Evening star., 1922-01-01

left the temple precincts for a walk
and a smoke. He did not fancy the
looks of his hosts. They were de-
bauched and sensual lot, and but few
of them had the skull scars of genu-
inc priests-the scars left by the three
burning pastilles at initiation.
Returning to the outer gateway,
Hanecy paused to clean his pipe and
glance at the temple grounds,
sprinkled with lanterns. The night
was dark and close. with storm
threatening. Despite the utter peace
Of the mountain night, the stiffness
Of the scene, Hanecy was by no means
off guard. I When presently he OBJ
served a silent figure slipping to him
along the wall, his hand slid abruptly
under his left arm. Instant response
to the gesture came in low voice
speaking fluent mandarin:
"Heavenborn. be careful with that
weapon! I have come to speak with
you"
Hello! The Korean again" thought
Hanecy. and kept his hand on his
pistol. "You accursed devil, what do
you want with me? Trying to stab
me in the darkness?"
.Not at all, excellency" murmured
the Korean in an aggrieved tone.
THAT was a very clever trick you
played upon me this afternoon, but I
bear no malice"
Hanecy half expected a knife to
leap forth as the man came close, but
none came.
Listen, heavenborn" pursued the
Korean eagerly. you are a brave
man and clever, and I bear you no
in-will, as I say. Now, have learned
why you are here and why the other
foreign devil, who is also a merchant,
is here. Indeed, he was tnquiring for
some one to take him tonight to the
house Of Tung Ho and Tung Eel. and
I said nothing about knowing the
way thither."
Hanecy said nothing, either. for he
was somewhat astonished at all this.
In the tone Of the Korean was q re-
spectful admiration, combined with a
cunning twist Of words
"Now, excellency." continued the
man. II know those brethren well;
indeed, I came past their place only
yesterday. It is true that they are
bandits and men of no reputation.
No one among these Chinese would
willingly go to their place after dark.
but I am no son of Han, heavenborn."
''What do you want with mel?
snapped Haneoy somewhat testify.
The Korean cackled in crafty mirth-
what but money The other for
eign devil offered ten silver lang to
any one who would take him to the
house Of Tung Ho this night. There
fore, I said to myself, he and the
other foreign devil are running a race.
They are merchants. Tung Ho has
that they wish to buy. and
each one wishes to get there ahead
Of the other. Is this so. heavsnborn
If it is," said Hanecy. what busi-
ness is It Of yours"
my business is to make money"
and tho Korean laughed again. IF
one foreign devil offers ten silver
liang. how much will the other offer?
Now, heavenborn, can still go to the
other man and tell him I will take
him"
What about the tigers?" asled
Bah! ! am no mountain fooli I
have two mules. and II you wish to
go with mo we can get to the place
and be back before midnight; that is,
if you offer me enough money to take
you"
Hanecy bit on his empty pipestem
and reflected.
LIE DID not like the Korean in the
least and did not trust him. None
the less, there would be no trap set
at night. and he scorned the thought
Of the peddler trying to kill him. The
fellows story rang true enough.
Here was the chance to beat Benson
hands down. Benson could not pos
sibly leave the temple before daylight.
1.-THE moon will rise in an hour" put
in the Korean craftily.
Hanecy nodded. After all. this
looked like a providential chance to
that the Tung brethren were bandits.
That was to be expected.
every WELL" said Hanecy with deci-
sion. "You are sure that you know
the wayr'
Tho Korean laughed scornfurly.
know It, heavenborn! I know every
inch Of these hills. Besides, the road
is excellent and deeply worm"
TN that case" said Hanecy. II will
offer you 25 liang-not in silver. for
have none, but in notes Of the Cheng-
tu government. You know that they
are good"
price is sufficient"