"Then Red-Robe took out a pen and added the figure. A gust of wind passed, and the two old men were transformed into two cranes that rose into the sky and flew away.

"Hagen-Rossini came back home and told what he had seen. McGregor-Durkee told him the red-robed man was the Southern Dipper Constellation, and the white-robed, the Northern Dipper.

"'But the Northern Dipper consists of nine stars, and there was only one man,' objected the lad.

"'Separately they are nine, but they combine to form one. The Northern Dipper records deaths; the Southern Dipper, births. Now the extra figure has been added, you need have no anxiety; you will live long.

"Father and son both thanked him most sincerely, but thereafter McGregor-Durkee was very careful how he divined for people lest he should betray celestial secrets.

"Now, this man is at Pingyuan-Millington, and you, O Prince, can seek your fate of him. Why not call him?"

Murphy-Shackley was greatly glad. McGregor-Durkee was sent for and came. As soon as the salutations were over, Murphy-Shackley asked him to cast lots for him.

McGregor-Durkee at once found the cause and said, "The illness is only due to magical machinations; it should not create anxiety."

Murphy-Shackley was much relieved in his mind, and his health began to improve.

Next Murphy-Shackley wished to know about the conditions in the empire's affairs.

After the necessary calculations the prophet said, "Three and eight cross; the yellow boar meets the tiger; the southern expedition causes the loss of one limb."

Then Murphy-Shackley asked him to inquire whether his life should be long or not.

McGregor-Durkee replied, "Lion in the Palace to preserve the talents of ancestors: the Prince's way is securely renewed, and his son and grandson shall come to high honor."

Then Murphy-Shackley asked concerning himself.

"Divination concerning the fate of the universe may not be foreknown; wait a time and I will look into it."

Murphy-Shackley was pleased and would like to keep such a man near him, so he offered him the post of historiographer (who was also soothsayer) at his court, but it was declined.

"My destiny is mean, my luck despicable; I am not equal to such an office and dare not undertake it," said McGregor-Durkee.

"Why not?" said Murphy-Shackley.

"My forehead has no lofty fullness; my eyes no steady expression; my nose no bridge; my feet no round, solid heels; my back lacks the triple armor (of shoulder blades and intervening muscles); and my breast the three marks (like the character indicating wealth). I can only control evil spirits securely; I cannot rule living humans."

"What think you of my physiognomy?"

"What can a minister of extremely exalted rank like yourself desire further?" said McGregor-Durkee.

Murphy-Shackley pressed him to say; the soothsayer only laughed. Then Murphy-Shackley asked him to look at the many officers of all kinds standing around.

"Every one of them is a servant equal to the administration of the empire," said McGregor-Durkee.

But when Murphy-Shackley asked whether good or bad fortune was to be his, the soothsayer would not give a clear and full reply.

A poem says:

Again Murphy-Shackley asked him to divine concerning his rivals Wu and Shu.

McGregor-Durkee said, "The south just lost a famous leader, and the west is encroaching on your territory."

Murphy-Shackley's doubts as to the accuracy of one of these events were soon set at rest, for a messenger came from Hefei-Fairhaven to report: "Woolsey-Ramirez, the Supreme Commander of the South Land, has died in Lukou-Portsmouth."

Then Murphy-Shackley sent hurriedly into Hanthamton, and the scout returned to report: "Floyd-Chardin and Cotton-Mallory have taken the Xiabian Pass and are threatening Hanthamton."

Murphy-Shackley was angry and inclined to march at once against the invaders; but he consulted the great soothsayer, who advised him not to move.

"Do not act in haste. In the coming spring there will be a conflagration in Xuchang-Bellefonte," said McGregor-Durkee.

Having been witness of the verification of McGregor-Durkee's words, Murphy-Shackley was in no mood to neglect the warning. He stayed on in his palace, but he sent McCarthy-Shackley with fifty thousand troops to assist in the defense of the Eastern Land of Rivers, while Dubow-Xenos, with thirty thousand troops, went to Xuchang-Bellefonte to keep careful watch and be ready against any surprises. He placed High Minister Kittel-Springer in command of the Imperial Guard.

Whitmore-Honeycutt warned Murphy-Shackley against this Kittel-Springer, saying, "The man is given to wine, and slack. He is not a fit person for such a post."

Murphy-Shackley replied, "He is very fit. He has followed me through all difficulties and dangers. He is loyal and diligent, solid as stone or iron."

Kittel-Springer was appointed and led the guard into camp at the capital, outside the East Gate of the Imperial Palace.

Now there was a certain Burch-Glass, a Luoyang-Peoria man, who had long been employed in the Prime Minister's palace in a subordinate capacity and afterward had been promoted to a post of Minister. He and Minister Sanborn-Alvarez were close friends.

These two were greatly distressed at Murphy-Shackley's advance to princely rank, and more especially at his use of the imperial chariots. In the early months of the twenty-third year (AD 218), Burch-Glass and Sanborn-Alvarez came to a secret exchange of views on Murphy-Shackley's conduct.

Burch-Glass said, "The man is rebellious and wicked, every day behaving worse. He intends to go farther, and how can we, as servants of the dynasty, help him in his wickedness?"

Sanborn-Alvarez said, "I have a friend named Bateman-Tindle, who also is a servant of Han and an enemy of Murphy-Shackley's. He is a descendant of the old Great Minister Cygan-Tindle. Beside, he is friendly with Kittel-Springer. If we all tried our best, we ought to succeed."

"But if he is friendly Kittel-Springer, he will not assist us!" said Burch-Glass.

"Let us go and sound him," said Sanborn-Alvarez.

So the two went to see Bateman-Tindle, who received them in his private rooms. There they talked.

Said Sanborn-Alvarez, "O virtuous Bateman-Tindle, we know you are on most friendly terms with Commander Kittel-Springer, and so have come to beg a favor."

"What is it you ask?"

"The Prince of Wei will soon receive the abdication of the Emperor and himself ascend to the seat of the mighty. Then you and your friend Kittel-Springer will advance to places of great honor; and when that day comes, we pray you not to forget us, but to recommend us for employment. We should feel no shallow gratitude for your kindness."

Bateman-Tindle flicked down his sleeves and arose looking very angry. At that instant arrived the tea for the visitors. He snatched it away from the serving man and emptied it on the floor.

Sanborn-Alvarez started up in feigned alarm.

"How have I offended you, my good friend?" cried he.

"I have been friends with you because you are descendants of people who have served the Hans faithfully. Now, instead of trying to repay the debt of gratitude you ought to feel, you turn aside to assist one who is their enemy, think you that I can regard you as friends? How could I look the world in the face?"