Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-11-07

under the swinging hshskn lanterns and found the
dark alley whereof Fong How, the tea merchant, had
told me- Five times as he had hidden me, did l
press upon the tiny ivory button the heavy door
swung back and let enter. No to be
seen. There was only long passage with many real
and false doors, and in the center dim tissue Ian
tern. Then, in of these doors the iron wicket
grated and heard voice asking for the sign. Lean
fingers reached forth and seized the card, then the
door .opened slowly and Changed shut behind me.
The doorkeeper was an old man. a Tartar, his face
beached by darkness and age, but his eyes
bright those of cat, his voice harsh. HI held
light in his cormorant claws. He bowed low as he
called me by many honorable titles
II am come to have speech with Fling Tai said
I. "Where may Wing Tai be found?'
"Off the chamber Of Justice" said nc pointing
down corridor "in the room of the yellow Drag
ons"
The great room was dim, and demons and afrits
glowered there about The throne and Judgment
of the tong and ghoul rustlcd IN the banners.
Light from the room OF the Yellow Dragons,
and heard the sound Of voices. I unsheathed the
short sword and crcpt slowly toward thc sii,cr
tains and peered within the There sat Wing
Tai at table OF teak, with five OF his hcrc,liNcn
about him: coolies and braves that carry and
pistol and do murder for the tong. Some O: hem
smoked opium, whose reeI to my nosril:.
Whose name was that heard upon ,,lcr foul lips,
Surely they speaking OF 10y Shan. They
speaking of her sale, her worth in dollars OF the ncv
land.
Her price will go up" said Wing Tai; ". be-
hooves US to wait. Never yet the thing desired lost
worth by the waiting"
IVAN Kang. the fruit grower of Colusa would
give three thousand dollars for the girl said one OF
the others.
"She is worth fve," answered Wing Tai;
"Beiek the SON Of the Consul, said another "Wah
ubo tac 49, s..
that call themselves New China, would give still
more
where is the maid kept pent:" asked another
suddenly.
Wing Tai was silent, pulled at his pipe, then made
reply in crafty wise:
What matter, she be safe: Hard pressed
these days to find places Of hiding where the girls
may be safe from enemies especially the cursed
white police. None knows OF her hiding place save
my mother, who conducted her from China and my
sister.
But she is guarded safe enough" said he, and
laughed There is no hiding place more
secret my Enthusiastically
l longed to leap upon him with the nakcd s:ccl
and hew that secret from his heart, but caution
spoke within and forebore.
Wing Tai then bespakc his men,
1--WE must have offers. Go now and see to
it that you make high report OF her, spreading the
fame of her beauty wide. Tell them that would see
the farest girl that ever brought to this port
to attend me-"
He muttered drowsily; the demon of the drug
seemed to work its will upon him.
/ heard shufflng of feet and pressed myself
closely against the dark wall behind the heavy hang
ings. saw them come forth-one two three four
fve-and pass through the council hall into the
narrow corridor But Wing Tai came not forth.
l peered into the and saw him seated at
carved table under the lantern in mist OF opium
smoke A leer was upon his lean lips his eyes
were sunk inwards that his face was like the
mask of dead.
Stealthiy crept upon him, sword in hand
would force him to tell where he had hidden my
stolen bride, 10 Shan. He did not stir, but sat as
if in dream, his pipe to his lips. Then stretched
forth the sword and knocked the ivory pipe from
his mouth. He stared up at me, but did not rise nor
show fear, nor recognition.
"Dogw ! shouted at him. where have you hidden
the woman you stole from the house OF her father
at Using Hin"
What is that to you?" he answered without NOV
ing. Would you bid for herr
at is my bride you have stolen' cried Tell
me where you have hidden her or send this sword
into your throat.
"Bridegrooms are unwise and RASH said he with
his DEVILS smie land to STAY me would only be the
death of you and perhaps Of your bride. Yet you
may have the maid again, for behold in you a most
impassioned faithful bridegroom Price of barter
or price OF ransom are alike to me. What would
you offer for herr"
He spoke calmly, and seemed scarcely to mark
my rage nor the naked steel which shook in my
hand.
How came you hthcr, my friend;" said he, "Has
our sentry betrayed u.s.:
at does not matter | cried, 80 long am
here And now that l have found you you shall
not escape"
"Ah," said he, "again would call you rash for
speaking OF my escape, for you may find your
escape difficult thing"
A football sounded in the hall without thc cur
tains parted and three OF the braves returned. hid
the sword in the folds of my garments
"Your worship" said the tales,, with a glarax
At me. "our sentry tia rs lie hat admitted ore
who bore the symbols, and some Oh Us deoned i,
,N;.c tO return"