Evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1907-1913, 1912-09-09
turned a significant glance towards


turned a significant glance towards
them, as I said:
"The subject is a confidential one,
Mr.. Yup. If 1 could speak to you"
On private?" he finished. Certain
ly, sir VIII you kindly step this
way?"
He led me to the rear Of his store,
holding aside curtain of heavy en-
broidery, through which l passed into
a smaller room, furnished in carved
teak wood and ornamented with mag
nificent specimens of Chinese porce-
lain and pottery. A little Chinese girl,
not over eight years old, and wearing
a blouse and wide breeches of pale
cerulean silk, stood beside table.
Before her were several small sheets
of rice paper on which she was max
ing designs in water colors.
Ignoring the child, he indicated a
chair near the only window, screened.
like the windows in front, with blue
shade. And when had sat down, he
drew I'D q chair for himself opposite
me.
His manner, in spite of the benign
ity of a moment before, was not en-
couraging, and for a little | was en-
barrassed as to just where to begin
At length, however, said:
81 fear, Mr.. Yup, that some OF your
countrymen have recently made ter
rible mistake"
"a mistaken" he echoed, gravely
10 : 10 nj
late to repair Briefly they have kid
mapped a gentleman of fortune and In
fuence, one of my dearest friends, in
O manner most mysterious. after first
subjecting him to the annoyance OF g.
series of anonymous letters and sue
cession OF singular, nerve-torturing
acts of trespass."
Mr.. Yup glanced at Now Chees
card. which he still held.
"Mr. Clyde he said. with no more
emotion than he might have exhibited
had 1 told him wished him to sell for
me a Chinese bronze on commission,
"Mr. Clyde, do not see, exactly, why
you come to me-"
81 came at Mr.. Mows suggestion" I
explained. "He tells me you know the
Chinese of New York as no one else
does"
"The police, I should say" he re-
turned. know the class you seek bet
ter than l. Why not go to the police?'
It was not easy to explain to him
why had not gone to the police, for
did not care 10 reveal all that we
feared, and how we dreaded that
which police pursuit might precipi-
cate.
because" began, after a mo-
ment's hesitation, 81 believe the whole
thing is a mistake. believe that
those involved in the plot must SOON
er or later find out 1t is mistake. II
the aid Of the police Is enlisted, the
fact that mistake has been made
/ will not be any extenuatlon. My OBJ
ject Is to find the plotters, prove to
them that they are In error, promise
them immunity, and recover my
friend"
What you have told me-" said Yup
Sing. speaking slowly, as not enough.
f YOU will tell me everything, I will
let you know what think. You must
give the names and the places and the
dates"
l did give him the names and the
places and the dates. Now Chez had
told me l could rely upon him. i'm
plicitly and l told him all, without
reservation. l gave him even the let.
ter, the only one Of the three that re-
to foh
the final threat was made.
AS I look back on 1t, now. I cannot
understand why did this. 1t was the
only piece Of proof, the only clue left.
And yet, when he asked to keep 1t
for a little, consented without SO
much as a demur. l argued, l sup
pose, that he was a reputable mer
chant, with an established business.
and that, therefore. treachery on his
part was not to be considered.
and your friend" he said, as he
folded the paper, "was never IN
China"
Never" I affirmed.
How do you know"
He has told me So"
which floated for just moment across
those sphinx-like features. 1t was
look of plying tolerance. patronizins
CLEAN, merely, from the small, deep
set. almond eyes. One of England's
greatest actresses in speaking Of the
Chinese, has said: "They look as IL
they are always thinking. I have lived
before you; l shall live after you. y.
That was how Yup Sing looked them,
But he merely said:
every well. will learn what I can"
"Soon?" begged. VERY soon?"
He stood up, an imposing figure In
his purple silk.
Come to me tomorrow evening.
Not here. but at the Chinese restau1
rant on Doyers street. Come at nine
o'clock"
From my pocket drew out the copy
of the afternoon paper, and pointed to
the article about the Celestial and the
mysterious box