Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1912-10-11


tered into it go slow, and IL you do
come cropper I'll do what can"
The next day was a 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 native out
Of the country. If he could manage
the rest Of it with as much dispatch
there was no doubt that the mandarin,
Lung, would disappear from his native
heath forever without leaving a clew
TO the manner of his departure.
But Paul Deering reckOned with
out his host. In other words, he had
jaws Of the monster were not far away
even as Fleetwood had prophesied.
The day drew to a stormy close. 1t
rained heavily. and darkness set in ear
ly All this BODIED good the further
ance Of Paurs scheme, although Lung
might have hard time Of 1t 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
raw wind came out Of the east and
tried to discourage his waiting.
At last a small shadow took shape
out Of the dull grayness Of the river,
grew larger as IL neared the jetty,
something bumped softly against the
steps. In few minutes tall, slight
form doomed out Of the gloom Of the
flight of steps, and the mandarin, Lung,
stood before his deliverer. From a
lamppost near by a 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 a 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 recovered 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
we're nearly there. His responsibility
Tor Lungs safety would be ended when
they locked In San Francisco. He
would be glad to have saved the life
If one poor devil, but he decided not
% try 1t again. There was something |
about Lung that aroused his antipathy. |
rhe more he saw of him the less he
liked him.
He hoped that Lungs escape would |
lot be discovered until after the Java |
locked. 1t would give the fellow a |
chance. He hardly thought it likely |
they would discover the escape of the |
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 n
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 a few people gathered there on
the wharf, but to the busy passengers
on the great steamer they were II blur
of unfamiliar faces and forms. The
Java was several hours ahead of the
expected time of her arrival.
you are stranger here. Can | do
anything to help you" asked Paul OF
his valet as they parted in the state
room.
Lung shook his head. lie was very
nervous, and his black, beady eyes
darted suspiclously here and there as
il seeking out hidden enemies. Il
know where l goa cousin meets me-"
he said In the labOrious English that
he had acquired from missionary
He expressed his thanks to his de-
liverer and said that he would have
the copper lands transferred to him.
Then he melted away from Paul's side
with fiat soft felt hat pulled down
over his face and his worldly goods
tied In big bundle in his hand. In
the other hand his passport was tight.
ly 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
country. AS Paul looked and as Lung
hesltated there was rush of blue
bloused Cinnamon from behind pile
of casks ON the dock. There came
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
on its victim In faraway America