The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-03-12

ton.
II believe you're really interested in
this NATTER" Dorr said briefly. Sup
pose we talk this over before hunting
the taxi chauffeur"
II was merely curious, that's ALL
was the noncommittal murmur.
''That girl is not her daughter" John
continued. IS! have reason to believe
that it is Miss Ruth Gallon. the heir
ess to the Master Key mine. whom she
is abducting" His passion blaZed
forth in spite of his self restraint. II
must find her and save her."
"Might I ask what relation you are
to the young lady?" asked the detec-
tive mildly.
John stared at him and then realized
the oddity Of his actions and words.
He briefly explained his position at the
mine and his wardship Of the heiress.
He also went into detail as to what he
suspected Wilkerson OF, describing him
carefully.
"He was one OF them, sure enough"
agreed the detective. But young heir
esses amt being kidnapped days like
these out Of hotels like this"
81 may be Mistaken John assented
YEARLY. Gall know Of Mrs. Darnell
is from occasional words dropped by
Wilkerson. But suppose we might
get a clew as to where they went any
way"
After some search of the long line of
taxis they came to one which the de-
tective identified us the one Mrs OAR
nell had taken the night before.
Driver, take us where you did those
fares who were in such a hurry last
night" the detective ordered
The chauffeur shook his head. You
can search me for the address" he re-
turned. There wasn't any"
The driver leaned out from his seat
and went on earnestly: You know
how they jumped in and we rolled off.
Well, it seemed it was a case of life
and death. according to the woman,
and l stepped on the machine and
fastened some toward the North Pa
C1uC uOSDlLdl. DuL "uCA VIC gu 4uLO
Chinatown one Of the men hailed me
and told me to drive just as he said.
He got out here in front with me. and
when we reached certain spot they
all beat it,
Can you take us to that spot?'
II was just wondering to myself
whether could find it." was the re-
sponse But I'll try"
He threw in his clutch and the car
left the line and started up the hill
toward California street. John Dorr
leaned back against the cushions with
strange sense Of at last being on his
way toward his goal. He barely heard
his companions murmur, "Evidently
they took her into the lower part of
Chinatown"
We usually credit the oriental with
little or no imagination. pointing to
his art. his clothes and his language as
evidences. AS the fact runs, even the
Chinese coolie uses the faculty Of
imagination more frequently than his
white brother on an equal social plane
Sing Wah. Or Wah Sing, as he was
indiferently called. was outwardly Il
stolid, dull eyed Chinese Of uncertain
middle age. His picture-it was in the
gallery of every secret service Office
from Singapore to Philadelphia-was
not less changeless of expression, nor
more teciturn than he. Yet in spite of
his scmber clothes and general air of
blank stupidity, Sing Wah was man
Of mark. man with a history replete
with crime.
If the ordinary criminal could have
an office or store he would quadruple
his profits. But the common run of
rascals must steal and fly. Their post
office address is a fgment They are
not at home when opportunity knocks.
Sing Wah knew this, and it was his
boast that for thirty years any one
who wanted him. either day or night,
could find him.
So he sat at the back Of his little
store night after night. blinking
through the wooden screen at the va.
rious customers who came in to trade
VI OOA LCA. Auu cdA dAL0I ySdI Iucy
came to his door, the pirate and the
thief, the smuggler and the robber, and
he took his toll of them and passed
them on. Whittier? Sing Wah never
told. And because he did not tell they
came back with greater loot and rich
er booty, and he again passed then
| through his store to vanish utterly
from the haunts of men and the pur
view of the police.
| Among the many hundreds who hat
availed themselves of Sing Wah's ali
was Wilkerson, who, during dark pc
RODS Of his career, had several time
run athwart the barriers Of the Law
and been compelled to seek. refug
where he could.
Harry Wilkerson was not fool. Ii
some ways he was brilliantly endowed
He recognized Sing Wah's superiorit
to all others in the great game Of out
whiting the law. He perceived beneat]
the stolid mask the alert, active, stu
dious mind which was ever vigilant
never forgetful. always intelligent
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