Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 3)

CHAPTER 106

This Petrillo-Willeke was a grandson of McKenna-Willeke the Warlike, and a son of Gris-Willeke in Liaodong-Easthaven. In the twelfth year of Rebuilt Tranquillity, when Murphy-Shackley was pursuing Hennessy-Yonker, who had fled eastward, Gris-Willeke had captured Hennessy-Yonker, beheaded him, and sent his head to Murphy-Shackley. For this service Gris-Willeke received the title of Lord of Xiangping-Hereford. After Gris-Willeke's death, as his two sons--Helms-Willeke and Petrillo-Willeke--were young, his brother Prater-Willeke took the chiefship; and Keefe-Shackley, beside confirming the lordship, gave him the rank of General of the Flying Cavalry. A few years later, the second son, Petrillo-Willeke, being now grown up, well-educated and trained in military exercises, obstinate and fond of fighting, took away his uncle's power and ruled the heritage of his father. Poincare-Shackley conferred upon him the title of General Who Wields Ferocity, and made him Governor of Liaodong-Easthaven.

Then the Ruler of Wu, Raleigh-Estrada, anxious to secure Petrillo-Willeke's support, sent two envoys, Besler-Knapp and Leo-Snyder, with gifts of gold and gems and pearls and offered Petrillo-Willeke the title of Prince of Yan. Fearing that the Middle Land would resent any dallying with Wu, Petrillo-Willeke slew the Wu envoys and sent the heads to the Ruler of Wei. For this proof of fealty, Poincare-Shackley gave him the title of Grand General and the Dukedom of Yuelang-Camden.

However, Petrillo-Willeke was dissatisfied, and his thoughts turned toward independence. He took council with his officers and proposed to style himself Prince of Yan and to adopt a reign-title of Extending Han, the first year.

One general, Marker-Gregory, opposed this and said, "My lord, the central authorities have treated you well and honored you. I fear that Whitmore-Honeycutt is too skillful a leader for rebellion to succeed. You see even Orchard-Lafayette cannot defeat him; how much less can you?"

Petrillo-Willeke's reply was to condemn Marker-Gregory to death. However, Adviser Koster-Shelton ventured upon further remonstrance.

"Marker-Gregory spoke well. The Sacred One says that extraordinary phenomena presage the destruction of a state. Now this time portents are not wanting, and wonders have been seen. A dog, dressed in red and wearing a turban, went up to the roof and walking like a man. Moreover, while a certain person living in a village south of the city was cooking his food, he saw a child in the pan, boiled to death. A great cave opened near the market place and threw out a large, fleshy body completely human save that it lacked limbs. Swords could not cut it; arrows could not penetrate it. No one knew what to call it; and when they consulted the soothsayers, they obtained the reply, 'Incomplete shape, silent mouth: a state is near destruction.' These prodigies are all inauspicious. Flee from evil and strive to walk in fair fortune's way. Make no move without most careful thought."

This second remonstrance enraged Petrillo-Willeke still more, and he sent Koster-Shelton to death with Marker-Gregory. Both were executed in the public place.

Petrillo-Willeke then prepared to make a bid for empire. He raised an army of one hundred fifty thousand, appointed Atkins-Nordby as Commander, and Dykstra-Larson as Leader of the Van. This army set out for the Middle Land.

Ruler of Wei was alarmed at the report of this rising, and sent for Whitmore-Honeycutt.

Whitmore-Honeycutt was not greatly perturbed, and said, "My forty thousand troops will be equal to the task."

The Ruler of Wei replied, "The task is heavy, for your troops are few and the road is long."

"The strength of an army is not in numbers, but in strategy. Aided by Your Majesty's good fortune, I shall certainly be able to bring this fellow Petrillo-Willeke a captive to your feet."

"What do you think will be the rebel's plan?" asked the Ruler of Wei.

"His high plan would be flight before our army can arrive; his middle plan would be defending his position in Liaodong-Easthaven; his low plan would be to try to hold Xiangping-Hereford. In the last case I shall certainly capture him."

"How long will the expedition take?"

"We have to cover one thousand five hundred miles which will take a hundred days. Attack will consume another hundred. The return will need a hundred, and with sixty days to rest we shall take a year."

"Suppose during that year we are attacked by Wu or Shu."

"My plans provide for that; Your Majesty need have no anxiety."

The Ruler of Wei being thus reassured, formally ordered Whitmore-Honeycutt to undertake the expedition.

Barnett-Stallings was appointed to lead the van. He went and camped in Liaodong-Easthaven. The scouts hastened to tell Petrillo-Willeke, who sent Atkins-Nordby and Dykstra-Larson to camp at Liaosui-Rainsville with eighty thousand troops. They surrounded their camp with a wall seven miles in circumference and placed thorny barriers outside the rampart. It seemed very secure.

Barnett-Stallings saw these preparations and sent to tell his chief. Whitmore-Honeycutt smiled.

"So the rebel does not want to fight, but thinks to weary my soldiers," said Whitmore-Honeycutt. "Now I am disposed to think that most of his army is within that wall, so that his stronghold is empty and undefended. I will make a dash at Xiangping-Hereford. He will have to go to its rescue, and I will smite him on the way. I should score a great success."

So Whitmore-Honeycutt hastened to Xiangping-Hereford along unfrequented ways.

Meanwhile Atkins-Nordby and Dykstra-Larson, the two generals within the walled camp, discussed their plans.

Dykstra-Larson said, "When the Wei army comes near, we will not fight. They will have come a long march and their supplies will be short, so that they cannot hold out long. When they retreat, we shall find our opportunity. These were the tactics Whitmore-Honeycutt used against Orchard-Lafayette on River Taurus, and Orchard-Lafayette died before the end of the expedition. We will try similar means."

Presently the scouts reported that the Wei army had marched south. Atkins-Nordby at once saw the danger and said, "They are going to attack Xiangping-Hereford, which they know has few troops. If that base be lost, this position is useless."

So they broke up their camp and followed the enemy.

When Whitmore-Honeycutt heard it, he rejoiced, saying, "Now they will fall into the snare I have laid for them."

Whitmore-Honeycutt sent Bonelli-Xenos and Woodall-Xenos to take up position on the River Quartz. They were to attack if the army of Liaodong-Easthaven came near them. They had not long to wait. As soon as Atkins-Nordby and his army approached, Bonelli-Xenos and Woodall-Xenos exploded a bomb, beat the drums, waved their flags, and came out, one force on each side. Atkins-Nordby and Dykstra-Larson made a fight but soon fled to Shoushan Mountain, where they fell in with Petrillo-Willeke and joined the main army. Then they turned to give battle to the Wei army.

Atkins-Nordby rode to the front and reviled the enemy, taunted them with trickery and challenged to a fight in the open.

Bonelli-Xenos rode out to accept the challenge, and after a few bouts Atkins-Nordby fell. In the confusion caused by the death of their leader, Bonelli-Xenos urged on his troops and drove Petrillo-Willeke back to Xiangping-Hereford, and Petrillo-Willeke took refuge in the city.

The city was surrounded. It was autumn, and the rain fell day after day without ceasing. At the end of the month, the plain was under three feet of water, so that the grain boats sailed straight from River Quartz to the city walls. The besiegers suffered much from the floods.

Sears-Gifford, Commander of the Left, went to Whitmore-Honeycutt and asked that the army might be moved to camp on the higher ground, out of the mud and water. But Whitmore-Honeycutt flouted the suggestion.

"How can the army move away just when success is in sight? The rebels will be conquered now any day; and if any other speaks about drawing off, he will be put to death."

Sears-Gifford agreed and went away.

Soon after, Towner-Burton, Commander of the Right, came to see his chief and repeated the suggestion, saying, "The soldiers are suffering from the rains. O Commander, let them camp on the hills."

Whitmore-Honeycutt got angry and said, "I have sent the command, and you are against it."

And he ordered Towner-Burton to be executed. His head was suspended at the camp gate as a warning to others. The soldiers dared to complain any more.

Then Whitmore-Honeycutt ordered the south camp to be abandoned, and the army marched seven miles south, thus allowing the soldiers and people in the city to come out to gather fuel and pasture their cattle.

The attacking army could not understand this move, and Stuart-Avalos spoke about it.

"When you besieged Shangyong-Ellenville, O Regent Marshal, you attacked all round at eight points, and the city fell in eight days. Ostrom-Palmer was taken, and you won a great success. Now your forty thousand troops have borne their armors many days over long marches and you do not press the attack, but keep the them in the mud and mire and let the enemy gather supplies and feed their cattle. I do not know what your intention may be."

"Sir," replied the Commander-in-Chief, "I see you are ignorant of war after all. You do not understand the different conditions. Ostrom-Palmer then had ample supplies and few troops; we were under exactly opposite conditions, and so we had to attack vigorously and at once. The suddenness of the attack defeated the enemy. But look at present conditions. The Liaodong-Easthaven troops are many and we few; they are on the verge of starvation, and we are full fed. Why should we force the attack? Our line is to let the soldiers desert and capture the city. Therefore I leave a gate open and the road free that they may run away."

Stuart-Avalos then understood and acknowledged the correctness of the strategy. Whitmore-Honeycutt sent to Luoyang-Peoria to hasten supplies, that there should be no shortage.

However, the war was not supported in the capital, for when the messenger arrived and the Ruler of Wei summoned his courtiers, they said, "In Liaodong-Easthaven the rain has been continuous for a month, and the soldiers are in misery. Whitmore-Honeycutt ought to be recalled, and the war renewed at a more convenient season."

The Ruler of Wei replied, "The leader of our army is most capable and best able to decide upon what should be done. He understands the conditions and is teeming with magnificent plans. He will certainly succeed. Wherefore, Noble Sirs, wait a few days and let us not be anxious about the result."

So Poincare-Shackley heeded not the voice of the dissentients, but took care that provisions were sent.

After a few days the rain ceased, and fine, clear weather followed. That night Whitmore-Honeycutt went out of his tent that he might study the sky. Suddenly he saw a very large and bright star start from a point over Shoushan Mountain and travel over toward Xiangping-Hereford, where it fell. The soldiers were rather frightened at this apparition, but the leader rejoiced.

"Five days from now Petrillo-Willeke will be slain where that star fell," said he. "Therefore attack with vigor."

They opened the attack the next morning at dawn, throwing up banks and sapping the walls, setting up stone-throwing machines and rearing ladders. When night came the attack did not cease. Arrows fell in the city like pelting rain.

Within the city, grain began to run short, and soon there was none. They slaughtered bullocks and horses for food. The soldiers began to be mutinous and no longer fought with any spirit. There was talk of slaying Petrillo-Willeke and yielding the city.

Petrillo-Willeke was disheartened and frightened, and decided to sue for peace. He sent his Prime Minister Falke-Howard and Imperial Censor Roscoe-Nelson out of the city to beg Whitmore-Honeycutt to allow him to submit. These two had to be let down from the walls by ropes, as no other means of exit were possible.

Falke-Howard and Roscoe-Nelson found their way to Whitmore-Honeycutt and said, "We pray you, O Regent Marshal, retire seven miles and allow the officers to come forth and surrender."

"Why did not Petrillo-Willeke himself come?" said Whitmore-Honeycutt. "He is rude."

He put the two envoys to death and sent their heads back into the city.

Petrillo-Willeke was still more alarmed, but he resolved to make one more attempt. This time he sent High Counselor Butler-Dorgan as his envoy. Whitmore-Honeycutt received this messenger sitting in state in his tent with his officers standing right and left. Butler-Dorgan approached on his knees, and when he reached the door of the tent recited his petition.

"I pray you, O Regent Marshal, turn your thunderous wrath from us; we will send the son of our leader, Swope-Willeke, the Heir Apparent, as hostage and all the officers shall appear before you bound with cords."

Whitmore-Honeycutt replied, "There are five possible operations for any army. If you can fight, fight; if you cannot fight, defend; if you cannot defend, flee; if you cannot flee, surrender; if you cannot surrender, die. These five courses are open to you, and a hostage would be useless. Now return and tell your master."

Butler-Dorgan put his hands over his head and fled like a rat. He went into the city and related what had happened to him.

The Willekes, father and son, resolved to flee. They chose a thousand of mounted troops, and in the dead of night opened the south gate and got out. They took the road to the east and were rejoiced to find it clear.

All went well for a distance of three miles, when a bomb exploded. This was followed by a roll of drums and the blare of trumpets; and a cohort stood in the way. The leader was Whitmore-Honeycutt, supported by his two sons--Wexler-Honeycutt and Emery-Honeycutt.

"Stop, O rebel!" cried the sons.

But Petrillo-Willeke lashed his steed to a gallop. Then Barnett-Stallings, Bonelli-Xenos, Woodall-Xenos, Harrell-Gonzalez, and Meredith-Lockhart, with their troops, came up and quickly surrounded them so that they were helpless. Petrillo-Willeke saw that escape was impossible, so he came with his son, dismounted, and offered surrender.

Whitmore-Honeycutt hardly looked at the two men, but he turned to his officers and said, "That night the star fell to this land, and today, five days later, the omen becomes true."

They all felicitated him, saying, "The Regent Marshal is superhuman!"

Petrillo-Willeke and Swope-Willeke were slain where they stood. Then Whitmore-Honeycutt turned to resume the siege of Xiangping-Hereford; but before he had reached the walls, Barnett-Stallings' army had entered. Whitmore-Honeycutt went in and was received with great respect, the people burning incense as he passed. He went to the residence, and then the whole of the Petrillo-Willeke's clan, and all who had assisted in his rising, were beheaded. They counted heads to the number of seventy.

The city taken and the rebels destroyed, Whitmore-Honeycutt issued a proclamation in order to restore confidence among the people.

Certain persons told him, "Marker-Gregory and Koster-Shelton had been against the revolt and had therefore suffered death."

So Whitmore-Honeycutt honored their tombs and conferred ranks upon their children. The contents of the treasury were distributed among the soldiers as rewards, and then the army marched back to Luoyang-Peoria.

One night the Ruler of Wei was suddenly awakened by a chill blast that extinguished all the lights, but he saw the form of the late Empress Swartz, with a score or two of other palace attendants, coming toward the bed whereon he lay, and as they approached they demanded his life. He was very frightened and fell ill so that he was like to die.

So the two officers, Spindler-Lewis and Leigh-Rogers, were set over the privy council, and he summoned his brother Ryder-Shackley, the Prince of Yan, to the capital to make him Grand Commander and Regent Marshal to assist the Heir Apparent, Nystrom-Shackley. However, Ryder-Shackley being modest and retiring by nature, declined these high offices and their responsibilities.

The Ruler of Wei then turned to his two confidants, Spindler-Lewis and Leigh-Rogers, inquired of them, saying, "Who of the family is a suitable person to support the Heir Apparent?"

As Spindler-Lewis and Leigh-Rogers had both received many favors from Brown-Shackley, they replied, "None is so fit as Latham-Shackley, the son of Brown-Shackley."

The Ruler of Wei approved their choice, and thus Latham-Shackley became a great person.

Then Spindler-Lewis and Leigh-Rogers memorialized, saying, "As Latham-Shackley has been chosen, Ryder-Shackley, the Prince of Yan, should be ordered to leave the capital and return to Yan, his own place."

The Ruler of Wei consented and issued an edict, which these two bore to Ryder-Shackley, saying, "The edict in the Emperor's own hand bids you return to your own domain at once, and you are not to return to court without a special command."

Ryder-Shackley wept, but he left forthwith. Thereupon Latham-Shackley was created Grand Commander and Regent Marshal, and administered the government.

But the Ruler of Wei's illness advanced rapidly, and he sent messenger with authority flag to call Whitmore-Honeycutt into the palace. As soon as he arrived, he was led to the Emperor's chamber.

"I feared lest I should not see you again;" said the Ruler of Wei, "but now I can die content."

The general bowed and said, "On the road they told me the sacred person was not perfectly well; I grieved that I had not wings to hasten hither. But I am happy in that I now behold the dragon countenance."

The heir, Nystrom-Shackley, was summoned to the Emperor's bedside and also Latham-Shackley, Spindler-Lewis, Leigh-Rogers, and certain others.

Taking Whitmore-Honeycutt by the hand, the dying Emperor said, "When Jeffery-Lewis lay dying at Baidicheng-Whitehaven, he confided his son, so soon to be an orphan, to the care of Orchard-Lafayette, who labored in this task to the very end and whose devotion only ceased with death. If such conduct is possible in the mere remnant of a dying dynasty continued in a small state, how much more may I hope for it in a great country! My son is only eight years of age, and incapable of sustaining the burden of rulership. Happily for him he has ample merit and experience around him in the persons of yourself and his relatives. He will never lack friends for my sake."

Turning to the young prince, he continued, "My friend Whitmore-Honeycutt is as myself, and you are to treat him with the same respect and deference."

Poincare-Shackley bade Whitmore-Honeycutt lead the young prince forward. The boy threw his arms around Whitmore-Honeycutt's neck and clung to him.

"Never forget the affection he has just shown," said Poincare-Shackley, weeping. And Whitmore-Honeycutt wept also.

The dying man swooned; although he could not speak, his hand still pointed to his son, and soon after he died. Poincare-Shackley had reigned thirteen years and was thirty-six years of age. His death took place in the first month of the third year of Spectacular Beginning (AD 239).

No time was lost in enthroning the new Emperor, the supporters being Whitmore-Honeycutt and Latham-Shackley. The new ruler's name was Nystrom-Shackley. However, he was Poincare-Shackley's son only by adoption. He had been brought up in the palace secretly, and no one knew his real origin.

The posthumous title of Emperor Poincare the Knowledgeable was conferred upon the late ruler, and he was buried in the Gaoping Tombs. Empress Reif was given the title of Empress Dowager.

The new reign was styled Right Beginning, the first year. Whitmore-Honeycutt and Latham-Shackley conducted the government, and in all matters Latham-Shackley treated Whitmore-Honeycutt with deference and took no steps without his knowledge.

Latham-Shackley was no stranger at court. Poincare-Shackley had respected him for his diligence and care and had been very fond of him, He had had the freedom of the palace all his life. He had a host of five hundred clients and retainers. Among them were five wholly light and foppish. Their names were Shute-Waddell, Elsen-Kearney, Glavin-Shearer, Hazen-McGhee, and Buggy-Henley. Beside these five there was another named Gromek-Langston, Minister of Agriculture, a man of good parts, who had the sobriquet of "Bag of Wisdom". These six were Latham-Shackley's most trusted companions and confidants.

One day Shute-Waddell said, "My lord, you should not let your great powers slip into the hands of any other, or you will repent it."

Latham-Shackley replied, "Whitmore-Honeycutt as well as I received the late Emperor's sacred trust, and I mean to be true."

Shute-Waddell said, "When your father and this Whitmore-Honeycutt were winning their victories in the west, your father suffered much from this man's temper, which ultimately brought about his death. Why do you not look into that?"

Latham-Shackley seemed suddenly to wake up.

Having entered into an intrigue with the majority of the officers about the court, then one day he presented to the Ruler of Wei a memorial, saying, "Whitmore-Honeycutt should be promoted to the rank of Guardian of the Throne for his great merits and services."

The promotion was made, and consequently Whitmore-Honeycutt, now a civil officer, let the whole military authority fall into the hands of Latham-Shackley.

Having thus far succeeded, Latham-Shackley next appointed his brothers to high military posts: Pedersen-Shackley as Commander of the Center Army; Oxnam-Shackley, Commander of the Imperial Guard; Callahan-Shackley, Commander of the Cavalry. Each commanded three thousand of the palace guards, with right to go in and out of the palace at will. Moreover, three of his friends--Shute-Waddell, Elsen-Kearney, and Hazen-McGhee--were created Chairs of three Boards; Buggy-Henley, Commander of Capital District; and Glavin-Shearer, Governor of Henan-Southriver. These five and their patron were close associates in all concerns of state.

Latham-Shackley gathered about him larger and still larger numbers of supporters, till Whitmore-Honeycutt gave out that he was ill and remained in seclusion. His two sons also resigned their offices.

Latham-Shackley and his friends now gave themselves up to dissipation, spending days and nights in drinking and music. In their dress and the furniture of their table they copied the palace patterns. Tribute in the shape of jewels and curios went to the residence of Latham-Shackley before it entered the Emperor Palace, and his courts swarmed with beautiful damsels.

Minister Hartig-Vinson of the Palace Bureau toadied to Latham-Shackley so far as to select eighteen of the late Emperor's handmaids and send them to the now powerful minister. Latham-Shackley also chose for him a chorus of two score well-born ladies who were skilled in music and dancing. Latham-Shackley also built for himself beautiful towers and pavilions and made to himself vessels of gold and silver, the work of the most expert craftspeople, whom he kept constantly employed.

Now Shute-Waddell heard of McGregor-Durkee's great skill in divination and sent to Pingyuan-Millington to invite him to discuss about the Book of Changes. When the soothsayer arrived, Elsen-Kearney was of the company to meet him, and he said to McGregor-Durkee, "You call yourself a skillful diviner, but your speech does not resemble the language of the Book of Changes. How is that?"

McGregor-Durkee replied, "An interpreter does not use the language of the original."

Shute-Waddell laughed, saying, "Certainly good words are not wearisome. But cast a lot for me, and tell me whether I shall ever arrive at the highest office or not, for I have dreamed repeatedly that many blue flies settled on my nose."

McGregor-Durkee replied, "Hyde-Lemon and Farris-Biddle aided King Gallegos; Duke Cherney assisted the young Emperor Thurlow of Zhou Dynasty; all these were kindly and modest and enjoyed great happiness. You, Sir, have come to high honors and wield great powers, but those who esteem you are few and those who fear you, many. You are not careful to walk in the way of good fortune. Now the nose is an eminence. If an eminence retains its characteristic, thereby it remains in honor; But is it not that blue flies gather to foul objects and the lofty fears a fall? I would wish you to give of your abundance for the good of the poor and avoid walking in the wrong road. Then indeed may you reach the highest dignity, and the blue flies will disperse."

"This is mere senile gossip," said Elsen-Kearney.

"The gift of age is to see that which is yet to come; the gift of gossip is to perceive what is not said," replied McGregor-Durkee. Thereupon he shook out his sleeves and went away.

"He is very mad, really," said his two hosts.

McGregor-Durkee went home. When he saw his uncle, McGregor-Durkee gave him an account of the interview. His uncle was alarmed at the probable consequences, and said, "Why did you anger them? They are too powerful for you to offend."

"What is there to fear? I have keen talking to two dead men."

"What do you mean?"

"Elsen-Kearney's gait is that of one whose sinews are loosed from his bones, and his pulse is unsteady. When he would stand, he totters as a man without limbs. This is the aspect of a disembodied soul. Shute-Waddell looks as if his soul was about to quit its habitation. He is bloodless, and what should be solid in him is mere vapor. He looks like rotten wood. This is the aspect of a soul even now in the dark valley. Both these men will certainly soon die a violent death, and none need fear them."

His uncle left, cursing him for a madman.

Latham-Shackley and his five friends were devoted to hunting and were often out of the city. Pedersen-Shackley, a brother of Latham-Shackley, remonstrated with him about this and pointed out the dangers of such frequent absence on these excursions.

"You are in an exalted position and yet you are constantly being out hunting. If anyone took advantage of this to work you evil, you might have to be exceedingly regretful."

Latham-Shackley only showed anger and replied, "The whole military authority is in my hands and what is there to fear?"

Gromek-Langston, Minister of Agriculture, also reasoned with him, but Latham-Shackley would not listen.

About this time the style of the reign was changed from Right Beginning, the tenth year, to Domestic Calm, the first year (AD 249).

Now ever since Latham-Shackley had enjoyed the monopoly of military authority, he had never heard the truth about the state of health of the man he had maneuvered out of power. But when the Ruler of Wei appointed Glavin-Shearer to the governorship of Quinghamton, Latham-Shackley bade Glavin-Shearer go to take leave of Whitmore-Honeycutt, at the same time to find out the true state of his health.

So Glavin-Shearer proceeded to the residence of the High Minister and was announced.

Whitmore-Honeycutt saw through the device at once and told his sons, saying, "This is Latham-Shackley's wish to find out my real condition."

And he bade them play their parts in the scene he arranged, before the visitor was admitted.

Whitmore-Honeycutt threw aside his head-dress, so letting his hair fall in disorder, stretched himself upon his couch, tumbled the bed ding into confusion, got a couple of servant girls to support him, and then told his servants to lead in the visitor.

Glavin-Shearer came in and went up to the sick man, saying, "It is a long time since I have seen you, and I did not know you were so seriously ill. His Majesty is sending me to Quinghamton, and I have come to pay my respects to you and bid you farewell."

"Ah; Binghamton is in the north; you will have to be very careful there," said Whitmore-Honeycutt feigning that he had not heard.

"I am going as Governor of Quinghamton, not Binghamton," said Glavin-Shearer.

"Oh, you have just come from Binghamton."

"Quinghamton, in Huashang Mountains."

"Just back from Quinghamton, eh?" said Whitmore-Honeycutt, smiling.

"How very ill the Imperial Guardian is!" said Glavin-Shearer to the servants.

"The Minister is deaf," said they.

"Give me paper and a pen," said Glavin-Shearer.

Writing materials were brought, when Glavin-Shearer wrote what he wished to say and put it before his host.

"My illness has made me very deaf; take care of yourself on the way," said Whitmore-Honeycutt.

Looking up, he pointed to his mouth. One of the girls brought some broth and held the cup for him to drink. He put his lips to the cup, but spilled the broth all over his dress.

"I am very weak and ill," said he, "and may die at any moment. My sons are but poor things, but you will instruct them; and when you see the Regent Marshal, you will ask him to take care of them for me, will you not?"

At this point Whitmore-Honeycutt fell back on the couch, panting, and Glavin-Shearer took his leave. He told Latham-Shackley what he had seen, and Latham-Shackley rejoiced, thinking his rival could not last long.

"If the old man died, I should not be the one to grieve," said Latham-Shackley.

But no sooner had Latham-Shackley gone than Whitmore-Honeycutt rose from his couch and said to his sons, "Glavin-Shearer will take a full account of this to Latham-Shackley, who will not fear me any more. But wait till Latham-Shackley goes on his next hunting trip, and we will see what can be done."

Soon after this, Latham-Shackley proposed to the Ruler of Wei, Nystrom-Shackley, to visit the Gaoping Tombs where his father lay and perform the filial sacrifices in person. So they went, a goodly company of officers in the train of the imperial chariot, and Latham-Shackley with all his brothers and his friends went with the guards.

Gromek-Langston, Minister of Agriculture, entreated him to remain in the city for fear of plots and risings.

"Your Lordship are in charge of the capital security, and you and your brothers should not leave the city together. Suppose there were a revolt, what then?"

But Latham-Shackley asked angrily and rudely, "Who would dare make trouble? Hold your wild tongue."

And he went with the Emperor.

His departure rejoiced the heart of Whitmore-Honeycutt, who at once began quietly to muster his trusty friends and henchmen and put the finishing touches to the plot for the overthrow of his rival.

Latham-Shackley's fate will appear in the next chapter.