Evening star., 1922-01-22

Rold-red paint has been lost for two
centuries"
ITS the most beautiful red I ever
saw in my life" said Toptit sincerely.
That dusky gold running through it
is magnificent! j suppose it is very
valuable?"
"A Japanese millionaire has offered
me ten thousand yen for it," said
Wing.
"Ah! 1t is worth double that. I'm
fortunately, don't suppose any ordi-
nary dealer could offer more than a
thousand dollars"
Wing understood this bid perfectly,
and smiled his bland smile.
Il would not sell that screen to any
Nippon man for a million yen." he
said. For a brief instant his lips
clenched into thin. cruel smile. One
gathered that he did not like the
Japanese Il have been informed that
this screen was going to Japan in
spite Of me-"
This sounded like Crayton, who
acted for a number Of millionaire
clients in Japan. where almost any
price will be paid for Chinese works
of art that are rars and authentic.
"The Nagasaki Herald refused to
publish some Of my verses" said Top
tit refiectively. Ever since 1 have
been prejudiced ag 4inst Japan. Well,
this screen is wonderful! I can imag-
inc old Chang Now sitting on a bridge
and sketching this sceneyhe old
syce propping one foot on a. gnarled
root and delivering his Samuel Weller
philosophy. and the horse doing
nearby"
X X X y
THE mandarin smiled, and presently
the subject was changed to the
bolshevism running rife in the north
ern provinces. Art was not again
mentioned that evening.
Upon the following morning. Toptit
went into the city. He had attended
one Of the great American universi-
ties to which had some also certain
alert young Chinese under the Boxer
indemnity provision. and one of these
yellow men lived in Fuchow. He was
fraternity brother Of Toptit. You
will observe that Toptit exercised
some sagacity in business affairs.
Directing his 'rikisha to the South
Gate road. in the native city. Toptit
a1ighted and entered a wholesale es-
tablishment where cottons and silks
were sold. He inquired for the pro-
prietor and was ushered to an up
stairs Office. where he was presently
shaking hands with a spectacled and
delighted young Chinaman.
Il got your letter." said Toptit,
hauling out his pipe as he sat down,
land 1 came right along. must
thank you for the tip-that screen
is a wonder"
Good! Old Wing will sell it to
your
mot yet" Toptit smiled wryly.
"Crayton is after 1t. And there seems
to be trouble in the home. Now, old
man. I'm here for help"
"I'm darned glad" exclaimed the
yellow man beamingly. "The more
Looks to me as though the Jeps had
old Wing in a bad mess-perhaps
your friend Crayton is behind it.
Regular bully, isn't he?"
Rather and Toptit smiled. "You
mentioned the mandarin's daughter
in your letter."
The other nodded soberly. "She
disappeared yesterday"
"What!'' Toptit sat up. "Why,
Wing never limited at such a
thing"
.sPoliteness. my dear fellow-cour-
tesy to q guest would not allow him
to be troubled with the worries OF
his host. She's been attending the
Women's Medical School here in the
city; It's a Christian affair, you know.
She disappeared yesterday; that's all. %
Toptit stared at his informant and
frowned.
'swhat do you n,ean-disappeared:
Kidnapped?"
Call Il that. for lack Of proof. Do
you know what will happen? Today
or tomorrow OLD Wing will receive q