The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-01-04
THE BAMBOO IDOL

boys had black eyes and other tokens
of scrimmage. And now in comes old
Goldman, the bill broker, and asks me
what was going on last night out on
the Bubbling Well Road. for both his
boys are laid up and. for all I know,
perhaps dozen others. and yet no one
of US can find out blessed thing about
it. There evidently was a big row
somewhere. but where or how, or why
nobody knows
That's very strange, Sir. for no re-
port has come in to US. I'll go right
back and have every officer on night
duty examined. But, first. would you
mind my calling in the boy and asking
him a question or two?'
Certainly not: I'll ring for him"
The number-one boy came promptly.
Where was that fight last night ?"
asked the Inspector, very pointedly.
My no savee," was the only reply.
Call number two boy said the
Consul.
Where was that fight last night.
and who gave You that eye?"
my no savee." was the only salts
faction he received. though the ques-
ton was repeated several times.
After other Intellectual attempts to
get any 1nIOI1ndtlOn OuI Oh tie 6tOASdA
servants. the Inspector rose and said:
You see, Sir, how absolutely frnpos-
sible it is to get anything out Of them:
you might just as well address your
questions to a stone wall. I'll go back
to the office and get the native detec-
tives on this thing at once
Every Chinese and every SEEK police
man on night duty IN the Settlement
appeared before the Chief during the
next twenty -four hours and was close
ly questioned as to the scrimmage in
which, up to the latest report from
outside. over thirty servants in foreign
employ had been badly injured. The
only answer was that not sign OF any
disturbance had come to their notice!
The Inspector was non-p lussed and
sent for Morehead.
Call Detective Chang and have him
go into this thing thoroughly" said the
Inspector. Tell him to use all his ma
tive tricks and ferret this thing out.
There's been a big fight here. right
under our very nose-for these chaps
couldn't get far away-and the whole
department is responsible for it Now
don't leave a stone unturned."
The willy and skillful Chang and his
assistants had the case committed TO
their charge. but after a weeks care
full investigation, they were obliged to
report, in the brief but significant
phase Of the house-boys, MY no
savee" The mystery simply deepened
day by day.
do you man to tell me that your
entire force isn't able to locate this
AFFAIR."" asked the Consul Of the In
spector, after the latter had reported
to him their somewhat ignominious
failure.
We've done the best we could. Sir.
but their lips are sealed like the tonbs
Of Egypt. They'll die before they'll let
out word. You see, II it had been in
the native city. we might get at some
thing by torture, but that's agin the
law In the British Settlement Time Is
the only thing Sir; IL we wait long
enough, some one Of them will be sure
to leak it out, but" here he paused
for a rnomnt-'1t may be months, per-
haps years"
We'll, Gubbins. we may as well con-
fess it, we're pretty helpless. Aren't
WEI"
ct am sorry to say 1t looks that way.
Mr.. Walpole."
Have you thought Of getting that
clever chap up from Hong Kong7 File
might get at It as an outsider. you
know"
You mean Wang Foo. the Mys-
terious?"
Yes, I think that's his name. The
one who recovered Lady Evington's
jewels in the famous robbery case.
Why not send for him-on the quin.,
of course-and let him get to work at
it, without any Suspicion
There's no harm in trying, Sir"
Av.A ,fa T. naIr lat IN n -
Foo babe adieu to the Venerable
Grand One at his humble home in tho
Red. Cloud Alley. and directed his
faithful coolie to carry his pig-skin
trunk aboard the English mail-boat.
lying at anchor in the harbor OF Hong
Kong, the Fragrant Waters"
Not far from the side gate 20 the
European cemetery, on the outer edge
Of the foreign Settlement at Shanghai.
is a pathway that winds through a
grove Of clustering batnboos and briggs
one to the Temple of the Foo Chow
Guild. 1t is a fayorite resort Of the
Fukinese residents Of the port. but a
white man rarely visits it. for the path
is rough and winds by the side Of a
Shiny creek whose waters give forth
most offensive odors. Passing through
series of brick whitewashed arch
which seems old and dfiapidated and
has nothing of architectural beauty 20
kattract q visitor. On either side of the
icourt-yard are rooms containing the
teofins of those who have died in
Shanghai and who are awaiting event.
! ual transportation back to the FOO
Tor Happy Province. where their
bones will rest in peace by the side of
those CT their ancestors. Two old
priests ard q handful of lazy coolies
comprise tiso living outfit. Twice a
year, however, the place Is q scene Of
lively ceremonies: in August on the
Feast Of the Returning Souls and in
March, on the birthday OF tho Queen
Of Hades, when the venerable idol OF
bamboo which stands in the centre Is
exhibited to the admiring and adoring
crowds. It is curious old relic. this
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