Charlevoix county herald., 1918-12-20


and cast ii on the table between Dual
and himself.
"Will that do, Abdul" he ques-
toned in English. ITO one who
knows ii means no little. as you may
observe"
Dual lifted the bauble and inspected
it closely. He laid it down and nod
ded. yet it should be certified be-
yond doubt, Kim Lee-say bit OF
writing"
Kim Lee pondered moment. His
eyes lifted from the ring to the calm
face before him, and / thought some
thing like admiration was lurking in
their brown, black depths. Without a
word of spoken reply he opened a
drawer in the table. took out paper, a
cake of India ink, and pencil-brush.
Moistening the latter in a glass OF
water, which he poured from carafe,
he took long slip of paper and began
marking a column of ideographs down
it's length. At the end he lifted it and
waved it to dry it of moisture, reached
out his arm. and laid 1t face up before
Dual.
Semi read it, or seemed to read 1T,
bowed a grave acceptance, picked up
the ring, and wrapped the paper about
II. 1t lay on the table between them.
Kim Lee in turn picked it up.
He rose and crossed TO where ! was
sitting. He held out the tiny packet.
Take it, Miss Foote," said he in a
voice which seemed heavy with mean
ing. Take it, and keep it, and guard
it as you have guarded your virtue.
Conceal it in a place OF safety about
you, and use ii only should your life
appear to be in actual danger. Few
women have been so honored. Be dis
Greet in its use."
l wanted to ask him what it was,
but something held my tongue. re-
membered that Mr.. Dual had said
must act blindly. took the packet he
extended and laid it 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 a braid and laid the paper and
the ring within it, and braided ii up
again while the two men watched.
Then / coiled up my hair and pinned
il, and turned the back of my head to
their view.
Does it show?" l inquired.
"Not 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 a mas
ter builder" the Manchu responded.
Good tools assure good ends"
Dual smiled. IF 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.
Lucille, my child" he announced,
"the hour is at hand for you to act.
Take this and carry it with you. Hide
it where you may keep it under any
ordinary search. Use it only in case
it is final resort. l 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 OF
me. But this much shall say in order
to assure your success. You will leave
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?"
l rose and stood before him, and
looked up to his face. yes" de-
clared, and put out my hand. Give
me the gum"
In that moment l had made up my
mind to follow his directions and meet
whatever might come with faith in
his ultimate success. But l 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 / 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. l felt the cool metal OF
the weapon in my palm. you are
brave, Lucille" he said gently. Con
tinue to be brave"
l was wearing a dress with low
throat. l 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 it was
place where a cursory search would
miss 1t. l had known money and
jewels to be so concealed by female
thieves.
In a moment / turned back and
picked up my hat. Il am ready"
announced