The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-22
THE PEACOCK SCREEN

nave you tell me what you think OF II
Now do come-and bring both The
daughters with you, I have an appoint
ment with them to show it to us at
noon. You see, am making it early,
because the American mail arrives in
the afternoon and I should feel dread
full to have some rich traveller from
the States take it away from me-"
As the town clock was striking the
noon hour on the following day. the
four ladies were ushered into the re-
ception room of Messrs. Takimoto &
Co. where the head OF the firm was
waiting to receive them. The screen
was placed on raised platform be-
tween two windows. where the best
light for viewing it could be obtained
and when the ladies were duly seated
the manager motioned to his two Jap
anese assistants to uncover it. 1t had
been carefully concealed beneath
heavy curtain of yellow silk. which
served not only to exclude the dust.
but also to protect the delicate handi-
work from the storing rays of the sun
The clerks stepped forward and stand
ing, one On the right side and one on
the left, proceeded to lift the curtain
with all the solemn impressiveness OF
a pair of Cathedral vergers unwilling
a masterpiece of Raphaers. They had
hardly raised it foot when the ladies
simultaneously cried out: Why.
Something has happened to it!' anc
almost in the same breath: 1T is gone
it is gone," Mr.. Takimoto rushed
forward screaming in his native
tongue: ''Osoroshii koto! Osoroshii
koto!" "a terrible thing. a terrible
thingD The two clerks were simply
paralyzed with establishment and fear.
Yes, it was most certainly gone-not
unscrewed from the frame or care
fully removed. but evidently slashed
out with very sharp knife as Euro
pean thief often cuts a valuable canvas
from the wall. 1t had been done during
the night and evidently done hastily
and with poor light. as evidenced by
the ragged edges of the silk and the
scratches made by the knife on the
lacquered frame. Yet the thief had
stopped long enough-wishing to post
pone the hour Of detection-to re-
place the curtain of yellow silk and
even to tie together again the knotted
cords and tassels that held it in place
WHO could have done such an aw-
full thing, Mr. Takimoto?" inquired the
ladies. as soon as their composure was
recovered enough for them to speak
Some robber, I suppose. who hopes
to sell it to . tourist" he answered
mo native would steal 1t for himself"
And is there no chance Of recover
ing it?"
We'll, we have an excellent police
service here. and I am sure they will
do all, they can to find it before it is
smuggled out of the Colony
You must be sure and let US know
if they get 1t. won't you? We admired
. f.S+ al faa he
Is ours as we'll as yours
Ladies. thank you! I thank you
a thousand tines!" replied the man
ager, bowling his customers to the door
with all the grace of Samurai of Old
Japan.
The case was at once reported to the
authorities and Captain Brownlow had
responded in person and gone into the
matter most thoroughly. before the in
terview at the beginning Of our chap
ter between the Japanese Consul and
the Chief Inspector.
More than a week passed by, but nu
trace Of the missing peacock. The po-
lice at all the ports from Singapore to
Tien-Tsin had been wired to and the
Japanese themselves had notified their
own officers, but it had vanished COM
pletely from sight. The firm of Taxi
/
sonal visits and letters from sympa-
thetic friends in the Colony. all OF
whom seemed to feel 1t as a direct re-
Election upon them that such a valu-
able work of art should have been
stolen from their midst Among the
callers none were more outspoken in
| their regrets than the Chinese mer-
chants Of Queens Road. many of whom
were prominent in the same line Of
business. One OF these. Mr.. Loons
Foy, Of the establishment of War
Cheng & Co. ("Myriad Perfections")
importers and exporters of curios
finally took it upon himself to presen
his plea to the Police Department IL
person He waited upon the Inspector
the following day.
Mr.. Wal-la-cee. we all too muches
shame-face this side" he began. cause
tieffee man come my store steallee fv,
tousand dollar. how fashion,"
Well. Mr.. Loong." replied the Chief
as he ordered the Office boy at once u
bring the tea and pipe for his visitor
while this is a serious loss for Mr.
Takimoto, it must be exceedingly graf
flying to him and his frienrs to knov
how high he stands in the commuait,
and how much you feel for him.
How you tinkee. Mr. Wal-la- Gee
can cathee tat tieffee man? My friend
Chinee Mandalin, talkee my no cal
savee. cause b'longee fashion stealee
| no all same Chinese fashion"
at is hard to say who took it. I
may have been a foreign sailor-the
sometimes steal curios and valuabl
native stuff and carry it on board tn
mail steamers to. sell to the passenger
: when they get out to sea-but thin
, it much more likely to have been
: native thief in league with some c
t those hotel runners"
"Spose one week more you no ca
catchee he, I tinkee velly good talke
i Mr.. Wang Foo come this side loo
; see.'
/ He certainly is a very able man i
ferreting out crime among the native:
and has helped us several times"
| ..c..-.--- 1879 at,a- .1..-