Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-08-25

offered him by a Cantonese two days
before and that the man had been
seen running out of the city
II said to the SOUTH" was Oakley's
comment.
My impression is that it's nearer"
said Langham doggedly. and some
thing in his tone told the truth of the
situation to Frank Oakley.
"Out with the whole thing. Lang
ham," he said shortly. What is it?
Are You trailing me. or what?"
We'll, you were there, you know"
did Mrs. Desbrow"- Oakley chok-
ed on the words.
Langham shrugged his perfectly fit
ted shoulders. no, indeed. old chap.
She wouldn't listen TO a word against
you. But the house boy
Oakley laughed scornfully. "The
house boy! Do you mean to say that
you are holding the word of China
man against mine, Langham?"
He said he saw you," retorted the
other shortly.
saw his grandmotherw was Oak
ley's cheerful reply. You take my
advice, Langham. If Mr. Desbrow
got that emerald from one of the tenn
piles in south China it stands to reason
that the worshipers will try to get
it back
Those old things mean more to the
native Chinese than they do to the
decadent mandarins. They will fight
for the emerald. and they will steal
it again and again until it finally re-
mains where it originally belonged
only they will leave a trail of blood
in its wake"
Very WELL" said the other sharply.
go ahead and 1 will follow"
Find out for me where the temple
is located and the name of the man.
DARN. Tomorrow morning we start
for Canton. and from there we will
travel cross country to the temple.
Once there we can scout around and
see II the emerald is there"
Good. Let us go back"
The next morning they were on their
way to Canton via Hongkong.
AS the journey progressed there
grew up between the two men a vague
inexpressible feeling OF distrust.
At last they came into the province
Of the mandarin who had sold the en-
erald eye to Mr.. Desbrow and here rec
ceiyed permission to inspect the tenn
pie.
''This man will direct you to the
temple of the green IDOL he said
suavely. and the two young men made
their adieus.
In the wake of the wooden faced
servant they crossed the grass grown
| courtyard and entered the dark arch
of the temple. Here their footsteps
walked the sleeping echoes, and the
! guide grumbled because the lantern
sputtered in sudden drafts Of air.
I'VE will look at the Buddha first,
| for if the stone has been returned it
should be resting in the left eye SOCK
T, ct Odd that they should make the
eyes of such precious gems and then
cover them with lids of bronze or
gold" Frank Oakley made this re-
mark as be walked close behind Des-
brow, now his openly avowed enemy.
III have to see it there TO believe
it." said the other man obstinately.
By standing beneath the massive
face one could look up and see that
one half closed eye contained spar
king emerald. while the other one was
quite empty.
"WelI?" questioned Langham, with
nasty smile.
We'll" retorted Frank. suddenly
drawing revolver and pressing 1t
against the. others breast, "Tll give
you just FIVE minutes to restore the
emerald eye to the idol" he said
grimly.
me. What do you mean:" shouted
Langham.
What | say. may as we'll tell you
that know where it is. and congrat-
ulate you on having distracted atten-
ton from yourself"
where is it, demanded Iangham.
up with your hands"' ordered
Frank sharply. And when the 9th
er's hands were out of the way Oak
ley's fingers passed deftly over the 9TH
er's form. There were n bundle Of let
tiers and a cigarette case. A gold
match safe disgorged the missing
jewel. and Laugham did not smile
when Frank drew 1t from it's hiding
place and slipped 1t in his own pocket,
for he had determined to restore 1t to
Mrs. DesbrOw.
They separated that afternoon. Frank
Oakley travelling on ahead to claim his
reward and Langham to make other
plans for the uncertain future.
} Frank Oakley took the emerald eye
back 10 its rightfui owner. and when
she mentioned reward he talked
again about love and marriage until he
persuaded her to name the wedding
day.
The emerald eye is our talisman OF
luck.'' he said to her on their wedding
night
. 1T was the means OF poor Lang
hams temptation and fall" murmured
the lovely bride. 1T Is like all tails
mans the good or evil In the wearel
| have to do with its influence"
Aug. rs in American