Evening star., 1936-10-11

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took was worthless" he replied;
some few pieces I regret. But it may
not be too late to recover them. have
accumulated little money; finan-
cially she has not ruined me-"
I'm glad" said Dorset, bluntly.
and took drink. thought. with
added relish.
A northeasterly wind was creeping
up. which developed later into half a
gale; its whining was added now to
the drip-drip of the rain water. And in
the silence which followed the detec-
tive's last words, thought again. but
would have dismissed the thought.
that heard a muffled groan.
Dorset. however. had apparently
heard it also, for: What was that?''
he asked, staring about him sharply.
The wind" crooned Sam King.
1T gets into the old chimney" He
turned to me, his gaze as Of kindly
reptile. you have heard it before,
Respected"
YES" replied. 1T is an un-
pleasant sound - and an unpleasant
night"
Dorset stood up, signing regret
fully. 'It's brute of a night" he
agreed. "and going to be worse. Well,
Sam. I must push on" He buttoned
up his overcoat and started for the
door. IF she turns up. think can
leave it to you to deal with her." He
nodded in my direction: Goodnight.
SIR"
Sam King rose to escort his visitor
to the door, and when l heard Dorset's
gruff voice die away. cold sense of
desolation descended upon me. stood
up. l was anxious to 60.
but. Respected Sam King ex-
claimed as he returned and found me
standing. why must you leave so
soon - and on this night? l would
have spared you the story of my
private sorrows. but now that you
know it, let US drink the cup of con-
ISOLATION together"
We had a final drink, old Sam
sitting motionless in his chair. And as
l watched him I began to understand
that he was waiting for me to say
something. Perhaps l was dull; in
deed. know now that was. But, at
least, glimmering of what he waited
for came to me. You have my veiy
sincere sympathy" said. 81 don't
blame Josie entirely; l blame someone
who abused your hospitality. Forgive
me. it isn't my business, and perhaps
I should not have said that"
"You have said well. " he murmured.
The jewel is innocent; the thief is
guilty. But pray forget this small mat
ter"
Il am trying to understand your
assertion that l have misrepresented
your race; and in your present ac-
count of justice under the old regime,
I begin to see that what might be a
corrective in London would be use
less in Hankow. thank you again for
the sword; it shall never leave my pos
session. am sorry to part from you.
for l suppose we sha'n't meet again."
Sam King stood up. rested his
muscular hands upon my shoulders.
''But why not?" he asked softly. "You
are traveller, and Hankow today is
not very far"
met his regard. Emperor had be-
gun to scuf1e again behind me; and
the wind was bowling in uncanny
fashion around the building. l found
myself wondering what had become Of
Josie. Perhaps Louis had let her down
at the last moment.
Zone day." I said. II shall come to
Hankow and look for you, Sam
''He who seeks assiduously, shall
find," the old Chinaman replied, his
entire face wrinkled into one of the
few smiles which I had ever beheld
upon it. II have loved you, Respected,
because you have tried to understand
-~., Un..-