Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-08-11
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, of an Oriental of enormous girth
framed in the doorway. The new
comer wore a white tune, buttoned
up to the neck, across which
stretched the massive links of a gold
chain. His legs were incased in
baggy trousers of black silk that
hustled in the breeze and the third
finger of his left hand displayed a
ring set with a large green stone.
Il trust l am not intrudinG gen.
t1emen!'
The trader observed him co1dly.
"Who are you?" he demanded,
reaching at the same time for his
tunic.
"Chai-Hung," said the other
simply.
Rabat-Pilai-who was in the act
of entering by the opposite door
dropped the jug OF water he hal
been arrying and fed.
"Chai-HuIg?"
"G1ost certainly Why not, Mr..
Varney. If you are still inclined tc
doubt my word, Mr.. Zara-kahn Will
en.isateH you"
Earney's hand swung rou Id to the
back. but before his fingers could
close on the weapon he sought, he
found himself looking down the bar
rel of Chai-Hung's automatic.
pray be seated-both of you. I
was afraid you might be-a little
nervous at my unexpected arrival
and so took the precaution of bring
ing thisl"
He drew forward a chair and low
cred himself into it.
II understand that you buried Mr..
Pennington this morning. A very
lamentable affair! 1 was sorry not
to be able to present myself"
Varney moved restlessly.
II suppose I have to thank you
for the loss of my dog" he said.
The Oriental patted the hand that
held the pistol with the fingers of
the other.
"A double tragedy. IL I may say
SOL I understand the dog is the
friend of man-and you, poor fellow,
have sustained the loss of two good
friends at n and the same time"
You DEVIL"
Chai-Hung blinked amiably.
Thank you, Mr.. Varney. May I
request Zara-Khan to continue with
his work."
Varney choked.
Look here, Chai-Hung, or what
ever your name is, I'm not in a
mood to sit here and be ordered
about by you. If you've come here -
shoot me-carry on with it. If not,
clear out-and be damned to you"
MY dear Mr.. Varney!" protested
the brigand with well-assumed sur
prise, you will, I hope. do me the
honor to remember that up to the
present 1 have requested you to do
nothing. My suggestion was mere
ly that Zara-Hhan should proceed
with the work that my unfortunate
entry interrupted. 1t was you who
first mentioned shooting, and I be-
lieve L am right in saying that you
were about to draw on me when /
came in. A distinctly unwise move
on your part, Mr.. Varney, when one
remembers that Chai-Hung never
travels about alone. If 1 wanted to
kill you, my friend, there are twenty
others outside waiting to help me.
You received a message from me
the other day?"
The trader shrugged his shoulders.
"A yellow card fluttered on to the
veranda, if that's what you mean"
An ugly light had crept into the
Oriental's eyes.
AS if by a given signal. two forms
slid through the doorway behind
Varney ad secured his arms.
Chai-Hung rose to his feet.
"Zara-Khan," he said hoarsely,
you will prepare your things and
tattoo this Englishman. 1t will be u
little out of your line, I must tell you,
for you will not be paid for your
work-and the picture will not be
quite the same!"
The man in the turban had
changed visibly from brown to graz
and his teeth chartered. He stared
from Chai-Hung TO Varney-now
roped securely to his chair - and
presently his horror-stricken eyes
travelled back to the blue barrel.
81 am waiting for you to begin.
And Zara-Khan turned with shak-
ing fingers to his tray.
Chinese Pennington-summoned
in hot haste by his henchman-ar-
rived at the foot of Varney's steps a
bare hundred yards behind Rabat-
Pilai. He took the fight at a bound
and, pistol in hand, made headlong