The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-09-02
SYNOPSIS.

Giles Dudley arrived in San Francisco
to join his friend and distant relative
Henry Wilton, whom he was to assist
in an important and mysterious task,
and who accompanied Dudley on the
ferry boat trip into the city. The re-
markable resemblance of the two men
Is noted and commented on by passen-
snake eyes. which sends thrill through
Dudley. Wilton postpOnes an explanation
OF the strange errand Dudley Is to per-
form. but occurrences cause him to
know it is one of no ordinary meaning.
Wilton leaves Giles in their room. with
instruction to await his return. Hardly
cry Of Help" Dudley is summoned to
the morgue and there finds the dead
body of his friend. Henry Wilton. And
thus Wilton dies without ever explaining
to Dudley the puzzling work he was to
perform in San Francisco. In order TO
discover the secret mission his friend had
entrusted to him. Dudley continues his
as Henry Wilton, Dudley. mistaken for
Wilton, is employed by Knapp to assist
in stock brokerage deal. Giles Dudley
finds himself closeted in a room with
Mother Borton who makes confidant
of him. He can learn nothing about the
mysterious boy further than that 1t Is
Tim Terrill and Darby Me ..Hr who are are
Is a traitor. playing both hands in the
game. Dudley gets his first knowledge of
Decker. who is Knapp's enemy on the
Board. Dudley visits the home Of Knapp
and is stricken by the beauty of Lueila.
his daughter. He learns the note was
forgery. He is provided with four guards.
He learns there is to be no trouble about
money as all expenses will be paid. the
hire OF the guards being paid by one
Richmond The DO body . OF Henry d, wilton
spends to a note and visits Mother Bor-
ton in company with Policeman Corson.
Giles Dudley again visits the Knapp
home. He is fascinated by Luella and
bored by Mrs. BOwser. Summing tour
through Chinatown is planned. The trip
to Chinatown: Giles Dudley learns that
Luella is dumbfOunded when she and
Dudley see her father coming from an
opium den. Luella and Dudley are cut off
from the r OF the party and impris0ni,
door Three Chinese ruffians approach the
imprisoned couple. A battle ensues. One
is knocked down. Giles begins firing.
CHAPTER Continued.
There's one fellow there" l said.
But it's the one 1 knocked down."
Cant you see the others?" inquired
Luella.
mo more in sight," said I. after
holder survey. They've run away"
"Oh. I'm glad" said Luella. Il
should have seen them always If you
had killed them. Why did they at
tack u.s."
Before could reply to Luella's ques-
ton, tattoo was beaten upon the
door and a muffled shout came from
the other side. l stepped down from
the stair to listen.
Are you hurt?" shouted Corson.
whats the natter"
mo damage" returned. Il drove
them OFF,"
Corson shouted some further words.
muir of voices and scuffle of feet that
arose behind.
Look OUT" cried Luella peremptor-
lily. Come back here!"
have said that the passage opened
into little court, and at the end a
lamp gave light to the court and the
passage.
AS l turned l saw a confusion of
men pouring into the open space and
heading for the passage. They were
evidently Chinese, but in the CLEAN
of the lamp l was sure saw the evil
face and snake-eyes of Tom Terrill
He was wrapped in the Chinese
blouse, but l could not be mistaken
Then with chorus of yells there was
the crack of pistol, and a bullet
struck the door close to my ear.
1t was all done in an instant. Be-
fore the sound of the shot l dropped,
and then made leap for the stair.
Obi" cried Luella anxiously; were
you hit?"
mo, I'm all right" l said, but it
was close shave. The gang means
mischief"
well, tell me something l can do"
she said.
gave her my small revolver.
Hand that to me when l want it,"
said. IF I'm killed. get up the stairs
and defend yourself with it. Don't fire
unless you have to. We are short of
ammunition" l had but three shots
in the large six-shooter.
Are they cOming?' asked Luella,
as the wild tumult of shouts stilled for
a moment and a single voice could be
heard.
l peered cautiously around the cor
ner.
There's a gentleman in a billycock
hat who's rather anxious to have them
lead the way" l said; but they seem
to prefer listening to fighting"
The gentleman whose voice was for
war l discovered to be my snake-eyed
friend. He seemed to be having diff
ficulty with the language, and was
eking out his Pidgin-English with pan
tomime.
"There!" cried Luella with a start;
what's that?"
A heavy blow shook the walls of the
building and sounded through the
passage.
Good" said. IF our friends yon-
der are going to make trouble they
must do it at once. Corson's got an
ak, and the door will be down first
they know"
Than Heaven!" whispered Luella.
And then she began to tremble.
The blows followed fast upon each
other, but suddenly they were
drowned In a chorus of yelis. and a
volley of revolver shots sent the bull