Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1903-01-10

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MY heart gaze greet thump. Was ii
1t bandicaps him dreadfully. But nc
doubt, since you are so venturesome
you are man who has been accustom.
ed to giving long odds. | fear, though
that you are overmatched this time
My good friend Loo-hi," here he nod.
ded once more toward the carpenter
however, depicts you as a resolute
man. Believe me, cordially welcome
such, especially when they prove. as
you have proved, to be the possessors
of no ordinary intelligence"
Jim passed this taunt He was In no
position to handy words with Kuug.
who held the privileged post of master
of the situation. But his eyes went
toward the carpenter, and l saw the
hrst real shade Of anger darken his
face.
who is that dog?' he said.
kung smiled again, an oily, yellow
smile that was sickeningly exasperat,
ing. Koon-Si scowled horribly and
took step forward, but with a wave
st his hand kung restrained him.
"A very excellent gentleman and one
who has served me with a devotion be.
yond all praise. His illustrious name
Is Loo-Hi, and his revered father was
Child of patriotic memory. For GER
tain reasons, however, he was called
upon to assume the name of Koon-Si,
a very excellent carpenter who, in
stead OF keeping to bis trade, contriy-
ed to mix himself with dangerous mat.
tiers. The result was that he died sud.
denly, fate which overtakes so many
people who will not listen to the die.
tates of reason. Ii therefore became
necessary to fill his place, for he had
been man of some consequence in his
day, and as unfortunately the lamented
carpenter had an uncommon left nos
tril l was forced to slit this honorable
gentleman's nose. But he bore IL brave
ly. 1t was all for the good of the
cause. And now, having explained so
much, should really like to know who
you are and what debt it is owe YOU
for which you would exact such heavy
paymentT'
my name is Carter" said Jim.
And mine Gray"
Canterbury" repeated Kung, hon.
oring us with a doubtful look. "Curi-
Gus. 1 have many very dear English
friends" this with an inconceivably
malicious smile, ''but L don't seem TO
recollect either name. Are you sure
that you remember rightly-that terror
has not dimmed your intellectr'
quite sure"
Nevertheless 1t Is very strange. AS
rule, I know my guests, either per-
sonally or by repute, and 1 usually re-
ceive them with open arms. i have the
reputation of warm embrace, and, as
you know, when a man has earned q
reputation that is in any way singular
he constantly strives to live up to 1t.
However, If toward you l have in the
least fallen short Of that hospitality
for which believe l am not unknown,
L shall strive manfully to atone for ii
later on. There Is some one coming
who knows many people who personal
ly are unknown to me. He will repair
any little omissions of mine" He rose
as If to go, then suddenly sat again
"Oh, by the way, it is some little time
since the carpenter set off in pursuit of
his ancestors! May I ask who could
have told you OF him?"
'Some one" said Jim, who remem-
bers that Kung is mortal like the rest
of u.s."
AYE, to be sure. Only with this diff
ference, Kung is well served. Still, 1t
matters not He of whom spoke will
soon be here. Once / know for certain
who my guests are, trust me to treat
them as they deserve"
He rose again, and this time the
heavy curtains fell before him. Then
the lights were extinguished, patter-
ing of feet followed, and Jim and L
stood alone in the darkness.
You are there, JimT"
Eyes, lad"
Then there was a silence between us
for many minutes, and l peered eager
ly through the darkness, hoping to
catch a glimpse of him, but the gloom
was too profound, only the occasion
al rafting of his chains, the shifting
from foot to foot and the hard breath
ing coming to tell me that 1 was not
alone. For the rest, dark thought and
bitter regret were mine, and l knew
enough of Jim fully to appreciate his
state of mind. We had played and lost
and l, now more fatalistic than ever
failed utterly to believe that we could
have done other. 1t was easy now to
see the madness of trusting so implic-
lily to the carpenter, yet not to trust
would have rendered all our efforts
futile. Who. would have believed the
man was leoouad with the s0ciatv9