The Ordway new era., 1913-04-25


sputtering on the hearth for all the ef-
feet my vehemence had upon that
precious pair Of Mongolians.
I'VE understand" the spokesman re-
sumed. that your friend managed IN
some way to escape from his captors,
and Is now in this house."
Eyes" resumed, hotly. Hes here.
more dead than alive unfortunately;
but he is coming around slowly and
will be quite able to testify when the
time comes"
"Mr. Chen Mok." he proceeded,
calmly, has communicated with the
State Department at Washington, and
the United States authorities are now
only waiting our word to put your
good. gentlemanly friend under arrest,
Mr.. Clyde. for the crime he commit
ted on the high seas. sixteen years
ago."
For a moment stared at them in
silent amazement.
You're both mad" exploded at
length. both crazy. Do you think for
one moment I believe such rot as
that? Even II what you say were pos
sible-and 1t isn't-you would have to
ter than the mere word of . man who
hadn't seen him for years. OF what
use would such an Identification be
against the testimony Of Mr.. Cam
eron's lifelong friends?"
"Since you doubt our ability to
identify" was Mr.. Yup's prompt re-
joinder. 81 may add that there are two
marks Of Identification, which must,
think, convince even yourself"
laughed grimly. So that was their
game! For nearly a month Cameron
had been their prisoner. In that time
they had examined, inspected. inven-
| toried him. His scars, moles. birth
marks had been listed, and were now
to be used to identify him with a rene
gade murderer Of Chinese coolies.
I told my slant-eyed visitors that
their trick was transparent. But they
only looked at me with an expression
| which seemed half pity and half con-
| tempt.
Did you ever observe tattoo mark
on your friends left forearm?" asked
Mr.. Chen Mok.
Never" answered.
'He has one there"
II am willing to wager something
valuable he hasn't a tattoo mark any
| where on his person." retorted, land
I'll prove 1t In five minutes"
1--WE shall be glad to have the
proof" said Yup Sing.
Once more l pressed the button at
| the side Of the chimney-piece, and
once again Checkabeedy appeared in
/ the doorway.
you telephoned?" asked.
Yes, SIR"
Very good, now send Mr.. Bryan to
me here. at once Then turning to
| Cameron's accusers, explained: "Mr
Bryan, for whom I have Just sent, is
nursing my friend. He would natural
ly know If what you say is true"
70 my surprise they made no demur
Yup Sing. however, asked that he
might be permitted to put to the nurse
the necessary questions, and as was
perfectly confident that no incriminat-
ing answers could be given. no matter
what the form of catechism, I willing.
! ly acceded.
Had l not played tennis and golf
with Cameron scores Of times on hot
| summer days when, with shirt sleeves
rolled above his elbows. his forearms
were barred to view? Could there by
| any possibility have been a tattoo
mark there, and not have seen it?
Mr.. Bryan came quickly. little puz-
zled. seemingly. at being called to
such an audience. Purposely l kept
silence. merely waving an Introductory
hand toward the two Cinnamon.
Yup Sing tactfully explained the sit
uation.
"A question has arisen. Mr.. Bryan"
he said, with more Of suavity in his
tone than l had hitherto observed,
whether by any chance your patient
has mark of any character whatever
tattooed upon his left forearm. II you
have observed such, we shall be glad
If you will kindly describe it."
The nurse flung questioning glance
at me, and nodded reassuringly. I
did not wonder that he was surprised
at the question.
rs there, or is there not, such
mark" the Oriental urged.
There is; yes, SIR"
l think. involuntarily, started for
ward. l know that for just a breath
! thought my ears had played me
trick. Then. suddenly. there swept
back across my memory that express
sion Of Checkabeedy's: "Who between
you and me. sir. don't trust, nohow."
Could 1t be possible that Bryan was In
the conspiracy? But only for the
briefest moment did this doubt sway
amid the welter of my thoughts. Into
its place rolled an amazement that |
shocked and stunned; that checked |
me all standing, as 1t were; for BRYAN |
was amplifying. was telling about the |
mark, which he had first noticed he |
said. on the night of his arrival. and |
which he had examined more closely |