The Yale expositor., 1911-01-20

Orme had had revolver, he would
now have drawn it. Yet he knew that
this was not case for firearms. OBJ
viously, If he used dangerous weapon
In these mems rooms and was after
ward caught, it would fare hard with
him, for the real facts would be sup
pressed and he would be sentenced as
an ordinary housebreaker, perhaps
with some clemency due to his person
al standing
A quick intuition told him that he
would not escape lightly if they fairly
got their hands on him. The two
Japanese had hitherto shown much pa
thence with him. Their desire seemed
to have been to avoid hurting him any
more than was necessary. But there
is a limit to Japanese patience. The
scathing words of the Japanese minis
ter must still be burning in Arima' s
brain. And Maku, who had controlled
himself while Orme was following him
through the streets of the North side.
no longer had diplomatic reason for
restraining his rage against the man
who had struck him down. In any
event, the eyes of Arima and Maku
| glittered angrily, and Orme realized
that he could expect no mercy.
He caught up a chair and raised it
over his head, prepared to bring 1t
down on Arima. who was only a few
feet from him and coming fast.
The Japanese raised his arms to
fend the expected blow. With sudden
| inspiration, Orme hurled the chair at
his opponents feet. There was crash.
Arima sprawled headlong Maku, who
was close behind. tried to leap over
Arima, but his feet went through the
rungs Of the chair, and he, too, crashed
to the floor.
AS he threw the chair, Orme leaped
back. Before the Japanese could get
out of their tangle. he had jumped
over the window sill and was running
up the fire escape. Madam ALA was at
her window, look of startled inquiry
on her face. She stepped back as he
crowded into the room
Quick" he said. They'll be after
me. Hide me somewhere"
Gomez" She took his sleeve and
| pulled him to a corner There she
pushed aside the dingy hanging and
| Orme saw that the wall was covered
with a wainscoting that ran from floor
to ceiling
The medium looked at him with
bright eyes. You're the real sort"
she whispered, and wave of color
in her cheeks brought back the sug-
gestion of girlish beauty. II saw that
scrap there through a hole in the
| floor. You're the goods" She pressed
his arm almost affectionately, then,
with her free hand, she pushed against
the paneling. Noiselessly a section of
1t turned inward, disclosing dark cav
| ity. Get In"
Orme quickly slipped into the dark
ness, the panel closed, and he. heard
the swish of the hanging as 1t dropped
against the board.
1t was not too soon. Two soft thuds
told him that the Japanese had dropped
over the sill into the room.
He heard the woman give a we'll
feigned scream of surprise.
'Scuse us. miss"-it was Arima' S
voice-"we looking for sneak thief He
come in here"
BE off with you. I've just come
from the front room there, and there
wasn't a soul came in"
I'VE saw him"
"He must have gone out to the hall.
then" The womans voice had a note
of mollification-as though she had
suddenly recognized the right of the
two Japanese to enter the apartment
Il didn't hear him.
A few words of Japanese collouuy;
then Arima: Il look around. Ny
friend so to hall" A door closed; evil
IDENTIFY MalSu had gone out; and then
Orme heard steps. After this there
was a long wait, while the Japanese.
examined the other rooms, the woman
evidently offering him her aid. At last
they returned.
well, | go back said Aima. 81
saw him come in the window. My
friend will know. See you later"
Presently the woman raised the
hanging and whispered through the
boards: HE went back down the fire
escape. His friends in the hall. He'll
find out you haven't went down, and
then he'll come back"
'I'll try the roof" whispered Orme.
Perhaps | can get on to another house
that way"
Wait till l see" She walked away
but soon returned.
mo USE" he heard her say. "That
Jap's a sitting on the fire escape watch
ing. He grinned when looked down. 3"
Orme pondered. Help me out of
this" he whispered, land there'll be
something in it for you"
She moved impatiently. Cut it out!
| don't want nothing. You're a good
sport. that's all" She paused mot
that I'd mind having present. But
don't want no money
Orme caught the distinction. 'Tll
remember" he said And what shall
| do now?"