The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1915-01-29
CHAPTER VIII.
THE HYPNOTIC POWER OF MR..
CHANG

For long time Zudora paced her
room. She was troubled. That after
noon Storm had pleaded with her SO
strongly to leave her uncle and marry,
and go far away that she had been
drawn almost irresistably toward her
lover From time to time she paused
before some object moved 1t abstract
eddy, and resumed her pacing. The
youth in her wanted to fly away and
be happy.
The thought of her vast fortune
often terrified her. The moment the
world found out that she was so rich
an heiress she would be beset with all
sorts of devices by fortune hunters.
Every grade of beggar would be at her
doorstep. More than that, she had
made some strange enemies during
her short career as detective; and If
these individuals knew of her wealth
they would leave no stone unturned to
trap her and hold iie~ for some enor-
nous ransom. A little money, enough
to take care of her and supply her
simple needs-that was all she craved.
But twenty millions! In dollars she
could hardly count that sum during
her allotted years!
Sometimes she found herself on the
verge of asking her uncle, Hassam Ali,
to take the bulk of it and let her be
free to do as she thought fit. But al
ways she stepped back from the tnres-
hold of this act. Great dreams of do
ing good in the world upheld her She
dreamed of helping humanity with
those millions: to buy farms and con-
vert them into communities for thrifty
but unfortunate people; to build great
hospitals, children's Fairgrounds. She
determined that these dreams should
come true just as soon as she had
accomplished the twenty tasks imposed
upon her by her uncle.
She longed with all her heart to go
to John Storm; but her word to her
uncle was like barrier of stone.
But tonight life had suddenly devel-
OF e.. a new angie. She was In love;
she was young; she had right to be
happy. And she was fighting battle
between loyalty to her word and the
urgings of her heart. Besides, 1t was
quite possible that the very next case
might be the last. Several times so
far as she had escaped death by hair.
That in itself did not deter her, for
she was as courageous as lion. But
she did not care to court death when
the greatest happiness in the world
was within arms reach.
She stopped suddenly before a win
dow and pressed her hot forehead
az; nst the cool sane. Over the great
city hung that almost lurid glare-the
millions Of lamps thrown against the
sky. Suddenly all hesitance left her;
her resolution was formed. She walk
ed quickly to her writing desk and sat
down to write. She would accept John
Storms plea; she would go to him the
very next day. Let her uncle become
furious; was not her lover more to
her than this strange man who was
all that remained of kith and kin, who
followed strange cults, performed ex-
traordinary feats at one time and the
veriest humbugs at another? s1a.
She would run away on the morrow
and marry John Storm. And to pro-
vide against any weakening in this re-
solve she would write him at once to
that effect.
Downstairs the bell rang. AIMED
shuffled to the door. A very beauti-
full woman entered.
I should like to see your master
Hassam ALI" she said quietly.
Have you an appointment" asked
the servant bowling "One sees him at
night only by appointment"
II believe he will see me-" she re-
piled with a singular smile, AN
nounce Madame Du Roy"
Eyes, madame" The servant re-
turned directly Follow me, madame,
the master will see you"
II thought 3D.
Hassam Ali stood by his crystal as
che entered. At sign the servant took
himself off.
II was not expecting you, madame"
said Hassam Ali, but he smiled as he
spoke.
'.Mr Chang could not come OF
course you know that you can trust
our Organization"
Yes. But did Chang confide in |
your" An almost imperceptible frown |
fitted across Hassam Ais face He
knew the Caucasian women; he was