Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-01-26
CHAPTER X.
aEInd the Americana

ude his hand touched something soft
md yielding. For a moment he was
startled, but the sound of a throaty purr
and the realization that his hand was
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
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 a 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 DON 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 coult
hear persons mounting the stairs, ant
presently the voice Of Arima said
Come in" and the visitors entered the
room.
Pausing near the door for a moment
they exchanged a few whispered sen
fences. Then one of them walked owe
toward the window. Orme represse'
an exclamation, for the figure tina
came into view was the figure OF Por1
tol-dapper, assertive.
He was dressed as on the night be
fore, and his precious high hat wa
Rugged close to his shoulder.
His eyes roved with an exaggerate
assumption of important cunning
Presently he threw over his shoulde
a rapid sentence in a foreign tongue
1t sounded like Spanish, and Orme II
ferred that it was a dialect Of Portl
guese.
The answer came from an oil
tongue; the voice was Alcatrante's.
What were the South Americans d.
ing here? 1t was only a few hour
since the Japanese had set on Alct
trante, yet here he was in a strong
hold of the enemy-and expected! Ha
the astute diplomat fallen into a trap
Arima was standing, not far frol
Poritol. his face was expressionles
Looking from Alcatrante to Poritol an
back again, he said in English; 9Th
mos honorable gentleman will SOC
be here"
"That is right" said Alcatrant
suavely. Mention no Names"
, Arima nodded slightly.
The silence grew intense. Orme W;
, relieved when it was broken by a
: other ring of the bell and Arin
, slipped to the door. Alcatrante move
!, over beside Poritol and whispered
few words, scarcely moving his lip
: His face looked yellow by dayligt
: and the eyes behind the gold spect
I cles were heavy-lidded and almo
: closed. Orme inferred that the mig.
had been sleepless for Alcatrante.
!. These observations were interrupts
by the entrance of the newcomer. T
paused at the threshold, evidently
= salute, for Poritol and Alcatran
: bowed low. Then quick steps cross
= the floor and into view anne a nervo'
: but assured-looking little figure
:, Japanese, but undoubtedly a man
= great dignity. His manner Of sha
. authority would be hard to dispute, +
it was supported by a personality tn
I seemed to be stronger than Alt
= trante's. Who he was Orme could n
, guess, but that he was somebody
Importance 1t was easy to see
The stranger bowed again and 9
! dressed himself to A%lcatrante. T.
4 conversation was carried on
French.
n 1T Is well that YOU communicat
with me. SIR" he saio, 1--WE were VOL
- ing at cross-purposes when, In reali
our interests were identical"
h. Alcatrante bowed. Il came to tt
conclusion late last night" he said.
10 do not deny that 1t would have pleas
me to carry the affair through by 4
SELF"
Yes, your position would then he