Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-03-13


had got upon my nerves. Out Of the
shadows they came like ghosts or
ghouls, and into them they vanished
again, silent, mysterious, leaving no
impression behind save chill round
the heart.
"Ching-hi," repeated Jim Indifferent
ly, though I knew that the carpenter
had also given him a start. $50 he Is
there?"
"Was there, excellency. Where he is
now who shall say? Kung Is like the
dark shadows which the clouds ding
before the moor-a moment here, mo-
ment there, in one place never"
'"Then," said Jim, you seem to have
led us on pretty wild goose chase.
Anyhow we must see"
1--WE shall see, excellency, and If, as I
believe, the virtuous are rewarded up
on this earth as well as in heaven the
end Of Kung is close Mt hand. From
the birth to the death of IN old man is
a long journey; but, excellency, 1t ends
at last. So is it with the evildoer. He
goes his way and wounds and riots and
strikes terror throughout the land, but
his day dawns and his sun sets, and
behold there Is nothing for him but
darkness evermore! So shall 1t be
with Kung. His foot shall grow wea-
ry, his eyes shall fall him. and he who
has made many tremble shall tremble
himself at last. Like cold north wind
the end shall come swift upon him, and
the great river shall carry his death
wall down to the great ocean,"
He stopped and with horribly IA
miliar movement laid his hand upon
my shoulder, and felt cold shudder
sweep me from head to foot. Indeed I
almost fancied could hear the walling
Of ghosts in the m of the river.
With an exclamation anger shook
the cold claw from me and drew back
pace. Mr.. Koon-Si smiled, and was
fearful lest he should understand the
movement. What's to become of the
white mans dignity IL he allows a
heather to brighten him in this fash
Ion?
That's all very WELL" said Jim, who.
however much the carpenter may have
impressed him, showed no sign of 1t,
"but we haven't heard his death wall
yet, and should like to know how you
intend that we shall hear It"
"Excellency, the future is in the
hands of the gods, and who am that
I should say them yea or nay p
my worthy Koon-Si, the future is
also somewhat In our hands. How
know you that the gods have not cho-
sen us Us instruments of their pleas
ureT'
NAY, excellency. know not. It
may be even as you say; the gods move
mysteriously. If could only think so,
l would spit in the face of Kung."
First meet him. my illustrious car
penter. Tell me, what are your plans?"
Tomorrow we shall be In Hankow,
In the country of Kung. one might say.
The utmost vigilanc. will be necessary
II we wish to escape detection
"Wellg'
II have arranged all that. We shall
land early tomorrow morning, when
hope few people will be about. Your
excellencies will follow me from the
ship. but without speaking. You may
bring your servant with you, he
may be useful. have cous In
Hankow. worthy tailor. who has uf-
fered somewhat through Kung. He
will give us a hearty welcome"
"And then!"
In the house Of my illustrious cousin
we shall soon devise plan Of reach
Ing the island of Ching-hi. 1t is even
possible that my distinguished relative
may know something of the move
ments of Kung. Your excellency un-
derstands?'
"Quite."
HE strikes twice who strikes first"
The gaunt figure of the carpenter
slipped from our side and disappeared
In the gloom. and friend as he was, and
avenger. too, was glad that he had
gone. But felt to the full our impo-
tence and the horror of being depend
ent upon this ghoulish creature. He
was like bad exhalation Of the night,
and almost wished that he would dis
solve into the bosom of his mother.
AT daybrcak of the following morn
ing We arrived ut Hankow, and in &C
cordance with our prearranged plan
followed the worthy carpenter from
the ship, our invaluable All Yon bring
ing up the rear with our few worldly
possessions in yalise. Fortunately
there were not many people about, and
such as were belonged SO obviously to
/ fho Nnn1u GLASS hnk
with little apprehension. They merely
honored us with the usual stolid stare
Of the oriental. made some remarks un-
Ineligible to us, but in no way evinced
q flattering curiosity.
Koon-Si In the meantime marched
steadily ahead, turning to the right up
on leaving the landing stage, and after
pursuing his way for some distance
through long, shambling street he
suddenly branched off to the left, and
presently we found ourselves before a
house, upon the door of which the car
penter knocked somewhat anxiously,
and saw our guide give two or three
uneasy glances over his shoulder us
though he feared the neighbors in the
street. Then there was an unbolting of
bars, and presently yellow, sleepy
face appeared in the aperture caused
by the gradual opening Of the door. 1t
was not pretty face. and 1t might
easily have been cleaner, but that was
nothing. As soon as 1t saw Koon-Si 1t
welcomed him with smile, and while
he spoke it opened wide the door.
The carpenter evidently knew his
| ground well, for, turning to us with a
smile, he babe US enter and at once led
us through a stuffy, dimly lit passage
to room ut the back. Then, bowling
US to seat, he seemed to breathe free
ly for the first time.
Safe" he said. Having got SO far.
the rest is easy"
1 was sorry could not share his