The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1912-05-21
ne to the limit to help you out. "


THANK you, Fleetman. That remark
makes me sorry entered into the con-
founded business. don't want to in
volve you in anything" Paul spoke
with real regret.
Never mind AS long as you've en-
tered into it go slow, and If you do
come a cropper I'll do what can"
The next day was busy one for
Paul Deering. He had already pur-
chased tickets for himself and serv-
ant Van Sing, and completed the nee
essary formalities to get a native out
Of the country. If he could manage
the rest of 1t with as much dispatch
there was no doubt that the mandarin,
Lung. would disappear from his native
heath forever without leaving clew
to the manner of his departure,
But Paul Deering reckoned with
out his host In other words, he had
stepped on the dragons tail, and the
Jaws Of the monster were not far away
even as Fleetwood had prophesied
The day drew to stormy close 1t
rained heavily, and darkness set In ear
ly. All this BODIED good the further
ance of Paul's scheme, although Lung
might have a hard time of it rocking
down the Yangtze in his frail sampan.
Paul waited at Punderson's jetty for
Lungs arrival. The slanting rain beat
heavily on his rubber clothing, and a
raw wind came out of the east and
tried to discourage his waiting.
At last small shadow took shape
out Of the dull grayness Of the river,
grew larger as it neared the jetty,
something bumped softly against the
steps. In a few minutes a tall, slight
form doomed out Of the gloom Of the
fight of steps, and the mandarin Lung,
stood before his deliverer. From a
lamppost near by stream of light fell
on Lungs figure and displayed a dis
guise that was admirable, for the man.
DARN had so changed his appearance
with various chalks and chemicals that
few would have recognized in the mel
ancholy, cadaverous checked China
man, CARRIED In straw rain suit, the
once fat and prosperous mandarin.
Lung.
Paul hurried him to the tug which
was putting to and fro between the
Java and the wharf in Shanghai and
they were soon speeding down the river
to where the Java lay in the mouth OF
the stream.
Their arrival at night was timely
Paul took to his bed as a seasick pas
senger, and his valet was In close at
tendance upon him for days.
AS they neared the coast OF America
Paul recov' red rapidly, and as he was
actually sickening for fresh air and
exercise he spent the remainder Of
the voyage on deck, while Lung kept
out of the way as much as his duties
would permit Paul was glad they
were nearly there. His responsibility
for Lungs safety would be ended when
they locked In San Francisco. He
would be glad to have saved the life
Of one poor devil, but he decided not
to try 1t again. There was something
about Lung that aroused his antipathy.
The more he saw Of him the less he
liked him.
He hoped that Lungs escape would
not be discovered until after the Java
docked. 1t would give the fellow a
chance. He hardly thought it likely
they would discover the escape of the
mandarin from China, although they
might suspect it later. Lung had been |
In hiding for months, and his appear
ance had greatly changed Unless his
enemies had held him under surveil-
lance, even in his hiding place, know
ing that they could pounce upon him
any time they wanted him, he would |
not be missed from the country for a
long while-not until that country had |
been thoroughly combed
The Java steamed through the Gold |
en- Gate before dawn and warped into |
her dock in pale gray light. There
were few people gathered there on |
the wharf, but to the busy passengers |
on the great steamer they were blur |
Of unfamiliar faces and forms. The |
Java was several hours ahead Of the |
expected time of her arrival.
You are a stranger here. Can do
anything to help your" asked Paul Of
his valet as they parted in the state
room
Lung shook his head. He was very
nervous, and his black, beady eyes
darted suspiciously here and there as !
if seeking out hidden enemies. Il |
know where l goa cousin meets me-
he said in the laborious English that |
he had acquired from a missionary.
He expressed his thanks to his de- /
Hverer and said that he would have /
the copper lands transferred to him
Then he melted away from PauIs side
with fiat soft felt hat pulled down
over his face and his worldly goods
tied in a big bundle in his hand III |
the other hand his passport was tight
~ clutched.
Paul saw him again once, but he !
never forgot the scene Just as Paul |
was leaving the gangplank he saw
Lungs spare form ahead of him on !
the wharf. The mandarin was hest
tating, perhaps looking for the cousin /
who would meet him there In the new
SO0AIJs Ab dul lOOhCO anu DIS LQIB
hesitated there was rush of blue
bloused Cinnamon from behind a pile
of casks on the dock There came d
scream Of awful fear from Lung as
they closed about him. |
An instant later the blue clad China
men melted away before the coming
Of policeman and several stevedores.
They disappeared like rats in some In
visible holes, but they left something
behind on the dock
Paul drew near and shuddered. The
disguised mandarin, Lung, lay dead
from dozen knife thrusts. His escape
from China had been in vain.
They had stepped on the dragons
tail in Asia, and its jaws had snapped