Audience with the Regent
As our heroes prepare to leave the palace, they are intercepted by a woman in a grey uniform. Though otherwise identical to that of a British officer, the uniform bears no mark or insignia. As she ushers them into the presence of the Regent, it becomes obvious that this woman is Ms Conroy, secretary to Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent and Strathearn.
HRH thanks the party for their service to the Crown, on behalf of her daughter, and rewards them with a gift of twelve bars of gold, stamped with the royal seal. Some mention of the recent troubles is made, and the need for heroes such as those present. They are then dismissed, though Mr. Dementiev fancies he senses an oddness in her manner of speech, and frequent glances passing between the Duchess and her secretary.
A Visit to Eel's End
Lady Wordsworth and her companions return to her house in the escort of Lt. Forrester to find an invitation to the home of Sir Bairn for dinner with the Prince of Persia.
After a light lunch consisting of a salad and cold Virginia smoked ham, the party, having no word from Dr. Cross, decide to embark on an expedition to Eel's End to see if the whereabouts of Chi Li (Mei Mei's sister) can be ascertained.
Upon their arrival and exit from the carriage, the party sees a party of workmen harassing a young gentleman for being a supporter of the Queen. Sharp words from the officers leads to an immediate dispersal of the riff-raff, perhaps aided by the presence of their firearms.
They are profusely thanked for their intervention by young Mr. Wilcox. Under questioning and with some embarrassment the gentleman admits he is here to partake of the delights of the opium den.
Our heroes proceed to the
Audience with the King of Spiders
Confronted by guards as they approach the owner's ship, Lady Wordsworth easily convinces them that the party is expected. Having gained entry to the throne room of Weng-Chiang, they find the King of Spiders is well named - for the walls and throne are festooned with webs, and spiders scuttle among them in great numbers. The King himself sits unconcerned as the creatures occasionally crawl over his skin.
Seated at a banquet table are a number of white-clad monks. Above the table, suspended in a cage, sits a miserable, cat-sized Chinese dragon. Clearly the party has interrupted some impromptu gathering.
After the party flatter Weng-Chiang and state the reasons for their intrusion, he agrees to sell them a servant on one condition: that one among them defeat one of his monks in a game of knivesies. Lt. Forrester accepts the challenge. The first challenger is dispatched before betting can even begin; a second challenger makes things somewhat more interesting but is again handily defeated by the lieutenant.
Lady Wordsworth then describes Mei Mei, believing that her sister resembles her. The guards sent to collect the girl capture Mei Mei herself, and she is promptly sold to Lady Wordsworth. Confused by this turn of events, Lady Wordsworth accuses Weng-Chiang of dishonorable behaviour, and hostilities immediately break out.
At this point, Mei Mei reveals herself to be Mistress of Crane Kung Fu, which easily intimidates the white-clad disciples of Spider-style. They flee in dismay, to be replaced by the red-robed monks who serve as guards. Things rapidly begin to escalate, when Mr. Dementiev gathers in the spirits of the air and sends Weng-Chiang, master of the Spider school, flying into the wall, where he is badly injured.
Dr. Ming, during the melee, is telepathically contacted by the imprisoned dragon, who promises to serve him for a year if he frees him. Dr. Ming assents, and uses his own kung fu powers to unlock the iron cage.
Believing himself to have been defeated by the superior kung fu of the Crane mistress, Weng-Chiang allows them to take a servant of their choice. However, it transpires upon close questioning of the brothel mistress that Chi Li was taken by the Red Mantis assassins as an initiate.
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