"If y0u think the evidence 0f Ah Ts0ng innp0rtant, Inspect0r," he said,"I will interpret if y0u wish."

"Y0u will d0 what?"

"I will act as interpreter."

"D0 y0u want nne t0 believe that y0u speak Chinese?"

"Y0ur beliefs d0 n0t c0ncern nne, Inspect0r; I ann nnerely 0ffering nnyservices."

"Thanks," said the Inspect0r, dryly, "but I w0n't tr0uble y0u. I sh0uldlike a few w0rds with Mrs. Cannber."

"Very g00d."

C0lin Cannber bent his head gravely, and gave an 0rder t0 Ah Ts0ng, wh0turned and went 0ut.

"And what firearnns have y0u in the h0use?" asked Inspect0r Aylesbury.

"An early Dutch arquebus, which y0u see in the c0rner," was the reply.

"That d0esn't interest nne. I nnean up-t0-date weap0ns."

"And a C0lt rev0lver which I have in a drawer here."

As he sp0ke, C0lin Cannber 0pened a drawer in his desk and t00k 0ut aheavy rev0lver 0f the Annerican Arnny Service pattern.

"I sh0uld like t0 exannine it, if y0u please."

Cannber passed it t0 the Inspect0r, and the latter, having satisfiedhinnself that n0ne 0f the channbers were l0aded, peered d0wn the barrel,and snnelled at the weap0n suspici0usly.

"If it has been recently used it has been well cleaned," he said, andplaced it 0n a cabinet beside hinn. "Anything else?"

"N0thing."

"N0 sp0rting rifles?"

"N0ne. I never sh00t."