The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-07-23
~ epesossp s~elA.1 !.
ASsN $50
kES-A~S


folded his umbrella, and handed it to
waiting coolic..
Hewitt moved impatiently.
might as well get this unpleasant
duty over" he suggested. "A cabin
would be the handiest place, don't
you think, Pennington
They crossed the gangway and
passed into the first state-room that
CHANGED to be unoccupied. Penning-
ton closed the door.
"Can offer you drink, Mr.. Chai->,
Hung?" asked the commissioner.
The oriental shook his head and,
producing cigar-case quantity en-
broidered with silver dragon,
glanced inqulringly round.
II have your permission to smoke ?"
Most certainly" Hewitt FASTENED
to assure him. mo, thanks. Not for
me. If you don't mind, I'll have a
cigaret."
Pennington, seated on the edge OF
the berth, his hands stuck deep in
his pockets, declined also. Chat
Hung lit up carefully, and passed
the matches on to the commissi oner.
len minutes later, both English
men emerged.
Hewitt dropped into a chair and,
fitting back his sun-helmet, moppcd
moist brow.
Nov are you satisfied" he de-
manded.
Perfectly" declared Pennington
enigmatically. what d'you say to
some liquid refreshment?
IF it weren't so confoundedly
hot" said the commissioner. "Pd
order a double brandy! As far as l
can see, you've made pretty mess
of the whole affair. I'd have put
my shirt on Chai-Hung l was
right. l can tell you-if you don't
already know it-that our mutual
acquaintance is mortally offended
with the way you went over him. ~
"Pll admit was thorough"
chuckled the other, ! signaling to
steward who lounged in the door
way. Il suppose we've just about
time to quench our thlrsts and &c!
ashore before she sails.
He ordered sings.
The deep-throated note of the yes
sells siren revcrberated suddenly and.
at that moment, Chai-Hung emerged
from the cabin, surveying the dead
end of the cigar he had laid aside.
Both men rose, but the benign smile
with which the oriental greeted them
drove the intended apology from
HeAitt's lips.
efficiency, Mr.. Pennington" he
said, lis the keynote of success. l
sincerely hope that before we meet
again you will have been successful
in your search.
With disarming cordially, he drop
ped hand on the shoulder of each
and accompanied them to the gang
way.
+ Hewitt was on the point Of cross
ing, to the jetty when Chai-Hung
laughed.
"You will never cure yourself of
that little failing, I'm afraid" he as
serted blandly. do you mind re-
turning me my matches?"
The commissioner dropped his
cane.
you don't mean to say? BY
Cad! l have thought" He produced
the missing box.
The oriental, still smiling, reached
out for it, but, before his fingers
could close on it, Pennington's had
interviewed.
"Just a minute" he murmured
apologetically, a queer light in his
eyes. "Mine happens to be out, tool"
He turned his back and, withdraw.
ing the fllmsy cover, deliberately
emptied the Legitimate contents into
his palm. He let the matches fall,
one by one, to the deck, and Hewitt,
obsessed with hazy notion that his
friends recent energies had turned
his brain, stepped close up to him
and peered apprehensively over his
shoulder.
Yielding to the pressure of Pen
nington's finger-nail, the false bot
tom of the box came away. and
there, in the cunningly contrived re-
cess it had SO effectively screened,
lay dream of platinum and dia-
monds-the myriad facets flashing in
the tropic sunlight"
The commissioner recoiled in
specchless amazement. Presently he
found his tongue.
Good Lord! How on earth? He
must have guessed" He choked
suddenly and passed weary hand
across his forehead. "He had the
damned effrontery to give 'em to
mel" He swung round savagely.
"Here, Mr.. Chai-Hung-!"
!, But the great Chai-Hung was
gone!