Evening star., 1922-01-22

The young Chinaman made weary
gesture. Because / was hoping to
marry Miss Using in two months"
TOPTIT stared. AS though scroll
were unfolded before him. he saw
why this astute young man had told
him of the wonderful screen. why he
had been brought here to Fuchow.
and why
"Your friend Crayton is in town.
said the yellow man abruptly.
"The devil! See here. do you know
where the girl-Miss Tsing-is held
prisoner"
The other nodded slowly.
"Then." exploded Toptit angrily,
"why don't you go get her? What
kind of a lover are your
His friend smiled sadly
Don't you see, old man? If I did
that the Japanese would say that we
were rioting in their quarter. would
assess tremendous damages against
the province. would make our country
give them new concessions! Oh. you
ought to know how the game is
played, Toptit! You're no fool. I am
a Chinaman. and if I raise my hand
against a Jap to defend my life or
my honor-there's hell to pay for
my country. 1 am son of Han
that's ALL"
There was a frightful dependency
in his words.
Damn itr said Toptit, and rose to
his feet. His pipe was showed into
his pocket. where is that girl held
prisoner"
The other smiled bitterly. Don't
try it. If you were an Englishman,
you might get away with anything,
but you're an American. Everybody
knows that Americans can be killed
with impunity. Everybody knows that
nothing would be done except per-
haps a presidential note or two"
you be darned!" said Toptit calmly.
where's that girl. say F"
The other told him.
The river Min Kiang divides old
Fuchow from the foreign settlement
Toptit sent his 'rikisha down the long
fishmongers' street that leads to the
bridge, then alighted and dismissed it.
His long-legged figure strobe leisurely
across the great stone bridge. and be-
fore him was the foreign settlement
Toptit did not go on the club on the
hill, nor did he turn to the right to-
ward the consulates. Instead. he
turned to the left and entered the
crowded business quarter. Though
there are no distinct groupings of for
eigners in Fuchow, the Japanese
largely predominant south Of the Gus
tom house. With them, too, congre-
gate many natives who are japanese
subjects-and hence immune to Chi
nese law. In China it is very handy
to be Japanese subject.
Toptit walked along with a note
book in one hand and a pencil in the
other. He was quite oblivious to the
sneering laughter that greeted the
sight of a white man actually walk
ing. He appeared to be in no hurry,
He would scribble a word or two
glance at the street around, and con-
tinue his course. He appeared dreamy
absorbed.
AS a matter of fact, he was much
pleased with what he was writing.
Its not bad conceit,' he mur.
INJURED. "Old Chang Now sitting with
his paint pots and scroll of silk, and
the syce standing chewing a straw
with one foot propped up on tree
root, and the artist listening to q
lecture on how he ought TO paint
Hell! This must be the place, eh;
Confound that Craytonw
He abruptly closed his notebook and
showed it into his pocket.
He had left the Yamato Kwan be.
hind. Just ahead Of him was a fairly
respectable house-respectable on tht
outside, at 1east-with its door sign In
Japanese characters announcing it tc
be mere rooming house. Topt,,
gave it one sharp glance, then locke
at something else.
He was quite aware that an instan,
Of hesitation would prove fatal. HI
knew that eyes were unobtrusively
upon him. A look, a gesture. woull
spoil everything.