The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-01

after an interview with His Excellen-
cy received his assurance that no
harm would be done to the prisoner.
but that he was obliged to hold him in
confinement until every effort had
been made to secure the person of
Scotty.
Two full weeks passed by but not a
trace of the criminal could be found.
The Tao-tai then sent a despatch to
the Consul telling him that the town
was in such state of excitement that
unless Scottv turned IN within six
days. he would be obliged to apply the
torture in order to secure a confession
from the compradore and thus appease
the people.
Good gracious" said Watsford, isn't
there any human way of catching the
villain and saving his poor innocent
father from those Internal demons -?
Why, II they once get at him they'll
kill him. sure as fate"
II have been thinking over It a good
DEAL" answered the Consul, ''and ]
have decided to wire to the Governor
at Hong Kong for Wang Foo"
And who is this Wang Foo?"
The most remarkable man in the
Colony. They call him the .Mysteri-
ous.' He is a Chinese gentleman of
means who gives his whole time and
attention to ferretting out criminals,
and seems to succeed when all others
fail. His record as a detective among
his own people is certainly wonder
full"
Wire for him at once. Tell them to
send him On the very first ship and
look to me to foot the bills"
The man of mystery arrived on the
appointed date and after his usual
very careful and painstaking enquiries.
together with private examinations of
all the parties interested, proceeded to
his interview with His Excellency. the
Tao-tai He was most courteously re-
ceived and after the preliminary tea
drinking, requested that all the at
tendants be retired and that the doors
to the private apartment be securely
closed and locked. The Tao-tai reluc-
family granted his request. They sat
down facing each other upon the
and took up the to-
baccopipes. Wang lighted the paper
fuse and. looking his companion
straight in the face. made with it GER
appeared confused. Wang continued
Lie AiOlloAS anu Will Tie SIIlOh6 Oul-
lined two ancient Chinese hieroglyhics.
"Shoong-Hwai," exclaimed the start
led official as he rose. THE Brother
hood"
The same" answered Wang. as he
calmly replaced the fuse in the holder.
You have not forgotten me, then
You remember the case at Long Chow
and how I saved you from official dis
grace? The time has come. now. for
you to return that favor"
What favor do you ask?''
1.-THE relief and justification OF
Hoo San-Lok.'
But suppose I do not grant it?
What them"
Wang leaned forward and. gripping
the officials hand, held it like a wise.
IF you do not, the official promo
ton to Provincial Judge which you
the expecting in fortinght's time will
mysteriously fall through. Do you
understand"
But how can satisfy the peoples
demands? They know that a crime
Of the most heinous nature has been
committed and the heads of all
the clans and guilds in town are clam
oring at my gates for torture and for
trial. If I refuse to crafty them. 1 am
a ruined man. How can I break the
laws and traditions of the empire?"
'Listeni" said Wang. still gripping
the Tao-tai's hand. rs it not written
in the nalects. The superior man ad-
iusteth the punishment to the crime :?
You know he is Observation-Disclosures
innocent-you also know as well as /
that there are ways of going through
these forms without injury to the vic
tim? FAX Ching, fax hing'-'punish
lightly you know how. See that 1t
is done! I demand it in the name OF
the Brotherhood! FAREWELL
The following morning Wang Foo
the Detective met Mr. Arthur Watts
ford by special appointment in his pri-
vate office and. after pledging him to
secrecy as absolutely essential to the
release of the compradore, addressed
him in these words:
Mr. Watsford, what am about to
say to you will probably astonish you,
but you have lived long enough in
astonishing things here than any Euro
pean has ever dreamed Of want
you to leave this case absolutely in
my hands and I guarantee that the
prisoner will return to you on the
thirtieth of the month. without a trace
of his unfortunate experiences. thor
oughly well and sound and able to
resume his duties. He will come back
to you with the respect of the Chinese
community, completely vindicated of
any charge of completely in the crime
Of his son, but in the meantime he
must pass through the ordeal which
the traditions and beliefs of my people
insist on. Do you trust me-"
Mr.. Wang. I do so. perfectly
Then telegraph at once to the firm