The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-07-20
.NeA 3eRMSt snc.ssE3.
NEA Service Inc. 1923.

Monica Whey, delightfully."- at ease
in a cane chair, raised her eyes from
her book to observe the newcomer
His attire seemed to be studied
compromise between eastern ant
western fashions, for he wore q
white tunic, baggy trousers of black
silk, and black boots with elastic
sides. Across his chest stretched 8
gold watch-chain. the links of which
were peculiarly massive, and the
third finger of his left hand dis.
played ring set with large green
stone.
"You sent for me-" he announced
with a harsh intonation that. fol
some reason, struck terror into hel
soul.
That's right" agreed the com
missioner cordially. "Come in ant
sit. down. This is my sister. Mrs
Whey. Monica, l want to introduce
you to the wealthiest and most re-
spected Chinese gentleman on the
| island-Mr. Chat Hung"
"How do you do?" murmured
Monica sweetly. She was about ia
rise when a movement of the orien.
tabs hand checked her.
"Please don't move, Mrs. Whey.
cannot tell you how delighted l am
to make your honored acquaintance
understand you arrived in Borneo
only short time ago."
Monica flushed.
~ came from Singapore three days
ago-in the Jelandang," she replied
ut was wonderful trip. II was
practically the only passenger in the
first-class saloon"
Chai-Hung lowered himself into q
chair.
practically he echoed.
"Why yes. There was only my
self-and Mr.. Pennington"
Hewitt looked up sharply.
"Of course you'll stop to tea, Mr..
Chat Hung?"
The Chinaman shook his head
slowly.
81 never take tea, at least, not
what you western people term tea
You'll pardon me, know, if say
that our national beverage suffered
considerably when it came into your
hands. You diluted it with milk
and spoiled it with SUGAR."
The commissioner crossed his legs
and held his cigar-case toward his
guest.
Chai-H Hung helped himself.
Hewitt slapped each of his pockets
in turn, accepted the Chinaman's
box of matches, lit Chai-Hung's
cigar, then turned his attention to
his own. With blissful unconcern
he dropped the box into his tunic
pocket. N
Monica, keenly observant. watched
with amused interest the almost
pathetic expression with which the
oriental followed the cool anuexa
ton of his property. A ripple OF
laughter escaped her lips.
Didn't you know that?" she de.
manded. II thought everybody did
I don't believe he's ever bough.
matches in his life! Jack, give Mr..
ChaiHung his matches"
The commissioner started guilty.
"By Jove! I'm frightfully sorry.
l hadn't the least intention-!" He
handed them back.
The eyes of Chai-Hung positively
twinkled.
II must remember that" he said
II sent for you, Mr.. Chai-Hung,'
Hewitt began, because l am serious
ly in need of help. Your amazing
insight into affairs that concern
your own people has been of great
service to me in the past: I am
hoping that it will serve to lift the
veil from mystery of which the
non-solution may enforce my re-
signation of my position here"
"As bad as that?'
The commissioners nodded.
"Lord Stornaway and his wife
dined here last night and left this
morning for Sandakan.
81 wanted their visit to be devoid
of unpleasantness. While we were
at dinner, her ladyship remembered
she had left an unusually valuable
diamond pendant on her dressing
table. suggested that my sister
should fetch it. She got there just
in time to see Lady Stornaway's
diamonds disappearing through the
open window"
He paused and glanced at his sis
ter.
She began speaking very quickly.
"As l opened the door, a current
OF air met me, sending something
fluttering to the floor Isstopped to
recover it and sound from the win
dow attracted my attention. It was
open and, through the aperture,
saw q long, brown arm, it's fingers
passing rapidly along the wooden
surface until they closed over the
case that held the pendant. A Sec
ond later and both arm and pendant
had disappeared. i believe
screamed, for the next moment Jack
and Lord Stornaway were both in
the room. Lady Shornaway followed.
I felt the room going round me. The
next thing ! remembers is finding
myself in this chair, still holding
the piece Of card that 4 had picked
mp before I saw the arm.'.,.
She shuddered and Chat Hung
rose to his feet.
"A distinctly unplsasant expert
ence," he commented suavely. "And
the piece of card-what was it like.
Mrs. viney?"
1T was as long as my index
finger" broke in the commissioner,
with rounded corners. On one side
It was black, one the other yellow
with seven black dots. four Of them