The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1912-05-21
The Dragons
Tail
A Case Where Interference
Was Not Wise
By cLARISsA MACKIE

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"Once more l warn you, Deering.
It's no joke to NEEDLE in these Asiatic
Bquabbles. Fleetman looked anxious
ly at his young friend. Take my ad-
vice. You know that I've lived here
twenty years, and I'm speaking from
experience"
Il promised Lung I'd help him out"
declared the other obstinately.
"Of course it's none of my business,
but as long as you've told me some
thing about it can hazard a guess
that you've got to put up some money"
Il can afford it. It's sport to me to
dip into these things"
THAT may be true No doubt it
looks like sporting proposition to
you, Paul, but remember this much,
my lad, If you are successful you will
be the only one to reap reward wheth-
er in enjoyment of the sport and ad-
venture or financially. On the other
hand, If you fail and fail into their
hands-yOu will most certainly expect
that your country will protect her citi-
zens-you embroil the United States
in your personal matters"
mo, I'll not" retorted Paul quickly
''I'n do this trick as a man without
country. If fail, all right-o."
''Pigheaded obstinacyw groaned
Fleetman II feel like a criminal in
helping you thus far on your way,
Paul. Take my advice and do not step
on the dragons tall
Paul Deering laughed uneasily. 1.-The
dragons tail is good distance from
his jaws, old man. There1l be time
enough to run away before I'm snap
ped up"
"The dragons tail is as powerful as
his head, and 1t will toss you into the
dragons jaws. This is the last word,
Paul VIII you give it upY
I'm sorry to say that I've gone too
far-I can't be pikerv'
Better be a live piker than a dead
foolw growled Fleetman rudely.
A red flush stained behring's skin,
but he said nothing He had conf1ded
In Fleetman, and he was not sorry for
it, although he might regret having en-
tered into the negotiation at ALL Paul
was practically newcomer in China
He was the son of very rich man
and he had plenty of money to spend.
If he chose to spend it in helping
dissolute mandarin fee the country to
escape punishment for a great crime
it was nobody's business
Paul had told Fleetman that he was
to receive valuable concessions In re-
turn for the favor. The mandarin,
Lung, possessed much land in his own
province that was rich in copper ore,
and it was this land that he was con-
ceding to the rich young American in
return for his help. Lung had been
revolutionist, but had betrayed his
cause to the imperialist party. There
was a price upon his sleek head, for
the rebels wanted to punish him for
his treachery.
From Paul's point Of view, and he
had only heard smatterings of the
truth mixed with much falsehood from
Lungs own lips, the mandarin had
been badly used by both parties. Lung
wanted to leave the country, but he
could only do so in a disguise Of some
sort, and he could not rely upon any
Of his own people to help him out, for
he had been a hard master when in
power.
The upshot of the matter was that
the impulsive young American had
promised that Lung should accompany
him back t, the United States under
guise Of his personal servant. Paul
had taken passage on steamer which
would sail two days later, and he had
conhded the plan to Fleetman under
promise Of strictest secrecy. Some
one had to know in case anything did
happen to Paul, and Fleetman seemed
to think that the chances were good
for something to happen to somebody
In the matter
Its such futile undertaking" he
ended his protestations. IF it was 60
ing to benefit anybody to have that
rascal got out of his own country I'd
help you out on 1t or at least applaud
your courage. But, by Jove. if any
man ever deserved a good hanging it is
that same Lung"
I'm sorry. but I've promised" said
Paul firmly. and so the subject was
dropped for the time.
They sped up the Yangtze for few
miles and then turned down its swift
ly flowing yellow stream and made
for the mouth. There they could cross
to the Huangpu and run up that little
tidal river to Shanghai.
Little was said between the two men
as the launch scudded back to Shang-
hal, but when they reached the jetty
and Fleetman turned the craft over to
the care of his Chinese boatman he re-
ferred once more to the matter.
when are you going aboard the
Java?"
cat dusk tomorrow" was PauPs re
ply.
when does your man join your"
"As soon after sunset as possible.
I've already furnished him with the
necessary clothing for Disgusting him
self. He's been hiding in half ruined
temple up there and is starved almost
to a skeleton. That in itself is dis
guise, for he was a pretty sleek look
ing old customer before they got after
him so I've been told"
'I'lI see you tomorrow. Paul. I've
some cumshas gifts for your father
and mother. If you do get into any