The Climax-Madisonian. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1914-1917, 1915-04-28

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son. No one shall interfere with our
affairs. Follow them!"
Elaine and Mary had gone down
town, talking neutrality-suspicious.
down the avenue toward Mrs. Riving-
toms apartment.
Meanwhile, Wong Sin, still in his
Chinese costume, was explaining to
another male servant just what he
wished done, pointing out the dagger
on the wall and placing the bladder
under his jacket A box of opium
was on the table, and he was CIV
ing most explicit directions. 1t was
into such a web that Elaine was be-
ing unwittinly led by Mary.
Entering the hallway of the apart
ment, Mary rang the BELL.
The servant opened theS door and
Elaine and Mary entered. HE closed
the door and almost before they knew
it was gone into the back room.
Elaine gazed about 1t in trepdiation.
But before she could say anything,
Mary, with a great show OF surprise.
exclaimed. "Why, I must have made
a mistake. This isn't Mrs. Riving-
toms apartment. How stupid OF me-"
They looked at each other a mo-
ment. Then each laughed. nervously,
as together they started to go out Of
the door. 1t was locked!
Quickly they ran to another door.
It was locked also.
Just then the Chinaman entered and
stood moment gazing at them. They
turned and Elaine recoiled from him.
Wong bowed.
ooh, sir" cried Mary, we've made a
mistake. Can't you tell US how to
get out?"
mo speke Englis," he said, Gid
ing out again from the room and
closing the door.
Elaine and Mary looked about in
despair.
What shall we do?" asked Elaine.
Mary said nothing, but with hasty
glance discovered on the wall the
knife which Wong had already told
her about. She took It from its scab-
bard. AS she did SO the Chinaman re.
turned with tray on which were queer
drinks and glasses.
At the sight of Mary with the knife
he scowled blackly, laid down the
tray, and took few steps in her d.
rection. She brandished the knife
threateningly; then, as If her nerve
failed her. tainted. letting the knife
fall carefully on the floor SO that II
struck on the handle, and not on the
blade.
Wong quickly caught her as she
tainted and carrying her out of the
room, banged shut the door. Elaine
followed in a moment, Loyalty to pro
tect her supposed friend, but found
that the door had q snap lock on the
other side.
She looked about wildly. and in {
moment Wong reappeared. AS he ad
| yanced slowly and insinuatingly, sht
drew back, pleading. But her words
fell on seemingly deaf ears.
She had picked up the knife which
Mary had dropped, and when at las
Wong Unanswered to get her corneret
and was about to seize her, she nervet
herself up and stabbed at him reso
| lutely.
Wong staggered back-and fell.
AS he did so, he pressed tn
bladder which he had already place.
under his coat A dark red fluid
like blood, oozed out all over him an
ran in pool on the floor.
Elaine, too horror-stricken at wha
had happened even to scream. droppe
the knife and bent over him. He di
not move. She rose quickly and "a!
through the now open door. AS sh
did SO, Wong seemed suddenly to com
to life. He raised himself and locke
after her, then with a subtle smil
sank back into his former assume
posture on the floor.
When Elaine reached the other ROOF
she found Mary there with the Oh
nese servant who was giving her
glass of water. At the sight of he
the servant paused. then withdrew IL
to another room farther back. Mar,
now apparently recovering from he
faintness, smiled wanly at Elaine.
Its all right" she murmured. III
is a Chinese prince who thought W
were callers"
At the reassuring nod of Mary t.
ward the front room, Elaine was owe
come.
IL killed himi" she managed t
gasp.
"What?" cried Mary, starting up an
trembling violently. you kille
; him"
i "Yes," sobbed Elaine. HE came
me-had the knife-I struck {
him."
The two girls ran into the oths
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