Charlevoix county herald., 1918-12-20

resistance. At least I had learned a
little. They were in ignorance yet as
to Dual's actions and Colonel Sheldon
had evidently made a trip to China
town.
little chuckle OF delight at this
proof of their lack of knowledge we'll
ed up in my throat and died without
a 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 a time it appeared that a door
was opened and we entered 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, I fan
cied, must be the one referred to as
the chief. addressed the one who had
brought me:
"Have you searched her, Singf Is
she armed?"
Il do" grunted my guide. felt
his hands sweep over my body, press
ing and patting, drop to my hips and
the edge of my skirt, lift the latter,
and examine the tops of my shoes.
mo fin" he announced at the end.
"Ungag her." the newcomer direct
cd.
The strings at the back Of my neck
were loosened and the gag dragged
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 were
still in my possession. l settled my
self more comfortably in the chair, SO
as TO ease my bound wrists, and wait
ed.
And so your mission proved fail.
ure, Miss Foote," said the voice of the
man who had entered.
held to my resolution TO meet him
boldly. did it?" returned.
$50 it appears" said he.
ut may to you," / responded quick
ly. IF you'd have your servant re-
move this strangling cloth, might be
able to view the matter better"
He chuckled. Kept your nerve.
en?" he remarked. Good! Well
,,oJ ,...@ba o;ro,ro,t,3oae 7 faoox, - oar
be arranged. rather liked your looks
the only timeI saw you. Just a min
ute.
There was a pause; then hands fun
bled at the cloth and dragged it of.
looked about me.
sat in well-furnished room, light
ed by great opalescent globe above
central desk. About tie walls Of the
apartment were chests Of drawers and
filing cabinets. A typewriter stood on
a special table, and behind it was the
door of vault with a 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. 1t was that of a good
sized Chinaman and fancied it was
the man called Sing.
football came from behind me,
and tall man, slender, 1.-the, with
iron-gray hair. brushed straight back
from a high narrow brow, came
around to the desk and sank into a
swivel chair beside it. He had drawn
a white silk kerchief about the lower
part of his face and above IL pair of
greenish yellow eyes peered directly
at me.
He was Immediately dressed, even
to pallid tuberose, which lay on his
coats lapel and at which he now and
then shifted, inhaling its heavy per-
fume 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 l expected" re-
piled.
Enough quibbling!" he snapped
sharply. II have been at some pains
to gain your presence. Now I want
answers to my questions. not evasions.
What did you seek to accomplish in
that store today?"
II was after information" told
him as quietly as l knew how.
did you get it?" He leaned for
ward and shot it at me.
! shook my head
Continued Next Week.