Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-08-12

@ way the taxi with the hotel
detective and John Dorr drew up in a
side street and stopped.
1T was here they left me-" said the
chauffeur sulkily.
The detective and John got out and
stared about them. They We're in the
lower part Of Chinatown, a single tier
OF blocks that stretched beyond the
pounds toward the bay-not in the
quarter, bv Of it.
(Which way did they AXE the girl?"
said the practical detective.
The driver led them around the cor
ner and up an alleyway. He pointed
to Sing Wah's door. 81 think they
went in there" he muttered.
"Ah!" said the detective thoughtful
ly. when I was on the police force
1 used to know that Chinaman. He's
the smoothest rascal in America, bar
none"
John gritted his teeth in helpless
rage. "And she's in that fend's foul
clutches" he groaned aloud.
At this moment a policeman came
along and accosted Johns companion
Lau1uldf1y. IN a lew WORDS the case
was explained to him.
"You won't find anything, Of course"
the officer remarked. but just for
satisfaction let's have a look-see and a
chin-chin with Sing Wah."
They entered the shop just as a Chi
nese was closing a panel door after
Drake, who had come to make his
1r0rniSn1 ottoro nt fo WIN p,,+I,o 1o~E
dence. Sing Wah was nowhere to be
seen.
After some futile parley with the
Chinese, whose ignorance was com
plete in every detail, the two officers
agreed that they were wasting time.
"Old Sings the boy to see," said
the house detective. Let's wait
awhile"
Now, Sing Wah had pondered the
affair during the night, and the more
he thought over having a lovely white
girl in the cylindrical room the less
he liked it. 1t was deadly dangerous.
Courts might be lenient with the SNUG
gler and the go-between. Sing Wah
knew that If even a suspicion got
abroad that a young white was
imprisoned in his quarters a ravening
mob would tear his place stick from
stone and hang him without trial. He
was determined to get the girl away
immediately. So he was unfeignedly
glad to see Drake.
Drake attempted to explain what
Wilkerson wanted. but the Chinese cut
him short.
Harry is insane he said quietly.
HE is mad over that woman have
done all can. You must get her out
Of here"
~ "But how" demanded Drake. She
doesn't know me very we'll, and she'll
scream her head off, and III be arrest
ed, and We'll all be in a muss."
Sing Wah nodded thoughtfully.
Then he looked up and listened to the
low words of one Of his clerks. Dis
missing him with a single grunt. he
turned to Drake.
There's not much time" he said
softly. '"They are on the trail al
ready"
"Who?"
"The police" He motioned Drake to
a chair in the little alcove, where they
stood and went on: Stay here Il mo-
ment. l will see for myself" He
pulled a lever, and the room swung
around till the door was opposite him.
With long. slender fingers he slipped
back the panel and vanished.
Ruth lay on a couch. open eyed and
white faced. Beside her a richly dress
ed Chinese woman crouched. whisper
ing so%othingly. At sight of Sing Ruth
Gallon suddenly sat upright in silent
horror.
II beg yonr pardon. MISS" Sing said
in his silkiest English. Il have come
+, to take You back to our friends out
side"
The girl Shrank back. mo, no, no."
she moaned. They are not my
friends"
J "Surely Harry Wilkerson"- Sing
suggested craftily. to see how the land
LAY.
"Wilkerson!" she whispered. rs he
was he here?"
Her tone. conveyed all that he wished
to know. He motioned to the woman
to leave and when she was gone pulled
a cord. which let down a light rope
ladder.
II m sorry, madam" he said quiet
.ly, "but I shall have to ask you to
climb up this. 1t. is the. only safe way
out" He laid one hand gently on her
arm.
Now, Ruth was California bred, with
all the iprejudices for and against the
;Chinaman. She screamed. At that in
slant there wa a crash. of. a shattered
door In the distance and the sound of
men talking in, excited tones.
you must come" said Sing Wah.
IL will take you to a place. of safety.
All l ask, OF you Is to follow me and
be silent"
His earnestness was unmistakable,
and Ruth yielded, "A moment Inter