Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-08-15

There was change Of hands on my
arm, ! heard two pairs of feet retreat
and then a more talonlike grip was
urging ME forward I went withou,
resistance At least had learned a
little. They were in ignorance yet as
to Dual's actions and Colonel Sheldon
had evidently made trip to China
town.
A little chuckle OF delight al this
prsof et their lack of knowledge we'll
Ell up in my throat and died without
4 sound walked forward as fast as
my guide could lead me
We twisted and turned and after a
while we paused once more. heard
the sound OF knuckles on wood. and
after q time il appeared that door
was opened and we entered a carpeted
room, to judge by the feel of the sur.
face beneath my feet.
The one who led me pushed me into
. char and spoke to some one else.
We waited. There was no sound
whatever. could hear the faint
breathing OF the man who stood above
me. Then door closed and footsteps
came nearer. Some one. who, fan.
cied, must be the one referred to as
the chief. addressed the one who had
brought me:
Have you searched her Sim? i
she armed?"
Y do" gruntcd my guide. felt
ms hands sweep over my body. press.
ing and patting, drop to my hips and
the edge Of my skirt. lift the latter,
end examine The tops Of my shoes.
mo fin" he announced at the end.
"unsas her. the newcomer direct.
ed
The strings at the back of my neck
were loosened and the gag dra ggec
out OF my jaws. CLOSED them with a
very marked relief Things were not
going so badly. | had been searched,
and the weapon and the package we're
still in my possession settled my.
self more comfortably in the chair. so
as to ease my bound wrists, and wait.
ed.
And so your mission proved a fail.
ure, Miss Footc," said The voice of the
man who had entered
held TO my resolution to meet him
boldly. Did IT." returned,
so il appears said he
III may TO you responded quick.
~, III you'd have your servant 70.
move this stfangiing cloth, might he
able to view the matter better"
He chuckled kept your nerve,
eh?' he remarked. Good! Well
under the circumstances fancy il can
be arranged rather liked your looks
the only time saw YOU. Just miu.
uts. 1
There was 4 pause. then hands FUN.
Med al the cloth and dragged it off. /
looked about me.
sIsat in wpllfulnished room, light
cd by great opalescent globe above n
central desk. About he walls of the
apartment were CHESTS Of drawers and
filing cabinets. A typewriter stood on
special table, and behind it was the
door OF vault with combination
knob. Save that there were no win
dows, | might have been In a modern
office.
In a chair against one wall figure
SAT huddled II was that Of a good
sized Chinaman and | fancied it was
the man called Sing,
A football came from behind me,
and tall man, slender, 1.-the. with
iron gray hair. brushed straight back
from high narrow brow, came
around to the desk and sank into a
swivel chair beside IT, He had drawn
white silk kerchief about the lower
part of his face and above IT a pair Of
greenish yellow eyes peered directly
at me.
He was Immediately dressed even
to 4 psllid tuberose, which lay on hts
coat lapel and at which be now and
then shifted, inhaling It's heavy per.
funs He sank down and lay back in
his chair, which tilted beneath him.
And how does the situation appear
to you now" he inquired
mot exactly what expected" re.
Piled.
Enough quibbling!" he snapped
sharply. Il have been at some pains
TO gain your presence. Now want
answers to my questions not evasions
What did you seek 10 accomplish in
that store today"
r,sI,waA altar information" I told
him AZ quietly AZ l knew how.