The Pensacola journal., 1906-04-11

the man 70 bis story after a few mo-
ments in which be sobbed again.
F'She-she-my daughter disappear
ed" he mOaned, right under our eyes.
She was spirited away. A noise out
side had attracted our attention to the
window. Helen was tired and remain
ed seated few feet back Of US. When
We turned she was gone. We hunted
for her and threatened the Cinnamon,
but they knew nothing about her. They
refused to tell anything. We got des-
perate, and while Bromley ran for the
police the rest Of us searched the
house, tearing down the draperies and
upsetting the pictures and idols. But It
was no use. Helen had been spirited
away, and-and"-
waited patiently and motioned for
him TO continue.
And the pslice were no more suc-
cessful," the banker added.
With some dimculty I calmed the
man sufficiently to get a few further
necessary details frem him and then
dismissed him.
1t must have been twenty minutes
later when the Chinese puzzle" as I
facetiously had to term 1t, was slowly
unfolding itself that was disturbed
by the maids sudden appearance
again
"a Chinaman, or, wishes to see
you" she announced.
A stout, we'll fed oriental appeared.
he was dressed Ia bis native costume,
but a glance showed me that he was a
man Of wealth and influence among
his people I was stfn further sur
prised when be addressed me in good
English.
ct come 20 Yor. Mr.. Purdue. to haIn
me In q great trouble" he explained,
after a low bow. 81 am q man Of in
huence among my people and they re-
spect me. have wealth and will re-
ward You. must clear my name Of
all dishonor. The police, they not be-
lieve me, but know you Will They
suspect me and they hound me. They
follow me here and watch me all the
time. / know not what to do unless
you help me-"
What is 1t they suspect you OFF,
asked quietly. But, first, your name
and address"
'It is Sing Tung and there is my
place Of business. I am a merchant
and respectable"
took the proffered card with a lit,
tie involuntary start Was II a coin
cidence or a well defined oriental plan
for the man who was suspected OF
spiriting away Helen GFiswold in his
own establishment to seek my profes-
sional assistance within half an hour
after the outraged father had called
upon me?
BE seated a moment" I said, wish.
ing time 20 study the situation.
With oriental calmness he related IN
substance the story Of the mysterious
disappearance OF Helen Griswold as
told 70 me twenty minutes before by
her father. The only difference was in
the elding.
This was as follows: when the
noise outside attracted their attention
walked TO the window, too, and
looked out Then I heard some one
ask, Where's HelenT z turned then
TO look, The beautiful girl was gone.
We all looked for her, but she was no
where. They accused me of taking her
away, and the police threatened me.
What can DO? know nothing about
It come 70 you for help"
felt that the man was lying, but
refrained from saying so. By taking
his case might be able to get some
light on the subject.
Half an hour later Sing Tung guided
me TO his home. The place was already
IN the hands OF the police and the
house was practically guarded and
watched on every side.
1t had been an ordinary dilapidated
brick building constructed in the days
when Dutchmen dwelt in the neighbor-
hood OF Mott street as the fashionable
section Of New York, but strange and
wondrous changes and transformations
had been made In the house during
successive ages OF occupation.
Sing T1ng, with evident innocence,
showed me all Of the secret places Of
the house, explaining In elaborate de-