White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1925-08-07
"HAWK of the NORTH"
BY KENNETH GILBERT
Copyright. 1925, by Action Stories Magazine.


the hiss Of indrawn breath, and the
thudding smack of fist on flesh-a
howl of pain.
"Quick, Below" 1t was Jimmy's
voice. I heard his fist land as I
scraped match on the wall. There
were running footsteps, retreating.
while l fattened myself against the
side of the passagaway until my eyes
could accustom themselves to the
flare. Then the strong brilliance of a
pocket fiashlamp. The gendarme had
followed us in.
Mulvane was crouched, gun in hand,
in the center of rather large room
that was practically devoid of furni
ture, as many Japanese houses are.
On the floor was an overturned tea
layout, charcoal burner, unlighted,
and traps and cups. In the corner
lay woman, disheveled, and appar-
emily unconscious. Jane!
Instantly Jimmy was beside her,
chatting her wrists. The gendarme,
seemingly understanding where to
find water in the house, handed me
the flashlamp. A few moments later
he was back with a wet cloth, and
Jimmy was cooling the girls fore
head.
She opened her eyes and stared in
fear at use for second; then would
| have given much to have been favor
ed with the look she bestowed on
Mulvane.
"Where-how did you find me"
she began, but he told her soothingly
not to talk. We helped her to the
street, where I took her in charge,
while Mulvane and the gendarme re-
turned and searched the house. But
they found no one. Even the old jap
anese woman who had attempted to
block us was gone.
Back at the hotel, when Jane was
herself again, she told us what she
could.
1t had been a trap, Of course. She
had dismissed Sedras shortly after we
left, and then had appeared the En-
glishman-Barclay was the name he
gave. He announced with an air of
mystery that he had word of her
brother. So astOnished was she that
anybody besides Mulvane, Sedras or
myself knew of her mission, that she
was inclined to believe the man spoke
the truth. He had told her that il
the house would be found man who
had been with Herbert Knowlton w
to a month ago.
AT the darkened passageway she
, had hesitated. Barclay seized her, ant
after struggle had forced her init
the room where We had found her
One or two other men, coolies, she be
lieved, had aided him. She hat
screamed, and tainted. Then we hat
come.
Mluvane heard the recital. with
, scowl. Once he caressed his knuckle
: lovingly where they had smashed int
the face Of one of the attackers, an
: he smiled grimly. But he said nothin
. until she had finished. Then he stoo
- up.
"Bellew," he said, 1--WE got wor
ahead, and, while l would like to hav
your help, I'll be better satisfied
>, you will stay here and stand guar
over Miss Knowlton. I'm not certai
: whether this Barclay acted on hi
= own hook tonight, or whether Blu
~ what's the use of guessing? I'm q
= ing to find out
- Got a gum"
. had 1t was habit I'd fallen int
=. through the nature of my work, whic
- often took me into odd corners of 70
bidding aspect, and life is held non
=, too dear anywhere in the Orient.
-, =, "Then arrange to get room acros
- the hall from hers" he went on. COR
close enough to let you keep your eye
on her door all night. If you ia
asleep" He glowered.
Don't worry" I assumed him tar
ly. II dare say I'm as accustomed
irregular hours as you are"
He went, then, without disclosir
his plans, and l knew better than
poster him with questions. After Sc
ing that the girl had locked her dot
from the inside, l secured the room
wanted, l pulled up chair just i
side my door, which / left ajar fe
inches, and focused my gaze on Mi.
Knowltons room. | had alread
snapped off my light, and now s;
there with the gun in my lap, ar
smoked.
; For the first half hour it went a
right, and then l found myself arg
ing that Jimmy Mluvane was owe