The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-08-16
By Edmund Smell.

inherent gamblers. There are few
among US, in fact, who would not
easily be tempted to hazard their
entire fortunes at a game of chance"
Chai-Hung sat bolt upright in his
gh-backed chair and smiled.
$50 l believe" returned the
Englishman coldly. Now that his
limbs were freed he was beginning
to get over that feeling of injured
dignity that had accompanied his
capture. "May l ask what you in
tend doing with me?'
1t was apparent that the bandit
was equally capable of affecting
deafness.
Hence the Yellow Seven," he con-
tinued. ut is / who decide upon our
victims, but the hand that carries
out the death-penalty is rarely mine.
The matter is decided by form of
lottery The Yellow Seven is mixed
up with other cards and those who
at that moment form my bodyguard
draw for it in turn. The thing is
done quite openly and the sign of
our society left pinned to the vic
tim"
The majors throat had gone sud-
denly dry.
His glance dropped f4om the broad
yellow face to the black sling IN
which the bandits arm reposcd.
Chai-Hung began speaking again,
with cultural metallic harshncss
| that Jared on Armitage.
Whatever my enemies may have
told you, Major Armitage, am at
heart sportsman and, although
| must frankly confess the insult to
my intelligence the nature of your
expedition against me seemed to i'm
ply offended me deeply, there still
| remains enough that is good in my
nature to appreciate your daring"
The eyes that fixed themselves upon
Armitage's monoqed countenance
glowed like live Goals. 81 was soreIy
tempted to return insult for insult
and let you 60 free; for do not fear
you, you poor fool, nor-if this were
my only ronghold-would be
afraid you could find your way here
again. was tempted, I-repeat-
until / remembered my left hand. 1t
was taken from me, as you may have
heard, by one of your agents-one
kabat-Pilai. You can hardly blame
me, Major Armitage, if tell you
have sworn an oath to sever the left
hand from any British agent who
may fall into my hands!"
Armitage did not lack courage. He
returned the others gaze.
Il see," he said reflectfully. "You
propose turning me adrift in UNI
known territory-minus my hand!
And you claim to be sportsman!
tell you what we'll do, Mr.. Chat
Hung. My Chinese intcrpreter-Sing-
Ho-introduced me to pleasant lit
tie game of chance, which should not
be unknown to you. You will find it
on top of that cupboard where your
man deposited my effects. I'll play
you for my hand, Mr.. Chai-Hung! 1t
is the game of the little black and
red cube and the brass box! The red
shall signify my hand. May trouble
you for my pencil and one of those
folded sheets of paper l carried?"
The high-backed chair creaked as
Chai-Hung's back met it.
"You are brave man, Major Ar
mitage. We will play this game"
He touched brass gong at his side
and the attendant entered quietly.
Bring me the game that you took
from the English gentleman, the
pencil and his notebook"
Without "a tremor Armitage set
the little brass box squarely in the
center of the paper and drew lines
from each corner of the thing to the
corners of The sheet.
Round the box itself he marked a.
square and lifted the lid to show the 4
cube resting firmly in its slot in the
inner portion. He slid back the tor
and turned the box over and over be-
tween his fingers.
"The red will face this square,"
declared Chai-Hung, indicating the
section with fingernail of enormous
length.
Taking the cover between finger
and thumb, Armitage lifted slowly.
He paused midway, conscious that
the man who sat opposite had turned
sharply toward the door. Suddenly
the Oriental sprang to his feet--his
whole being consumed with fury
and clutched with his single hand at
sword that hung from a gilded
screen.
1--WE do not continue the game.
Major Armitage," he Kissed. "be-
cause your men are at my gates" He
swung the weapon aloft. ut is they
you must thank for this!"
Throwing all dignity to the winds,
Major James Lacy Armitage dived
,nder the table, and the blow de-
'cended upon its upper surface with
;errific force. As Chai-Hung strove
o disengage the weapon, a bullet
'hattered mirror behind him.
Armltage crawled from his refuge
o find the room empty, the sentry
zone and the amiable features of the
nterpreter-Sing- Ho-regarding him
through the window.
Still crouching on his hands and
'nees he blinked up at the face.
"Sing- Ho!"
Pennington smiled.
"Or, in other words" he murmur-
d sweetly, "the man who is bung-
ing this Yellow Seven affair hope i.
essly-Chinese Pennington!"
The Silver Hand" the next epi-
ode Of this gripping series, will
tart In our next issue.