The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-07-21
JUG YGGk0W SEVEN.
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crudely-coaored pictures without
frames. The whole atmosphere
throbbed with feverish activity, the
rafting of dice, and spasmodic, in
articulate grunts that she could not
decide whether intended for signs of
pleasure or despair. There were
clerks in white duck, native over
seers in reasy suits, coolies with
PREDETERMINED hats of plated cane
and wearing only loin-cloths.
"A Chlnaman, wearing enormous
hcrn-rimmed spectacles, sat at the
far end of big table before what
appeared to be the inverted halves b.
cocoanut shells. Whenever these
were lifted, there arose repetition
OF the. discordant babel she had
heard as they approached. All along
both sides, orienta1s of every class
and distinction thronged the rocking
forms. Every now and then man
rose, seemingly emotionless, and lelt
the table.
Monica, the novelty of this strange
scene holding her enthralled, allowed
ner gaze to wander round the roomJ
Presently it fell upon the form of an
oriental in suit of greasy blue
whose face seemed peculiarly fam
mar. Every time a player from the
top vacated his seat, this enthusiastic
gambler moved into it, in this manner
getting gradually nearer to the man
with the horn trimmed spectacles who
manipulated the shells. Presently he
looked up at the swinging oil lamp
ana Monica uttered a little cry In
spite OF the elaborate disguise, there
was something in the set of the mo-
bile mouth. something in the poise Of
the shoulders that BETRAYED him Sbe
dound her lips forming the words
Chinese Pennington"
moment later and he had reach
ca the apparent zenith of his desire
his elbow touched the sleeve of tho
man who presided, but his eyes were
staring straight before him ATTAIN
enormous Chinaman who sat opposite
both hands resting on the table. the
fingers slightly closed.
For some reason that she cou,d
not quite define, mental picture be-
gan forming in her mind; picture
That the vividness of Pennington's
description had impressed on her
memory. She saw glade in W.
night.shrouded jungle wastes, a hud-
died form with long knife protrud-
ing from between hunched-up should
er blades-and "he who sees in the
dark" struggling for dear life in the
matted underground.
Her vivid Imagination had already
established the identity of the man
who now faced the hero of her ro-
nance. Behind her she heard Daw-
son strike match and puff strcnu-
ously at his pipe. And then, through
the nebulous smoke-haze, the three
principal figures at the top end of
the long table stood in bold relief
from the surging background of neg
ligible supers.
In moment of time the thing hap
pehed. The man opposite Penning-
ton slid yellow hand toward the
Chinaman in the horn spectacles, as
II trying to pass him the something
over which the powerful fingers
were closed. Like a flash, Penning-
toms arm shot out, sending coins
chnking to the dusty boards, scat
terlng little heaps of paper-money
IKE autumn leaves in a sudden gust.
swift as the movement had been, the
action of the listless oriental who
presided was quicker. The mysteri-
Gus package-wrapped in a broad
green leaf secured by strands of
twisted bamboo-vanished into some
hidden pocket beneath the wide
sleeved jacket. A score of swarthy
forms leaped to their feet-and Fen
nlngton was lost to view in a with
ing, swaying circle above which flash
ed a forest of naked blades.
wed better get out of this" said
Dawson at Monica's elbow.
AS his arm slipped through hers
she cast one last glance into the see
thing den. The circle dissolved Into
the form of an irregular horseshoe.
She saw the central figure stagger
back, the horn spectacles slipping
from his face, saw the long arm of
the powerfully-built oriental out
stretched, the index-finger eloquent
of hoarse denunciation that was
lost in the tumult of voices, and
~e-eS VIZ 6iAuI VI INC Dlue DarrGl
OF an automatic. Pennington swung
completely round on one heel, his
pistol sending his antagonists
stumbling over one another, leaving
him channel through which to es-
cape. But he only fired once. With.
astounding accuracy, he shattered
the glass chimney of the swinging
ramp. plunging the building into
darkness.
Thirty seconds later Monica found
herself leaning against a wall under
jet dome sprinkled with stars. Daw-
son, gasping for breath, stood at her
SIDE. She was wondering whether
remington had fought clear, whether
It had actually been Lady Storm
away's diamond pendant contained in
the queer package the transit of
which the Englishman had striven to
intercept.
Continued In Our, Next Issue)
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