Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-08-13

4. 1t lay on she table between them.
kim Lee in turn picked 1t up.
He rose and crossed to where was
sitting. He held out the tiny packet.
'Take it. Miss Foote." said he in q
voice which seemed heavy with mean
ing. Take it. and keep 1t. and guard
1t Us you have guarded your virtue.
Conceal it in place Of safety about
you. and, use il only should your life
appear TO be in actual danger. Few
women have been so honored. Be dis.
Greet in its use"
! wanted to ask him what ii was,
but something held my tongue. Ire
membered that Mr.. Dual had said !
must act bfndly. took the packet he
extended and laid 1t in my lap. Then
took off my hat and loosed my hair
have heavy hair, thank goodness,
and gave thanks for it then loos-
ened braid and laid the paper and
the ring within II, and braided 1t up
again while the two men watched.
Then ! cooled up my hair and pinned
II. and turned the back of my head to
their view.
Does it show" | inquired.
mot at ALL" said Semi Dual
"a woman of wit" said Kim Lee.
And OF purpose" Semi added For
three years she trailed this man
Reich, of whom she told you
"You choose your tools as mas
ter builder" the Manchu responded.
Good tools assure good ends"
Dual smiled. III properly used.
Kim Lee"
He rose, and in turn came over and
faced me His hand, thrust into the
breast OF his robes, came forth and
brought an ugly little automatic pistol
into view. He handed it TO me-
"Lucile, my child" he announced,
1.-THE hour is at hand for you to act.
Take this and carry it with you Hide
it where you may keep 1t under any
ordinary search. Use 1t only in, case
it is final resort. give it TO you
only to give you sense OF safety
that you may feel prepared.
What you are to do may not tell
you fully; you must act on trust :
me. But this much ! shall say In
to assure your success. You .eave
here and go into the street. when you
get there act as one distressed. Let
your face, your walk, your figure it.
self, express failure In your mission.
Walk slowly along the street in any
direction your fancy takes you. AT
the same time seem to be watching
seeking--trying to find some leading,
which you almost despair Of finding.
Lucille, are you brave enough, are
you strong enough. to do this thing
and not falter?"
rose and stood before him, and
looked up to his face. Yes" l de-
claied, and put out my hand, Give
me the gun"
In that moment | had made up my
mind to follow his directions and meet
whatever might come with faith in
his ultimate success. But | did not
accept on impulse. had seen enough,
heard enough, to realize that was be-
ing deliberately sent out on danger
Gus mission. Just what or where did
not know.
Right now there seemed to be little
where But l saw that the men
who sent me had taken what seemed
like great precautions to insure my
safety and success. and did not hest
tate in my mood Of the moment to
trust life itself in the hands OF Dual.
He smiled felt the cool metal Of
the weapon in my palm. You are
brave, Lucille" he said gently. "Con'
tinue to be brave
was wearing a dress with low
throat turned away from Dual and
Kim Lee, opened the neck still farther
and thrust the little automatic down
inside my waist. My experience. with
the police had shown me that 1t was a
place where cursory search would
miss it. had known money and
Jewels to be so concealed by female
thieves.
In moment turned back and
! picked up my hat Il am ready" l
announced.
Venus and Mercury draw to con
junction." said Semi to Kim Lee. He
took me by the hand and led me to
the door which gave into the little re.
ception closet. you 90 to the des-
tiny OF woman" he whispered, and set
the door ajar.
| passed out. In the closet itself !
found the grim.faced Ratchet man
still waiting. sitting silent, his arms
folded on his breast He neitherElook.
ed up nor glanced In my direction. !
opened the outer door and let myself
through.
Down stairs I looked at my watch.
II was almost three o'clock.