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


Ling To Fey's gorgeous junk moved
slowly up the Huangpo river, the
steersman skllfully guiding his I'M
wieldy craft In and out OF the shipping.
In the luxurious cabin Of the pleasure
craft two Americans were dining with
the most powerful mandarin In north
west China. Ling To Fey, massive
bulk of flesh, was gorgeous in blue
brocade.
At his right hand sat Luke Pom
sonby, millionaire promoter Of mining
industries. His attorney and friend,
John Burnett, sat at the left of the
Chinese potentate.
The attorney knew 1t required del
icate approach of the crafty and su-
perstitious official, but after many
weeks Of skirmishing he had brought
together the two principals In the
transactions The evening on the junk
was the result.
81 presume your excellency," said
Burnett. SIS prepared to close this mat
ter now. All that remains Is for you
to sign this agreement and give Mr..
POnsonby a receipt for his check, which
covers one-half of the agreed amount.
The rema4nder will be paid to you at
the expiration Of your term Of office,
when the matter may be made public"
"Quite true" murmured Ling To
Fey In his slow English words. II
shall be pleased TO discuss the matter
when my secretary appears. Mean
while we viii enjoy the entertain
ment"
He clapped his hands, and moment
later wide easements were thrown
open, revealing the flower boat along
side keeping pace with the junk's lei
surely progress. The lanterns In tho
cabin were extlngulshed, and the three
men gathered about the window to
witness the spectacle.
Burnett's eyes seemed to pierce the
darkness beyond the lighted boat. His
compelling glance seemed to demand
reinsurance from something that
should be near at hand, and vague
anxiety crept into his watching face
as no sign appeared.
His eyes finally wandered to the
massive head Of the mandarin behind
whom he stood. The glowing ruby In
the white velvet cap seemed to pulsate
with some strange emotion.
After awhile the mandarin clapped
his hands, and the singsong boat drop
ped astern and was seen no more.
As the windows were closed and
lights Aared forth Ponsonby drew oul
his watch. The hour grows late, ex'
cellency We wish to return to Shang
hal before midnight" he drawled.
The mandarin smiled blandly. His
voice was smooth as silk. II regret
that my vlllainOus secretary has been
left behind In Shanghai. have dis
patched Il sampan for him, and In the
meantime we viii anchor until he ap-
pears. The matter must wait until the
rascal joins u.s."
The two Americans exchanged quick
glances. The lawyer spoke first
"If that Is the case we will defer the
settlement of this matter"
1--WE will await the coming Of the
secretary" purred the mandarin
softly.
ut will avoid future unpleasant.
ness began Burnett with some heat
when something happened that closed
his lips into n rigid line.
Out Of the night beyond the closed
windows. so loud that 1t seemed al
most ut his elbow, there came blood
freezing scream, followed by II splash
choking gurgle and then dead 81
lence.
What was thntr Burnett asked
sharply
The mandarin shrugged his fa'
shoulders and for the first time hli
eyes fully opened, and the hatred II
their depths startled the foreigners
"a killing small matter" he sneered
The cry In the night as they passed
through the houscboat city merely
served to strengthen their belief tina
UP here, now beyond the confines Of
the native city, they were quite at thu
mercy Of the mandarin.
Instlnctiyely Burnetts hand sough
his hip pocket and came away-empty
His muttered exclamation prompted
PonsOnby to feel for his own weapon
with the same result Some tim'
since their arrival on board they hat
been relieved OF their revolyers.
Ling To Fey's yellow hand touched
a gong beside him and the curtain
parted to admit the recreant secretary
who doubtless had been within tel
feet Of his master during the entIr
voyage
The mandarin uttered a few word
in Chinese and the secretary move
swiftly to the heavy draperies tina
covered the walls OF the cabin AM
lifted them one by one, revealing row
Of armed servants In grim outlin
against the carved background.
When the Americans had counte'
thirty In all the last curtain droppe,
from the hand Of the secretary.
"a holdup for surep' murmured Pon
sonby, drawing a small leather covere
book from his pocket. From anon
the leaves OF cigarette wrappers h
drew a thin folded slip Of paper, tor
It in two and passed half TO his CON
panlon.
"Smoke your last cigarette, Burnett,
he said significantly. offering his "a
bacco pouch.