The General was scowling and was obviously turning over in his mind something that had occurred.
“What makes you think that Lord Sheldon is taking the Governor’s side?” Lady Osmund enquired.
“We were discussing at the meeting this morning the custom prevailing amongst the Chinese community in Hong Kong of buying and selling girls for the purpose of making them domestic servants.”
“A very sensible custom!” Lady Osmund remarked.
“That is what I thought,” the General replied, “but the Governor is trying to put a stop to it.”
“How ridiculous! Why should he interfere?” Lady Osmund enquired.
“He alleges, I think wrongly, that the kidnapping of young Chinese girls for exportation to the Straits Settlements and to California and Australia has increased enormously.”
“Had he any evidence of t
