The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-09-19

| You see," said he. turning TO Kuna
and speaking In English. he recognizes
me. Well met, Mr.. Kingston"
'ktnsston?" cried Kung. bounding to
bis feet
Aye. Mr.. Davie Kingston, son OF Cap
tain Kingston. who sailed away with the
| writing OF Kung This other Is his uncle
MT. Davfe. This is an unexpected pleas
ure. gentlemen Believe me. after the
| adroit manner I'm which you outwttted me
| in London had no hopes OF meeting you
on the island Of Ching-hi. At later perl
| Cd, II you have time. I should like you 70
| tell me how you did II. for. believe me.
your getting away was severe blow to
| our prestige. We believed that we need
only play with you until we wished "a
strike. In your England one has 10 be ex-
tremely circumspect. Here II Is different,
IL was good OF you TO come. for II re-
lieves me OF a great anxiety, as shall
now be able to devote myself to the pur-
| suit OF peace. Gentlemen. i give you well
come to Chinay'
wondering eyes. my brain with a
confused motion hurnedly retracing the
past. but Jim spoke. and despite the
treatment 10 which he had been subject
ed his voice was clear and Arm.
why do you talk7" he said I'VE rec
ognize that the game is up. We played
the fool and must pay for our folly. We
were not afraid to come hither. We are
not afraid TO go hence"
"Bravely spoken" answered wooching
1T is inexpressibiy pleasing to know that
our guests are men of such undaunted
courage. / would had met you earlier"
1T Is not my fault" said Jim II have
searched long enough for you. but your
courage was only equal to numbering
women and old men"
Wooching smiled. He was not angry
Why should he be? He could not have
hoped TO succeed so easily.
Il think you wrong me somewhat and
do not. rightly consider all the circum-
stances. Why are you here? You do not
answer. i will tell you. To kill Kupg and
me. Why? Because, through our agency,
your sister and her husband met their
death. IT Is very natural. I have no fault
TO find. But consider my case. Ny father
was betrayed to death, and I pursued
the betrayer. What is natural in one in
stance cannot be unnatural In another"
Tho calmness OF this man, the caimness
or them ALL was amazing. II was very
odd TO think that this individual I'm the
silk robe. who condescended 10 argue so
politely with his enemy, was the man
with the strange eyes who had walked
up our garden path that awful day at
Windsor. who had filed my life with
terror which win always be q part OF
me. Wooching. the implacable yellow
man, the subject of so many fears, so
many dreams. I could scarcely realize,
though standing face to face with him.
that this polite little gentleman was the
ffend who had wrought such horror to me
and mine. I was like one confounded,
amazed, and, strange as II may SEEM
his dreadful presence now awakened in
me feeling more OF curiosity than of
terror. even though / knew that death
out of his eyes was staring me in the
face
AS Jim. did not answer wooching turned
10 Kung with smile. And still II was
impossible TO realize that these two men,
so quiet, SO polite, welded such awful
power. The impassive Kung with the
thin, curling lips. the meaning smile
Was II possible that this could be the
man who willed a crime in China and
had 1t executed In a counrty town In
England There was no sign of power,
nothing to Impress one as II WERE and
yet his grip was as sure as death itself
II fear our illustrious guests realize tho
force OF my argument" said wooching
Well. II Is an excellent thing to have a
good understanding, and / hope II will
enable them to boar phi,osophically some
of the surprises which the society has
in store for them"
He went back to his position by the
chair. and then Kung rose slowly and
came to me. For n time he stared me
closely In the face as though he would
devour every feature. His little black
eyes. at first cold and inscrutable began
to glow. and presently they cleaned like
fire.
1T Is long time ago." he said, "and
/ cannot trace a feature. Yet you do
not deny that you are the son Of Captain |
Il do not deny IT."
You are not wise.A serpent breeds |
serpents. and as they are dangerous we |
kill them" /!
His Lips writhed his eyes CLEANED.
The memory OF my father stirred all that |
was black and wicked In this mans ma |
ture. He was no longer the impassive |
yellow man. but seething caldron OF |
wrath which, I feared. would presently |
bubble over.
so" he continued" you are son OF \
that dog. that wretched traitor who be- |
trayed his friends, that miserable crea- |
ture who thought he could pit his fools |
wits against miner The dog But he |
as all perish who would destroy /
me. our friendship is sacred, our hate Is |
death For your fathers crime I swore /
that ] would erterminate his brood. and |
with you will 40 the last dog and son Of /
4 dog" and with his long. yellow fingers
ne struck me fercely across the eyes and |
then spat In my face.
Fools" he went on. to think that
you could grapple with me and hope 20 \
Nin-to win where the emperor himself
has failed. Kung. the boat builder +
n Ching-hi today: tomorrow where7 But |
he goes the sign rallies the
'aithful round him. You have seen Il |
'nce. twice maybe7 You shall see it
again. and you shall feel IL, too. before
Tou go hence"
He few from the chamber. shouting
In Chinese, and the Others
quickly followed him, extingIiShinR the
lights as they went But Jim this time
vas left 20 keep me company. and / had
10 doubt what the last order Of KunK
had been TO this effect. What was the
meaning Of IL I could not guess. but I
vas glad OF the companionshlp. II was
'orne consolation 10 hear even the rattle
u Jims chains
For some time we did not speak at all.
fnder such conditions there was notbing |