Short Stories
Ho went on. "So, as I say, if your excellency were to give me my
freedom for a few days, being a man of understanding, I should
then repay the government and be in position to be of service to
your excellency. I should be in position to be of very great ser-
vice to your excellency."
"Have you a plan whereby you hope to obtain this money?"
asked I the Governor.
"I have," said Yi Chin Ho.
"Then come with it to me to-morrow night; I would now
sleep," said the Governor, taking up his snore where it had been
interrupted.
On the following night, having again obtained leave of ab-
sence from the jailer, Yi Chin Ho presented himself at the Gover-
nor's bedside.
"Is it you, Yi Chin Ho?" asked the Governor. "And have you
the plan?"
"It is I, your excellency," answered Yi Chin Ho, "and the plan
is here."
"Speak," commanded the Governor.
"The plan is here," repeated Yi Chin Ho, "here in my hand."
The Governor sat up and opened his eyes. Yi Chin Ho
proffered in his hand a sheet of paper. The Governor held it to
the light.
"Nothing but a nose," said he.
"A bit pinched, so, and so, your excellency," said Yi Chin Ho.
"Yes, a bit pinched here and there, as you say," said the Gove-
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