The Monticellonian., 1915-07-15

lHG IiuB WulCH N6 iosI IS tue hey to the puzzle-the only key!" ex claimed Wu Fang finally. We must recover it at all hazards" :"
 To his subtle mind plan of action seemed to unfold almost instantly There is no good remaining here" he | added. And we have gained nothing by the capture of the girl, unless we can use her to recover the ring"
 Long Sin followed his master with sort of intuition. If we have to steal it." he suggested deferentially. it can be accomplished best by making use of the Chong Wah Tong"
 The tong was the criminal band which they had offended, which had in fact stolen the ring from Long Sin and sold it to Elaine. Yet in a game such as this enmity could not last when it was mutually disadvantageous. Wu took the suggestion. He decided instantly to make peace with his enc mies-and use them.
 Later that night, in his car, Wu stopped near the little eurio shop kept DJ but deN tOuS ltduCI-
 Wu, followed by his slave in crime, entered the curio shop and passed through with great dignity into the room in the rear.
 As the two entered, the tong men bowed with great respect.
 Let us be enemies no more, began Wu briefly Let us rather help each other as brothers"
 He extended his right hand, palm down, as he spoke. For moment the tong leader parleyed with the others, then stepped forward and laid his own hand, palm down. over that of Wu One of the others did the same. including Long Sin. the az grieved
 Peace was restored.
 Wu had arisen to go, and the tong men were lowing a respectful fare well. He turned and saw large vase. For a moment he paused before 1t. It was an enormous affair and was apparently composed of mosaic of rare Chinese enamels, cunningly put together by the delft and patient fin gers of the Oriental craftsmen. Fix tending from the widely eurving bowl below was an extremely long. narrow, tapering neck
 Wu looked at it intently; then an idea seemed to strike him. He called the tong leader and the others about him.
 Quickly he outlined the details of a plan.
 
 Have you received any word yet" asked Aunt Josephine, anxiously. when Jennings had ushered us into the Dodge library.
 Kennedy shook his head sadly.
 A few minutes later Jennings en- tered the room softly again. The expressmea are outside, ma am. with a large package" he said
 Aunt Josephine followed him out in- to the hall.
 There, already, the delivery men had set down huge Oriental vase with remarkably long and narrow neck. It was, as befitted such a really beautiful object of art. most carefully crated. But to Aunt Josephine 1t came as complete surprise. T can't imagine who could have sent 1t, she temporized. Are you quite sure It is for me-"
 The expressman. with book, looked up from the list of names, dntxr,, u+hf fal, ha 6y1- ger. This is Mrs. Dodge, isn't it?' he asked, pointing with his pencil to the entry with the address following it. There seemed to be no name of shipper.
 Yes she replied, dubiously, but I don't understand it. Wait just a moment"
 She went to the library door MT Kennedy she said, may 1 trouble you and Mir Jameson a moment?"
 We followed her into the hall, and there stood gazing at the mysterious tory.
 Why not set it up in the library?' I suggested. seeing that the express men were getting restive at the delay. If there is any mistake they will send for it soon. No one ever gets anything for nothing"
 Aunt Josephine turned to ,he ex- pressmen and nodded With the aid of Jennings they carried the vase into the library, and there it was uncrated,
 Craig walked around the vase, look ing at it critically I had a feeling of being watched, one of those sensations which psychologists tell us are utterly baseless and unfounded. 1 was glad had not said anything about It when he tapped the vase with his cane, then stuck the cane down the long, narrow neck, working it around as well as he could. The neck was so long and so narrow. however. that his stick could not fully explore the inside of the vase, but it seemed to me to be quite empty.
 Well. there's nothing in 1t, any, how" I ventured
 had spoken too soon. Kennedy withdrew his cane, and on the ferrule, adhering as though by some sticky substance, was a note.
 We read:
 Dear Aunt Josephine