The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1911-03-02


In these mems rooms and was after
ward caught. 1t 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
tfence 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 a 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 chair and raised it
over his head. prepared to bring it
down on Arima, who was only 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 a 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"
Come" 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 wainscoting that ran from floor
to ceiling.
The medium looked at him with
bright eyes. You're the real sort"
she whispered, and a wave of color
in her cheeks brought back the sug-
! gestion Of girlish beauty. Il 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 section Of
1t turned inward, disclosing a dark cav
tty. Get I'M"
Orme quickly slipped into the dark
ness, the panel closed, and he heard
the swish of the hanging as 1t dropped
against the board
It 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 woman's voice had a note
Of mollihcation-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 colloquy;
then Arima: II look around. My
friend go to hall" A door closed evi-
IDENTIFY Maku had gone out; and then
Orme heard steps. After this there
was long wait while the Japanese
examined the other rooms, the woman
. evidently Offering him her aid At last
they returned.
Well, go back" said Arima. T
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"
TN 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"
Orme pondered. Help me out of
this" he whispered, and thereIl be
something in 1t for you"
She moved impatisntly. Cut it out!
don't want nothing. You're a good
sport, that's all" She paused Not
that I'd mind having a present But
don't want no money"
Orme caught the distinction. "Tll
remember" he said. And what shall
| do now?"
You'll have to stay IN there a while,
l guess"
Il simply must get away-and with
| In an hour or two"
I'm manage that" sue answered con-
fidently
But how"
You'll see. Just leave It 10 me-"
Orme smiled to himself, there in the
darkness. OF course. he would leave It
to her; but he did not see how she was
to rid him of the watchful Japanese
| There's Just one thing" he whis.