The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-12
CHAPTER Y (Cont'dl.

When he returned TO the dining room
ne found Brewster and his companions
with their heads close together over their
cocktail glasses. The conversation
ceased as he approached and placed
their oysters before them. The orr
entail and his companion were languid-
" trihinE with their roast. Sinclair
motioned 10 Holbrook and ordered him
90 bring some dish or other. As he did
50 the reporter laid the note by Sin
ciair's plate.
The explorers eyebrows went up,
but his face remained quite imper-
turbable. and Phil again FASTENED re-
joicingly TO the kitchen. When he re-
turned. he received another order
from Sinclair. and as he removed the
explorers empty plate. he saw a scrap
Of paper in Il. Again he hurried 10
the kitchen, where he read this note:
Dear Boy:
IT envy you your adventure. I'm
eager TO Join you Don't fail 20 see me
tomorrow. What the Chinaman's visi-
tor said, in Chinese, was roughly this:
The name on the folds Of the snake
was the name you thought. And the
sphinx has revealed one OF It's rid
dies The Chinaman replied: The
snake must speak again. l shall meet
you at midnight In the secret shrine.
Go, now II these queer sentences
come into your adventure. my boy,
can tell you a thing or two about our
friend the Chinaman. And look out
for himI'
Holbrook's heart leaped.
The name on the folds or the snakel
BY that must be meant the name OF
Henry Brewster. This Chinaman
must be the alleged Chinese artist
whose agent was investigating the
picture Of ''The Snake" with the mi
croscope. Evidently. he had discover
ed its secret.
But he did not seek the mystery OF
its technical composition. What in
terest had this Chinaman in the mat
teri And what was meant by other
riddles OF the sphinx? Evidently the
riddle revealed was the viii. And at
midnight there was to be a meeting
IN the secret shrine, Darker and
deeper grew the waters OF this mys-
terry. And PhUs mind thrilled with
the zest OF the adventure.
When he returned TO the dining
room. Sinclair gave no slightest hint
that his waiter was Of any interest 20
him. and Phil played his part with
care and attention. The Chinamau
and his friend had finished their dinner
cd were now lelsurely smoking ciga-
rettes and slipping coffee. Sinclair and
his friends left the dining-room. Mean
while. Brewster and his companions
we're eating hastily and talking
earnestly in undertones.
Philip. on the watch with strained
attention, saw that both the China
man and his companion looked from
time 10 time al Brewster and his
eompanions with keen. scruunizing
eyes. BY and by Brewster finished
his dinner and paid his bill Holbrook
bowed obsequlously over the half-dol-
lar coin Brewster handed him me-
chanically as a tip. but smiled 10 him
self as he pocketed the coin apart
from his other money. He resolved to
keep that coin--it would be a souvenir
Of a curious adventure
He helped the men into their cloaks.
src then performed the same service
for the Chinaman and his friend. who
followed the Brewster party TO the
street on his part Holbrook acted
quickly. He slipped out 70 side
room. which had been placed at his
disposal by Phillip. and drew on
long light overcoat that completely
concealed his walters dress.
Then nc FASTENED TO the street
Brewster and his party were just
moving away in an automobile. The
Chinaman and his friend were enter
ing a second automobile. Philip Hol-
brook too. had an automobile in
waiting.
tom. ne said TO the chauffeur
keep Brewster in sight"
The chauffeur-One often employed
before by the reporter-nodded and
slipped noIselessly along in the wake
Of the Chinaman's car. Pills car
had a closed body, and for the next
FIVE minutes he occupied himself in so
changing his garb that in quick order
he had all the semblance OF a man
about town.
The three automobiles were directed
into Fifth avenue. and went at an
average rate Of speed northward.
HolbrooK's chauffeur bent 70 the
open front Of the tonneau.
''The Chink seems trying to draw