Evening star., 1898-06-18

led Unexpectedly to his paying on an old
injury and planted in his nature a deep
rooted aversion to the opposite sex. This
clung to him in after life. witness the
case of the Hindoo girl Zora.
The story opens in the Straits Settle
nents. in the long, busy, struggling port of
Singapore, which clings TO the low belt OF
land it has snatched from rank jungle and
hungry sea; a town noted for its wicked
hess, the mart of traffic for China and the
Dutch and Spanish islands, populated by
Europeans and Americans, Indians, Ma
lays, Japanese and various other races.
An hour after darkness on u sultry even
ing TWO men a balcony OF the Ho,el
DuyaI. which then the chief resort OF
its kind in Singapore, and was ably con-
Quoted by its French proprietor. They
Were smoking and chatting, the while they
had frequent recourse to cooling drinks
that rested table between them. In
front, beyond a narrow strip of the town,
was the moonlit sea, dotted with the lights
of anchored vessels; from the rear came
family the murmur of squalid streets, given
over 10 revelry and dissipation. Matthew
Quin, who had landed only that morning,
was one of the two. His companion was
Fritz HofbUrg. the local agent for Ham
rach < Co, for Singapore is the animal
mart for Java, Sum&tra and Borneo. He
took his meals az the Hotel Duval. but
slept at the warehouse of the firm, in a
street near by. Since it was imperative for
Quin to break his journey at Singapore, he
tention with HotDurg, who was an Old
friend.
You were detained over yonder" the
latter remarked, having reference TO the
neighboring Malay peninsula, where Quin
had spent the past four days.
Yes, was the reply. As you know, l
had a business matter TO settle with the
Sultan OI JonOre. and he bargalned and
palavered like any old Jew. l got away
Just in time, for my steamer is due here at
midnight, and she leaves at 10 o'clock to-
morrow morning for Calcutta. If l miss
her lose deal up in Bengal, which Will
be worth some thousands of pounds to the
firm So I'm anxious to put the thing
through, my dear Fritz
1T Will mean u lot to you," aSsented
Hofburg, and l wish you luck. I'm sorry
l can't see you off tomorrow. I'm going
twenty miles down the ccaSt to buy
pie of tigers that We're trapped by a plant
1 leave at midnight in a small boat-I
never travel in the heat of the day if L can
help it,"
quite right" approved Quin. "A brace
OF uSers? he added They always fetch
q fair price. And that's a jewel OF Il
panther L saw in the warehouse this after
noon
"A fine brute" replied Hofburg. He
came from Sumatra. But he has the devils
own temper, and has weakeLed two cages
already III be glad when L get him
shipped TO London" He drained his glass
and rose.
Not eff yet?" said Quin.
I'm afraid 1 must; it's nearly II O'clock
and have some preparations to make
Wv ell, Ill walk far your diggings
l don I feel like turning in
The JwO left the hotel, and turning aside
frcm the crowd and the lights, the noise
of hrawling and drinking, they strolled
slowly through quieter streets. In five min
utes they stopped at a large, gloomy build
ing with a strange odOr attached to 1t.
From within came rasping snarl that
both men recognized as the panther's voice.
1t was followed by a shrill outcry that was
halt yelp, half whine.
That was Max. said Hofburg. mean
Ing a liVer-colOred bloodhound that had
been kept on the premises for number of
years. Il believe he knows you are about"
or course he does" replied Quin. Poor
brute, how glad he was TO see me this af-
ternoOn! He hasn't forgotten what pals we
were TWO years ago, when l spent a month
in Singapore
He never forgets," mutter.d Hofburg.
Hes worth his weight in gold, that dog.
And for tracking man or beast I'll match
him against any hound in the world. Come
in ana see him. he added. taking the key
from his pocket. My clerk can't be back
it's all dark-and I'll have tim. to smoke a
Cigar with YOU
No. l should only detain YOU" said Ouin
Il want some fresh air-it'S been a scorch-
ing day. SO Ill be on"
With few words, with the lack of out
ward emotion that characteriZeS the Teuton
and the Englishman, the two shook hands
and parted, though they knew that they
might not meet again for years Hofburg
entered the warehouse to prepare for his
Journey, and Cuin turned down a cross
street leading TO the sea. The cool night
air refreshed and stimulated him. He walk
ed along the coast by docks and wharves
TO the far end of the town, where he sat
down on the moonlit sands and smoked
several pipes. Having retraced his steps,
he learned that the steamer he must take
on the morrow, the Bushire. had arrived
sharp on time, and lying out in the
ofting. Feeling rather drowsy, he now turn
cd in the direction of the hotel, and he was
within two blocks of it. on quiet and lone
ly street, VIXEN a woman stepped suddenly
from the shadow of the houses and barred
his way.
Mr.. Quin?" she said In a low voice.
Madam. that is my name" Quin replied.
For a brief instant he surveyed her keen
ly and suspiciously. She was enveloped
from head to foot in cloak of dark ma
terial, and but little of her face could b.
seen Yet that little was attractive and
winsome' spot of color burned on each
cheek. and ner eyes were big and black.
This must seem inexcusable. SIR she
went on i should not be here alone and
at night But II you will let me explain"
W no are you and what can 1 do for
you? Quin interrupted. How is it that
You know my name?'
i learned by accident that you were in
singapore, the woman answered. Il was
AFRAID to come to the hotel so | waited and
watched for you. once, long ago. we lived
under the same roof-in d lodging house in
Bedford place, Bloomsbury, London 1 was
Mary WoodfaIl then. Don't you remem-
b-r me%'
Quin shook his head
1t Is fifteen years since lodged in Bed
ford place" he replied. ''and 1 only stopped
fortnight 1 do not recall your name or
face"
His hand strayed toward his pocket, but
the " oman checked him by a gesture, half
naughty, half appealing.
NO-nOJ that she cried. Don't think
me 4 besgar. Listen, l will tell you all in
a few words | have Teen married for five
years TO the best and kindest of men. My
husbands name is Philip Herman and he
Is a naturalist and a traveller. / have al
ways accompanied him, and two months
ago We came to this island to shoot and 10
collect specimens But he was taken i'll
with fever in the interior. and when the
native bearers brought him down to Singa-
pore the drafts that he was expecting had
not arrived We were penniless and did not
know what 20 do. And now my poor hus-
band lies. at the point OF death. in a wretch
ed bungalow just beyond the town oh
won't yoI let me take you to him?-he will
be so glad TO see friendly face And he
has some rare birds, alive and in cages: [
hoped you might purchase them
But surely, madam, you knew that thiT
was a British port" Quin interrupte,l