Evening star., 1921-01-16

the longest Chinese arm could have
reached in from outside. We measured
the distance carefully when the ladies
showed US the apartment
say about it? They're awful shrewd
at ferreting out their own native
tricks. you know. They'll see far
further into these things than even
the sharpest of us Europeans will"
Yes. and you know they have the
honor of the hotel boys guild at stake,
so that they have sort of gentle
mans agreement that they won't do
any kind of stealing from inside them
selves No. whoever the thief was,
you can be quite sure he climbed
over the wall from outside, as we
used to say at home"
And the only Europeans in the
room besides the fuckers were Col.
and Mrs. Hopkins and Lieut.. Wet
more? You are quit positive Of this?"
absolutely positive"
Well" remarked the chief as he
rose and took his cap from the wall.
you can't really suspect an American
consul of robbing his own country
men. now. can you?"
Hardly" chuckled the deputy, that
would be as bad as the old judge we
used to- read about who picked the
pocket of the prisoner in the dock as
he was a-passing up to the bench"
"Brownlow. This is a Wang Foo
i
acknowledge it the better
Right you are. sir" and they parted
the deputy to his home and the in
spector TO No. sos in the Red Cloud
alley. Hung Yuin Loo, Woo Pack
Woo Shi Woo" he cried to the lin
rickshaw coolie at the gate. Alice
light. my can savee Massiter Wang
Foo all ploper." replied the puller
tswift of foot but light Of garment) as
lie sped rapidly down Queens road to
h. tx.o
nately the famous detector of crime
was at home. and when Old Chang.
the satekeeper, drew back the wooden
bolts of the courtyard gates and
ushered the foreign visitor in the
venerable grand one hastened to an
nounce his presence and to set the
kettle boiling for the inevitable tea.
We'll, Mr.. Wang" began the in
spector, suppose it is hardly neces-
sary for me to tell you why I have
and we need your usual valuable as
sistance."
"Not the case OF Miss fuckers mir
ror. is it?'
THE same, sir, and I've come to
have a quiet talk with you and to find
suggestions, sir"
My time and service are always at
the disposal of yourself and the de-
partment. Mr.. Inspector" replied the
most courteous host, as the venerable
grand one appeared with the tea tray
and cakes. and I consider it a yery
great compliment that you have taken
the trouble to call upon me in person.
Refresh yourself. ] beg you, with a
cup of hot tea, and then we will have
quiet smoke and meditation over II
| in my private den upstairs-which is
literally somewhat nearer heaven than
this damp ground-aoor reception
| room. Lao Tai Tai'-addressing the
venerable grand one-"kwei kak
niung tsz 81 tsai pao jih tsa fax tien
shing! QFor the attendant of our hon
orable guest. let the hot tea be imme-
diately poured and the sweet things
of the heart be offeredD" The ideal
Chinese gentleman never forgets the
waiting servants of his visitors.
These. i feel quite sure, are gem
uine," continued Wang Foo. as he
drew from the drawer of an inlaid cabi-
net in the Quiet Glade of Reflection" to
which they had both ascended, a silver
! box Of tiny Manilas. "for my esteemed
young friend Lieut.. Wetmore of the
consulate brought them directly from
the factory in the Philippines. BY the
! way. he is n remarkably fine young man
quite different from many Of the con-
sular officials whom 1 have known-you
| have met him. Of course?'
''Oh. yes, sir. I've had quite a. number