The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-11-04

ugnLS were on again ana the table
laid for lunch. Temu washed his
hands and they sat down at once.
IT hear rumors Of a temporary
truce between government forces
and the rebels" he said "At least
the lights are on again and the
artillery fire has ceased. Your
friends from America are going
to be allowed to wing their way
back to Marking within an hour.
And all the respectable white wo--
men in Lanfou are going with
them"
"How about me?" she demand
ed.
He pulled a long face. 'FYour
friends greatly fear, as ! do, that
the river pirates have carried you
off,"
Mel" she scoffed, "Peggy's the
girl for ransom. In comparison
with her. I have nothing"
who says SOP" he grinned.
Your welfare is a pledge for
large sum from the Prince Of
Shani Lun at any time. I ex-
planned to your friends that under
the circumstances I am returning
to Delun at once to help the
Prince in negotiations for the safe
return Of the girl"
Lynn laughed in spite of her
self. But you'll come a cropper
some day." she promised. who's
Amy"
He looked blank for a moment.
Then he saw the open book of
verse. "Amy's an American art
student l knew in Paris. Swell
girl" He abserved Lynn thought
fully: Looked little like you, in
fact" - 49,
did the Prince ever see her.
picture?" -
'Now, what are you driving at?
Oh, understand. No. Tara Lynn,
he would never have taken her
for you"
His high spirits affected her un-
happily; she stared at him SOM
berly.
81 think we shall be able to
hop off tonight" he said.
Mystery Explained
"uOP Off" she cried. I'm a
Ii plane?"
81 hope so. That's the way I
came last night. Had a devil of a
time with those scouts in the air
looking for me-"
$50 yours was the mysterious
plane from the stratosphereI That
Chinese aviator was dancing
with last night mentioned your
luck in the air"
He bowed. II hope it continues.
I was compelled to land on the
river after dark and twisted
things up bit. The ships under
cover nearby"
"How did you get hold of an
airplane?" she asked curiously.
'Wirelessed it sent from Delun
to Watch Tower Wells. There is
trouble brewing in the desert.
Contraband arms are coming in
from the north by camel train.
I've made some reports to the
Chinese government and UNDER
stand a price has been set on my
head by the leaders Of the oppose
ton. I've sent my men and camels
on posthaste except for a small
detachment with Sherlock and
GerSing at the Wells"
$50 the representative Of the
Prince of Shani Lun has enemies.
Now if could get in touch with
them"
He laughed and rose from the
table 81 must be going. I'm living
officially on one of the junks on
the river" He gave a smart salute.
"See you later. Beautiful" The
door closed.
what a fool I was not to ex-
pose you when l had the chanceI"
she called after him.
She heard the key turn in the
lock as his voice came through
the panel.
Blessed fool, my darling" and
his footsteps receded through the
storage room.
Chan had cleared the table and
Lynn could hear him working
about the rear of the apartment.
Presently, as all became quiet, she
went into the kitchen. The SER
want had disappeared. She looked
about for a way of exit and saw
above the locked door a ventila-
tor. It was larger than those in
the other room and when she
turned off the artificial lights, a
glow came through from the out
side. Copper screening covered
the opening. Lynn drew forward
a small table to stand on and took
a fierce-looking knife from a
drawer.
The screening was not difficult
to remove. She looked out into an
empty shed, b eyond which,
through an open door. she could
see the platform Of the quay and
boats passing up and down the
river. A sentry passed back and
forth before the open door.
AS she turned back to the room
her rowing eyes saw ring of keys
hanging behind the oil stove.
She was down in a instant, and
securing them, she pulled the
table away. Lynn chose two like
ly keys. The second one did the
trick.
She stepped out, her heart beat
ing wildly, and made her way to
the outer door. The sentry, she
judged, paced a distance Of a
hundred yards. back and forth
She stepped inside against the
wall until he had passed and then
moved boldly into the opening.
Up the river quarter Of a mile
lay a junk at anchor flying the
flag of Shani Lun. Temu's "of-
fetal" headquarters. Lynn sur