The Ely miner., 1915-09-10

stood there gazing OH at where the
| land ought to be. He had just finished
scrawling note on piece of paper
resting on the after cabin roof when
one of the men reached down and from
a small wooden cage took a struggling
white carrier pigeon. They fastened
the note, rolled up in a sort of quill, to
the birds leg and let the bird loose. II
circled up, then, straight as an arrow
darted off landward.
They'll be glad to know we're safe
and so near" nodded Gregor. And
confound any revenue men that stand
between us!"
In a room in a tenement WI Fang
and several Cinnamon were steated
talking and smoking.
Outside a nearby window was a
large box which had small sliding
door on the outside, arranged so that
it fell almost at touch, working a
little signal flag on the back of the
box toward the room in which the
Cinnamon were seated.
Suddenly there Vas a futter OF
wings outside. A pure-white pigeon
seemed to glide into the box and,
as the homing bird did SO, the door
automatically shut. 1t was cage
such as is used toe carrier pigeons.
The little flag in the room moved, and
the Cinnamon crowded about the box
as WI opened it, reached in and caught
the bird Carefully he took the mes
sage from the birds foot. AS one of
them placed the bird in another box
and reset the trap, WI unrolled the
paper and read:
Twenty-six miles southeast of Sandy
Hook. Will drop anchor off Staten
island tonight.
you will let me know if any later
message comes" directed WI to one
of his men as, moment later, the
Chinese master criminal left the tene-
ment.
Cautiously he made his way to the
secret entrance to his own apartment.
He had scarcely entered when China
man who had evidently been waiting
for him rose and bowed. 1t was Hop
Ling, the proprietor of the opium den.
rs there any news yet, master?" he
asked.
Yes, Gregor is landing your opium
tonight. I'll have a girl for him to
take back to Shanghai with him,
where she can be sold.'
Kennedy had begun to get closer on
the trail of WI and, having dispatched
me to Elaine with the wireless tele-
phone, it occurred to him that he might
spend a few hours profitably sleuthing
about Chinatown searching for clews
to the Serpent.
He donned the toughest of his old
suits and turned his coat collar up,
while an old slouch hat was pulled
over his eyes. But it was not so far
over as to dim his sight.
He paused once by an electric light
pole to watch a gangster saunter past.
Twice the fellow had walked up and
down the street
AS the gangster slouched by, he
lurched over to the electric light pole
and Kennedy felt his hand touched by
that of the gangster He was more
than surprised to feel something like
a piece of cardboard surreptitiously
showed into his hand, and he clutched
1t. The gangster passed, and, as he
did SO, Kennedy looked at him, then
bent over and read:
Capt. John Brainard,
u. S. Secret Service.
Written underneath the engraved
name was Follow"
Slowly Craig followed Brainard en-
tered saloon by side door and seat
ed himself in back room. A mo-
ment later Kennedy slouched in and
sat down at the same table. Brainard
nodded and Craig extended his hand
quietly. He looked about They were
alone
What brings you down here?" asked
Kennedy in low tone.
"A big shipment of opium is going
to be landed tonight and I'm trying to
locate the Chinese gang back of it.
Think you can help me?"
Anything to do with that hop joint
up the street,"
Brainard nodded. Would it prove a
clue possibly to WI Fang?
"Tll help you" agreed Kennedy.
For several minutes they talked, lay
ing out plan. Finally they paid the
check and rose to go out AS they
reached the side door a Chinaman
passed. Kennedy drew Brainard back.
What's the matter?" whispered the
secret service man.
Did you see that Chinaman?" re-
turned Kennedy That's Hop Ling.
He runs the opium joint. l think he
is worth shadowing."
Keeping discreetly in the rear of the
Chinaman, Kennedy and Brainard fol-
lowed until Hop paused before a ram
shackle tenement. No sooner had he
disappeared inside than Craig and
Brainard advanced, careful that they
in turn were not followed.
They entered and went upstairs. At
last they came to a door outside which
they paused to listen.
Can you make out what they are
saying?" asked Brainard
Something about birds,' returned
Craig. We've got them. There are
only two. Let's rush the door,"
Together they catapuited them