fearful for their own heads, and dare not show too much concern for the foreigner.  This makes it absolutely plain that this extraordinary armistice is the result of a whole series of events which we cannot even imagine.  It is like that curious affair of the Board of Truce, but much more definite.  It means ... what the devil does it mean?  After S——­’s mysterious disappearance, when he was only a day’s march from Peking—­month ago—­it is useless to attempt any speculations.  How long will this last?...  In the evening, when we had exhausted the discussion of every possible theory, somebody remarked on the silence.  I will always remember how, for some inexplicable reason, that remark annoyed me immensely—­made me nervous and angry.  Perhaps it was that after weeks of rifle-fire and cannon booming, the colourless monotone of complete silence was nerve-destroying.  Yes, it must have been that; a perpetual, aggravating, insolent silence is worse than noise....  But this will mean nothing to you; experience alone teaches.

XVI

THE RESUMPTION OF A SEMI-DIPLOMATIC LIFE

20th July, 1900.

* * * * *

The third phase continues unabated, with nothing even to enliven it.  Despatches in Chinese from nowhere in particular continue to drop in from the Tsung-li Yamen; pen had been put to paper, and the despatches have been duly answered, leaving the position unchanged.  I have been even requisitioned, rebelliously, I will confess, to turn my hand to despatch writing; but my fingers, so long accustomed only to rifle-bolts and triggers, and a clumsy wielding of entrenching tools, produce such a hideous caligraphic result, that I have been coldly excused from further attempts.  It is incredible that one should so easily forget how to write properly, but it is nevertheless true—­eight weeks in the trenches will break the best hand in the world.  An ordinary man would think that what I write now is in a secret cipher!

But of diplomatic life.  All these despatches which come in are in the same monotonous tone; they are entreaties and appeals to evacuate the Legations and place ourselves under the benevolent care of the Tsung-li Yamen, to come speedily before it is too late.  Of course, not even our Ministers will go.

But there is more news, although it is not quite cheering or definite.  On the 18th the Japanese received a message direct from Tientsin, giving information to the effect that thirty thousand troops were assembling there for a general advance on Peking.  They say that ten days or a fortnight may see us relieved, but somehow the Japanese are not very hopeful.

On this same date came a secretary from the Tsung-li Yamen in person, accompanied by a trembling t’ingoh’ai, or card-bearer, frantically waving the white flag of truce.  They must been very frightened, for never have I seen such convulsiveness.  The secretary, walking quickly with spasmodic steps, held tight to the arm of his official servant, and made him wave, wave, wave that white flag of truce until it became pitiful.