The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-08-07

cinc liner Tropico. and from the frs
attraction OF congenial natures Their,
developed n warm personal liking
Garland was from the state Of Maine
and Harpeth was a son OF California
Out OF 100000 human souls fate
had drawn these two. one from the
east and the other from the west. tC
play the principal parts in a strange
incident
They had left the fairy islands OF
Japan far behind and were drawing
near to the fat outline OF the China
coast.
Are you going TO stop over in
Shanghai" asked Garland, with a
touch OF Yankee inquisitiveness.
Haven't heard you say"
There was n little pause while Har-
peth's eyes sought the rising coast line.
Possibly" He clipped the word
rather sharply.
Garland glanced at him curiouslY.
"You know really didn't mean TO pry
into your affairs" he said apologetical-
ly. ITS rather n natural question for
one tourist to ask another"
Surely; no harm DONE" returned
Harpeth quickly. How about your
self-you going to stop over?"
1t was Garland's turn TO show embar-
rassment The quick look of interro-
CATION he flashed at his companion
was met by Harpeths expression OF
languid Indifference. II was quite
plain that Harpeth had asked the ques-
ton merely 10 make conversation, not
that he cared rap about the matter.
maybe I'll stop over to see the city,"
said Garland.
Clumsy junks came lettering over
the sea toward the mouth OF the
Yangste. but the Tropico left them
far behind as she steamed up to her
anchorage off Wusung and landed her
eager passengers on to the little trans
fer tugs that would convey them up
the tributary tidal river. the Huangpu.
to hospitable Shanghai.
In the crowd Garland and Harpeth
missed each other. accidentally or by
design. Garland could scarcely wait
for the tug TO make her landing ut the
jetty before he was off and swinging
away up the bund toward the hotel
Of his choice.
The electric lighted hotel, with it's
afr of western luxury mingled with
Its quiet eastern service, impressed the
Yankee wanderer most favorably, and
he retired to his room and bath, whis-
ting cheerfuly at the prospect Of the
excellent dinner that he was sure
awaited him below.
But when the meal was, concluded
and he had enjoyed the gastronomic
delights which his fancy had conjured
up he retired to the smoking room to
pore over n queer little map drawn
with brush strokes of india ink on
notified tissue paper
1t was an hour after midnight when
he left the hotel and made his way
along the bund to where q fight of
stone steps led down to the river.
Here were several sampans moored TO
the landing. and the coolies immedl-
ately fell to fighting for his patronage.
He settled the matter by stepping into
one Of the little boats, and. being
pounced upon by It's delighted owner,
he was soon padded out into the
stream, which gllstened in the moon
light like molten silver.
"Kaoyang! Sabep he cried sharply.
The coolie nodded his head and
the sampan about until 1t
headed up stream. For n mile he pad
died steadily with his long sweep-like
par and then suddenly ran the boat In
between high banks on the north shore
and grounded I'm the mud.
! AS II guided by some invisible hand.
he who could not recollect ever having
foot on this soilfbefore sought
for and found narrow path winding
crouched among a group Of distorted
wind blown cedars. The moon sent
long rays down and here and there
pierced the secret places with an illu-
touch. 1t showed Garland
the outline Of dark arched opening.
huu ne Iuuue IOT IL ltitilcoStys
Just before he reached It he drew
from his pocket the little map he had
studied earlier In the evening and turn
ed the fash from his pocket light upon
L. - $3.50.
Pocketing the map and swapping or
the light to hold 1t In bis left hand
while his right hand closed around
n small repeating revolver. Garland
plunged into the opening to find him
self I'm the crooked passage. which was
lighted down its length by the moon
which hung above its roofless walls.
On either side of tho white stone
walls there stood out sharply the little
black daggers, which seemed TO point
his way. CHANGING 20 tho right and
left. he followed their guidance until
one last circling curve of the passage
brought him sharply up against an
other arched opening which gave forth
damp. earthly smell. On the stone
post of the door was painted another
black digger pointing downwao Gar.
land flashed on his lamp and saw
wriggling flight Of broken stone steps
dropping down into n black pit For
an Instant he hesltated. and then. with
shrug OF his shoulders. he stepped
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