CHAPTER III

LI FAN HEARS NEWS Heralded by a crash of cymbals and the ear-splitting beat of drums, His Excellency, Li Fan, Deputy-Governor of Nan-ngan, entered the Hall of Justice of the city of Tao-Lung. From a European standpoint it would be difficult to estimate his age. He certainly did not look old, although his ungainly body and fat, unemotional face gave him the appearance of being at least forty. He was attired in native costume, although, in common with the majority of Chinese since the establishment of a republic, he…