Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1915-07-20

1.-THE ring which we lost is the key
to the puzzle-the only key" ex
claimed WI Fang finally. eve must
recover 1t 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
a sort of intuition. 'If we have to steal
it," he suggested deferentially. 1T 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 1t to Elaine. Yet In a game
such as this enmity could not last
when it was mutually disadvantageous.
WI took the suggestion. He decided
instantly to make peace with his enc
mies-and use them.
Later that night, in his car, WI
stopped near the little curio shop kept
by the new tong leader.
WI, 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
WI 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 WI. One of the others did the
same, including Long Sin, the ag-
grieved.
Peace was restored.
WI had arisen to go, and the tong
men were bowling respectful fare
well. He turned and saw large vase.
For a moment he paused before 1t.
1t was an enormous affair and was
apparently composed of mosaic of
rare Chinese enamels, cunningly put
together by the deft and patient fin
gers of the Oriental craftsmen. Elk
tending from the widely curving bowl
below was an extremely long, narrow,
tapering neck.
WI 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 YETI"
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
expressmen 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 a huge Oriental vase
with remarkably long and narrow
neck. 1t was, as befitted such a really
beautiful object of art. most carefully
Grated. But to Aunt Josephine 1t
came as a complete surprise. Il can't
imagine who could have sent it" she
temporized. Are you quite sure 1t is
for me?"
The expressman, with a book,
looked up from the list of names,
down which he was running his fin
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, obviously, but
don't understand it. Wait just a
moment"
She went to the library door. "Mr.
Kennedy" she said. may l trouble
you and Mr.. Jameson a moment?"
We followed her into the hall, and
there stood gazing at the mysterious
gift, while she related its recent his
tory.
why not set 1t up in the library ?"
l suggested, seeing that the express
men were getting FESTIVE at the delay.
IF there Is any mistake they will send
for 1t soon. No one ever gets anything
for nothing"
Aunt Josephine turned to the ex-
pressmen and nodded. With the aid of
Jennings they carried the vase into
the library, and there 1t was uncrated,
Craig walked around the vase, look
ing at it critically. l had feeling of
being watched, one of those sensations
which psychologists tell US are utterly
baseless and unfounded. l 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 1t seemed to me to be quite
empty.
Well, there's nothing in it, any
how" / ventured.
l had spoken too soon. Kennedy
withdrew his cane, and on the ferrule,
adhering as though by some sticky
substance, was note.
We read:
Dear Aunt Josephine
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