The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1911-11-01

Chinaman," said Thompson. "Pd al
ways wanted to be done, and yet some.
how I'd been little shy; but Egan
persuaded me and had an eagle put
on my chest, very artistically, too"
LET me see IT," said Crewe.
Thompson stripped, and a moment
later we perceived the outlines of our
national bird upon the sailors chest.
TITS hardly sore at all, said Thomp-
son. "That's the Chink's secret; 1t
don't make you sore like most tattoo
ing"
"And Egan persuaded you to have
that done," said Crewe thoughtfully.
Now, have you a photograph of this
man Egan?"
Yes, sir, 1 brought 1t with me at
Mr.. Langton's instructions" said the
sailor. 1--WE were took together at
Coney-twenty-fiv cents, and a very
creditable piece of work.
Crewe took the photograph in his
hand and focused his eyes upon it.
Him! These cheap photographs
have one advantage over the expen-
sive ones" he said. They are truer
to life; the photographers don't go in
for retouching. Thank you, my friend"
he said, returning it. Nov, let me
give you one piece of advice. Go back
to your ship and stay aboard her and
don't leave until you come of age"
"But the fights tomorrow" said
Thompson helplessly.
"Cut it out"
'Why, sir, il say it myself, I'm
the only man in the fleet can whip
the Britisher They've been Dragging
how they're going to put it all over
u.s."
eff you take part in that fight your
chances of inheriting that money will
be remote. Cut it out, Thompson, and,
whatever you do, wear a pad of soft
cotton batting over that tattoo mark"
The sailor rose with an expression
Of offended dignity.
'1f that's all you can advise me,
gentlemen" he said, 'T must say my
visit here hasn't done me much good"
'1t has saved you lot of harm,
young man." said Crewe. 'At least
you have had your warning. You don't
intend to obey my suggestions, l sup
pose?"
mo. SIR answered the sailor dog
gedly.
"Then that is all have to say to
you. No, Mr.. Langton doesn't want to
add anything. Good afternoon to you"
And he showed him out of the door,
''I must say, Crewe," l began, you
have a rather unceremonious manner
of dismissing my clients"
"Forgive me, Langton," said Crewe,
all penitence in moment, ''but really
I saw so much further ahead than you.
I have reason to believe that diaboli-
cal scheme has been put into execu-
ton which will result in the young
mans death at the fight. Tell me,
did you draw any deductions from the
appearance or facts of the tattooing?"
''It looked a little bluer than the
average tattoo mark" I said.
Excellent. Then you are begin
ming to observe" said Crewe. "But
still, even If you could see all, that
would help you little without knowl-
edge of that man Egan."
"You have seen him before?" I ask
ed.
Several times. In the month of
July, 1907, I saw him in the Central
Criminal court, during the trial of
three Chinese gun-men, when, hap
pened in with communication for the
district attorney. I was 1T that time
practising law. The gun men were
acquitted. A month later, while con-
Quoting a party of ladies over China
town saw him seated at a table with
two of the same men, eating with
chopsticks. In fact, Egan is one of
that small but influential class of
whites that makes itself useful to the
Chinese criminal and is parasitical to
him."
"Now I see your point" 1 exclaim-
ed. "The tattooing substance was of
poisonous nature, and"
'In such case l should hardly have
permitted our friend to depart"
but you surely do not suggest that
the English champion has been bribed
to injure hjm?"
mo" said Crewe, smiling. "Stll,
at all hazards Thompson must not be
allowed 70 participate in the boxing
affray at Coney Island tomorrow. By
the way, you do not know Chinese,
suppose?"
mo"
Il often wish did. With my power
of visual retention, I am able to re-
produce practically every sign of the
ten thousand commonly used in the
Chinese written language. But un-
fortunately MY memory is rather sub
normal than extraordinary, and / am
never able to recollect what any Of
these signs mean. However, we have a
little work to do in Chinatown"
We took the Third avenue elevated
to that swarming region, walked up
Mott street. and halted before an OBJ
scure. dingy-looking shop, in whose
doorway stood a wide-hatted, felt
shoed Celestial.