The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-12-08
CHAPTER III

6 Whaf1 along the IIVeT Wnlcn, Ie. 1iecting the pale moonlight that bathed Shanghai, coiled as sluggish ly as . gorged yellow snake between banks crowded with dweliing-top- ped warehouses and veritable city of sainparls.
 Chinese emerged silently from shadows that stretched blackly across the wharf. 4 drowsing watch man was swiftly overpowered. Sev- eral figures crept up the gangplank of the steamer. Others ascended ropes. There was the noise of mo- mentary tumult aboard. Lights flashed on and disappeared az quickly as uniformed men were al- most noiselessly subdued.
 A number of large cases, appear ing on the jetty as if by magic, were borne carefully up the gangplank On the sides of one, stamped in black letters. appeared the word EXPLOSIVES"
 A ray of moonlight revealed the white face of Jean Strebor. Her dark brown hair was somewhat dis arranged as a result of the scuffle in the cafe, but she had lost none of her cool air of competence. She quickly passed up the gangplank. Her wrinkled old Chinese maid scurried at her heels.
 The two huge Russians, recogniz- able in the gloom by virtue of their magnificent physiques, followed. One carried the motionless figure of . man. It was Rex Mundy.
 Shanghaied
 The gangplank was lowered with out delay. Anchorage ropes were cut loose with hatchets. The mo- tors suddenly hummed into action. The steamer headed down the Whangpoo toward the open sea. past high-ended junks with mon- strous eyes painted on their bows; modern tugs, a lantern-dotted craft from which came the haunting mu- sic of a butterfly zither. and, later, low rice fields interlaced with ditches.
 Rex Mundy regained conscious ness to find himself washed and bandaged. He glanced around duly. Memories of that fight in the Shanghai cafe echoed through his thyobbing head. He rolled over and started to push himself up on one arm. He became aware of the pres ence of Jean Strebor.
 He fell back with groan as she approached him. The groan was genuine enough. No part of his body seemed free from torment awfen he moved. Yet, somehow, he felt new strength firing his veins.
 You are worse?" It was her voice.
 I'm all right. But you you're safer"
 "Drink this" He felt a soft arm lifting his shoulders. Her voice continued. coldly somehow. I'm usually safe. Is your head 50 weak that I must hold it?"
 His lips flickered from even white teeth.
 What do you thing, Jean stre- bor-"
 50 you remember my name?" He could not understand the apparent antagonism in her tone. Well, I know you now. MT. Rex Mundy. One of your friends was occupying the other half of this cabin"
 "Why?" he asked curiously.
 "A tough little runt of an Amer ican who calls himself Al Steeger. He said he was supposed to meet you in Shanghai. We saved him the trouble"
 Good old Al. I've been waiting 8 week for him. Where is he? W-where are we?"
 You may as well lie down again. It doesn't make much difference to you where we are. You're my pris- oner, Mundyl"
 What are you talking about2"
 Thief or Enemy7
 You didn't think you could es- cape 50 easily after insulting a Strebor. did your" she demanded caustically. "Oh, I admit you fought. You fought very bravely for 6 thief. Perhaps you haven t been thief for long," She added scornfully, Perhaps you're just a hired enemy"
 Thief? Enemy?" Mundy repeated. His eyes. blazing from his black stubbed face, were genuinely puz- zled. What are you talking about? Didn't prove ."
 Drink some more of this broth. the girl interrupted shortly. You're even less good sick"
 T was trying to help you back there"
 What pretty wordsl" she fiared Didn't ! see you whispering with the oily halfbreed who runs that dive? Well, you'll see what It's like for . strange man like you to obey every command of woman"
 I'd like to know what you're talking about" Mundy said slowly his eyes narrowing.
 You schemed to steal my hand bag-if that's all you schemed. You pretended to be nice to me. You asked me to dance with you. You were laughing at me all the while We'll see who'll do the laughing from now on. You're going to work out the value of that handbag and it's contents; every penny!"
 Mundy glanced up at her. He pretended to be occupied with drinking the hot aromatic broth from the glass in her hand. Hii eyes moved everywhere. He lifted his left hand to steady the glass He caugh. her suddenly around the neck with the other. smothering her mouth against the blanket that cov- cred him. He set the glass out of the way.
 Mundy held the girl securely. He held one hand ready to shove over her mouth fl she should attempt to make an outcry. She did not strug- gle.
 "You're all wrong" Mundy told her swiftly in . low, hard voice. sf want you to understand that, 1 san aee how you might have made . mistake at first. But, for the liie of me, can't sec how you can still doubt my motives. Heaven knows' kept tkose tw0 bFutes sway from