Old Mother had delivered a message to Isaac, instructing him and Reese to meet Pong Ho in the Dragon Room. They now sat at the long table, a crystal decanter before them. As Reese reached for it, Isaac shook his head. “Wait for Pong Ho,” he whispered. As Reese withdrew his hand, Pong Ho entered the room carrying a black lacquer box.
Pong Ho took a chair at the table and said, “Chow Ling is pleased. You have done well, and he wishes to reward you.” He placed the black lacquer box on the table and then removed the lid. Inside, the box was lined with red felt with four deep indentations. Each crevice held a bar of gold. Isaac and Reese looked from the box to Pong Ho.
Isaac spoke, “Chow Ling is most generous, but he has already given us much. We were only repaying his kindness.” Alarmed at t
