The Ordway new era., 1913-04-11

fOr the present at leAst, not 10 let blip
the slightest inkling that we suspect
our Cameron is not the real Cameron
We are seeking information. you know
Evelyn, not squandering It,"
Pell street wore-its night gaudery
when the Cameron electric brougham
with Evelyn and myself as occupants
glided to halt before the door of the
Mission over which Miss Clement ably
and successfully presided. The pale
vari-tinted light OF lanterns from the
balcony of restaurant across the
way. mingling with the fickering vel
low beam Of the city's gas lamps,
threw into sharp relief the curious
pendent black signs with their red
cloth borders and gilded Chinese let.
tering. hanging before shop doors. 1t
revealed, too. oddly contrasting figures
Of loungers and pedestrians. residents
and visitors. And 1t barred, back Of all
that was bizarre. the commonplace
brick fronts Of the typically American
] buildings, with their marring gridiron-
| Ing OF fre-escapes. To Evelyn. rarely
observant, the combination was inter
esting, but disappointing.
ut does not look at all as expect
ed 1t would" she said to me. ut hasn't
| other. It 10 like q stage scene. care
iessly mounted"
As We alighted at the Mission door.
the last notes Of familiar hymn.
mangled in words and melody almost
beyond recognition. flowed out to toih
the babel of street sounds; and before
we could mount the high steps there
had begun to pour forth motley.
malodorous freshet Of felt-shod soles.
that gave us pause; blocking. for q
few minutes, not merely the ascent
but the sidewalk as we'll.
When. at length, the way was clear.
and by direction of youth at the en-.
trance. we had passed through the
close, ill-smelling hall. where the lights
had already been lowered, We came
upon Miss Clement. alone in a little
wellventilated and brightly-lighted Of.
nee or parlor, tutting of at the rear.
II she was surprised at seeing Eve.
lyn. she gave no sign. She welcomed
US both with the smiling cordially of
a lifelong friend. But abruptly her
smile died.
II tried to get you on the telephone
an hour ago." she explained, "but
there was some trouble with the wire.
hoped to save you this journey for
nothing" 10
your protege couldn't come?" I
queried.
"Unfortunately, no." she returned.
with little quaver in her voice. my
protege will never come again. He
was sho. to death. Poor. poor Ling
Fol"
shot to DEATH" cried, while Eve
Iyn. with cheeks suddenly pale and
eyes wide. held her underlip fast be-
tween her teeth, and gripped hard on
the arms OF the rocking chair in which
Miss Clement had placed her.
Yes" And this strong. sweet
faced, gray-haired woman in gray. her
momentarily-lost composure quite re-
covered. laid a quieting hand softly
over Evelyn's tensed clutch. Yes.
That sort of thing is not unusual down
here, you know. There is always more
or less bad blood between the tongs.
But 1t was most unfortunate. Just at
this time, because feel sure he could
have told you something worth learn,
ing. I'm glad he was good boy. He
was one OF the few converts that are
really sincere"
perhaps he knew too much"
suggested.
But Miss Clement made no COM
ment. fancy It was out of considers
ton for Evelyn that she refrained
from endorsing my conclusion; while
I reproached myself for being less
thoughtful, was all the more con-
vinced that had voiced the motive
for the shooting.
lars, profited by the lesson thus
taught and curbed my curiosity. But
I was in no mood to drop the subject.
From Miss Clements note 1t was clear
that Ling Fo had already communi-
Gated to her some of the more impor-
tant facts in this connection, and Of
these 1 hoped to possess myself.
"And SO. Miss Clement" l ventured,
sharpening my wedge. Chinatown is
mystified, l understand
She was seated. now. by her little
desk, and for moment had been turn
ing up, searchingly. one paper after
another, from an open drawer. At
nv observation. she paused and raised
her glance, a folded sheet Of note size
in her hand; for heartbeat her eyes
held mine.
"Yes," she said at length. China.
town is all at sea, SO to speak"
"Oyer what?" pressed.
Slowly she unfolded the scrap Of
writing she held, and before replying
she read It through. slowly and delib-
erntely.
III you don't mind" she proposed.
I would prefer not to talk about It.
I am In a peculiar position here. Mr..