The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-10-11
CHAPTER XVII.

at least WnaG became Oh ueT. IOl
are the only one alive that can tel
me-"
"Lannie Ralson not belong to me,
groaned Sid Kee.
"Whom did she belong to-"
me no dare tell. Me gettee
killed."
"You will get killed if you don't
tell. Was it Cha Fong?"
Sid KEGS eyes opened wide with
astonishment. +,
"You know Cha Fong?" he e1
claimed.
s'I did know him. I happened to
kill him. He wouldn't do what !
told him to do. Do you take warn
ing?"
"Cha Fong! Him dead?"
eyes he is dead. What of it?"
'Tlakee off lions. Ne tell"
had the irons taken off. Sid kee
came close to me and whispered:
"You know Gambok Snellee?"
"I did know him. I killed him,
too"
"Evleybody killed." shouted Sid
Kee. "Ani me no gettee killed?"
"Not if you restore Annie Ralston
in good health and uninjured, or tell
us where she can be found"
"Me tell," he said. "Nobody
know Lannee Raslon. She CLONE me.
I hide Lannee Raslon in cave. Hen
Kohl not know. Slodiers not kn ow.
Nobody know but Gambok Snellee,
Cha Fong and Sid Kee. Gambok
Snellee, him say, keep safe till him
CLONE. Him gettee Cha Fong and
Linglise girl. Clone back, live in
Talmooch. Gambok Snellee dead,
Cha Fong dead, me glivee you. Me
no want Lannee Raslon."
"Well. by all that's great! said
Captain Harwood.
Langston sat in chair, leaning
against a table. His face was very
white. His wide-open eyes were fixed
on Sid Kee.
"'The case is plain to me, gentle
men,"I said joyfully. "This fellow
is faithful agent of Gambok Smell.
he has brought the girl to this island
and, by some connivance, he has sue
ceeded in getting her hidden away to
be kept in safety until his masters re-
turn. His master was unfortunate
enough to meet with an experience
which effectually prevented his return.
By that stroke of good fortune the girl
has been kept unharmed. But this
fellow deserves no credit for that. He
simply dared not harm her, for his or
ders were explicit. Gambok Smell
wanted her himself. And the English
girl Cha Fong was to have was Miss
Arnold, who will soon be safe in her
fathers house. There is the matter
in a nutshell. Gambok Smell told me
the Ketoto was lost with all on board.
But that is neither here nor there,
now. What we want is Annie Ral-
ston. Is it not as I have said it," I
asked Sid. Fee.
''Juss IL you say" he answered.
"And now that your masters are
dead, and you have no fear of punish
ment from them, you are willing to
give up Annie Ralston to save your
cwn worthless life. Is it so?"
''Less. Ne show you"
''Lead the way" said. "You led
me to her once before; do so again.
He led the way out of the palace.
81 did not suppose" I said tc
Langston and Captain Harwood,
that spot existed in Quiental that
my soldiers had not ransacked. But
there may be one. I believe this fel'
low is telling the truth now"
"He would not risk his life by lie
when he is alone in our hands," re-
piled the captain.
Sid Kee led US about the same kind
of a Journey as he had led me on the
memorable occasion of our first meet
ing. He did not seem to possess the
faculty of going in a straight direc
ton. His whole life was so crooked
that even his walk was so. He lee
MS up one street and down another
all the time muttering to himself il
his gibberish. He took US toward the
sea, then away from it. Finally h'
struck into a rough street, evicentl,
but little used. He went into small
wooden house. 1t was then occupied
by Jumars, but before the revolution
it had been the abode of Sid kee-sc
he informed us.
We went inside, and our guide tor
up a corner of the floor, much tn
same as a terrier would tear uE
ground if he knew there was rat un
der it. 1t had evidently not beel
taken up in some time.
"How could anybody live in there?'
exclaimed Captain Harwood. ''Hov
could you iced herr"
"See!" and Sid Kee pointed to
small, square opening, just larg
enough to pass dish through.
We waited breathlessly until he ha
dug hole large enough for us to en-
ter. We rushed through it. "
found ourselves in marble-llne
room about twenty feet square, full
uished comfortably, and lighted by
lamp. A ventilating shaft ran to tn
roof, giving supply of air.
There was small door leadin
into another room, but we had no tim
nor inclination to look into it then.
Kueeling by the side of bee
praying. or moaning in low tone
was q woman.
''Slee, ,Lannce Ralston, said 81
Zee.
L rushed tc her. Sne heard u
speaking and rose % her feet. I hel