Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1910-12-16


orders and the secretary motioned the
foreigners away from their stand be-
hind the table. Reluctantly they
stopped aside. careful that their backs
should be against shattered incur
tained window
The secretary opened a wide panel
in the bulkhead, disclosing canopled
lais on which was a gilded and inlaid
chair, on either side of the chair
stood one Of the mandarin's retainers,
splendid N purple and silver and bear
ing a tall stan tipped with red feathers.
A low lacquered table was placed be-
fore the dnis and spread with a cloth
OF golden tissue. Then the mandarin
slowly akose and mounted Into the
chair Of #ete,
'sons 81 dogs" began the mandarin
politely, because am merciful ruler
shall give you an opportunity to die
respectfully that your wretched souls
may be afforded some solace when you
taste the bitter tortures Of the neither
world l will graciously permit you
to drink cup Of poison instead of
having your heads cut Off as you de-
servel"
Ponsonby lounged forward and re-
moved his half consumed cigarette
from between his smiling lips.
"Then the deal Is off~ he queried.
The mandarin frowned thoughtfully.
II do not understand your meaning"
he said at last.
The millionaire explained. Burnett,
his broad back pressed against the
window, felt the shutter give beneath
his weight A little rush OF cool air
came in the opening, and with 1t came
a distant sound that awoke every
sense
Ling To Fey was speaking: "The
only deal that will be consummated be-
tween us tonight is that you will place
the documents that have been drawn
up, together with Mr.. Ponsonby's
check on the Shanghai bank, on the ta-
BILE before me-"
"And after thatW queried Ponsonby.
after that you may quar- tho poi
soned cup" answered the mandarin
amiably.
Burnett over at the window had man
aged to slip his handkerchief through
the crack at his back and wedge one
corner so that 1t fluttered out into the
night, Then he came forward and
stood beside his companion.
Ling To Fey's face was lnflexlble In
Its cruelty. place the check on the
tablew he commanded
In unison the two Americans flung
the remnants Of their cigarettes on the
low table There's what's left of It,"
said Burnett grimly.
Before the mandarin could com
mand the servants to kill Burnett's
hand shot up In the air with ges-
ture.
"Excellency, llsten The cry OF the
.sspeot arslssxdF' DO shouted.
The mandarin seemed to shrlvel In
size as he bent forward, one fat hand
raised to his ear, his face pallld with
fear. The servants had paused as II
frozen In their tracks, with their Jet
eyes fixed In terror, arms unified,
menacing destruction to the two men
at the window.
Then out of the night there came n
strange, unearthly cry.
When It's last echo had died away
Burnett spoke In IL solemn voice,
though his keen eyes sparlsled hope
fully.
Let all beware who hear the voice
Of the specter birdl Let them cease
what they are doing. make peace with
enemies, lest they die n dreadful
DEATH Listen, excellency! 1t may
come again.
Then all at once 1t did come again
in the very cabin Of the junk, and at
the sound Ling To Fey's huge bulk
lifted up In the air with an unearthly
cry of terror and fell llfeess and
twitching on the floor before bis dnis,
dead from very fright.
Through the doorway there stream
ed a file of American marines headed
by an officer, who leaped forward at
the Outstretched hands OF his fellow
countrymen at the window.
"Just in time, eh7" he beamed as
they voiced their thanks. Good thing
you pressed us into service as body
guard, eh, Burnett? The Grayllng has
sneaked along IN your wake for hours.
When the junk was wedged into this
creek we became suspicious that some
dirty work was up and secuted. One
by one we caught the fellows on deck
nj fnNn kn hiunainh heat
Then one OF the boys saw your hand
kerchief at the window, and we work
ed the specter bird cry on them. Does
| the business every timer
| Where are we nowT
"The Grayling Is towing you down
the river. Another half hour anc
you'll be IN the city"
In the early morning hours in Pom
sonby's rooms at the hotel the million
aire drew from his pocket the mag
nificent ruby that had formed the but
ton on Ling To Fey's official cap ant
handed IL TO the lieutenant OF the
Grayling.
"The cry OF the specter bird savet
our lives, Decker" he said. with emo
ton.
mot on your life," vociferated thu
other; makes me crawl when I thinl
Of soaring the old beggar to death
Wouldn't have cared rap II It hat
been an open Hght. Burnetts fore
thought In asking for escort saved thu
dayp He tossed It to the attorney.
That Is how Lieutenant Decker sen
home n check that month which en-
abled his father TO pay or the mort
gage on his farm, while Burnetti
wife wears as pendant at her thron
the magnificent ruby that once gracet
mandarin's cap Ponsonby does no