Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-08-12

ioci heithei ledi uoi ulPiisc al "Hoe
it may be-"
Il will do anything anything with
in my power to help save Mr.. Nc
Kabe." told him quickly. At that mo-
ment felt buoyed, uplifted, unafraid.
Spoken like true woman" said
he. You will be Of great service ere
long. For a vital reason cannot tell
YOU more at present. In sense /
must ask you to blindly obey
He made almost question out Of
the last phrase. by inflectiop. raised
my eyes and looked into his once
more. Il will obey any order you give
me-" promised. Il will be like one of
Kim Lees coolies. shall do what
you say without question
Child" said he very softly, lin that
way give you my promise; the stars
themselves shall lead you to your
hearts desire"
And what is my hearts desire?"
asked on impulse.
"The life and freedom of the man
you love- said Dual
Again the blood mounted to my
face. The assurance with which he
spoke was disconcerting to say the
least Dual smiled softly at my oonfu
sion. Peace. You are the chief in
strument of his saving. Remember
my words and be strong"
Kim Lee came back, followed by a
servant with tray. This he placed on
a small table and carried to my side. 1t
was a luncheon Of cold meats, a salad,
some cakes. and pot of tea.
The servant bowed and retired back
ward out Of the room. | turned to the
food and ate, and found was hungry.
l think it was Semi Dual's assurance
which allowed my appetite to assert it.
self, for up to then had not felt any
conscious need of food.
While ate there came the sound OF
feet in the little reception closet. A
rap fell on the door Kim Lee spoke
shortly and | glanced up to see the
door open and admit six men. They
were Cinnamon. such as we associate
with the word in this country.
Seen together there was little in
common between them and the man
who sat at the teakwood table. They
were flat faced. flat nosed. slant eyed.
clad in nondescript apparel For the
most part they were Of small stature
aud thin boned Only the last Of all
was large. big framed with a stronger
cast of feature than the others.
They came in and bowed low before
Kim Lee, who sat impassive at the ia
BILE until one and all they stood before
him. awaiting his pleasure.
These | knew were the men he had
sent for his retainers. if one might
call them by such a name. They were
the men who bowed to his word in all
things. went where he told them, and
did what he said and looked to him for
protection in their acts.
Kim Lees men. Seen on the street
no one would have thought them other
than the many Cinnamon who throng.
cd the district. There was nothing
about them of distinction. Only here
in this room they bowed themselves
to the floor and stood in silence wait
ing the word of command from the oae
who had called them. There was some
thing almost sinister about it to me.
Suddenly it came over me that these
men would go out from this room ana
rob and kill or kidnap with the same
unquestioning calm with which they
stood waiting-because the overload
had so directed.
Kim Lee waved his hand to their lit
tie group. Here, Abdul are your
ears and eyes," said he.
Dual swept them With a slow glance,
before which they ducked their faces.
half minded to bow to him also.
"They will suffice for the present."
he accepted And the larger man,
Kim Lee, is he tit at the need to seize
another and still his outcry before it IL
uttered"
He Is veteran of wars" said
Kim Lee. HE is one Of my tong"
! repressed shudder. | knew the
half spoken meaning of those words.
looked into the sinister face of the
big man who stood silent beneath the
scrutiny of his master and Dual. 1t
was cruel face in every line Of its
features, even down to its little snaky
eyes, and the thin, pallid lips which
lay together in an almost colorless
line.
This ! felt sure was one of the
Ratchet men of the tomas; one of those
paid mercenares OF the Chinese who
STAY by order in the most cowardly of
fashions. They live on the Quarrels
Of the various societies of their race.
and live by taking life for a price In
that light terrible sort of humor
seemed to lie In the question of Semi
Dual