Bahram could remember a time when mandarins would appear before Howqua and Punhyqua as supplicants: the sight of these two immensely wealthy men crouching beside the Weiyuen, like beggars, was so incomprehensible that he felt compelled to look more closely, to see if they were really who they seemed to be.

Only after several minutes had passed did Bahram realize that Dent, Burnham, Wetmore and several other foreign merchants were on the other side of the room, standing clustered around Mr Fearon. He made his way over and was just in time to hear Burnham say: ‘Jurisdiction – that is the principle we must cling to, at all costs. You must explain to the Weiyuen that he does not have jurisdiction over Mr Dent. Or any other British merchant for that matter.’

‘I have tried, sir, as you know,’ said Mr Fearon patiently. ‘And the Weiyuen’s response was that he is acting on the authority of the High Commissioner, who has been invested with special powers by the Emperor himself.’

‘Well, you must explain to him then,’ said Burnham, ‘that nobody, not even the Grand Manchu himself, can claim jurisdiction over a subject of the Queen of England.’

‘I doubt that he will accept that, sir.’

‘But nonetheless, you must make this clear to him, Mr Fearon.’

‘Very well.’

As Mr Fearon stepped away, Dent ran a hand over his face. Bahram saw now that he looked pale and ill; his fingernails were bitten to shreds.

‘My dear Dent!’ said Bahram, extending a hand. ‘This is terrible. What do they want of you?’

Dent was evidently too shaken to speak, for it was Burnham who answered. ‘They say they want to escort him to the old city, to ask him a few questions. But it is likely that their real intentions are quite different.’

‘The rumour’, added Wetmore, ‘is that the Commissioner has asked that a cook, specializing in European food, be provided by the Co-Hong.’

‘What does it mean?’ said Bahram. ‘Are they planning to keep Dent? Put him in jail?’

‘Perhaps,’ said Burnham with a grim smile. ‘Or it could be something worse still – maybe they’re planning to throw him a Last Supper.’

‘Oh please, Benjamin,’ said Dent, wringing his hands. ‘Must you speak of that?’

‘Sir!’

Mr Fearon was back now. ‘The Weiyuen says it is clearly stated in the Emperor’s decrees that all foreign residents in China must abide by Chinese law.’

‘But that has not been the custom,’ said Wetmore. ‘In Canton, it has always been understood that foreigners would conduct their affairs according to their own laws. Please explain that to the Weiyuen, Mr Fearon.’

‘Very well, sir.’

Mr Fearon was hardly gone before he was back. ‘The Weiyuen asks that you approach him. He wishes to address you directly.’

‘Approach him?’ cried Slade indignantly. ‘So he may rub in our faces the degradation he has inflicted on Howqua and Punhyqua? Why, it is the most abominable impudence!’

‘He insists, sir.’

‘We had better go,’ said Dent, ‘there’s no need to provoke him.’