The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-08-09

Cun1SnaWs Is II W ELL suppose Ihcy We
q hard Job to get him here, so give
them two Mexicans for the four Of
them and tell them to keep quiet. !
suppose 1t would be beneath the dignity
Of the official to accept anything.
wouldn't IT."
"Oh, yes, sir, he couldn't take any
thing openly before the coolies. but III
just slip a five-dollar note into his
sleeve while they're looking the other
way. sir. and that win make it all right
with the dignity. He'll save his face
and the money at the same time"
well, what are the beggars saying
now? For goodness sakei They don't
want more, do they2"
-"Oh, no, sir. they are just expressing
their thanks to you. that's ALL.
What's this Yang something they're
always saying7"
why, that's Ocean Mandarin sir,
their politest title for you ALL"
Ocean Mandarin Do they take Us
for admirals or navy men OF any kindf"
Not at all, sir; the word Ocean
simply means foreign and applies to
anyone who comes from across the seas
20 China; and. not knowing your exact
rank. they simply say mandarin and
that covers II all
The native officer drew from HIS belt
a bunch of curious brass keys and lift
ing the double curtains called to two
OF his assistants to help him unlock the
prisoner. He started back and throw
ing up both his hands wildly into the
air shrieked out, He has escaped"
Sure enough, he was gone--chains,
hand cuRs. pad-locks, and all. But ne
had left something very significant be-
hind him; something gruesome and tale
telling that would add a CHASTITY interest
to the mystery Of his going.
Whats this7" cried Brownlow, as
reaching inside he tried to draw forth
from the back Of the chair a bloody
knife that had been plunyed-evidently
with great force-right through the
cushion into the wood behind. He
worked It loose and holding it up to the
astonished gaze OF his deputies saw that
it was-not a dagger such as the old
warriors carried-but a common sharp
pointed carving knife such as is used
by the ordinary Chinese cook in the
kitchen.
lis this murder or is this threat
and a warning?"
Both, I reckon" said Macintosh,
but what's that piece Of paper sticking
to it?"
The Captain drew from the blade a
piece Of yellow paper with Chinese
symbols upon 1t. He was about to ask
the interpreter to read 1t when he sud
denly changed his mind and folding Il
carefully It carefully up placed it in his
wallet and added significantly: There's
just one pair OF Chinese eyes that's
going to look at that for me. and wane
Foo's the man that owns them. Here /!
Wrap this knife carefully up in your
handkerchief and take It back with you
to Headquarters" he said. as he handed
the weapon to his deputy, "and mind
you don't lose those cash that are tied
around the handle. see?"
The Captain entered the sedan and
striking a match looked around very
carefully for any further signs Of the
prisoner or OF bloody legacies that he
might have left behind. but there wal
nothing whatever to be seen; every
thing inside seemed to be in perfect
order. He stepped out again and or.
dered the deputies Immediately to place
the four chair-bearers and the of1ceI
under arrest. as they were on British
soil and would DO needed as witnesse:
If not as important accessories to tn,
crime. Alasi He 1cds just too late
They, also. had vanished like the mys-
FERROUS occupant OF the chair. The mo.
ment they realized what had happened
each one fed in a different direction
, ''7Tun0-S Ndn1-Pok" EAST West South.
North. they screamed. and to these
various points OF the celestial compass.
: they scampered. throwing away theil
ofacial hats and Jackets as they did so
J for they knew only too well that tn,
sword Of the executioner would be await
Ing them II they were caught. TIL
tail OF the Monaghan pony was tn,
: only thing left in sight as he disap
Q peared over the bridge of the Silve
{ Cloud with his rider. who likewise bad
J. \ very unceremonious farewell to Hi
0 Britannia MaJesty's dominions
We'll" remarked the PHILOSOPHERS
. Macintosh. Mr.. Ling Took has Ger
e tainly been took. and all that's lef
n for US now Is to ind out who did tn
taking. suppose, Captain. we'd bette
lug this sedan with US back to Head
o quarters"
by all means It viii form an impor
tant link in the evidence-that is, II W
y ever get any evidence"
= Four wharf coolies were quickly hire
y and the green sedan was carried o
Il board the Hong Kong ferry-boat, fol
=. lowed by the police party who were re
o turning rather crestfallen minus the
d expected prisoner. but guarding yer
% carefully two rather important memer
n toes Of him, namely: the magistrate
% Official transfer and the blood-staine
kitchen knife with its mysterious sill