The Sins of Nightsong. V. J. Banis

Ke Loo.” He took a thermometer from his case and put it under Adam’s tongue, muttering childlike instructions and at the same time checking the boy’s pulse.

      April frowned as she watched him. It seemed incongruous that this very Western-type Oriental would be acquainted with her father. “You lived in Kalgan then, I assume?”

      “No, Princess. I was born of humble parents in the Chungshan district of Kwangtung province. I met your father through mutual...shall we say, friends?”

      “Has my father been ill?” April persisted, trying to make a connection between these two men of unequal stations.

      Sun Yat-sen shook his head slowly. “I do not practice medicine anymore. I was coming to visit you, Princess, when I met up with Mr. Wells and he expressed his concern for your son’s fever.”

      He felt the glands at the sides of Adam’s neck and nodded approvingly. “Your father told me of your beauty. He is a man who is sometimes prone to exaggeration; I am glad in this instance he spoke truthfully.”

      April returned his bow. “Then I presume you have come with a message from my father?” She suddenly felt wary.

      He nodded and took the thermometer from Adam’s mouth, holding it up to the light from the window. “The boy is running a slight temperature, but not one of any significance. Some aspirin powder should bring it to normal.”

      “Thank you, I feel much relieved.” She reached for her money purse.

      Sun Yat-sen held up both hands and gave her what she construed to be an angry look, though he was smiling. He replaced the thermometer in the case.

      An uneasiness gripped her, a sense of apprehension, as if the man had come bearing terrible news. She lifted Adam and carried him to the deep chair near the window. “You said you have a message for me from my father?”

      He came closer and leaned toward her. In a low, conspiratorial voice he said, “Your father is in great danger, Princess. The Empress suspects Prince Ke Loo is plotting to overthrow the throne. She intends making you a hostage in the summer palace. Ke Loo requests that you come to him in Kalgan where he can keep you safe from the dragon’s claws.”

      April watched him with suspicion. “I have no intention of being made a prisoner in either palace, doctor.” She did not trust this man. It was highly possible that he was but another agent of the Empress’s who’d come to trick her.

      “The Empress, as you know, is having you closely watched.”

      “I am only too well aware of that,” April said. She thought for a moment. “You know then that my efforts to leave here have thus far been unsuccessful. If the Americans can’t get me safely past the Empress’s soldiers and spies, how do you propose to manage it?”

      He smiled a secret, sly smile. “They are Americans. I am an Oriental and know secrets.”

      She definitely did not trust him. “I am going to America,” she said firmly.

      He only smiled and bowed. “I, too, go to America, but unlike you, Princess, the Empress has no plans to prevent my leaving. If she knew my mission she would most assuredly make certain I never left China.”

      “Mission?”

      His eyes narrowed as he smiled his enigmatic smile. “Your father’s ambitions are not far from my own. We have that in common.”

      April looked surprised. “You are helping my father to unseat the Empress?”

      He nodded gravely. “I go first to Hawaii to begin organizing sympathizers to our movement and to seek financial assistance. I plan on touring the United States, Europe, Japan—anywhere where I can find an ear and a pocketbook that shows interest in a better China.”

      She wondered that such a common man could really be a trusted representative of Prince Ke Loo’s. Her father was of too high a noble station to put himself in league with so ordinary a fellow. Furthermore, there was something in the way he looked at her that told her he did not approve of her any more than she approved of him. She’d seen that haughty look of contempt before on men who’d made the mistake of showing their displeasure toward their betters.

      “I again ask you to reconsider your leaving China, Princess,” he said. “Go to your father in Kalgan. Everything can be safely arranged for you.”

      “No, that I will not do.”

      His face darkened. “I can only remind you that it would be most unfortunate if you fell into the hands of the Empress.”

      “I am already a prisoner here and would be in no better circumstances with either my father or the Empress. I have every intention of reaching Shanghai harbor and boarding a ship bound for America.”

      “Your father will be most disappointed in your decision to leave.”

      She wanted suddenly to be alone with her thoughts, and the way Sun Yat-sen was watching her annoyed her. Again she reached for her money purse and handed him two yuan. “I insist you take this for your trouble, Dr. Sun.”

      She dropped the money into his palm, ignoring the disdainful look he gave her. “Thank you for coming, Doctor. Now, please excuse me.” She turned, picked up Adam again, who had been playing quietly with a set of wooden animals, and walked into the alcove. She did not turn until she heard the door close behind the doctor.

      She let out the breath she’d been holding. A minute later there was a tap on the door. Certain the doctor had come back, she went to the door and yanked it open, still holding Adam tight in her arms.

      Eddie Wells’ eyebrows went up. “You look mad enough to bite a snake. Is anything the matter, honey?”

      She let her shoulders sag. “I’m sorry, Eddie. Come in. I thought the doctor had come back.”

      “He angered you, obviously.” He glanced at Adam. “The boy’s all right, isn’t he?”

      “Perfectly all right. It’s just that the man upset me.” She told him of the message from her father.

      “You won’t have to bother much about him after this afternoon. He’s arranged for bearers to take him to Tsingtao. From there he takes a packet across the Yellow Sea to Korea and, according to his declared itinerary, he expects to cross into Japan.”

      “He told me he is going to Hawaii. From the route you describe he is in a rather large hurry to leave China. I suspected him of being a spy for the Empress; obviously, I was wrong. He seems too anxious to leave here.”

      “Well, as long as little Adam is hale and hearty that’s all that matters. I think my plan for getting us to Shanghai with the Marine contingent is going to work.”

      “I hope so, Eddie,” she said without much enthusiasm. There had been too many disappointments for her to become overly optimistic about another prospect.

      “Trust me,” he said gaily. “Now.” He tilted her face up to his. “How would you like to go to a party tonight?”

      Her heart leapt. “A party?” Her eyes went bright with excitement. “Where?”

      “The British Ministry. Claude MacDonald has finally asked to be sent home. The gang decided on the spur of the moment to give him and his Lady a proper send off. It’s been rather hastily thrown together, but I was expressly asked to bring you.”

      April had always liked the old Scotsman who headed the British legation, though almost fifteen years ago when she’d first laid eyes on Claude MacDonald she’d been frightened of his fierce moustache and flint-gray eyes.

      “I’d love it,” she gushed. She looked at little Adam. “But perhaps I shouldn’t. Adam’s fever may get worse.”

      “I’ll have the housekeeper sit with him. And we’ll be just across the compound if anything should happen.”

      April hesitated. “Yes, I suppose he’ll be all right and it has been oh-so-long