Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-29

ever III tUc luIUltuIc Oh tNe room
since that night?" he asked
now exactly where it did then"
He took his stand in the center of
the room and carefully surveyed Its
EVERY door and window has Euro
pean locks and hinges, has 1t not?
There a. are no japanese screens or slid
YES, sir, everything is absolutely
secure. and the room is locked and
bolted every night. No one but my
self holds the keys,
THAT lacquer cabinet Is almost
himself behind, Is it not?"
well, small-siZe person might
possibly ,ta3, squeeze in between it and
who cleans and dusts the room?"
"Old Deaf Lee, the coolie, is the only
servant allowed to enter here, and /
go over it after him every time"
rs this old servant really deaf%
they gave him the name" VIC 'e"S0"
please send for him."
The coolie was promptly summoned
and put through rigid examination
In his native tongue; while the two
they could from his gestures, for the
language was entirely beyond them.
That is all, gentlemen, and now
must must, ask the privilege of a few days
thought and attention that it de-
serves"
This closed the interview, and, bid
ding. them goodbye, Wang Foo saun-
walked leisurely in the direction of
the Avenue of Fragrant Waters
Reaching his home. he said to the
Venerable Grand One: II want a
any guests return upon the morrow"
1T is done as the master says" re-
piled the aged attendant, as she
carefully bolted the outer gate and
went to prepare the tea. He assembled
and when the boiling tea and fra
grant pipe appeared ne removed his
silken jacket and sat down to pom
der over what he had seen and heard.
He recalled the words of the Con-
fuciuS:
Wade the deep places,
Lift thy robe through the shadows,
and. suiting his actinos to the senti-
ment, gathered up the folds of his
flowing garments and laid him down
to mediate.
Far out in the blue waters of the
harbor the China Merchants steamer
Hal Loong, or Sea Dragon" was ly-
ing at her anchorage surrounded by
swarm of boats and sampans. Her
flag was at half-mast for she carried
wooden coffin of the Victory of the
Double Liangs, whose funeral cortege
was proceeding to his ancestral home
In PAX Hoi. huge passenger junk
was was Just approaching her sides. and
noise and confusion reigned supreme as
the soldiers on board attempted to force
passage for her to the steamer When
she finally was made fast long line of
servants and retainers clambered on the
gangway. clearing the way for two high
officers Of state who had come to pay
their respects to the great departed one.
They were Chang the Fan-Tai Cor treas
urer generaD and Woo the Tao-Tai Cor
intendant of the circuD. They were Of
equal noble rank, so, in addition to the
embroidered ceremonial robes and disks.
each wore the three-eyed peacock
feather In his hat, one with the knob of
blue crystal and the other with the knob
OF red coral. More than two hours were
taken up with the elaborate ritual pre-
scribed in the Book Of Rites and Cere-
monies, and they were escorted back to
their junk with profound bows and ex-
pressions Of gratitude on the part Of the
viceregal mourners. Once safely back
In their little cabin, they both breathed
long signs Of relief and proceed to ex-
change the uncomfortable uniforms for
the easy garments Of everyday life.
claimed Chang.
THE luckiest escape of our lives"
answered Woo.
just why 1t was called "a lucky es-
cape" will appear from the following in
cident, and thereby hangs tale.
Two nights before. while they were
bringing some baggage aboard the
junk. a careless boatman had slipped
and dropped a circular oilskin case
into the water and in spite of frantic
efforts to save 1t, 1t sank before his
eyes. 1t contained the official hats
and decorations-the most important
part of their regalia. When it be-
came known the officials were furi-
GUS. They ordered the soldiers to
seize the boatman and beat him there
and then. He fell upon his knees
and shrieked for mercy, but all his
cries were useless.
This left them in the most serious
predicament. for 1t was impossible to
obtain official decorations short of
Canton. many miles away. and to fall
to appear at the proper hour at the
viceregal ceremony would be most
serious and damaging reflection upon
them-even endangering their official
rank, should 1t reach the ears of the
court censors at Picking. The boat
mans family almost paralyzed with
fear, started to scull the sampan
back to the wharf. but not before the
deputies had taken the number of
their English license 40" and
screamed at them: Bring back that
parcel before tomorrow, or your
father dies the DEATH"
They tied the sampan to the wharf