The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-05-31

face. When he laughed he seemed to
sneer with it. He spoke with .pecu'
liar accent. We could not Judge oi
his nationality. He was monde
script. He was we'll dressed and
seemed to have plenty of money. He
seemed to have taken great liking
to US. He piled US with invitations to
take refreshments at his expense. He
was evidently telling the truth when
he said he was cosmopolitan. He
spoke knowingly of almost every
country. He was willing to relate
his experiences in travelling, and told
them in a very entertaining way.
This whiled away many an hour that
would otherwise have been tedious.
think it was the interesting way he
had of telling his stories that made
US overlook the disagreeable aspect OF
the man. He bore one mark that
made his face look even more sinister
than it would otherwise have done.
He had scar on his right cheek. I
cannot see now bow in the world We
came to ignore that scar. We had
hunted California high and low for
man of that very description. We
ought to have known our man at first
sight, but neither of us associated the
chatty stranger with the man who
had left Oakland with young woman
on the same night that Annie Ralston
disappeared. It is difficult to account
for our stupidity. We paid dearly
enough for it afterward.
Mr.. Gambok Smell became a very
close friend. That is, he remained
close to us. He sat with US at din
ner. It is true, his everlasting atten-
tions grew rather wearisome, but he
was 80 earnest in his efforts to please,
and always kept US in good humor
with his stories, that we could not
treat him otherwise than well. We
told him very little about ourselves at
first, but as our acquaintance length
ened from days into weeks we told
him of our mission to Hong Kong and
Shanghai. He was, to all appear
ances, Mortified at my recital of what
I had seen of Annie Ralston in the
Chinaman's den. He said he was we'll
acquainted in Hong Kong, and might
be able to give us some valuable as
sistance in our search. He did rem
der US valuable aid. It was long
time proving itself, but, nevertheless,
much against his own intentions he
helped US.
So we passed our time until the 9th
of January. We had scarcely noticed
the advent of the new year. On Jan
uary 1st the captain ordered dinner
on little more elaborate scale than
than we were accustomed to, and that
was all.
One day we all sat on deck. We
had reached the tropics. It was NO
longer necessary to wear coats and
cloaks on deck. The rays of the sun
were scorching at noon. It was to-
ward the close of one of these oppres-
sively warm days we sat on deck,
smoking, as I said. Langston got up
and wandered away. Ralston hung
over the rail few minutes and then
strolled off.
Gambok Smell turned to me and
said:
"You are nearlee to the eend of
your voyage, Doctor Creeckmore."
eyes; we have only few days more.
I am heartily glad of it. I shall be
glad when my feet get on solid ground
again"
"But you veel half long sail back
lees it not so?"
"Just as long. But our purpose,
T hope, will be accomplished. If we
60 back with Annie Ralston safe, I
could stand any amount of sailing"
"Ah! Thees ees very sad affair,
Docteer Creeckmore. The-ah-
young ladee was so beautiful and no
BILE. Ees eet not so?"
''It is very sad. The thoughts Of it
are enough to drive q man insane. I
shudder to think what the result
would be If we failed to rescue her. I
think it would kill her parents"
"Ye-es. Eet ees too bad. I do
not like these t'ings-murder, crime
all of Nhem. B-r-r-r! They make
me to sheever! But you veel prevent
eet. Ees eet not 500"
81 hope so," I replied, puzzled at
his persistenca.
"And deed you say dat you are the
only person who saw thees woman and
thees Chinaman, docteer?"
"Yes; I am the only one who saw
them"
"Aha! You are very important
person in thees case, I say. You are
the only person who could identify
thees-ah-Chinaman. Fees eet not
so?"
eyes; am the only one."
"And would you know him again,