The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-02-17
THE GOLDEN
IDOL %
Leonard, or anything else!"
FERGUS HUME

o>N~0|@">~~-~N@~~~~~-~G-S
Leonard, or anything else!"
Norah pondered, twiddling the paper In
her fingers. THAT is possible she said,
unconscious that Gaskell was watching
her closely, but If I answer this adver-
tisement stating that 1 will give up the
BooJum, the person who put 1t In Will
nave TO make an appointment to receive
IT, Then I'll get the police to keep that
appointment, and arrest the person, who
ever he may be-"
That's good idea. Yes You might
do that. Let me- look at the advertise
ment again."
| 1t for some time. Then he stared into
the fire. 'Wang-Ho," he murmured.
Yes, that Is the name Jinfou knows
something Of it, Norah" he said 81
went to see Jfnfou the other night and
found him in an opium Sleep You know
| l promised to get him to see you. Tn
| fortunately he was so much under the in
huence of that perntcious drug. that he
was quite unable to understand me- I
heard him talking in a serrii-deiirious
1ashlon-in his own tongue-which 1, of
course could not interpret Now that
l see 1t in print, the recollection comes
to me that he mentioned several times
the word 'Wang-Ho.' "
Then he must have had something to
w Will LeOudTU y disappearance cried
Moran, much excited. 81 always thought
he had-ever since he met Leonard and
me on the pier. We must have him ar
rested, Rowland
And spoil everything?" Gasken shook
his head. Don't be rash, Norah Your
first idea is the better of the two We
must answer this advertisement, and trap
the rascals."
why do you speak in the plural?"
Because, If Vyse is right about that
yacht, there must be more than one. Oh,
yes, he called on me today and told me
all about this discovery"
What do you think of it?"
Gaskell shrugged his shoulders There
may be something in it. But the whole
affair is so mysterious that really don't
know what to think We are dealing with
evil and wicked persons, Norah. If YOU
like, 1 will draw out the answer to this
advertisement. And, Norah, I think you d
better let me keep this idol by me for the
present. You see in any case, If these
people reply
Il can't Rowland II haven't got
it"
Ee started and looked at her anxious1y
You haven't got it," he said, in tone
Of positive terror, "Norah, what have
you done?'
I sold it to Gen. Burnley to get money
for Philip
Burnley! Philipg' Gaskeu seemed to
hold himself in by an effort LET me
hear all about it," he said, after a turn
or two up and down the room.
Rather surprised at his emotion Norah
rapidly recounted her meeting with
Nebby and Philip, her visit to Gen Burn
ley, and her sale Of the idol. GaskelI gave
vent to an ejaculation Of annoyance sew
eral times during the narrative; and at
its conclusion reproved her severely.
You have done very foolish thing
Norah," he said. angrily-more angrily
than was quite compatible with his char
acter for gentleness and goodness. You
should let me deal with Philip. I would
have given him the money rather than
you should have parted with the idol
Why did you not trust me2'
Il didn't know then that the Bootum
was a thing Of so much Importance"
said Norah, piteously You see, knew
nothing Of the advertisement.
Gaekell, walking up and down, paid
idol back" he said, half to himself;
everything turns on Wang-Ho."
''But what does Wang-Ho mean, Row
land?"
81 don't know. But fancy 1t is the
name of this god. I'll go to the public
library tomorrow and look up some work
on the religion of Chi9. I told vyse
L
do, that it has some connection with the
idol. You must come with me to Gen.
Burnley tomorrow and return the money
How much did he give your"
Forty pounds!"
II would have given you more I fullv
believe with you now that this idol is at
the root of the whole mystery; and.
sooner than you should have parted with
it-but it's not too late-we must get it
back from the general"
''It is very good of you, Rowland. to
show so much earnest concern"
Naturally. my dear Norah, I want to
help you. 1t may be that he is alive.
II that advertisement is not a snare
With the idol we can angle at all events.
without 1t we are helpless, 80 far as
these people are concerned You know
your welfare is everything to me.
would see you and Leonard happy"
81 know you wish us we'll, cousin" said
Norah, blushing crimson
Wish you well? Yes, I do. But I
wish myself we'll also. I would have
temptation removed I had better say
no more. I shall see you tomorrow.
Good night"
seized his hat and fairly ran out of the
house. In his haste he brushed against
Jael, who was lingering in the hall
Norah remained in the drawing room
too amazed for words. Then her wom-
ans wit came to her aid, and the situa-
ton cleared itself in her mind. She half
laughed, half sighed. She saw how it
was, saw why he was anxious to see her
married
Jael heard a sigh and caught a glimpse
of Norah through the half-open door
She shook her fist menacingly and re-
turned to the kitchen. And for the next
half hour Martha found her colleague ex-
traordinarily unpleasant
Go Be Continued Daily)