The Prescott daily news., 1908-01-11
TINE DRAGONS
 CLAW
By A. n. M artlN

It was evening and the lights were piercing the shadows at the Sign of the Rat. Sing Chong arose and placed the sum of many winnings in the folds of his garments. He had burned many punks before the face of the great god of fortune, and the Fates had smiled upon him. So there was peace in the heart of Sing Chong and many yen in his pocket. It was too early for the white smoke. and Sing Chong glided into the night, stealing like shadow from wall to wall. For it was not wise for an honorable one to run into the nets of sons of swine" as sometimes happens when the honor able one has won many yen.
 And besides the white pigs" were on his trail. For had not Sing Chong made much money from the sale of the daughters of the Flowery land? And 1t is ever the way of the white devils" to pry into the business of an honest man.
 As Sing Chong fitted from shadow to shadow, he deserted a man and woman walking in the street They were of the white pigs" tribe, for only they would wander lightly where even the devils from the earth-pit tread softly They were in charge of Chinese guide, and as Sing Chong recognized his features. a dark smile lighted up his heavy face.
 Approaching the guide, Sing Chong remarked that the woman was very beautiful, with hair like the finest jet Truly she was a prize, and Sing Chong regarded her with a friendly smile.
 "Hearken. first born of an ape" he commanded. laying a claw-like hand on the shrinking shoulder of the guide, bring the strangers to the home of Mother Ho Chow, and see that thou do 1t safely, or I will slit thy throat son of a devil has," and he glided into a nearby alley without pausing for reply
 For few moments he pressed on ward, and then pausing at a window from which beamed a green light tapped thrice upon the pane A sound of shuflling footsteps followed and the door was opened by a Chinese hag, who grinned evilly as her gaze fell upon her visitor
 Lister, Mother Ho Chow" he said rapidly, without greeting, "soon will man and a woman of the white snakes come to greet you. An Lin leads them by my order As they en- ter l will strike the man; to you is left the woman. If you do your work well there will be many gold pieces for you. and Wah Hotai will rejoice"
 The arm of Ho is strong and her stick cuts deep into the flesh" she an swered; thy white slave shall be we'll taught. And the bars are strong"
 Tt Is well. hear their footsteps, and the time is come. Greet them softly and bid them welcome"
 The hag opened the door in re sponse to the summons of the guide and welcomed them with a smiling face and many words of pleasure Sing Chong crouched behind the door In his hand duly gleamed heavy bar of iron.
 For an instant he watched, then as the door closed he struck with sud den fierceness, and the body crum- pied and sank at his feet At the same instant the hag sprang upon the girl and bore her to the strong room gagged her to stitle her cries, and swiftly bound her wrists and ankles Mother Ho had not handled girls for 20 years for nothing. With flying fingers she stripped the jewels and clothing from her prisoner and dragged her through evil-smelling corridors to bare room illuminated by single candle. And from its place on the wall she plucked a blood stained whip.
 At the Sign of the Rat the white