The Boy Fortune Hunters in China by L. Frank Baum

I'm afraid we looked rather foolish at this suggestion. Archie was open-mouthed and wide-eyed; Joe's sensitive face took on a frown, and I felt myself flushing red.

"You see, Prince," I said at last, shifting uneasily in my seat, "we've been adventurers, but not buccaneers, and to _rob_ -- -- "

"Nonsense! " cried Kai, laughing at us again; "the word 'rob' does not mean to steal, even in your bungling English. And I used it figuratively. To rob my ancestral halls would not be a sin, for you would deprive no living person of what is his at present or might be his in the future. As for the dead, my opinion is that my ancestors are very dead; and, in case their bodies resurrect at the end of the world, they won't mind whether they are wealthy or not. I tell you, Sam, I can imagine no more foolish idea than to bury treasure with the dead, and had I lived to return to China it was my firm intention to rob the ancestral halls myself. In that case no one would ever know it, and there would be no danger. Why, as I said before, I abstracted certain jewels from the tombs years ago, and spent the proceeds in high living. So, if I was willing to rob the ancestral halls myself, and approve of your robbing them in my place, now that I am prevented, you need have no scruples on the plea of morality. Listen, friends: I present to you three -- to Sam and Joe and Archie -- all of the treasure contained in my ancestral halls. It is yours -- I give it freely -- but you must go and secure it, and that will be a dangerous expedition."

"Why so? " asked Archie.

"Because you won't have me to assist you," he replied. "Because you must oppose the ancestral devotion, amounting to a religion, of the entire Chinese nation. Because my own followers and servants would cut you down in an instant if your errand were discovered, and -- -- "

He hesitated.

"Any more interesting reasons? " I asked.

"The strongest of all," said he. "Because I am convinced that Mai Lo means to get the treasure himself."

Joe gave a low whistle, and Archie looked especially thoughtful.

"Is it worth while, then, for us to undertake the adventure? " I questioned.

"For centuries past one-half of the wealth of one of the richest families in China has been placed in the vaults which I call my ancestral halls," he returned. "This wealth consists of jade, precious stones -- especially rubies -- pearls and stores of gold and silver. There is enough to ransom a kingdom, and as I cannot use it myself I should like you to get it -- if you can. Your task would be difficult in any event, for to rob any ancestral hall is a great crime in China. Even the graves of the poor, which are stone or mud vaults with roofs of bamboo and palm leaves, are respected by all. Yet your greatest danger is from Mai Lo. If he cannot rob my ancestral halls himself he will try to prevent anyone else from doing so."

"Well, then," said Archie; "let's toss him overboard, while we have the chance. He's only a Chinaman. " The next instant, seeing the amused smile on the Prince's face, he realized what he had said and began to apologize. "It's so hard, sir," he added, "to think of you except as one of ourselves."

Perhaps the naive compliment pleased the Prince, for he laughed and said:

"It might be a _wise_ thing to cast Mai Lo into the sea. But I do not think you will undertake murder, even to secure my treasure. So I will do what I can to enable you to outwit the mandarin. Can you find me a piece of paper and a small brush?"

Joe got them from his cabin in a few moments, and while he was absent we all sat in silence.

I spread the piece of paper upon the coverlet in front of the Prince, and dipped the brush in ink for him. His left arm was broken and useless, but fortunately he could use his right arm and hand, though with difficulty. At once he began writing in Chinese characters upon the paper, and presently he finished and held out the brush for me to take.

"You cannot read my signature, Sam," said he, "but it is there, and will be recognized. It is an order to all my dependents to recognize you and your companions as my guests for one year, and to serve you as faithfully as they would myself. I have added that my spirit will watch to see if I am obeyed and to take vengeance if I am not. That is, of course, nonsense to us; but it ought to be effective with my people. Take the paper, Sam, and guard it carefully. Stay! call in Mai Lo for a moment."

I did so, and the Prince said to his attendant in an easy tone:

"Witness this order, Mai Lo."

The mandarin glanced at the document, but though I watched him carefully I could detect no sign of emotion in his glassy eyes, or even surprise or interest upon his putty-like features. He took the brush from my hand and obediently added his signature to that of the Prince. Then, at his master's command, he again retired.