You must understand that at the time of the Mandarin's death an English traveller, who had been passing through the Western Provinces, reached our city and took up his abode with us.

Needless to say we were overwhelmed with grief at the loss of our patron.

The treasure he had presented us with we took to the mission and deposited it in a safe place.

We had no suspicion of any sort of treachery.

I fear my companion and I are not men of the world, that is to say we do not go about suspecting evil of our neighbours." "I think I understand," I said.