The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1915-01-28

Nk&SEf$X wan uupFetcutlOus uuOE-
- 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 were In the
lower part OF Chinatown, a single tier
Of blocks that stretched beyond the
bounds toward the bay-not In the
quarter, but OF 1t.
(which way did they take the grip
said the practical detective.
The driver led them around the cor
ner and up an alleyway. He pointed
to Sing Wah's door. Il think they
| went in there" he muttered.
"Ah!' said the detective thoughtful.
ly. When / was on the police force
| used to know that Chinaman. He's
the smoothest rascal I'm America, bar
none"
John gritted his teeth la helpless
rage. And she's In that iend's foul
clutches" he groaned aloud.
At this IN a policeman came
along and accosted Johns companion
Familiarity. In a few 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-chn with Sing Wah-"
They entered the shop just as u Chi
nese was closing IA panel door after
Drake, who had come to make bis
promised attempt to win Ruth's conf
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. lets wait
awhile"
Now. Sing Wah had pondered the
affair during the night. and the more
be thought over having a lovely white
girl In the cylindrical room the less
he liked II. II was deadly dangerous.
Courts might be lenient with the SNUG.
gler and the go-between. Sing Wah
knew that IL even a suspicion got
abroad that n young white woman was
imprisoned In his quarters a ~ravenlng
mob would tear his place stick from
stone and hang him without trial. He
was determined to get the girl way
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 l can. You must get her out
OF here"
But how?" demanded Drake. "She
doesn't know me very well. and she'll
scream her head Oh. and I'll be arrest.
ed. and Wen 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"
"WhoT'
''The police" He motioned Drake to
a chair In the little alcove, where they
| stood and went on: "Stay here a mo
ment. will see for myself" He
pulled a lever. and the roo 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
| Ell Chinese woman crouched. whisper
ing soothingly. At sight Of Sing Ruth
Gallon suddenly sat upright In silent
horror.
II beg your pardon. miss" Sing said
In his silkiest English. II have come
to take you back to your friends out
side"
The girl shrank back. mo, no. mol"
she moaned. They are not my
friends"
Surely Harry Wnkerson"- Sing
suggested craftily. to see how the land
lay.
"Wilkersonw she whispered. lis 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 am sorry. madam" he said quiet
~, but / shall have to ask you to
climb up this. 1t Il the only safe way
out" He laid one hand gently on her
arm.
Now, Ruth was California bred. with
all the ~prejudices for and against the
Chinaman. She screamed. At that In
slant there was a crush OF q shattered
door In the distance and the sound of
men talking In excited tones.
you must come" said Sing Wah.
Il win take you to . place OF safety.
Al I AK Of ron = 60 follow n and
! II nilsaa.