The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1901-02-05
3 81 81 81 e IS

81 had arranged an aunlraDle llCtle
plan, but to me there seemed to be
something wanting in the story, and l
said, addressing the Chinaman, "Kung
is u great political plotter"
"The greatest, excelleney."
"And no doubt the government would
literally reward those who captured
him?"
"They would pay much, excellcncy.
There never was one whom they fear
ed SO much as kung."
"Then why have you not betrayed his
hiding place to the government? 1t
would relieve you of much responsible
ity."
l expected the man to show some
sort of confusion, were 1t ever SO little,
Mt this direct th4eist. but instead his
equanimity appeared not in the least
disturbed. He smiled with apparent
complacency, but to my thinking his
face looked infinitely diabolic.
N"True, excellency, might have done
as you suggest. But you forget am a
Chinese, and l have been personally
mutilated. Unlike you Christians. we
Chinese DO not forgive our enemies. 1t
would not please me to hand kunr
over to the government. It would not
be satisfaction enough merely to know
that he was punished. want to see
his punishment. want to punish him
N self"
m confess, knowing something Of the
'Cninese character, that there was rea-
son in this, and my momentary doubts
were satisfied. Koon-Si was not pleas
ant to look upon. but that he was the
instrument ordained for our use was so
painfully apparent that there could be
no question of severing ourselves from
his guidance.
And so for another hour we smoked
and talked, ultimately agreeing upon a
plan of action. Koon-Sl, being one OF
those persons who seem to know cv-
erything, counseled energetic action
and, seeing that we fell readily into
Ills wishes informed us that on the
morrow the Foochow would sail for
Shanghai and advised passage by
her. Knowing no reason why we
should delay our departure, We at once
accepted this proposal, and Jim there
and then handed the carpenter sufii-
cient money TO enable him to purchase
few necessaries and his passage.
Then, overwhelmed with thanks and
compliments, We were shown down
stairs and ont through the shop, and
thankful I was to taste again the com
paratively fresh air Of the street.
Tomorrow" said Koon-Sl as he
peered up, blinking, from his cellar,
1--WE shall meet on board the Foo
chow"
Tomorrow" answered my uncle.
"You may not see me during the pas
sage up" continued the carpenter, "but
II you should you will remember that
we are strangers. Otherwise'-here
he lowered his voice and looked fear
fully about-"well, the society is ev-
frywhere.'
81 understand said Jim. 1--WE shall
meet again at ShanghaiT
eat Shanghai you shall know every
thing"
We turned from Koon-Si and walked
down the narrow street and as we
reached the bottom We hesitatcd for a
moment which way to turn. Then 1t
was that our friend All Yon advanced,
smiling and bowling.
"Makee lOsem way? he said.
! "Hello. cried jim. what are yoil
doing here?'
"My makce wait; t'ink you makee
lOsem way"
'Well, 1t is puzzling, evil smelling
place" was the reply.
All Yon grinned.
! "Chinaman welly dirty beast. He
Alice same belong dog-likee bad smell.
You no takee lickshaw"
mo"
! "Welly good. Makee walk. My makce
lead"
| The rascal stepped out with a jaunty
gait, and with elbows, fists and tongue
cleared way for us whenever our
progress was liable to receive a check
from the masses Of people which chok-
ed the streets.
At length we left the worst part Of
the native quarter behind, and as AT
Yon still continued to pace ahead my
uncle and busted ourselves with dis
cussIng the remarkable carpenter
Koon-Si.
"Hes not exactly the sort of fellow
should choose for travelling com
panion," said Jim, "but I'm glad We
met him. 1t is evident that without his
aid there would not be the remotes'
possibility of our ever coming in con
tact with Kung-thut Is, unless he were
10 seek u.s."
"Instead of which we seek him. Bu'
tell me, Jim, If by any chance kuni
falls into our powcr-what then|
I asked this question, apparently sc
superfiuous, because hitherto ou'
threats of vengeance had been of an In
definite kind or at least mine had, fol
] was not one who could contemplate
murder with any equanlmity. My plan
was to seize Kung and hand him over
to the government There would be
nothing more for me to fear or to do
after that.
As | spoke Jim swung around and
laid a heavy hand IN my shoulder. His
blue eyes sought mine, and they were
hard, cold, repellent.
, II shall kill him."
Never was n man more In earnest
The bitterness Of years was crowded
into that moment. There was no hest.
tation here, no doubt. knew now that
the easy going city man, who had hith'