The Daily Alaska empire., 1930-05-20
Chapter 20
A DEVIL INHABITs LUM WE

A DEVIL INHABITS LUM WE My inclination was to find Caro- line. but sense of duty kept me at Flique's side.
 T thought you wanted to see Lum We" I said, as he proceeoeo up the hall.
 l"It is a private matter, this, M rAntiquarie, Flique informed me we shall call on Lum We at his chamber over the garage. It was the kitchen door you found open this morning, yes?"
 I nodded.
 "Is it your belief that Lum We left it open?" I inquired. T mean do you think he stole and broke and returned the phoenix because Para- dos wouldn't let him burn in- cense to his ancestors?"
 Flicue shrugged. There IS a mystery here, my friend. Perhaps this Lum We is the guilty one-l do not know"
 AS we rounded the corner or lile house and proceeded along the cin- der walk to the two-story building that served as garage and servants quarters, Grainger appeared from behind hedge, pair of clippers in his hand. Flique hailed him. we seek the chamber of Lum We. my good Grainger." Flique an nounced blandly. Will you reveal it to us?" s,. Grainger gave him long. hard look. As "It's in the north room, sir. Hes got his name over 1t in Chinese You go up that outside stair. But he keeps it locked, sir
 Because it is the temple of the spirit of his ancestors?" Flique in- quired. e Maybe" Grainger's tone was al most sulleri. -~"This is mighty queer house." ..,... And you have the queerneSs also. my Graingerl" Flique retorteo briskly. Come, tell us why mon- sieur slashed you with his riding whip. An, well, it does not matter Your reason-it is in your eyes
 With this cryptic remark Fhque seized my arm and led me to the outside stair of the garage. Grain car ctored after uS A white car with Chinese ideo' grams printed on it was tackee above one door off the landing. J was locked, as Grainger had salo and Flioue took out a bunch O uueer-looking keys. One of then fit and we entered.
 It was a square, bare lnterio with whitewashed walls. A co stood against one wall, near It chair and table; an old-fashione' brass-bound trunk and 8 ricket' bureau comprised the other TUT nishinps The atmosphere wa heavy with fumes of incense.
 Flioue darted toward the burea' and picked up square block o wood-teak, I thought-whlch ap peared to have been the base o some object that had been de stroyed. A round hole was bore' in the block and out of protrude' splinters of lighter variety Q wood. In front of where the bloci had stood was small, metal DOW with deposit of aromatic ashes II the bottom of it. 4,
 Did I not tell you it was th' temple of the spirit of his ances tor?p Flique demanded triumphant 1y.
 His ancestral tablet" I nut tered. "All that's left of it." wa nrettv sure now what had happene' to the tablet.
 Mais oui," Flique continued vol ubly. And it is broken. bu what is this?"
 A black, oblong box of fine Cm nese lacquer lay on the Durea. behind where the block had stooo The box was locked, but Fiique despite my protest, soon opened with a piece of wire.
 Monsieur Watson must pocke his scruples," he informed me Look"
 The box was filled with prokei nieces of wood similar to thos sticking out of the hole m th teak block. IA, :. "They can cut The Destroyer ol parados' tombstone-that's the epl taph he's earned" I said. He oi' lis best to spoil every decent tnin 1je got his hands on"
 .sft is broken" Flique murmure' sentlv but Lum We still burns tn incense to the soul of his anceS tor" Yr,, uy -,stch him do it. too," I declare vehementiy s'No wonder Lum :" srore his god and shot him" aAh, you think that M. fAn'' quarie?" ..x~..,.
 i've have solved one oi 0ui ~