Chapter 8
The philosopher had not yet retired, but was lying on the lounge reading the latest edition of “The Pekin Gazette;” and the contraction of his eyebrows was a certain indication that the paper was paying a compliment to the reigning dynasty of Tsing.
Kin-Fo pushed open his door, entered the room, threw himself on an arm-chair, and, without other preamble, said,—
“Wang, I have come to ask you to do me a service.”
“Ten thousand services,” answered the philosopher, letting fall the paper. “Speak, speak, my son! speak without fear; and, whatever they may be, I will render them.”
“The service I require,” said Kin-Fo, “is one of that kind that a friend can render but once; and when it is done, Wang, I will excuse you from the nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine others. And I
