The Washington times., 1909-07-28
CHAPTER XIV.
RACK TO EARTH


T,ANCING around the well-re-
membered room with its gar
II ish ornaments, its array Of
stools and tables, and its air
Of peaceful quiet. Tom Moore could al
most imagine his thrilling experience all
a dream.
The restaurant presented exactly the
same appearance as 1t had the evening
of his capture; for the rayages Of the
police had all been repaired by this
time, and the fat proprietor with his
walters having been discharged from
custody, no direct evidence being
turned up to connect them with the
murder, were back Ia their places
Ii being a dull hour now with no Gus
toners on hand the proprietor nodded
sOmnolently in his accustomed cage,
and the walters lOunged idly against
the wall.
None of them paid any more heed to
the entry of the TObed and hooded en-
issaTies from the realm below than mao
the pipe fiends and gamblers OF the
rooms further down. The passage OF
these silent ghostly figures was evil
IDENTIFY no new spectacle TO them.
What might be the nature OF the con
nection OF such men as these with the
tong-sinCe II was certain their ldentiIy
being known they could not be members
in full standing-TOm could only guess
but he surmised they might belong TO
a class of hired TeJainerS. winch had
been mentioned in his little book of IN
neutrality-suspicious. necessary for the
conduct OF the society's outside activl-
ties, but not privileged 10 learn any or
its secrets.
These henchmen, so the book said.
were well paid so long as they re-
manned discreet and faithful, but any
e 4. aH-H rftVrr ssH=T1 a.
quacity. or prying into the affairs OF
their employers was apt 70 result in
extremely painful consequences.
In short they were governed almost
entirely by fear, and Tom could well
believe this, as ne noticed their caTeful
inattentiOn toward himself and his com
panion. the quick, cTinging terror OF
one of the walters when he observed
1 that he was being regarded by the eyes
behind the leaders mask.
The lieutenant, however, as lOfuly IN
different TO these servile creatures as
they tried to appear 10 him. was stalk
/ ing ahead and Tom made haste TO fol
! low him.
With lust a glance beyond to make
sure that the coast was clear, MOy Sing
/ passed out the door of the restaurant
and darted Up a flight Of stairs TO the
third floor, which in these establish
ments is invariably given over TO fur
nished rooms.
So close was Tom upon his heels that
Inadvertently he almost committed
another blunder
When Moy Sing threw open the door
to an upstairs chamber and turned in
side he would still have bnndly followed
had not the other halted with a quick
/ gesture. and the angry demurrer.
mo can comet Chief got Linn own
room top-side hall-ee!'
In a flash Tom recognized thar these
! rooms must be where the tong mem
bers Invested themselves Of their uui-
/ forms, when they desired 10 miugle
with the outer world, and saw that he
/ had been on the verge Of a grave breach
/ Of propriety, If not worse, Ia attempt
/ ing TO intrude on the ieutenants pri-
Vacy.
Fortunately, however, he was quick
witted enough to interpose the very
natural question as to how soon the
| other expected 20 return. as an excuse
for his Intrusion. and so retreated IN
! fairly good order.
! Luckily, too, Moy Sing had indicated
with his offended gesture the door on
| ''top-side haII-ee," which was properly
/ the leaders, and hence there was no
! cause 70 fear another aggression iuJO
/ forbidden territory.