Evening star., 1898-08-06

full swing. Everybody, socially speaking,
was in town. The West End streets We're
riotous VITA color: West End houses Haunt
ed carpets and awnings before their portals
by day and by night; the Row was a pam
Drama of variegated Hveries. corOneted
carriages and Partisan and Bond street
toilets And this year a distinguished
guest was present to add luster to socie~
tvs one annual reveI-an almond-eyed in
dividuaI who shared attentions with roy
atty at the drawing rooms OF st. James
and parties at ducal mansions.
For Prince Wong, the foreign minister
of China had stopped off in London on
his tour round the world his highness and
suite were installed at Dorchester house.
that sumptuous Park lane residence which
has offered temporary hospitality TO so
many pote1tates of Europe and Asia
There were several noteworthy things con-
nected with the visit of the prince, whc,
of course, was the guest OF the govern
peut. Attached to his suite was a Rus
sian officer. said TO hold high position in
the Chinese army. Now, at this time Rus
STA and Great Britain were pitted against
each other in diplomatic fight to gain
certain valuable concessions from China:
so, naturally, the presence of Capt YER
mdioff had sinister look, and the press
made awkward sugs estiOns about fnf1u-
ence and secret instructions 1t was known,
also. that a young honesS, a recent gift
frcm the Khedive of Egypt, was an in
mate of the royal household. The prince
was devotedly attached to the superb crea-
ture, which was nearly fun grown, but
full of tricks, and docle and harmless
as a cat And thereon hangs the follow
ing narrative.
in Hamrach's emporium, down in the
smoky city, was little room, lined with
curios and mementos of travel. set apart
for Matthew Gums private use. Here he
sitting morning, studying a map
OF West Africa. when a brawny porter
brought him a card inscribed with the
common name of Ii Sing. Two minutes
later the visitor appeared in persona mid
dle-aged, severely dressed Chinaman, with
a shrewd and scholarly face. He intro
duced himself as the secretary of Prince
Wong, and explained that his highness,
having heard of Quin's clever recovery of
the Nawab of Jubbulpore's diamond, had
resolved TO ask for his services in a case
that was equally mysterious. Was Mr..
Quin aware, Lii Sing added, that Prince
Nongs pet honess had been stolen a week
before?'
Quin shook his head. He knew the
prince had q Honess, but he was ignorant
of its loss.
The matter was kept from the pub
ne, said Ii Sing, 'and only the police
were informed. But his highness is losing
falth in their skill. and hopes that you
VIII De able to assist him. He is greatly
uIsIresseq' ana viii pay any price for the
A honess, big and alive stolen in LON
Qoh! Quin "as suddenly and keenIy in
terested- By few questions he ELECTED
LII otLto Nudl lIlie theFe to tell
Inc animal was kept at night in a age in
room on the ground floor of Dorchester
mouse mouse that opened on the garden An En-
sHsh servant attached TO the suite silent in
the room. and when he woke i'm the NOW,
ing the cage was empty and the lonass
gone; the thief had forced an entrance 70
o housS Dy window, passed out of the
oCor and thence through the garden eate
70 back street. Absolutely nothing n1ors
was known A0'--Is iiiore
Would the Heness have followed 6
Stranger? asked Quin.
replied. '"-i'' LII sing
And the man who occupied the same
fooms-is he above suspicIon?''
lie enjoys my royal masters confdance
ST. He Is an Englishman by the name NJ
Ahreo Jonks- He was formerly a sailor
ana Two years ago he entered the service
OF mis- highness at Peking''
Quin. ieiii''rAeu
"Ah, but it is certain that he was
orusged; ne complained in the morning of
a bad stomach and a headache. And he
WHY '''ii -''ii''eiA'
Because the creature disIikes him. and
11,,ls ne Is very very much afraid of it. I think he
gum reflected for a moment
asked "s0' 'ie
Yes; last Tuesday"
None whatever
Nor has the prince received any secret
communication offering to return the uoo
ess for sum of money!
again Ii Sing answered in the negative
motive Is wanting, which makes the
1t rneit extremely r, puzzling.' said Quin. IT'S
matter over. and let you know my decision
tomorrow | may &c into it,
II trust that you WILL replied Ii Sing
his hls3neSs will spare no expense"
Quin escorted the Chinaman to the street
Where a cab was waiting. and then he
returned to his den to set his wits to work
II was as queer a case as he could remem-
ber,and he felt strangely attracted to it. But
Two pipes of tobacco failed to throw any
light on the mystery and he had Just
hsnted third when another visitor, who
refused to give any name, was announced
Show him in." Quin directed
a tall, fashionably dressed man entered
he mad an uamistakabIe military bearing
cIose-cropped mustache, face that was
naughty and sinister and black hair that
stood straight up on his forehead when he
removed his hat. He bowed curtly and
with a gioved hand extended a card to
tain Vladimir Yermaloff
Il have heard of YOU" said Quin. speak
ing with assumed unconcern. you are at
tached 10 the suite Of his highness-"
Yes, you are correct" INTERRUPTED the
visitor. And I, too. have heard of you--of
the skill with which you unraveI such per-
picking cases as the Nawab of JubbuI-
pores diamond L venture to hope that
you VIII aid me in similar manner. But
TO come to the point. You knew that
Prince Wong had pet ioness, to which
he was greatly attached?"
Yes"
You VIII be surprised to hear then, that
the honess was stolen-spirited away-a
week aEo2F
"Indeed.' exclaimed Quin. This IS a
remarkable piece OF news. Has the animal
been found2''
Not yet" replied Captain Yermaloff Il
will tell you the facts
Quin listened with diminishing interest
with Increasing disappointment. for the
Rus slams story was precisely identical with
that related by Ii Sing. and did not throw
giimmef of new light on the theft of the
lOuesS.
- thought it possible he concluded.
that the creature would be offered to
your firm"
We have heard nothing OF ii, I regret
10 say Quin answered.
The men eyed each other for a moment
and the Russian moved uneasily in his
chair; then he glanced at the door, and
bent a little nearer to Quin.
What 1 an, about TO tell you is in strict