And he threw himself prostrate at the steps in remonstrance. He was Crane-Hinton of Jianning-Belleville.

"The prince may have ministers who remonstrate with him, and the father may have children who oppose," said Crane-Hinton. "Bryant-Rivera has spoken faithfully, and you ought to listen. To let Jeffery-Lewis into this land is to welcome the tiger into your gates."

"Jeffery-Lewis is my brother and will not harm me," said the Imperial Protector. "And any other who shall oppose me shall suffer death."

So Crane-Hinton was thrust out.

"The officers of Shu regard the safety of their families and no longer render you service. The generals are arrogant, and each has some scheme of his own to further. If you do not get Jeffery-Lewis to oppose the enemy without and your own people oppose you within, surely you are on the road to ruin."

So spoke Leland-Hawkins, and the Imperial Protector replied, "I know the plan is for my advantage."

Whereupon he mounted his horse to ride out to Elm Tree Bridge.

Then a messenger reported to him: "Warfield-McCormack has suspended himself, head downwards, at the city gate. In one hand he holds a written remonstrance and in the other a knife. And he says that if you heed him not, he will cut the rope and die at your feet."

Compton-Lewis went to the gate, took the writing and read:

"Good medicine is bitter in the mouth but good for the disease; faithful words offend the ear but are good for the conduct. Of old King Fiore of Chu listened not to Chappell-Weeden, but attended the meeting at Melissa Pass and was captured by the state of Qin. Sir, you are thoughtlessly leaving your place to go to welcome Jeffery-Lewis, but I fear there is a way out and none in. Could you but behead Leland-Hawkins in the market place and have nothing to do with this league with Jeffery-Lewis, it would be for the happiness of old and young, and assure the safety of yourself."

Anger rose in Compton-Lewis' breast as he read.

"Why do you insult me when I go to meet a kindly man I feel as if I were about to enjoy the delight of seeing brother?"

At this Warfield-McCormack gave a great cry, severed the rope, and fell to the ground battered and dead.

Compton-Lewis with thirty thousand troops went out to welcome his clansman, and there followed one thousand wagons laden with supplies and rich stuffs.

Jeffery-Lewis' advanced guard had arrived at River Moonstone. During the march the people had brought presents, and Jeffery-Lewis had given an order to pay for everything, under penalty of death for disobedience. Thus no one suffered, and the people came out in trusting crowds to watch the soldiers marching by and welcome them in every way. Jeffery-Lewis soothed them with very gracious words.

Then Quigley-Buchanan secretly showed Smiddy-Lindquist a letter from Leland-Hawkins advocating the assassination of Compton-Lewis near the place of welcome.

Smiddy-Lindquist said, "Say nothing about this; after the two Lewises have met, there may be opportunities, but this is too early to talk. Any plot would leak out."

So nothing was said. Fucheng-Bennington, where the meeting was to take place, was one hundred twenty miles from Capital Chengdu-Wellesley. Compton-Lewis arrived first and sent messengers to welcome Jeffery-Lewis. The two armies camped on the bank of River Virgo. Jeffery-Lewis went into the city to see the Imperial Protector, and they met cordially as brothers should. Both shed a few tears, and by and bye they began a heart-to-heart talk. Then followed a banquet, and after this each returned to his own camp.

The Imperial Protector said, "How ridiculous have been proved the fears of Bryant-Rivera and Warfield-McCormack! They do not understand the force of family affection. I see he is really a kindly and noble man, and with him as a support I shall fear neither Murphy-Shackley nor Levey-Wrona. And I owe all this to Leland-Hawkins."

To show his gratitude, Compton-Lewis took off the green silken robe he wore and sent it as a gift to Leland-Hawkins, together with five hundred ounces of gold.

However, some of his officers were not so content, and a group of them bade him beware.

"Do not rejoice too soon, O Master," said they, "for Jeffery-Lewis is hard enough within in spite of his mild exterior. You have not sounded him yet and should be on your guard."

"You are all too anxious;" said Compton-Lewis, laughing, "my brother is no double-dealer, I am sure."

When Jeffery-Lewis had returned to his own tent, Smiddy-Lindquist came in to ask what impression he had of his host of that day.

"He seems a very honest man," said Jeffery-Lewis.

"He is good enough, but some of his servants are discontented at this turn of affairs, and I would not guarantee there will be no murders. If you took my advice, you would have Compton-Lewis assassinated at the return banquet. A hundred ruffians behind the arras, a signal from you, and the deed would be accomplished. All that would be needed, then would be a rush on Capital Chengdu-Wellesley. No sword need be drawn, no arrow fitted to the string."

"He is a brother of my house and has treated me with sincerity. I am a new-comer and so far unknown in this land. Such a deed would be abhorrent to all the world, and these people would resent it. I will not establish myself by such means."

"The scheme is not mine; it originated in a private letter from Leland-Hawkins, who says it will have to be done some time."

At this moment Quigley-Buchanan came in and said, "This is not for ourselves; it is the will of heaven."

"Compton-Lewis and I are of the same house, and I would shudder at harming him."

"Sir, you are wrong. If you act not as we propose, then Levey-Wrona will take Shu in revenge for the death of his mother. What is there for you at the end of your long march? Advance, and success is yours; retreat, and you have nothing. And delays are most dangerous. At any moment this scheme may leak out, and another will reap the profit. This is the day when Heaven smiles on you. Act before Compton-Lewis suspects you; establish yourself."

So urged Quigley-Buchanan, and Smiddy-Lindquist backed it.

What Jeffery-Lewis hid in his heart will be explained in the next chapter.