Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-08-10


chair across the table from Kim Lee.
The stars say that thou shalt repay.
Kim Lee, and that all shall be well.
Dost believe in the stars, my friend?'
i believe" the Manchu responded.
tie also sank down in his seat, and !
saw he was breathing Quickly. as one
shaken IN his inmost being. He began
to speak rapidly in Chinese.
leaned back in my great Lakewood
chair and feeling Of absolute assur.
ance came upon me. remember that
as Child | have dreamed a bad dream
and walked to find my mother above
me, and felt strangely comforted and
safe. In way the feeling which flood.
ed my mind now was like that, and
think, too. 1t was something like that
which inspires the breast OF a soldier
in a crisis OF warfare when some be.
loved leader OF a corps or brigade
throws himself to the head of his men
and cries them forward. 1t was a feel
ing OF calm, undoubting confidence in
the success Of Semi Dual. Even The
dramatic manner OF his coming had
contributed to it.
Now, as ! listened to the voice of
Kim Lee, and the calm, quiet answers
of the strange personality who faced
him, ! recalled that Mr. Glace had told
ME that the mans father was really a
nigh caste Persian, and his mother a
Russian princess, and that his fathers
first name had been Abdul; SO that
Semi Dual was in reality the Prince
Abdul as whom he had been an.
nouneed
! had to admit that as he sat before
ne, clean shaven, clothed in the gar
ments Of the Orient, he certainly
looked the part.
And there was something else. I
recalled his entrance, the words he
had spoken, the signs, barely noticed.
which he had made, and one set of
words he had used. To Kim Lees
question he had answered, Il have
Travelled in the East"
Suddenly the meaning flooded my
mind with the light OF understandings.
l knew that those words were some
times used by members OF a world.
wide secret-order, that they consti.
tuted d sort Of sign manual of mem.
bership; were both a question and an
assurance. ! saw now why Kim Lee
had given that slight start Of recogni.
ton, and had later addressed Dual as
the master" Both the Manchu and
Dual were members of that order and
Kim Lee recognized Dual as a brother,
and one, if | were to Judge from his
words, OF a degree superior TO his own.
glanced at the two men bending to.
ward each other across the great teak
table. Dual had drawn some papers
rom his garments and spread them
out on the top. He was pointing out
various signs, which were drawn upon
heir surface, and Kim Lee was fol-
owing his words and gestures with I
ne closest attention. Suddenly, as | !
he sat back and lifted his
ACE to Dual's.
"Kismet. 1t is fate" he said for
he second time since | had entered
he room.
Dual smiled 1T is the mathemati.
,al precision of orbital motion, Kim
4ee," he returned.
Which is fate" said the other.
With the very faintest OF smiles.
Also" said Dual with meaning,
1t is the balance of the karma which
iCKabe has built"
You are an excellent collector of
<arma, friend Abdul" Kim Lee
hrugged slightly, "and your plan?"
ITO inspire overoonfidence and
trike before it is shattered" said
'emi softly.
A glance passed between the two
men. In ii sensed the subtlety of
he East. which makes the straightfor-
yard Western mind thing OF little
vail against its scheming.
"And this you will do?' the Man.
bu inquired.
BY seeming to yield, while not
ielding, by scheming to be over.
cached. while oyerreaching by pla.
ing two souls in pawn, in order to re.
eem one; by striking in two spots at
nee. while seemingly bound hand and
Dot; by watching while seemingly
lind, and hearing when no one seems
speak. DO | convey any meaning
} your mind, Kim Lee?"
Il would hazard that must supply
he ears and eyes, at least
"A good hazard" Semi assented.
Have you not several pairs TO your
and at need"
And even fifty, If you need them"
i'm Lee smiled gfimly.
Say half dozen at first" said
ual
The Manohu nodded and rose. Eek.
use me, until arrange the matter"
Q suggested, turned away and walked
another room, the door OF which
as yelled BY bit of golden tapestry.
Dual swung directly TO me-. Mr..