The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-03-30

Marks said he would not, and paid eff
the driver Then he and Blunt followed
the C!hinaman into a side street. Up one
Way and down another he led them,
through courts and alleys, until the
houses began to grow meaner and small
er, and they could hear the hoarse muir
muir of the river. Then he turned INTO
a dark. narrow lane, leading down on TO
to a wharf Marks was obviously scared
at the loneliness of the surroundings. He
stopped short for moment. is 1t down
there?'' he asked, catching Blunts arm.
-eeYes; down here, on the right. If you
are afraid, we can easily get ponce
man, Mr. Marks
.'Rlow peelers," growled Blunt: i
amt afraid I've got knuckle custer
and a shooter i'll my pocket.
Reassured somewhat by this, Marks
felt for the revolver with which he, too,
had taken the. precautiorl TO arm hlmselr.
Again they followed Jinfou, who was now
gliding like a spectre across the snow
He halted at small house near the
wharf. and knocked five times at the
door. 1t was opened by lean-IooklnS
Chinaman He and Jinfou gabbled
few words in their native tongue. and APP
parently came to an understanding. The
lean cinnamon stood aside and the three
Dassed into a narrow passage badly light
cd by an OIL lamp. When the door was
closed. Marks seemed to feel another
oualm. Again he seized Blunt by the
arm. "Dont leave me- he whispered,
nervously.
In reply Blunt growled and roughly
shook him off. He had a supreme con-
tempt for the Jews cowardice.
Then Jinfou turned towards tReIn.
s.The box is in a back ROOM" he ESid.
az told my friend you were coming, and
he has dug it up from below"
.'Oh it was buried, was it?H
For over forty years, Mr., Marks.
Gene; let us hasten to open 1t.
With great eagerncss Marks followed
the lean Chinaman, and was conducted
TO a small back room also badly lighted
Nv a petroleum lamp from the ceiling.
TIE room was distinctly Chinese in char-
acter. and in one corner stood q gaudy
shrine with a hidcous joss incense burnt
before the god. and mingling with its
odor was the sickly smell of opium.
on small table in the center of the
room stood an object swathed IN oiled
cloths to which the earth still chung
I'he Jew stepped towards it, eager for
possession.
s.You can unwrap it and open it your
self said Jinfou. 81 wish Mr.. Blunt to
see that give you perfectly free hand.
Moreover" sneered Jinfou 1.-The street
f7oor is open, and you can go whenever
you will.
Right" growled Blunt looking with
great curiosity at the box
The two Cinnamon stood aside ana
watched intently as Marks undid the
wrappings. They appeared to be stuck
together with some gluey substance. and
gave him no little trouble. IIe uttered
an exclamation Of Impotence upon which
Blunt, producing large Knife, slashed
at the wrappings lengthwise. He tore
them asunder and pulled out vermilion
painted box of considerable size. On this
Marks darted. key in hand. Jinfou re-
treated to the shrine and commenced
burning joss sticks, mutterirg prayers
the while
whats that for?" grumDled Blunt, re-
sentful1y.
.1t is for me to propit.atc my god
Wang-IIo,'' said the Chinamai. Your
friend is committing sacrilege."
ooh, bother the sacrllege, said Ell.
Jinfou continued his Precipitation. Blunt
and the owner OF the house stood stolidly
by.
The key was q long. slender Instrument
of polished steel, without wards, but hav
ing at the end number OF small knobs.
Marks slipped 1t into q tiny hole irlnne-
diateiy under the Id. 1t ran right Up 20
the hilt---indeed, so far that but fer the
loop at the end he could net have been
able &c turn it. Tic lock was embossed
with strange device. and around It We're
a number cf s:.ali, 9iiarp spikes. AS the