New Britain herald., 1924-09-12

to get his money. which he always carried on his person. That is why am telling you the whole thing. They had heard of the brazen serpent, and they also wanted to get hold of it for the local temple They now desire to kill me in order to get it. This strip of skin'w was sent me as threat, you ,understand?' +t The officer swore under his breath. At {. this point Thornton intervened. t.-.s Tn view of these facts" he said, ac- cepting John Ducks story as true, you will aid us in obtaining a conviction of the murderers?"
 Very gladly" said John Duck, with ad-~ mirable promphtude. They are no friends of mine. Lui Yen Yuan is an eater of opium and finds it hard to obtain the drug. If you wish, will send him note now offering him some opium and also the brazen serpent at certain price. He will come to get 1t. You will arrest him. By offering him opium he will be unable to refuse and will confirm all I have said. 5.
 It's against the law to have dope in your possession. said the captain roughly. How'd you get it?' ,'. f .1f
 II haze permit, and John Duck smiled. T am a chemist l.- .,. ,t....,
 There vas nothing in Ifs proposal that seemed unlikely. If Lui Ten Yuan were murderer and were also an opium fend, the chances were that in order to get the drug he would confess very fully. Those who smoke opium cannot eat it, and vice versa. Pellets are very dif6cnlt to obtain. One who has been deprived of them for some time will go through hell to get a supply.
 The captain of detectives glanced at Thornton, who nodded imperceptibly.
 "All right. said the, officer. Write your, note. Thornton, phone for a nessen' ger, will you? I'll watch this guy
 ThoTnton departed to his telephone down stairs, Tor John Duck had none. ..-.
 Under the watchful eye of the officer, John Duck opened a desk, laid out brushes and ink and paper and rapidly got of sev eral lines of ideographs. Thornton returned in time to look over the letter, but it was written in Mandarin, of which he knew al- most nothing, .,r
 If this story is true" said Thornton, then" .. ..
 Then we get the guys who crooked Tan Took" added the officer. That's what I'm interested in l.! How soon will the man get heref"
 II think he will come immediately said John Duck, smiling
 THE message was sent. Thornton took one of John Ducks cigarettes, which were of English make and extraordinarily good it occurred to him that as yet he had no explanation of the red drip which had first drawn his attention to the entire affair. He said nothing of it at the moment how ever. The most important thing now was to substantiats the story told by John Duck.
 Half an hour passed The bell tangled.
 If you will allow me-" said John Duck, 1T will speak to him myself. Otherwise, he might be suspicious.
 Since there was nothing else to be done, the captain sssented. John Duck went to the old fashioned speaking tube that con nected with the entrance below and spoke rapidly in Mandarin, He turned, smiling.
 He is coming right up. May ! suggest that he will be srnnedT' #.
 You leave him to us :" said the officer eagerly, stationing himself beside the door. k Two minutes later there was a knock 2 John Duck opened the door. Into the room stepped yellow man whom Thornton judged to be of the coolie class, cheapl, dressed, his features high -boned and imper turbabie, quite ignorant. The captain had | him by the wrists as he entered.