The log cabin Democrat. [volume] (Conway, Ark.) 1908-current, 1909-11-24

tory of Arizona, and the secret service
men were of the opinion that my
quarry had taken refuge in the Los
Angeles Chinatown. AS | was aware
that Wong knew me by sight, 1t was
necessary to proceed with extreme
caution, the more so as, from what
Baldwin had told me, the man OF
whom | was in search was gifted with
talents of no mean order.
Accordingly, a Chinaman named
Lem Tong, employed in the United
States secret service emigration de-
partment, was sent for and ordered
to place himself at my disposal Lem
was to report to me at the Third
street entrance of the Holland Beck
hotel at two p. m. / was to wear a
white ribbon in my left button hole
as a means of Identification. Prompt
ly at two o'clock a Chinaman clad in
American garments and wearing a
Fedora hat made his appearance. As
he passed me he raised his hat, the
signal agreed upon. / walked into the
hotel lobby and entered the elevator
followed by the celestial stranger.
Entering my room l closed the door
and my assistant produced his creden-
tials from the secret service depart
ment. l then told him what was
wanted and he inquired If | knew
what the suspects family name was.
1t is an invariable rule with China
men residing in America to go under
different names from those by which
they are known in their own country.
said I would wire Chinaman in
Tuscon with whom l was acquainted
and try to obtain the desired informa-
ton. In the meantime Lem Tong ar
ranged to do a little scouting on his
own account In Chinatown, and we
parted. with the understanding that
he was to meet me at six o'clock on
the following afternoon. When he
again reported he informed me that
he had discovered our mans family
name to be Wong On.
l had not yet received reply to my
telegram to Tuseon, and until | did,
would not authorize Lem Tong to GO
ahead with his search. This was
merely precaution on my part be-
cause | did not know Lem, and could
not be sure whether he would play me
false. Despite the fact that he was
employed by the secret service depart
ment it was advisable to move slow.
ly. The Occidental can never quite
fathom the subtle thoughts of the
willy Oriental mind, and a man OF
Quong Wong's wealth and influence
among his own countrymen might pos
sibly be able to win my Celestial as
sistant's favor by means of BRIDE
Consequently l told Lem to meet
me the following morning when ]
would decide definitely what steps we
would take in the matter. But that
night my doubts were set at rest by
the receipt of a telegram from Tuscon
declaring the family name of my sus.
pect to be Wong On. LENS informa.
ton being thus confirmed / started
him on the trail, and having assumed
the ordinary garb of his countrymen
he plunged into the winding ways OF
Chinatown.
Early the next morning Lem ap-
peared before me smiling triumphant.
ly. His quest had been a successful
one, and he was able to report that
the much sought for Quong Wong
could be found on the third floor of
building at SIT Clay street. San
Francisco, in room IS. living with .
Chinaman named All Ben.
To understand properly what Z
rapid piece of detective work this was
on the part of Lem Tong, it must be
remembered that there are over 5000
celestials in Los Angeles Chinatown,
all of them as like as two peas, and
bound by the oaths of their respective
tongs to hinder by every means In
their power the arrest of criminal
lost no time in wiring the local bu.
reau of emigration at San Francisco.
giving a detailed description OF
Quong Wong and ordering his arrest
The federal. authorities do not allow
grass to grow under their feet when
engaged on Uncle Sans business, and
two hours later | received a message
which read:
Have Quong Wong in custodys
come and get him"
l left at once for San Francisco, q
trip of $50 miles. and on the follow,
ing night Mr.. Wong was delivered
into my hands. On the return journey
| endeayored to draw my prisoner into
discussion of the Blue Moon rob-
berry, but without avail. Whenever
the conversation took this turn he i'm
mediately forgot his English. and as
sumed look of stupidity that would
have done credit to hopeless imbe
cile. None the less | felt convinced
that Mr.. Wong could, If he chose.
throw light on the subject. He was
undoubtedly the best-educated China
man that it was ever my fortune to
meet, and | fancy that at one time he
must have been a person of consid-
cradle consequence in the Celestial
empire. / have always found China.
men to be most tractable prisoners.
The Oriental belief in the all-powerful
DEGREES of Fate, which they deem it