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Page 3
*END*THE SMALL PRINT! FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.04.29.93*END*
THE WALLET OF KAI LUNG
By Ernest Bramah
First Published 1900 by Mr Grant Richards.
Etext prepared by John Bickers.
THE WALLET OF KAI LUNG
BY
ERNEST BRAMAH
"Ho, illustrious passers-by!" says Kai Lung as he spreads out his
embroidered mat under the mulberry-tree. "It is indeed unlikely
that you could condescend to stop and listen to the foolish words
of such an insignificant and altogether deformed person as myself.
Nevertheless, if you will but retard your elegant footsteps for a
few moments, this exceedingly unprepossessing individual will
endeavour to entertain you." This is a collection of Kai Lung's
entertaining tales, told professionally in the market places as he
travelled about; told sometimes to occupy and divert the minds of
his enemies when they were intent on torturing him.
THE WALLET OF KAI LUNG
CHAPTER I
THE TRANSMUTATION OF LING
I: INTRODUCTION
The sun had dipped behind the western mountains before Kai Lung, with
twenty li or more still between him and the city of Knei Yang, entered
the camphor-laurel forest which stretched almost to his destination.
No person of consequence ever made the journey unattended; but Kai
Lung professed to have no fear, remarking with extempore wisdom, when
warned at the previous village, that a worthless garment covered one
with better protection than that afforded by an army of bowmen.
Nevertheless, when within the gloomy aisles, Kai Lung more than once
wished himself back at the village, or safely behind the mud walls of
Knei Yang; and, making many vows concerning the amount of prayer-paper
which he would assuredly burn when he was actually through the gates,
he stepped out more quickly, until suddenly, at a turn in the glade,
he stopped altogether, while the watchful expression into which he had
unguardedly dropped at once changed into a mask of impassiveness and
extreme unconcern. From behind the next tree projected a long straight
rod, not unlike a slender bamboo at a distance, but, to Kai Lung's
all-seeing eye, in reality the barrel of a matchlock, which would come
into line with his breast if he took another step. Being a prudent
man, more accustomed to guile and subservience to destiny than to
force, he therefore waited, spreading out his hands in proof of his
peaceful acquiescence, and smiling cheerfully until it should please
the owner of the weapon to step forth. This the unseen did a moment
later, still keeping his gun in an easy and convenient attitude,
revealing a stout body and a scarred face, which in conjunction made
it plain to Kai Lung that he was in the power of Lin Yi, a noted
brigand of whom he had heard much in the villages.
"O illustrious person," said Kai Lung very earnestly, "this is
evidently an unfortunate mistake. Doubtless you were expecting some
exalted Mandarin to come and render you homage, and were preparing to
overwhelm him with gratified confusion by escorting him yourself to
your well-appointed abode. Indeed, I passed such a one on the road,
very richly apparelled, who inquired of me the way to the mansion of
the dignified and upright Lin Yi. By this time he is perhaps two or
three li towards the east."
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