The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-07-07


vague outlines of the fellow.
1t was a relief. He had not, then,
erred In treating with his former
manager; Wheelock was not bent
upon his destruction-that is to say,
his murder. The man in Rand's
room, he thought, was no more than
an ordinary thief-some hapchance
hobo OF the open road thinking to
pilfer this cottage in the way of his
business.
Rand forgot that tramps are as
scarce as the wisdom teeth of barn.
yard fowls in the wilderness called
the Mojave desert. But anger
seethed in his brain, and he aban-
doned all pretense of slumber.
Three things then happened in the
culver of an eyelash.
Rand jumped from his bed, and
grabbed for his man: The fellow
drew his breath, harsh, frightened
hiss between his teeth, and fled ST.
lently for the doorway. And, as
Rand's fingers slipped and lost their
grip upon the silken sleeve of the
fugitive, the young man stepped
into a pitcher of water and fell
sprawling.
Simultaneously yelling for Hinton
and scrambling to his feet, Rand
seized that jar and hurled it at the
almost invisible shadow that was
breaking for liberty through the
doorway.
His aim was excellent-better far
than his intention; the heavy piece
of earthenware took the intruder
squarely in the small of his back;
he shrieked with pain, and fell. In
another instant Rand was on his
shoulders, swearing with exaspera
ton.
But he hardly needed to hold his
man. When Hinton, wakened by
the uproar, had brought a lamp and
Rand had turned over his captive,
the light fell upon the pain-contort-
ed features of Chinaman, who lay
Practically, quiet meek and spirit.
less.
What the devil" cried Rand,
amazed.
"What-all's the trouble, sah?" de-
manded Hinton, confused, but cour-
teously solicitous.
This damned ape tried to rob
mel" Rand accused.
Hold on; sah," Hinton interrupt
ed. Seems to me his features are
| powerful familiar as you might say,
All kindeh believe he's one of the
servants"
"Yas-as," agreed the captive
calmly. "Me Mist Wheelock's boy
| "The deuce you say! What dc
you want in my room at this hour
of the morning, them"
me bling Mist Wheelock's
dlink."
What does that mean, Hinton p
Hinton screwed up his withered
and grizzled features; he began to
laugh silently and internally.
''Ah low this boy was only bring
ing a jar O. water to Wheelock," he
explained, between commissions
HE didn't know yo' friend had BID
yo' a fond but reluctant farewell
sab. Reckon yo' scarf him as much
as he scarf yO', sah."
Rand got up and looked foolish
The Chinaman arose with quiet dig
nifty and stood at ease, his yellow
claws folded within the fowins
sleeves of his shirt, his eyes limo
GENTLY blinking in the lamps glare
That's light he concurred.
WELL" said Rand, disgustedly
"tell him who { am and kick hin
downstairs again, Hinton. l CUES!
I'm too quick to jump at conclu
sions, but don't want that yellow
faced monkey shopping around m.
room in the middle of the night"
Don't know as All kin blame
yo', sab"
And Rand, returning to his coucl
by moist AMI unpleasant route
heard Hinton gravely explaining
the new order of things to thu
servant.
But as he went for a towel to DIR!
the soles of his feet ere again WOO
ing sleep, Rand's bare toes encoun
tered something hard and metallic
on the floor He stopped and picked
it up curiously, and found in hi
hand key.
(To be continued.)