The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-08-03

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She handed him tastefully en-
graved sheet of paper which he read
with interest:
Miss Elaine Dodge
requests the honor of your presence
at an Oriental Reception
on April 9th, at 8 o'clock.
Very interesting" exclaimed Craig
enthusiastically. 81 shall be delighted
to come"
He looked about moment at the
library which Elaine was already re-
arranging for the entertainment.
Then you must work." she cried
gayly. you are Just in time to help
me buy the decorations. No objec-
lonesome along"
Among the many places which
Elaine had down on her shopping list
was small Chinese curio shop on
lower Fifth avenue.
They entered and we're greeted
with profound bow by the proprie-
tor. He was the new Tong leader,
and this uptown shop was his cover.
Elaine explained what it was she
wanted, and with Kennedys aid Sc
lected number Of Chinese hangings
and decorations. They were about to
leave the shop when Elaine's eye was
attracted by little showcase In
which we're many quaint and valuable
Chinese ornaments in gold and silver
and covered with ivory.
"Nho< odd To11x4r~
said, pointing out a nobbed ring
which reposed on the black velvet of
the case.
Quite odd,' agreed Kennedy.
The subtle Chinaman stood by the
pile of hangings on the counter which
Elaine had bought, overjoyed at such
a large sale. Praising the ring to
Elaine. he turned insinuatingly to Ken
nedy. There was nothing else for
Craig to do-he bought the ring, and
the Chinaman proved his ability as a
merchant.
From the curio shop where Elaine
had completed her purchases they
drove to Kennedy's laboratory.
We were In the midst of planning
the entertainment when a slight cough
behind me made me start and turn
quickly.
There stood Long Sin, the astute
Chinaman who had delivered the
bomb to Kennedy and had betrayed
Bennett. We had seen very little Of
him since then.
Long Sin bowed low and shuffied
over closer to Kennedy. l noticed that
Elaine eyed Long Sin sharply.
Il am In great trouble. Professor
Kennedy" began Long Sin in a low
tone. you don't know the Chinese of
this city, but if you did you would
know what blackmailers there are
among them. / have refused to pay
blackmail to the Chong Wah Tong and
since then it has been trouble, trouble,
trouble"
Kennedy looked up quickly at the
name Chong Wah Tong, thinking Of
the investigation which the coroner
had asked him to make into the muir
der. He and Long Sin moved a few
steps away, discussing the affair.
Elaine and we're still talking over
the entertainment.
She happened to place her hand on
the desk near Long Sin. My back was
toward him and did not see him start
suddenly and look at her hand On it
was the ring-the ring which, I'M
known to US, Long Sin had found in
the passageway under Aunt Tabby's
garden, of which he had been robbed,
Long Sin decided to recover the ring
by stealth
Elaine was still talking enthusiast
tically about her party, when Long Sin
turned from Kennedy and moved to-
ward us with bow.
1.-THE lady speaks of an Oriental re-
ception," he remarked. Would she
care to engage magician?"
Elaine turned to him surprised. 'fDo
you mean that you are a magician"
she asked, puzzled.
Long Sin smiled quietly. He reached
over and took small bottle from Ken
nedy's laboratory table. Holding it in
his hand almost directly before us, he
made few slight-of-hand passes and,
presto! the bottle had disappeafeA A
few more passes, and test tube ap-
peared in its place. Before we knew It
he had caused the test tube to dfsap-
pear and the bottle to reappear. We
all applauded enthusiastically.
81 don't think that is such bad
{1oo oF4or r1d1od Kopa1d,Z ~
Elaine.
1t was the night of the reception
The Dodge library was transformed.
The Oriental hangings~ which Elaine
and Kennedy had purchased seemed
to breathe mysticism At the far end
of the room a platform had been ar
ranged to form stage on which Long
Sin was to perform his sleight of hand.
Almost everybody had arrived when
Elaine turned to the guests and intro
duced Long Sin with little speech.
/ shall not attempt to describe the
amazing series of tricks which he per
formed. His hands and fingers seemed
to move like lighting.
He had finished and every one
crowded about him to congratulate
him on his skill. His only answer,
however, was his inscrutable smile. !
This is wonderful, wonderful I
repeated as happened to meet Elaine
alone. We walked into the conserva-
tory while the guests were crowding
around Long Sin. She seated herself
for the first time during the evening.
May get you an ice?" l suggested.
She thanked me, and | hurried off.
AS passed through the drawing room
/ did not notice that Long Sin had
managed to escape further congratt-
lations of the guests. Just then wait
er passed through with ices on tray.
/ called to him and he stopped.
A moment later Long Sin himself
took an Ice from the tray and retreat
ed back OF the portieres. No one was
about, and he hastily drew bottle
from his pocket. On the bottle was a
Chinese label. He palmed the bottle,
and anyo6e who had CHANGED to see
him would have noticed that he passed
it two or three times over the ice. then,
lifting the portieres, entered the draw
ing room again.
He had made the circuit of the
rooms in such way as to bring him