THE STORY DEVELOPS 121 



when I tell you that your son Lao would give 

 twice that sum for my prescription," he said. 



The old woman laughed. 



" Lao would not give you three cash for the 

 thing if it was to cure Wei-sha," she cried con- 

 temptuously. " Let me see this wonderful pre- 

 scription of yours." 



She stretched out her hand for the paper. 

 Kwan-fong handed it to her, and sat quietly 

 watching. The laughter died from her lips as 

 her eyes fell on the quaint, scrawling characters. 



" What is this ? " she gasped. " What ? " 



" It is the copy of an agreement," hissed Kwan- 

 fong, " between your son and Tsi to murder Wei- 

 sha. Lao suspects your relationship with him. 

 Pay me the money, or I will go to Lao and tell 

 him all. I know when Wei-sha comes to you at 

 night. I have known from the first, for he lives 

 next door to me. Choose quickly " ; and he rose 

 and stood over her. 



" I will pay ! I will pay ! " cried the wretched 

 old hag. " Lao will kill me. I will pay ! But 

 not three hundred taels. It is a fortune. I will 

 give you all I have. I will give you two hundred. 

 It is my all. The savings of a life-time. Only 

 spare me. Oh ! Lao ! Lao ! Mercy ! Mercy ! " and 

 she fell on the floor. 



Kwan-fong went to the door. " Quick ! " he 

 cried. " Get the money ready. I will take the 

 two hundred. On my return to-night, when I 

 have received the money, I will hand you the 

 original of this." So saying he left her. 



That night he returned to Lao's house, got the 

 two hundred taels, and handed over the paper. 



