In this chapter, we are introduced to a new character, a young man named Mr. Chen, who has just returned from Hong Kong. He is the son of the late Mr. Fortline, the founder of the famous feng shui school. He has come to Hong Kong because his father's health is failing, and he wants to help his father escape from the "haunted building" where he is being held captive. The young man asks for the help of Mr. Ganymede, the owner of the hotel where the young man is staying, and Mr. Gualtieri, the head of the local branch of the Chinese business conglomerate, Bolingbroke, who is also a guest of the old man's.