The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1910-03-01

defence.
''Burch," he said. after a time. do you suppose
viii ever be anything but ordinary player"
The master smiled at his expression of grotcSquc
despair. Never great player. I'm afraid" he
answered. though you're already good one, You
weakened your objective plane by improper estab-
lshment of the echclon and appui, but You began
your counter attack by the right in good shape"
To what purposc:" shrugged Laxton. Il have
never given you the prctencc of opposition"
"on the contrary, you have presented me with some
very pretty problems said Burch 'Thcre IS nm
instructive feeling for form and strength in your de-
yelopment that spurs ones interest l long ago gavo
up appetite for closely contested struggles 1t IS
an encumbrance for lonely too often reduced
TO playing his right hand against his left / quite
content with your abilities If 1t were not should
call in Ota who really puts up a stiff game
"ota to be a person of many accomplish
ments, said LaXton watching the silent little Jap
anese butler who was arranging chairs and tabouret
for the usual evening session by the fireplace.
More than you would suppose" returned the
ter II can imagine situation In which should
require the aid of any else If Ota were on hand"
They moved over by the hearth. where the swapping
log 1re offered welcome compensation for the lin
gerlng chill Of late spring. Laxton'S attention
still upon Ota. He had come TO accept the man
fixture quite as much part of the masters setting
the sombre bapSIngs, the dull brasses and the
ivory chess sets with which the familiar parlor
furnished forth, 1t occurred to him that
the Japanese interesting 6gurc-coud at least
be ordinary the sole henchman of Burch.
He waited until ut slight gesture from the master.
the butler retired noselessy.
"Whot arc his relations with your he Inquired
curously. 'He seems to be something more than an
employc and something less than associate"
"You have answered your question:" said
Burch lighting Of the cigars that came to him
each year as the choice product of certain select
patch in Cuba.
'Is 1t friendship between youf" persisted Laxton.
The Mysterious Race.
"Friendship?' repeated the master. "No not you
would understand It 1 have yet to find an instance
of friendship between japanese and any other
individual Perhaps In their obscure. shndowy
way, quite beyond Occidental analysis members Of
that race are capable of something akin to friendship
among themselves though even If that were so the
sentiment would not correspond with our meaning of
the word. But no japanese knew pulse beat
In unison with that of outsider"
as 1t loyalty, thenr
Possibly that may enter into his feeling toward
me in some part. But our relations do not depend
upon emotion Of any Kind. hold him because his
best interests are centred In me- because for years
have treated him literally and justly and because
we mutually respect and understand each other so
far as racial limitations will permit"
HAS he been of professional assstance?"
Frequently He has positive genius for certain
kinds OF work"
"And he takes to it willingly?'
''Why not? The japanese is lacking in abstract
moral sense. impose my upon him and he Will
go just as far I allow him to-
'I scent story. Burcb," said IaXtoD. How did
you acquire this treasure? Is It tberc3"
The master smiled. "You spoil me. Laxton. AL
ways you tempt 10 drag up yarns out of the past
pluyinG on the weakness of the veteran. Yes there
Is story IN my first meeting with Ota, II you viii
have It.
1T was a matter of a diamond began Burch, ia
his own good time. II was preparing TO assume In
terest In certain gold shipments and passing an n-
teryal Of leisure at the Hotel Australia. Sydney.
There was ample amusement along the harbor side
OF an evening and 1 improved rather scant know-
edge Of our ancient calling as represented in the
ontlpodeS.
80 wedding took place at Government House
which constituted something event, but 1t at
tracted me not at all until three days later, when
the police were unable longer 10 conceal news OF an
important robbery. The bridegroom. whose title
does not ngurc. had brought out with him the last
OF the remaining family jewels On the night of the
wedding the second floor OF the building was en-
tered from trcllls work the thief mingled with the
crowd and inspected the gifts without exciting Sus
plcOn. During the teSlNllleS poWhlu ulolhiuS ~
was discovered that magnificent green diamond
had apparently taken wings unto itself
Investigation showed the window and the traces
OF the mans entrance and departure, but beyond
that nothing The thing perfectly simple. pulled
off without the slightest fuss display and so
neatly that no present could remember having
seen any person the premises who seemed
stranger TO the brilliant gathering. The best men
of the Sydney had carried the trail further
.han the grounds OF Government House and the
thing finally came out
"you can imagine that my interest was sharply
sonrred At home I could have found out In a day
whether trick had been done by Of the dozen or
so professionals capable of it or by some new and
clever amateur. Hero I at n disadvantage, but
none the less awake TO the possibilities. 1t was quite
evident that the gentleman responsible for the loss OF
the diamond common crook The guests at
Government House that night represented the best
society of the colony and In appearance alone the vs
itor must have been prepared TO pass muster. For