“If it’s a matter of holdin’ out against them—­”

Bates intended making a declaration of war, but his employer broke in emphatically.

“I want you to obey my orders fully and unquestionably,” he said.  Bates promptly became the well-trained valet once more.

“Yes, sir,” he said.  “Your portmanteau will be ready in ten minutes.  Half an hour later me an’ Mrs. Bates will leave for my cousin’s place in Hampshire.”

Theydon returned to the sitting room.  His sister’s face was white with fear, but he threw restraint to the winds.

“Mollie,” he said, placing his hands on her shoulders, “you are very dear to me, but there is one woman in the world who, if fate proves kind, may yet be dearer.  She is in danger.  If some one said that of you to your husband, what would he do?”

She kissed him with tremulous lips.  “He would act just as you are going to act,” she said.  “But, dear, can’t you trust me?  I cannot help, perhaps, but I can pray for you.”

“Well, then, Sis, I won’t fence with you any longer.  There’s a sort of feud between Mr. Forbes and a faction in China.  He helped the reformers financially, and some supporters of the dethroned dynasty are trying to compel him by force to give them a list of the prominent men who control the revolution.  If he yields, it means that nearly a hundred leading men in China—­ men whose only thought is the welfare and progress of their country—­ will be ruthlessly murdered.  If he continues to refuse, his own life and the lives of his wife and daughter are at stake.  These fiends killed Mrs. Lester within a few feet of this very room.  They killed her husband six months ago.  They tried to kidnap Evelyn Forbes yesterday, and succeeded, for a while, in carrying off her mother, their plan being to torture one or both, even unto death.  Heaven help me, I love Evelyn Forbes, and I would count my life well spent if I died in defending her.  Should anything happen to me and she is spared, tell her that, will you—­ and my spirit will thank you.”

“We must not think of death, but of life,” was the brave answer.  “Can I do anything?  Could George assist if he were here?”

“No, Mollie.  Perhaps I am exaggerating matters, though the history of this week would make strange reading if published broadcast.  Indeed I shall now urge on Mr. Forbes the advisability of sending the facts to the press.  London would be stirred to its depths, and every one of its citizens would be quick to observe and report the presence of Chinamen or Japanese in the West End.  Some innocent Orientals would suffer, but the police might at least be enabled to capture the pestiferous gang which has committed this latest outrage.  Just think of some cold-blooded scoundrel shooting at a sweet-mannered and gentle lady like Mrs. Forbes!”

“Surely the authorities can protect her.”

“That is the wild absurdity of the position.  Of course, you didn’t hear what Mr. Forbes said.  The armed detectives on duty in his house actually saw the Chinaman who fired the shot which wounded her, leaning out through the window of a closed car.  But they cannot blaze away at any passer-by merely because he is, or resembles, an Asiatic.  What they dare not do, however, he and I will endeavor cheerfully.  Bates!”