The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-03-08
THE GOLDEN IDOL.
by FERGUS HUME.-

Jinfous expression grew grave. 1.-TWO
months ago my brother priest died-a
Christian!" He spat on the floor ''Ac-
cursed be Yung-Lo!"
For moment his feeling got the better
said nothing, but left him to wrestle
with his indignation. At length he con-
tinued:
Another priest is coming to join me, >
he said: "but that has nothing to do with
this story In China we traced the gold
en- Wang-Ho from hand to hand, but
were never able to get possession Of it.
And all Of those into whose hands It
passed were smitten with the curse Of
the god
"By Gum! Same here!' murmered
Teddy.
Jinfou, never needing him, proceeded:
''Then we heard that the last possessor,
when dying. had given it to Lieut.. Jayne,
who had killed him In fight, and on
whom he wished to be revenged. Our
priests made all inquiries about Jayne,
and wrote to me that his ship was Or
dered home to FIetmouth. and that
Lieut. Jayne, with the golden Wang-Ho,
was on board. I came to Fletmouth
with Yung-Lo to watch. and there he died
"a Christian! Ughr' Jinfou spat again.
ST disguised myself and haunted the
lowest parts of the town for news. From
the moment of the Juno's arrival I
watched on the pier for Jayne He came.
1 was there Mr.. Vyse; you saw me.
knew he had the idol in his pocket"
How did you know that?"
Because in China he had been warned
that the idol was wanted. He knows
something Of what I am telling you, but
not all. When he saw me he remem-
bered the warning. and tnstinctively
clutched at his breast coat pocket. That
was how I knew he had it with him.
I followed to that house at Oldport in
tending to secure 1t when he returned
had heard him say he was going
on board again. Then st the door of the
the young lady he had been visiting,
and I knew that the golden Wang-Ho
was not upon him. So 1 went home.
Next morning Jayne had disappeared.
"Did you know, then, that Marks had
done it?''
mo, 1 did not I learnt later-how,
it does not n,atter-.that Marks knew
the story Of the idol and was bent upon
getting possession Of all the twenty-four
gods
"But how on earth did he hear the
story?"
"I am not sure have only my su5-
picions It will be bad day for some
one when they arc verified. Hair jim
fou frowned and continued: 81 waited
for an opportunity to get that idol from
Trafalgar Villa, but could not manage
It, Then Miss Wharton sold it to Gen.
Burnley"
From whom did you get that?"
From boy who Is in Marks employ.
Marks was informed of it by a spy he
had placed In the house"
"Nebby and Jaell thought as much.
Well, SO you made up your mind to rob
Burnley"
"I did, admitted Jinfou, frankly. "r
was on that errand when I saw the
murder committed, and the person who
committed 1t steal the Idol. That was
my opportunity, Mr.. Vyse, and 1 seized
it, with the result that I succeeded and
vas returning to Fletmouth with it in
my pocket when you knocked me down
with your bicycle. You know the rest.
And I ask you where 1t Is now 81
"Lcrd knows. ] hid 1t away iii q tar
at Trafalgar villa for safety. Marks
berght that jar and put it in his shop.
The boy Nebby found it, and cleared
out with it. He's In london I'm cold.
I m going up to look for him.
"I'1l help you to do So" said Jinfou,
and he shall be found"
That's easier said than DONE
''Not If he has the idol. Ho will not