15 OCTOBER 1927, Page 26

HER CLOSED HANDS. By Putnam Weale. (Mac- millan. 7s. 6d.)--"

Wang the Ninth ", figures once more in this admirable novel of life in Pekin, and the announcement of a forthcoming third of the series leads the reader to hope for one more reappearance of this intriguing figure. The present volume is, however, a complete entity. The story deals with Pekin on the eve of the Republic, but is chiefly concerned with the reactions of the Revolution on a group of English and Americans. A sinister mansion (" Great House in Mutton Lane ") plays a leading part in the drama. The descriptions of Chinese scenery are delightful and the character-drawing both firm and discerning.