New Britain herald., 1930-10-02

anything to you, you know. but he says the most terrible things, if he happens to feel like it. And he asks questions, too - oh, you'd be very unhappy"
 Dagger quietly recited her recent adventures.
 Do you think he'd be more dan gerous or annoying than a caravan of Saharan Arabs?" she demanded.
 "We-eell-perhaps not. But you won't get anything out of him. He rather looks down on women, to be honest with you"
 T wonder if you'd be willing to forward him a note from me?" she asked. T used to know a man who Vas friendly with him.
 "Oh, glad to, of course" This was the Consul. But officially, must frown and-''
 "Frown all you please" Dagger interrupted cheerily. 50 long as you do what l want"
 The Consul laughed. T know how you get what you want" he said. "Scribble your note. Mrs. Vaneering, and I'll enclose it ably receive an invitation to meet the harem, at least and they tell me that's one of the sights of China
 Dagger's note was of the brief est:
 ITO the Tu-ch Chang kai Sho:
 T have heard of you from Blaine Howard. Will you talk to me of him? He was lost in the Great War, and I seek those of his friends he loved best to refresh my memory ct him.
 Alexandra Vaneering. '
 His response was as sudden as it was unexpected. That afternoon the street in front of Dagger's hotel was invaded by troops. Cavalry on chunky horses galloped into forma- tion; a long column of infantry un- wound itself. And next, to the vail ing invocation of Chinese music, a little group of mounted men rode up to the portico. To Dagger. watching amusedly from her win dow, came the hotels Japanese proprietor, abashed and uncertain.
 If you please, Madame" he ex- claimed, sucking his breath polite ly and trying to conceal his worry. "the Tu-chun is below. and asks to see you. Most unusual, this doing, Madame. Maybe I better send for American. Japanese, consul, What you think 2"
 Ask the Tu-chun to come up stairs. Mr. Araki." Dagger answer ed. more amused than ever. No, I don't think we need the Cohsuls. I invited the Tu-chun to call" . Mir. Araki looked doubtful.
 Chang plenty big man" he as- serted doubtfully. Never can know what he do. Make trouble with Russian for woman"
 He won't make trouble for me. .
 
 him to come Up to my salon"
 If you please" MT. Araki ducked his head and sucked in his breath slmu taneouslv. perfect embodiment of Eastern and Western courtesy. But if he make trouble you call loud, and I come quick. No Chinese man do this in my hotel, Madame mo, not the Tu-chun himself"
 I'm sure he won't" Dagger as sented But if he does-"
 Mir. Araki glowed under her smile, and retired. And a few moments later there was knock on Dagger's door.
 Come in," she said.
 A voice spoke gutturally, and the door swung open. framing the tall est, gauntest man she had ever seen, taller by reason of the long, silken robe he wore, and the pea cocks feather in his mandarin's hat itself a commentary upon the re- publican regime in China. His face. too, was long and gaunt. it's slant eyes bright as an eagles and as cruel, his nose, which flared at the nostrils, hooked in a predatory beak.
 One hand was hooked in the sash of his robe, revealing talon like fingers. their tips encased in the silver sheaths which had been for men of rank under the Empire. He was long. too, in bis legs, horseman's legs that beneath the skirts of the robe. Behind him Dagger glimpsed the hall full of officers in khaki, MT. Araki lowering uneasily in their mist. There was a glitter of sword hilts and the electric bulbs shone duly on the butts of holstered au- tcmatics; but so far as she could sec the tall man in the doorway vas unarmed.
 He stared at her with a frank interest which reminded her of the references in books she had read to "impassive yellow masks" And the arrogance in his jet eyes was minimized by the courtesy with which he addressed her. . T am Chang" he said Tt was kind of you to tell me you had come.'
 Chapter 33
 CHANG AIMS TO PLEASE,
 Chang spoke very slowly as if choosing his words, and his pronun-