The Mena weekly star., 1909-05-06

ms nole-DooK. This he proffered to the Jap '0
 on his part, the latter kept his self. respect; he abated no lot of bis o, surance that they were alone in the house; he insinuated his spsnio,cr that they were there for no honest purpose; finally he was willing to search the house if they would stay where they were.
 am not often mistaken in neonte ,. was the colonel's rather oblioue an. sWer' and l think you are a gentle man who might kill me if you had A chance, but would not break his word 10 me. If you will promise to play ialr With us, do no harm to my nephew. take this letter and bring me an an. sWer-f you find any one-on your word or honor as Japanese soldier ana gentleman, you may go; we will not signal the police. Is it a bar. gain?"
 The Jap gravely assented. still in the language of the east. saving his lace by the declaration of the ab- sence of his principals. And he went or as gracefully and courteously as if only the highest civilities had passed between them.
 won't he try some skin game on us?' the detective questioned: but Winter only motioned toward the tele- phone desk. Listen at it." he said. you can tell If the wires are cut; and he knows your men are outside hiding, somewhere; he doesn't know now many. You see, we have the advantage of them there; to be safe they don't dare to let many people into their secret We can have a whole gang We haven't many, but they may think we have"
 Birdsall, who had lifted the receiver to his ear, laid 1t down with an ap- peased nod. Immediately he proceeded to satisfy his professional conscience by a search in every nook and cranny or the apartment But no result ap- peared important enough to justify the production of his red morocco notebook and his fountain-pen. He had paused in disgust when the colo nel sat up suddenly, erect in his chair; his keener ears had caught some sound which made him dart to all the windows in succession. He called Haley twhom he had posted outside to guard the door) and dispatched him across the hall to reconnoiter. q am sure 1t was the sound of wheels" he explained, but Haley will be too late: we are on the wrong side of the house."
 As he spoke the buzz of an electric bell jared their ears. Somebody Is coming in the front door," hazarded Birdsall.
 Evidently" returned the colonel, dryly. How can our absent friends get in otherwise-at least how can they let us understand they have come In :? l think we are going to have the pleas ure of an interview with the elusive MT Mercer"
 They waited. The colonel motioned llirdsall 10 seat by the table, within breathing distance of the telephone. He himself futtered the loose journals and magazines. his ironic smile creas- ing his cheek Our Japanese friend reads the newspapers, he remarked. Here are to-day's papers; yes, Ex- aminer and Chronicle. unfolded and smoked over. Cigar. too, not cigarette, for here is stump-decidedly our cherry blossom friends are getting civ ilizedl"
 "Oh, there Is somebody in here all right" grunted Birdsall. Say, colo nel you are sure Mrs. Winter has had no answer 10 her ad.? No kind of notice about sending money?"
 q haven't seen her for few hours, but l saw Mrs. Melville Winter; she was positive no word had come She thought my aunt was more worried than she would admit, and Miss Smith looked pale. although she seemed hopeful.
 "She didn't really want to give me the letter, l thought" said the detect i've. The colonel gave him no reply save black look. A silence fell A football outside broke It. firm, in no