The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-08-30

which was displayed the sign OF the go
ciety, and without more ado he led me
to an apartment and inquired my wishes
and behaved In q manner which furtner
increased my respect for the organdatxion
over which Kung presided. Gould I single
handed hope 20 defeat such q power'
asked myself this question because IN
spirit was already in revolt. 1t was I'm
possible that should commit this paur-
der. I knew v from the first moment
had been chosen. I was sure OF 1t when
went back to the ship. / had become
certain during my journey 70 Pekng.
How then could thwart the schcmins or
Kung and his confederates. how save my
selff To leave the capital without accom-
plishins my purpose would be TO court
instant DEATH for death was the punish
ment Of those who disobeyed the man
dates OF the society. To betray the 90
.ety was a last thought, but IL was one
that had been knocking al the door OF my
brain. and now It entered There was TOR
me no other way OF escaping my destiny.
I must murder Lowan or betray my
friends. Stay, There was still another
way. / might commit suicide. But trutn
TO tell, this last resource did not appeal
to me. The society would make me a
murderer Was not justified In Crap
ping with such a fate?
when one wishes to Justify oneself
the adaptabilfty of the human conscience
is nothing short OF marvellous. ! wished
TO believe that / would be doing right
in betraying this awful plot. and had
little difficulty In convincing myself or
the genuineness of that belief. offer no
excuse for my double dealing and soil
cit no apology. 1t was q matter OF hre
and death and I was not base enough 10
murder nor heroic enough to die.
Accordingly sought out Lowan and
after due precautions unfolded the whoie
4 IAex hat h.
wac commented me highly for my deVo-
ton to the throne and promised to over
whelfr me with riches II my story should
prove true The discovery Of such plot
as this would mean for him vioeroyelty
at least. The emperor did not forget
those who served him well. The Son OF
Heaven was the cornerstone of wisdom.
the fount of all human intelligence. 10
encounter the glory OF his august smile
was 20 enter the radius OF paradise.
Lowan had visions--visions.
well. we arranged our plot so nicely
that tho conspiracy was nipped I'm the bud.
Most Of the ringleaders were apprehended
and many OF the rank and file. but Kung,
the brain, the soul, OF the society. es-
capped.
with him alive. even though crippled
and a fugitive, I knew that II was but a
poor life carried about with me though
you may take II for granted that had 80
arranged matters with Lowan as TO ap-
pear still a faithful servant OF the So
cicty. And here again I wish emphati-
cnlIy 70 add that offer no apology FOR
this subterfuee. II was case OF COM
hitting a foul murder or laying bare this
nonstrous plot There wae no middle
way. no half measures. IL was kill or be
killed I chose that which l considered
the. ~iser course. though l have taken
leave 20 doubt the wisdom since Kung
was a diaboiical miscreant. absolutely
devoid OF pity or conscience. man who
newer allowed one touch Of humanity 10
interfere with his plans. Curses on HE
yellow face and his pig eyesl sec those
eyes now. They peer ut me through the
window. they glare ND at me from this
paper as I write. they haunt mo I'm my
dreamsi Kin himl XIII him
"Wsil, Lowan was az good as his word.
He paid me woll and smusgied me safely
10 Hongkopg. From thence I went a
round OF tho Islands, and when / came
back believed that the Society OF the
Hidden Meaning was a thing N the past.
Tv,ie. Kung had escaped. but most OF the
a,ney lccders had been taken and sum-
marty executed. This. 90 ! thought and
hoped. meant death blow TO the organ
Izatjon. Presently I was to be disagre-a-
bly, surprised.
II had returned 10 Shanghai from a
trim TO the Philippines. and on the second
day OF my arrival. about 10 In the even
ing as / was going down 60 my ship. a
cooiy staled up 10 me and slipped paper
into my hand. / guessed instnctiveiy
what n meant remembered AL too vi
vidly tho last time such n thing occurred.
7 was rather glad OF the night
However. l drew near a lamp and
op~ned the missfve. IL was square sheet
OF black paper. In the middle o. whion
was the vermillion Sign OF tho society.
40 the snake had been only scotched after
all.
IT turned round and discovered the
cody by my eide.
"'weii7 7 seid.
The master waits he answered.
MY FIRST impulse was to ignore this \