Evening star., 1922-01-22

at 1t, removed the lock, lifted 1t, and
fred at the door.
The deafening explosion was echoed
by a shrill scream from the corridor
outside. Toptit looked at Crayton's
parted in a smile.
They'll blame you for that. Cray
ton" he said calmly. They'll prob
ably murder you for it, too. If I were
you, I'd get away in a hurry-but not
by the door. If you como out that
door. I'll shoot you. Understand
Don't forget. I'll be outside with Miss
Tsing." ..
Toptit opened the door and stepped
except for a dead man who lay hud-
died outside. He closed the door
again and ignored the dead man. He
also ignored the hubbub from below
and the shouts from the street.
Turning to the right, he knocked
at the adjoining door. There was no
reply and he entered. He found a
bare room containing only a cot and
a chair. In the chair was tied a Chi
upon him. She was gagged.
"Ah, Miss Tsing,. believe" said
Toptit. He put away his automatic
and opened q pocketknife as he ad-
vanced to her side. Don't worry,
Miss Tsing. I come from your father
and your fiance to bring you home.
You won't get there. however. il you
faint or indulge in other feminine
Mysteries. Just keep cool-and follow
me-"
He began removing her bonds, talk
ing f1uently as he did SO.
"rt all bosh about orientals being
deep and crafty. They're just as
firmly convinced that white men are
deep and crafty. only we don't realize
1t. And the Japs aren't all bad men.
either-not by a long shot! It's all
in knowing how to handle them.
sent a note to the Jap consul about
half an hour ago. II my coolie deliv-
cred 1t. which think he did, the con-
sui will be along here at any mo-
ment now. Able to stand up. are you?
For heavens sake. don't faint"
Miss Using stood up. a bit weakly.
Il shan't faint" she said, and smiled
at Toptit.
Now. II you'll take my arm, we'll
go downstairs-"
But We can't do that" she ex-
claimed, with a sudden pallor. Don't
you hear the shouts and"
Nonsense! Just leave it to me-
said Toptit confidently.
With a gesture Of despair. she took
his arm.
They went into the corridor, passed
the dead man. and came to the head
Of the stairs. From here they had a
Japanese were standing there. shout
ing something to the outside air. They
saw Toptit and Miss Using and hur-
riedly decamped. An instant later the
door was burst in. and two Japanese
soldiers appeared, frock-coated man
behind them.
Good afternoon" said Toptit, as he
descended the stairs: Il am very glad
you got here in time. Mr.. Consul"
whats this?" calculated the con-
sui. "You-you accuse my country
man of kidnapping young lady
Toptit waved his hand. my dear
consul, that was all a mistake. The
note I sent you was written in error.
Your countrymen are blameless. I'm
glad to say. The culprit was one of
my own countrymen-af fellow named
Crayton. 1 suggest that you investi-
gate fully, and you'll find this to be
the case. I'd suggest also that you
have this young lady and myself es-
corted back to the native city. Your
cooperation in this. matter will re-
fleet great credit upon you and will
remove all charges against your coun-
trymen, who are. Of course, entirely
innocent"
AS Toptit said. 1t was all in know
ing how to handle them.
n + X
TOPTIT escorted Miss Using to the
women's Medical School and left
her. Then he went to a curio shop
near the south gate and bought sew
eral small but worthy objects which
attracted him. Later in the day he
returned to the suburban home Of the
mandarin, Wing. and found a new
atmosphere about the place.
Wing made no reference to his