Charlevoix county herald., 1914-12-05

perhaps they had done so, certainly
they had not departed to tell the
tale. They would constitute another
instance of mysterious disappear
ance.
What, then, was Yamata's object
in leading this daughter of an Am
erican diplomat behind the forbidden
portals? Another fragment of the
conversation i'm the house of Kobe
flashed momentarily in his brain,
illuminating a picture beyond any
imagining of his narcotic slumbers
"a picture of possibility, though
not Of proven fact. But Yamata was
now addressing an attendant, who
was taxing his order. Gafford put
away conjecture and gave ear.
Yamata was speaking wholly in
Japanese. The fact mattered little
TO Gafford Three years on the
waterfront had taught him the Ian
guage, SO that he both understood
and spoke it like a native. The
samisen of the geisha had dropped
to low stunning, out Of defer
ence to the voice Of Yamata, and
Gafford could catch each detail of
his speech.
As he listened ore might have no.
ticed the hands on either side of his
bowed head, gather themselves to-
gether and clench. The muscles
along his spine stiffened and drew
him inward against the table. His
feet crept backward around his stool
and rested on their toes, ready to
hurl him erect.
For as the sing-song directions
went on Gafford began to understand
ali the answer TO his mental ques-
tiOns, and the why of his inward
mentor, which had kept him close by
the girl. An icy tremor gripped
him, turned into a burning tide of
rage, and ebbeG, leaving him cold
and calm.
The servitor bowed before va
mata and departed, and Gafford
came to bis feet. Swinging on his
heel he turned to the table where
sat Yamata and the girl. With
swift strides he approached and
bowed before the woman. Perhaps
you recognize me, Miss McRae," he
began.
The blue eyes came up and swept
his face somewhat coldly. Gradually,
however, their scrutiny underwent a
change and softened. Aren't you
! the gentleman we saw on the quay
the other EVENING"" she asked.
81 am" Gafford assured her
quickly. THAT being the case, per-
haps you will believe me when ! say
that am thoroughly conversant
with native customs, and place some
credence in my statement that you
are at present in deadly danger"
The eyes widened, and the wo-
mans lips half opened. One hand
gripped the edge of the table.
danger" she repeated and paused.
Gafford's gaze left her and swung
upon Yamata, who had moved on his
stool as if to rise. Mr.. Yamata has
told you the truth in part" he stated
briefly. "Women are not allowed in
; the geisha houses. Whether you are
the first who has ever entered, as he
says, ! do not know, but, if others
have, / can assure you they have
never returned to their friends"
Yamata interrupted on the in
slant. "The man is drunk, Mees
McRae. l heard him order sake
when he came in. Pay no attention
to his sayings. He is poor wharf
| lounger, an opium user, low
theeng. He speaks without any true
understanding. l sail have him re-
| move"
Gafford leaned forward, and his
face was unpleasant. you'll do moth
ing CT the sort, Yamata," he rasped
you'll sit down and keep still, or
! III break you. You heard me order
sake, but | didn't drink it, and Pm
not intoxicated in the least. / heard
you order tea for Miss McRae, and
tell the attendant to drug it. The
games up, Yamata. Miss McRae
won't drink that tea, and she'll leave
this room with me, either without
trouble or after fight"
The woman rose slowly to her
feet. Did he really tell them
that ~ she faltered. THAT was
what you meant? Oh! will go
with you. You are white man.
believe you. will CO."
II theenk not" snapped Yamata
His hand darted beneath the table
and came up clutching something
which glittered blue-black.
Gafford laughed on the instant
His fist crashed against the snarling
| face of Yamata. His left hand
caught at the wrist Of the hand
which held the revolver and
wrenched it with all his might. The
weapon fell from the hasty clutch of
Yamata's fingers and ratified to the
| floor.
Miss McRae stopped quickly and
picked it up in a manner which
showed she was familiar with things
of the sort. Gafford followed up his
advantage of the moment, and
pinned his hand back against the
wall. eco out the way yol came
in" he cried to the woman. "Wait
! for me at the street door"
She obeyed without question. A
moment later the curtain fell he
hind her. Gafford relaxed his hold
on Yamata and stepped back. Be
good, now, and don't try to follow,
or you may get hurt" he cautioned,
and went backward toward the door.
| 4. L..