One and his men, who crowded the large hall, further had a few faces where we sat, looked equally unconvincing. It was evident that the way was not quite clear; and an incident worth mentioning here, showed that the Magistrate checked his using blunt words, and he tried to discuss the question with me in a very civil manner. However, I declined direct form, and steadfastly held to the point that under any circumstances a British subject could not be kept in custody by Chinese officials a minute longer than was necessary to deliver him to the nearest Consul of his nation, and that the man he had in custody ought to be brought before me at once before I could listen to a word more.
And that to enable me to decide what actual step should be, I must ascertain at once whether or not they would refuse to bring the man before me. I then rose from my seat and said gently, "Send for the man." The two officials looked irresolutely at each other for a moment, the Magistrate bent forward and whispered a word or two to the other, and then an order was given for the man to be brought.
Being apparent that the order was not a deceptive one, I sat down and conversation flowed freely; both peers seeming to feel relieved at having decided what to do, and feeling that they had taken the best course. I said that I would help the man in custody for a reasonable period to investigate any charge against him duly laid before me, and promised that I would see that a despatch from the Governor at Hong Kong requesting the man to be released or sent to Hong Kong would be...
Page 423
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