"You are a clever woman," he said, "and that is why I would have you on
our side. I tell you frankly that your value would be incalculable to
Russia--to the Russian party in China. On behalf of Russia, I can make
the payment whatever you desire."
"It is difficult to believe, _mon ami_," I replied, with a laugh, and I
looked him in the face now, for a little excitement was pardonable. "The
protestations you made earlier in the evening have proved too false to
inspire confidence."
"That may be so," he exclaimed, with a quiet chuckle, "but if I can show
you an official document of the Russian government proclaiming me what I
say I am, giving me such powers as I say I possess, what then?"
"Then we will discuss the position diplomatically," I answered. "Where
is the paper?"
"In the adjoining room," he said, and again I bent my eyes upon the
ground.
"It is made jointly to Hun Sun and myself. We were the two great Russian
allies in China, and we, by strange coincidence, were chosen to deliver
this message to France. Your deduction that I killed Hun Sun, although
clever, is wrong. The Emperor of China does not guard his secrets quite
so barbarously. Hun Sun was advanced in years, and died a natural
death."
"Then let me see this paper and I will believe you, and perhaps--"
He smiled and turned away from me, and I rose from my seat.
"I will bring it to you."
"We are not allies yet, Ling Wen, and I do not trust you. I will come."
"As you will," he answered. "I admire your caution, for it tells me how
invaluable you will be to us;" and with a bow he crossed the room, and
held the door of the inner apartment open for me to enter.