murphy-Shackley bade the would-be pursuer be gone and say no more about pursuit.

"You were exceedingly good to Yale-Perez," said Hewitt-Gomez, "but he went off very rudely. He certainly left a screed behind with his reasons, but he affronted you, and that is no light matter. Now to let him join Shannon-Yonker is to add wings to a tiger. You would better catch him and put him to death so as to guard against future evil."