In a few minutes a boat came off, and the prisoner, closely guarded, and with his face covered with a piece of cloth, was hurried ashore.

* * * * *

Four days had passed—­days of heat so intense that even the Chinese crew of the steamer lay about the decks under the awning, stripped to their waists, and fanning themselves languidly.  During this time the captain and his officers, by careful inquiries, ascertained that the unfortunate prisoner was a brother of one of the Wangs, or seven “Heavenly Kings,” who had led the Taeping forces, and that for a long time past the Viceroy had made most strenuous efforts to effect his capture, being particularly exasperated with him, not only for his courage in the field, and the influence he had wielded over the unfortunate Taepings, who were wiped out by Gordon and the Ever-Victorious Army, but also because he refused to accept Li Hung Chang’s sworn word to spare his life if he surrendered; for well he knew that a death by torture awaited him.  Gordon himself, it was said, revolver in hand, and with tears of rage streaming down his face, had sought to find and shoot the Viceroy for the cruel murder of other leaders who had surrendered to him under the solemn promise of their lives being spared.

Late in the afternoon, a messenger came on board with a note to the captain.  It was from the mandarin Kwang, and contained but a line.  “Follow the bearer, who will guide you to the prisoner.”

An hour later Carpenter was conducted through a narrow door which was set in a very high wall of great thickness.  He found himself in a garden of the greatest beauty, and magnificent proportions.  Temples and other buildings of the most elaborate and artistic design and construction showed here and there amid a profusion of gloriously-foliaged trees and flowering shrubs.  No sound broke the silence except the twittering of birds; and not a single person was visible.

The guide, who had not yet uttered a single word, now turned and motioned Carpenter to follow him along a winding path, paved with white marble slabs, and bordered with gaily-hued flowers.  Suddenly they emerged upon a lovely sward of the brightest green, in the centre of which a fountain played, sending its fine feathery spray high in air.

On one side of the fountain were a number of “braves” who stood in a close circle, and, as Carpenter approached, two of them silently stepped out of the cordon, brought their rifles to the salute, and the guide whispered to him to enter.

Within the circle was Kwang, who was seated in his chair of office.  He rose and greeted the captain politely.

“I promised you that you should again see the criminal in whom you and your officers took such a deep and benevolent interest.  I now fulfil that promise—­and leave you.”  And, with a malevolent smile, he bowed and disappeared.

The guide touched Carpenter’s arm.