The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-01-08

late to repair. Briefly, they have kid
mapped a gentleman Of fortune and in.
fluence, one Of my dearest friends. in
q manner most mysterious, after first
subJecting him to the annoyance Of q
series OF anonymous letters and a sue.
cession Of singular. nerve-torturlng
acts Of trespass."
Mr.. Yup glanced at Now Chee's
card. which he still held.
"Mr. Clyde" he said. with no more
emotion than he might have exhibited
had told him wished him to sell for
me a Chinese bronze on commission,
"Mr. Clyde, do not see. exactly, why
you come to me-"
II came at Mr.. Mow's suggestion" I
explained. "He tells me you know the
Chinese Of New York as no one else
does"
"The police. should say" he re.
turned, know the class you seek bet.
ter than I. Why not go TO the police ?"
It was not easy to explain to him
why had not gone to the police, for I
did not care to reveal all that we
feared, and how we dreaded that
which police pursuit might precipi.
tate.
Because" began. after a mo.
ment's hesitation. 'T believe the whole
thing Is mistake. believe that
those involved in the plot must soon.
er or later find out It is q mistake. II
the aid Of the police is enlisted, the
fact that a mistake has been made
will not be any extenuation. MY oh.
5ect 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 Yum
Sing. speaking slowly. "is not enough.
" you will tell me everything, I viii
let you know what think. You mus,
give the names and the places and the
dates"
did give him the names and the
places and the dates. Now Chez had
told me could rely upon him, i'm
plicitly, and l told him all, without
reservation. I gave him even the let
ter, the only one Of the three that re-
mained to us-the last letter In which
the final threat was made.
AS look back on 1t, now, cannot
understand why did this. 1t was the
only piece OF proof, the only clue left.
And yet, when he asked to keep it
for little, I consented without so
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 ne
folded the paper. "was never IN
China?"
Never" affirmed.
"How do you know?"
"He has told me So"
1t was neither smile nor a sneer
which fioated for Just moment across
those sphinx-like features. 1t was a
look Of plying tolerance, patronizing
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 II
they are always thinking, 4 have lived
before you; shall live after you.
That was how Yup Sing looked then.
But he merely said:
Very we'll. I will learn what can"
SOON" I begged. VERY soon?"
He stood up. an imposing figure IN
his purple silk.
Come to me tomorrow evening.
Not here. but at the Chinese restau-
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.
do you suppose that could have
any bearing on the matter?"
asked.
He adjusted his spectacles and read
the half-column, slowly, from first to
last. Then he smiled.
81 have that box in my cellar" he
said "It contains woolen underwear
shipped to me from Lowell. Massa-
chusetts."
But scarcely heard him. for my at.
tention was on the swiftly moving
brush OF the little Chinese maid, as.
deftly handled. it now blocked out
with bold black strokes q silhouette
upon the piece Of rice paper before
her-a familiar silhouette OF a short,
clumsy curved boat with broad lug
sail.
NHAprER XI