ABSTRACT
Of all carnal delights that over which opium rules as the presiding genius is most shrouded in mystery. It is invested with a weird and fantastic interest, and there hovers about it a vague fascination, such as is felt towards ghostly legend and the lore of fairy land. Only such of the public as are accustomed to read the police news in the daily papers can form any idea as to the kind of place Bluegate Fields is. There was a customer waiting, which at once gave Chi Ki an opportunity for displaying the mysteries of his craft. The preparations for enjoying the luxury of opium smoking were curious enough. Chi Ki’s first move was to spread a piece of cloth on the mat that covered the mattress. Chi Ki keeps open house for opium smokers, and his chief customers are the sailors who arrive at the London ports.
