Evening star., 1921-12-11

ing In some surprise, Hanecy saw at
| his elbow the man whom he had OBJ
served that morning-the man wear
! ing black cap, fur-trimmed blouse
and quilted trousers. The yellow man
bowed and then took from beneath
his blouse an object wrapped in faded
silk.
Il was directed to give this to you.
/ excellency. with greetings from an
humble and most unworthy friend
| who desires to please you"
| The speaker Immediately withdrew
and disappeared In the crowd. Hanecy.
frowning. opened the faded silk wrap
ping and disclosed-the tenth tablet!
! For an instant he was literally
dumfounded. From whom could it
] have come-and why? AS he strobe
along he could scarce credit his good
fortune.
Hanecy was nearing the south gate
when a nearly naked coolie wearing
a white head-cloth-the color o.
mourning-approache and spoke to
him. He halted and listened.
| When Jim Hanecy reached the Lo-
han bridge he found the traffic inter-
of his destinations; also ahead Of him
and occupying the center Of the
bridge were a dozen soldiers and an
officer of tho mandarin's provincial
army.
Concluding that some case Of native
jurisdiction was going forward, In
which every one crossing the bridge
was being halted and searched, or
else that some criminal was beins
sought, Jim Hanecy cafelessly strobe
ahead To his surprise, the officer in
charge stepped out in front Of him.
why are you stopping me?" de.
manded Hanecy, who was accustomed
to the Difference accorded whites, and
particularly Americans, in the Flow
cry kingdom.
.The orders are most strict, honor
able sir" returned the officer. 1--WE
ara posted here to apprehend a mur-
derer."
"Ahr Hanecy smiled. You will
know him by sight, 1 suppose p"
by search, excellency. A merchant
named Yen Ching was murdered this
afternoon. His slayer carried on
highly valuable tablet Of old Jade
and several tins of opium-which ts
~ course. contraband. We have been
/ given to understand that 1t will como
this way"
uANEcT inspected the crowd srarp
IL ly. A steely glitter came into
his eyes. He perceived that clever
trap had been set for him. and now he
saw who had set the trap.
It was Benson's doing. Of course.
Benson had sent his man to kill Yen
Ching and steal the tenth tablet. Then
in order to get Hanecy out OF the way
for good and all, he had gone into
partnership with the mandarin. The
! two were working together.
Seeing the white man hesitating,
the soldiers drew in closer. and with
them the crowd behind.
| sI am an American" said Hanecy.
Even II had committed this crime.
4 tho MauuAElu IOul0 AoS JuOAV 4AAos =
must be sent to the consul at Chung
king"
'That may be true, excellency," said
the officer. II have nothing to do
with it."
VERY we'll" Hanecy shrugged his
shoulders. Il have q revolver in q
holster. You can see by passing your
hands over me that neither the Jade
nor the opium il in my possession"
Tho officer apologised and leaned
forward.
Now, any one who knew Jim Hanecy
would have stood aghast at this. 1t
was not his way to tamely stand up
\ and be searched. It was not his way
to act on tho defensive at all. When
Hanecy declared war he usually struck
| hard and fast.
! He Redeemed little under the hu-
miliation-mors landed than rsal-ss
the oflcer patted his pockets Anger
stirred In him deeply. When the odi-