“Where are we?” he asked, eagerly reaching for the steamed bun she handed him.

“In Ouhai’s finest lodgings. We’re only four hours from Wen-chou,” she said. “You’ve been sleeping for two days, so I hope you’re all rested and ready to go.”

“Of course. As soon as I’ve eaten.”

“I wasn’t serious,” Sparrow said. “Get some more rest. We don’t need to leave just yet.”

“How did we get here?” Images tumbled in his mind. Giant tigers. Apes pushing handbarrows. A wild man with eyes like fire. Leopards and wolves. He shook his head.

“Some peasants were kind enough to make a detour for us,” she said. “They put you in a cart.” She took away the empty plate and a minute later, Lian came in.

“Hot soy milk,” she said. “Think you can keep it down?”

“I thought I was coming to take care of you, Lian,” he said, taking the enamel bowl. “But in fact, it’s been Sparrow taking care of us, hasn’t it? She defers to us and then takes care of everything in her own way.”

THEY REACHED WEN-CHOU just before noon. The shops were open and tempting odors wafted out from restaurant doors, but they made their way directly to the waterfront to find Liu Shipping Enterprises. The three fugitives were dirty and their clothing smelled. The gatekeeper at Liu Shipping would’ve chased them away, but Shao’s educated speech and air of authority gave him pause.

When the manager came out, he frowned at Shao. “You claim to be a member of the Liu family?” he said. “Liu Tienming’s younger brother?”

Shao reached into his tunic and brought out a cylinder of white jade. He handed it to the manager. “My brother has the same one for his personal seal,” he said. “We all do. I’m sure you’ve seen him use it to sign documents. Go ahead. Look at the name on the seal.”

“No need, no need, Young Master,” the manager said, giving it back. “Now that I look at you more closely, the family resemblance is strong, very strong. I’m sorry for my rudeness, sir. My name is Mah. Your brother isn’t here. He’s in Shanghai this week.”

They followed Mah across the yard to a long wooden building. Inside, the manager shouted at two clerks who scuttled away to fetch more chairs.

“How often does Tienming travel back and forth to Shanghai?” Shao asked.

“He used to go every month and only for a few days each time,” the manager said, “but your mother’s illness has changed all that. His schedule is quite erratic now. On his last trip he stayed a month.”

“He takes one of our own ships?” Shao asked.