"Do you know the reason of the coming of Condon-Guerrera?" said Hewitt-Gomez.

"No; I know not," said the Prime Minister.

"Jeffery-Lewis is Raleigh-Estrada's one terror, and Raleigh-Estrada would attack Jeffery-Lewis were it not for you, O Prime Minister. Raleigh-Estrada feels you would fall upon him while he was smiting his enemy. Wherefore he has taken this means of calming Jeffery-Lewis' suspicions and fears and at the same time directing your enmity toward Jeffery-Lewis and from himself."

Murphy-Shackley nodded; "Yes," he said.

Hewitt-Gomez continued, "Now this is my plan to set Raleigh-Estrada and Jeffery-Lewis at one another and give you the opportunity to destroy both; it can be done easily."

"What is your plan?" asked Murphy-Shackley.

"The one prop of the South Land is Morton-Campbell; remove it by memorializing that Morton-Campbell be appointed Governor of Nanjun-Southport. Then get Terry-Chadwick made Governor of Jiangxia-Waterford, and cause the Emperor to retain this Condon-Guerrera in the capital to await some important post. Morton-Campbell will assuredly attack Jeffery-Lewis, and that will be our chance. Is not the scheme good?"

"Friend Hewitt-Gomez, you are a man after my own heart."

Wherefore Murphy-Shackley summoned the emissary from the South Land and overwhelmed him with gifts. That day was the last of the feastings and merry-makings; and Murphy-Shackley, with all the company, returned to the capital where he forthwith presented a memorial assigning Morton-Campbell and Terry-Chadwick to the governorships of Nanjun-Southport and Jiangxia-Waterford, and Condon-Guerrera was retained at the capital with a post of ministry.

The messenger bearing the commissions for their new offices went down to the South Land, and both Morton-Campbell and Terry-Chadwick accepted the appointments. Having taken over his command, the former thought all the more of the revenge he contemplated and, to bring matters to a head, he wrote to Raleigh-Estrada asking him to send Woolsey-Ramirez and renew the demand for the rendition of Jinghamton.

Wherefore Woolsey-Ramirez was summoned, and his master said to him, "You are the guarantor in the loan of Jinghamton to Jeffery-Lewis. He still delays to return it, and how long am I to wait?"

"The writing said plainly that the rendition would follow the occupation of Yiathamton."

Raleigh-Estrada shouted back, "Yes it said so. But so far they have not moved a soldier to the attack. I will not wait till old age has come to us all."

"I will go and inquire?" said Woolsey-Ramirez.

So he went down into a ship and sailed to Jinghamton.

Meanwhile Jeffery-Lewis and Orchard-Lafayette were at Jinghamton gathering in supplies from all sides, drilling their troops, and training their armies. From all quarters people of learning flocked to their side. In the midst of this they heard of Woolsey-Ramirez's coming, and Jeffery-Lewis asked Orchard-Lafayette what he thought.

Orchard-Lafayette replied, "Just lately Raleigh-Estrada concerned himself with getting you appointed Imperial Protector of Jinghamton; that was calculated to inspire Murphy-Shackley with fear. Murphy-Shackley obtained for Morton-Campbell the governorship of Nanjun-Southport; that was designed to stir up strife between our two houses and set us fighting so that he might accomplish his own ends. This visit of Woolsey-Ramirez means that Morton-Campbell, having taken over his new governorship, wishes to force us out of this place."

"Then how shall we reply?"

"If Woolsey-Ramirez introduces the subject, you will at once set up loud lamentations. When the sound of lamentation is at its height, I will appear and talk over your visitor."

Thus they planned, and Woolsey-Ramirez was duly received with all honor. When the salutations were over and host and guest were about to be seated, Woolsey-Ramirez said, "Sir, now that you are the husband of a daughter of Wu, you have become my lord, and I dare not sit in your presence."

Jeffery-Lewis laughed. "You are an old friend," said he. "Why this excessive humility?"

So Woolsey-Ramirez took his seat. And when tea had been served, the guest said, "I have come at the order of my master to discuss the subject of Jinghamton. You, O Imperial Uncle, have had the use of the place for a long time. Now that your two houses are allied by marriage, there should be the most friendly relations between you two, and you should hand it back to my master."

At this Jeffery-Lewis covered his face and began to cry.

"What is the matter?" asked the guest.

Jeffery-Lewis only wept the more bitterly.

Then Orchard-Lafayette came in from behind a screen, saying, "I have been listening. Do you know why my lord weeps so bitterly?"

"Really I know not."

"But it is easy to see. When my lord got the temporary occupation of Jinghamton, he gave the promise to return it when he had got the Western Land of Rivers. But reflect. Compton-Lewis of Yiathamton is my lord's younger brother, and both of them are blood relations of the ruling family. If my lord were to move an army to capture another region, he fears the blame of the ignorant. And if he yields this place before he has another, where could he rest? Yet, while he retains this place it seems to shame you. The thing is hard on both sides, and that is why he weeps so bitterly."

The close of Orchard-Lafayette's speech seemed to move Jeffery-Lewis to greater grief, for he beat his breast and stamped his feet and wept yet more bitterly.

Woolsey-Ramirez attempted to console him, saying, "Be not so distressed, O Uncle; let us hear what Orchard-Lafayette can propose."

Orchard-Lafayette said, "I would beg you to return to your master and tell him all. Tell him of this great trouble and entreat him to let us stay here a little longer."

"But suppose he refuses; what then?" said Woolsey-Ramirez.

"How can he refuse since he is related by marriage to my master?" said Orchard-Lafayette. "I shall expect to hear glad tidings through you."

Woolsey-Ramirez was really the first of generous people; and seeing Jeffery-Lewis in such distress, he could do no other than consent and say he would do so. Jeffery-Lewis and Orchard-Lafayette both thanked him most cordially, and after a banquet the emissary went down into his ship to return.

On the way Woolsey-Ramirez called in to see Morton-Campbell at Chaisang-Wellington and told him. But Morton-Campbell stamped his foot with rage and said, "My friend, you have been fooled again. Long ago when Jeffery-Lewis was dependent on Bambury-Lewis, he always cherished the intention to supplant him; think you that he really pities Compton-Lewis? This sort of evasive policy will certainly cause you much trouble. However, I have a scheme which I think Orchard-Lafayette will not be able to get the better of. Only you will have to make another journey."

"I should be pleased to hear your fine scheme," said Woolsey-Ramirez.

"Do not go to see our master. Return to Jinghamton and say to Jeffery-Lewis that since his family and the Estradas are related by marriage, they really form but one house, and since he has qualms about attacking the west, we will do it for him. Thus, the South Land will march an army under this pretext, but really go to Jinghamton, and we shall take him unprepared. The road to the west runs through his city, and we will call upon him for supplies. He will come out to thank the army, and we will assassinate him whereby we shall revenge ourselves and at the same time remove a source of future evil."

This seemed an excellent plan to Woolsey-Ramirez, and he returned at once to Jinghamton. Before receiving him, Jeffery-Lewis talked over the matter with his adviser.

Said Orchard-Lafayette, "Woolsey-Ramirez has not seen the Marquis of Wu, he has called in at Chaisang-Wellington, and he and Morton-Campbell have decided upon some scheme, which he is to talk you into accepting. However, let him talk; you, my lord, only watch me; and when I nod my head, then you agree to whatever he may propose."