The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-07-21

building by a side door. AS they were
passing along one of the halls a white
object dropped noiselessly from the
front of Alec's jacket. He did not dis
cover his loss, and several minutes Ia
ter a tall Chinaman, hurrying by in
the same direction, caught sight of the
envelope on the floor. He picked 1T up
quickly and furtively, and thrust 1t
into his clothing.
Wait here a moment" said Dan, as
he halted his companion in an empty
ante-chamber, land I'll speak to my
father I'm afraid you won't be able to
see Mr.. Conger at once"
The moment grew to a quarter of
an hour, while Alec examined some
curious carvings of dragons and ele-
plants, and then Dan returned.
Come this way" he said. My ia
Their is disengaged now"
The boys entered a private office of
the legation. a business-like room Sc
Verely furnished, and lighted with wax
candles. Mr.. Eustace Killigrew, one of
the minister's secretaries, sat at a
desk Uttered with papers. He was a
flne looking man, with shrewd. intel
ngent features, and the conduct of
the secret intelligence department was
IN his charge. He rose and shook hands
cordially with Alec.
l am glad to see you, my boy" he
SAID Il understand that you bring"
The sentence was left unfinished. He
gave a slight start, and for half min
ute, In silence, he stared in a strange
manner into Alec's face.
Your name?" he asked abruptly, in
an altered voice.
Alec Drury, SIR"
And your father?'
Capt Ralph Drury, military instruc-
Tor to the Viceroy of Shan Se."
Where were you born?"
In San Francisco"
You strongly resemble some one"
sad the secretary, whom l once
knew"
AS he spoke a tall, well-built China
man entered the room. He was about
~ years of age, more swarthy of com
pleXlon than is common with his race.
ana with regular features to which
sIeera black eyes and a curled, dark
mustdche, gave a fierce and naughty
expression. This was Ii Sheng, recent
attached TO the suite of the Chinese
minister at Washington, bnt now serv-
ing the American legation at Pekin in
secret and confidential capacity. He
vent forth daily in disguise to CLEAN
mat information was TO be picked up.
All, you have returned from the
cIty, said Mr.. Killigrew.
res honored sir" replied Ii Sheng.
WIN keen glance at the two boys.
wait / will speak with you in a
moment" said the secretary. Mr.. Con-
ger Is too busy to see you at present"
ne added to Alec, but If you have a
letter for him"
J have, SIR" the lad broke in. He
Spehed his jacket and produced q cou-
~ OF folded sheets of paper. Then, IN
,.lhB his hand again, he uttered an
N,idihation of dismay. He shook HIM
~. ana felt every part of his clothing.
81, Is gone" he cried. II have lost the
v'nsr letter-the one addressed to the
,r',,'stei' IL must have dropped from
' pocket, which ! see was slit open
me bottom by the sword that slash
I, ne across the chest. l had no idea
had cut so deep"
~ sheng gazed stolidly into space,
s. ban. who had been watching him
rr'.'Nely' turned his eyes on Alec with
"Yle sympathy.
l.. me Is Unfortunate" said Mr.. Kill
What was An the letter."
~ Sneng drew a sharp breath.
wish ] could tell you, sir" replied
only know that ~ contained
NATION OF great value 20 Mr.. Con-
Nhl'h was discovered IN some
lef by my father"
, mere was o moment Of anxious H..
N.hlch Was broken by Dan.
H nhfnF," b. said, deliberately.
49,. ere hurt There is blood on your
~ shSTs Erssnsb. ussrish eyes.