Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1905-03-25

expected to see with a Red Heron fan,
and that bearing the private signature
of the Mikado Of japan, the official in
sigma Of the Japanese Secret Service!"
II was my turn to be surprised.
Brackens had put me on the right
track and now saw the whole game.
Since coming to the Philippines Ma
Mia paper had published certain para
graphs to the effect that the Japanese
we're interested in the new colonies Of
the United States to such an extent
that they were DESTROYS Of obtaining
them. and had already sent thousands
Of men into the Islands In the guise Of
laborers. Knowing something about
how newspapers are made. paid but
little attention to the article, but now
Brackens' words brushed the scales
from my eyes.
told him how became possessed
of the fan and how had used II. to
his great establishment. He informed
me he was in Manila on the case, and
would cable at once to delay my de.
parture, as had discovered by acct.
dent what other men had been search.
ing for, nearly month.
He gave me all the details, but 1t is
enough to say that a plot was going
on to start an insurrection, plans were
nearing completion. and Manila was a
sleeping volcano. and when the erup.
ton came, the insurgents would have
plenty of help. As Brackeps remark.
ed. these people fought Spain four
hundred years, and the United States
had much to learn Of Asiatic races.
left Brackens and returned to the
hote. delighted that my visit in Ma.
Mia was to be prolonged. As ! en-
tered the Office saw a dark-haired
!, and swarthy European sitting at the
table. He was a dapper little fellow
and his black eyes looked through his
glasses very shrewdly, and was
some surprised to discover that he
was watching me closely while seem
lngly reading a paper.
approached the table and took q
magazine. He looked up innocently
enough, and then surprised expires
sion came over his face followed by 9
. smile. He arose and came toward me
, with outstretched hand after the man
. ner Of one who meets an old friend
. Unexpectedly.
To me 1t was plain he was acting
: II he was installing me for somebody
} else felt sure he did not know the
| person he was looking for; otherwise
I he would not have eyed me for ter
. minutes before feigning recognition.
: saw that was supposed to be surpris
. ell at being claimed as an acquain
tance
"Eet ees Monsieur Blanc" he sale
] with French accent, 81 AMI am
what you call in your langweedge
dandee to see you cen Maneela. an
veree delightful"
took his hand listlessly to saw,
him embarrassment and searched hi
!, face as II trying to recall who he was
Then on the impulse of the instant
, raised my left hand to my chin natur
ally and passed him the signal of tn,
. Chinaman.
The keen eyes lighted up and | fel
, my new friends little fingers pres,
my hand three times giving me a sc
, cret grip. He then handed me a card
upon which was engraved IN. Bau
din"
81 am glad to be here" replied
, and we seated ourselves at the table
, he evidently satisfied and I trying I,
think whether was supposed to speal
French. To be sure, he was address
Ing me In English, but knowledge o.
ignorance of French might betray m,
as the wrong man. I was sure wal
taken for some other person. and tina
, the little Frenchman was one OF thu
Red Heron band. Where was the maj
! was mistaken for? Who was he
where was he from. what was his mis-
sion In Manila, and could he speal
French? II M. Baudin did not know
him, were there any of his co-workeri
who would brand me as an impostor
did not think SO, for had any Of then
known the man I was now imperson
ating. they would have been sent t.
meet him. On the other hand, hat
they not discovered that was med
ding in their affairs and were layini
trap for me? Was "Blanc" to hav'
any credentials, any news or instruc
tions for them, was he an EnglishmaI
or an American-what was his status
: In the band? These thoughts assailet
me In rapid succession, and I decide,
! TO appear grossly ignorant-to simu
: late ignorance which would be mistali
/ en- for caution.
II would have been here sooner
: only | was delayed In Hongkong,"
! said.
Baudin raised his eyebrows, ant
shot a glance at me from his bead.
eyes.
|. or" | continued, at might be |
trihc more accurate to say Singapore.
Baudin looked at me approvingly
"You are what you call In your lang
, weedge-clevaire. Weel you come L
, zee bare and have zee drink, Mon
i sieur?"