The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1911-03-22
CHAPTER x.
"Find the American"

| tuQe MS 1anQ tOucneQ SOmetnlES SOIL
and yielding. For a moment he was
startled. but the sound of throaty purr
and the realization that his hand was
resting on fur soon told him that his
companion in hiding was a cat
| He wondered whether the Japanese
liked pets. From what little he knew of
japanese character it did not seem to
him consistent that they should care
for animals. Yet here was a peaceful
tabby.
In order to accommodate himself to
his close quarters. Orme had to double
his legs back, resting on his thigh and
supporting the upper part of his body
| with one hand. The cat settled down
against his knee.
The light filtered redly through the
table cover. To his satisfaction he
found small hole, evidently a burn
made by some careless smoker.
Through this aperture he could look
out. His range of vision Included the
greater part of the room, excepting the
| side on which the table stood. He
could see the window and several
chairs, as well as the door into the
adjoining room. but the door into the
hall was out of view. at his right
While he was looking about, a man
| came from the next room. Doubtless 1t
| was Arima; at least Orme recognized
the japanese who had overcome him
in the porter'S Office at the Pere Mar
Quette the night before. He stepped
into the room with a little smile on
his brown face. Seating himself in a
chair. he fixed his heels in the rungs
and clasped his hands about his
| knees. He was waiting.
The black eyes rested on the table.
To Orme they seemed to be boring
through the cover that concealed him.
and he hardly dared to breathe. but
| the Asiatic appeared to observe moth
ing unusual. Ormc wondered at the
unfathomable intelligence of those
| eyes. He had often said of the Chinese
and Japanese that he did not trust
them for the reason that a Caucasian
could never tell what they were think
ing about. The racial difference in
thought processes he found disconcert-
ing.
A bell rang. Arima went to the door.
out of view. and opened it, Orme could
hear persons mounting the stairs, and
presently the voice of Arima said.
Come in" and the visitors entered the
room.
paYcinoy IN
they exchanged a few whispered SEN
fences. Then one of them walked over
toward the window. Orme repressed
an exclamation, for the figure that
came into view was the figure of POri
tol-dapper, assertive.
He was dressed as on the night be-
fore, and his precious high hat was
Rugged close to his shoulder.
His eyes roved with an exaggerated
assumption of important cunning
Presently he threw over his shoulder
rapid sentence in a foreign tongue.
1t sounded like Spanish, and Orme in
ferred that it was a dialect of Portu-
guese.
The answer came from an oily
tongue; the voice was Alcatrante's.
What were the South Americans do
ing here? 1t was only a few hours
since the japanese had set on Alca-
trante, yet here he was in a strong
hold of the enemy-and expected! Had
the astute diplomat fallen into trap?
Arima was standing. not far from
Poritol- his face was eXpressionless.
Looking from Alcatrante to Poritol and
back again. he said in English: The
mos honorable gentleman will soon
be here"
That is right" said Alcatrante
Suavely. Mention no names"
Arima nodded slightly.
The silence grew intense. Orme was
relieved when it was broken by an
other ring of the bell and Arima
slipped to the door. Alcatrante moved
over beside Poritol and whispered
few words, scarcely moving his lips.
His face looked yellow by daylight.
and the eyes behind the gold specta-
Giles were heavy-lidded and almost
closed. Orme inferred that the night
had been sleepless for Alcatrante.
These observations were interrupted
by the entrance of the newcomer He
paused at the threshold. evidently to
salute, for Poritol and Alcatrante
bowed low. Then quick steps crossed
the floor and into view came a nervous
but assured-looking little figure-a
japanese. but undoubtedly man of
great dignity. His manner of sharp
authority would be hard to dispute, for
it was supported by personality that
seemed to be stronger than Alca-
trante's. Who he was Orme could not
guess, but that he was somebody of
importance it was easy to see.
The stranger bowed again and ad-
dressed himself to Alcatrante. The
conversation was carried on in
French.
1T is well that you communicated
with me. ST." he salo, Eve were work
ing at cross-purposes when. in reality,
our interests were identical"
Alcatrante bowed. Il came to that
conclusion late last night" he said. Il
do not deny that it would have pleased
me to carry the affair through by my
self"
Yes. your position would then have