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About The Nebraska advertiser. (Nemaha City, Neb.) 18??-1909 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 21, 1908)
r" STQRY BLINDFOLDED A Mystery Story of San Francisco BY EARLE ASHLEY WALCOTT (Copyright 1900, the Uohba-MerrlU Co.) SYNOPSIS. Giles Dudley urrlved In San Francisco to Join his friend nnd distant relative Henry Wilton, whom he was to assist In an Important and mysterious tusk, and who accompanied Dudley on the ferry hoat trip Into the city. The re nmrlcahlo resemblance of the two men Is noted and commented on by passen Kers on the ferry. They see a ian with snake eyes, which sends a thrill through Dudley. Wilton postpones an explanation of the straiiRo errand Dudley Is to per form, but occurrences cause him to know It Is ono of no ordinary meaning. Wilton leaves Giles In their room, with Instruction to await his return. Hardly has he gone than Giles Is startled by a cry of "Help." Dudley Is summoned to the morgue, and there Minis the deud body of his friend. Henry Wilton. And .thus Wilton dies without ever explaining to Dudley the puzzling work ho was to perforin In San Francisco. In order to discover the secret mission his ft lend had entrusted to hlm. Dudley continues his disguise and penults himself to bo known as Henry Wilton. Dudley, mistaken for Wilton, is employed by Knapp to assist In a stock brokerago deal. Giles Dudley Muds himself closeted In a room Witll Mother Borlon who makes a confidant of hlm. He can learn nothing about the mysterious boy further than that It is Tim Terrlll and Darby Meeker who are after him. He is told that "Dicky", Nahl la a traitor, playing both hands in tho antne. Dinllov trets his llrst knowledge of Decker, who is Knapp's enemy on tho if nam. JJiuiley visits tno nomo 01 iviuuiii and is stricken by the beauty of Luolla, his daughter. Ho learns the noto was forgery. Ho Is provided with four guards, Tlniwn. Rnrkhouse. Fitzlnlgh and Porter. Ho learns there is to bo no trouble about money as all expenses will be paw, tno hire of the guards being paid by one "Ittchmond." Tho body of Henry, Wilton Is committed to the vault, uuuiey re sponds to a note and visits Mother Bor tnn In enmnniiv with Policeman Corson Giles Dudley again visits the Knapp hnmrv To Is fascinated bv IjUella und bored by Mrs. Bowser. Slumming tour through Chinatown is planned. Tho trip to Chinatown. Giles Dudley learns that the party is being snauowcu uy a emu. CHAPTER XVII Continued. "Oh, isn't it sweet! So charming! cried Mrs. Dowser, as we came into lull view' of the scene and crossed the invisible line that carries one from modern San Francisco into the an cient oriental city, instinct with for eign life, that goes by the name of Chinatown. Sordid and foul as it ap pears by daylight, there- was a charm and romance to it under tho lantern- lights that softened the darkness Crowds of Chinese hurried along the streets, loitered at corners, gathered about points of interest, but it seemec as though it was all ono man 'repeated oyer and over. "Why, they're all alike!" exclaimed Mrs. Bowser. "How do they ever toll each other apart?" "Oh, that's alsy enough, ma'am," re plied Corson with a twinkle in his eye. "They tie a knot in their pig tails, and that's they way you know em." "Laws! you don't say!" said Mrs. Uowser, much impressed. "I never could tell 'em that way." "It is a strange resemblance," said Mr. Carter. "Don't you find it almost impossible to distinguish between them?" "To toll you tho truth, sor, no," said Corson. "It's a trick of the eye with you, sor. If you was to bo hero with 'em for a month or two you'd nlvor think there was two of . 'em alike. There's as much differonco betwixt one and another as with any two white men. I was loiko you at first. I says to moself that thoy'ro as liko as two pease. But, now, look at thoso two mugs there In that door. They're no more aliko than you nnd mo, as Mr. Wilson hero can tell you, sor." Tho difference between tho two Chinese failed to Impress me, but 'l was mindful of my reputation as an old resident. "Oh, yes; a vory marked contrnst," ,1 said promptly, Just as I would havo jsworn that thoy wore twins If Corson 'had suggested it. "Vory reniarkablo!" said Mr. Curtor dubiously. In and out wo wound through tho folrnetnl city tho falry-lnnd thnt istrotched away, gay with lanterns and 'busy with s trail go crowds, changing at 'times nu wo camo nearer to a tawdry reality, cheap, dirty, and heavy with 'ooors. Hero was a shop where Ivory iu dollmto carvings, bronze work that showed the patient handicraft and gro itoHiiuo fancy of tho oriental artist, lay Hldo by side with porcelains, lino and coarse, decorated with tho barbaric tiiHto In form anil color that rules the art of tho iiuolont oinptro, Next tho rloh shop was a low den from whose 'open do'ir poured fumes of tobacco ,uiul opium, and In whoso misty depths IlKnroH of bloiiHotl little men huddled around tables and swayed hither mid thither. The click of dominoes, tho rattling of sticks and counters, and tho excited cries of men, rose from tho throng. "They're the biggest gamblers tho Ould Nick Ivor had to his hand," said Corson; "there isn't ono of 'em down there that wouldn't bet tho coat off his back." "Dear me, how dreadful!" said Mrs. Bowser. "And do wo have to go down into thnt horrible hole, and how can we ever get out with our lives?" "Wo'ro not going down there, ma'am," interrupted Corson shortly. "And where next?" asked Luella. The question was addressed to tho policeman, not to me. Except for li formal greeting when ho had met, Lu ella had spoken no word to me during tho evening. "Here's the blggC3t Joss-house In town," said Corson. "Wo might as well see -It now as any time." "Oh, do let us see thoso delightfully horrible Idols," cried Mrs. Bowser. The policeman led the way Into the dimly-lighted building that served as a temple. I lingered a moment by tho door to see that all my party passed In. "There's Walnwrtght," whispered Porter, who closed the procession. "Where?" I asked, a dim remem brance of the mission on which I had sent him in pursuit of the snake-oyed mnn giving tho Information a sinlstor twist. Porter gave a chirrup and Wain wright halted at tho door. "He's just passed up the alley hero," said Walnwrlght In a low voice. "Who? Terrlll?" I asked. "Yes," said Walnwrlght. "I've kept him In sight all the evening." "Hasn't ho seen you?" asked Porter. "I siiled you as soon as you turned the corner." "Don't know," said Walnwrlght; "but something's up. Thero he goes now. I mustn't miss him." And Walnwrlght was off. The presence of Terrlll gave me some tremors of anxiety, for I knew that his unscrupulous ferocity would stop at nothing. Then I reflected that the presence of Doddridge Knapp's daughter was a protection against an attack from Doddridge Knapp's agents, and I followed the party into the heathen temple without further apprehensions. The temple was small, and the dim, religious light gave an air of mystery to the ugly figure of the god and the trappings of the place. "That's one of the richest carvings ever brought Into this country," said Corson, pointing to a part of the altar mounting. "Tin thousand dollars wouldn't touch one side of it." "You don't say!" cried Mrs. Bowser, while the rest murmured In the effort to admire the work of art. "And is that stuff burning for a disinfectant?" She pointed to numerous pieces of punk, such as serve the small boy on tho Fourth of July, that were consum ing slowly before the ugly joss. "No, ma'am not but they needs it all right enough," said Corson, "but thnt's tho haythen way of sayin' your prayers." This information was so astonishing that Corson was allowed to finish his explanation without further remarks from Mrs. Bowser. "I'll show you the theater next," said lie, as he led the way of the temple with Mrs. Bowser giving her views of tho picturesque heathen in questions that Corson found no break in the conversation long enough to an swer. As I lingered for a moment in some depression of spirit, waiting for tho others to file out, a voice that thrilled mo spoke in my ear. "Our guide is enjoying a "great fa vor." It was Luella, noticing me for the first time since tho expedition had started. "He has every reason to be delight ed," I returned, brightening at the favor I was enjoying. "Foreign travel is said to bo of great value in educntlon," said Luella, tak ing my arm, ;'but it's certainly stupid at times." 1 suspected that Mr. Carter had not boon entirely successful In meeting Miss Knapp's ideas of what an escort should be. "I didn't suppose you could find any thing stupid," I said. "I am Intensely Interested," sho re torted, "but unfortunatoly tho list of subjects has come to an end." "You might have begun at the begin ning again." "Ho did," sho whispered, "so 1 thought It time he tried the guide or Aunt Julia." "Thank you," I Bald. "Thank hlm, you mean," she said gaily. Now don't bo stupid youraolf, ho ploaso change tho subject. Do you know," sho continued without giving me time to speak, "that tho only way I can bo reconciled to this place and tho alghtB wo havo seen Ih to Imagine I am In Canton or Peking, thousands of inlloH from homo? Soon thoro, It is IntorcHtlnK, Instructive, natural a part of the puoplo. Ah a part of Han Ftiuicltico It Ih only vile." "Come this way," said Corson, hull lug with tho party at ono of the doors. "I'll show you through nomo of tho opium ileiiH, and that will bring uh to tho Htago door of the theater." "How clone and heavy the air Ih!" mild Luolla uh wo followed tho wind lag parage In tho dim illumination that came from an occasional gas jet or oil lamp. "The yellow man is a firm believer In the motto, 'Ventilation Is the root of all evil, "I admitted. The fumes of tobacco nnd opium were heavy on tho air, and a moment later we came on a cluster of small rooms or dens, fitted with couches and bunks. It needed no description .to mnko the purpose plain. Tho whole process of Intoxication by opium was before me, from the heating of tho metal pipe to the final stupor thnt is tho gift and end of the Black Smoke. Hero, was a coolie mixing the drug; there, just beyond hlm, was another, drawing whiffs from the bubbling nar cotic through tho bamboo handle of his pipe; thoro, still beyond, was an other, lying back unconscious, half clad, ropulslvo, a very sorry reality in deed to tho gorgeous dreams thnt aro reputed to follow In the train of tho seductive pipe. "This is depressing," said Luelln, with a touch on my arm. "Lot's go on." "Turn to tho right there," Corson called out, as we led the way while he was explaining to Mr. Carter tho method of smoking. "Let us got where there is some air," said Luella. "This odor is sick ening." Wo hastened on, and, turning to tho right, soon camo on two passages. One led up a stair, hidden by a turn after half a dozen stops. Tho other stretched 50 or 75 feet before us, and an oil lamp on a brackett at the farth er end gave a smoky light, to the pass age and to a mean llttlo court on which It appeared to open. "We had bettor wait for tho rest," said Luella cautiously. As she spoke, ono of tho doors to ward tho farther end of the passage swung back and a tall, heavy figure camo out. My heart gave n great bound, and I felt without realizing It at the moment that Luella clutched my arm fiercely. In the dim light tho figuro was the figure of tho Wolf, tho head was tho head of the Wolf and though no light shone upon It, the face was the face of tho Wolf, livid, distorted with an ger, fear and. brutal passions. "Doddridge Knapp!" I exclaimed, and gave a stop forward. It flashed on me that ono mystery was explained. I had found out why tho Doddridge Knapp of plot nnd coun terplot, and tho Doddirdgo Knapp who was tho generous and confidential em ployer, could dwell in the samo body. Tho King of the Street was a slave of tho Black Smoke, and, liko many an other, went mad under tho Influence of the subtle drug. As I moved forward, Luella clung to me and gave a low cry. The Wolf figuro throw ono malignant look at uh and was gone. "Take mo homo, oh, take me home!" cried Luella in low suppressed tones, trembling and half-falling. I put my arm about her to support her. "What is it?" I asked. She leaned upon mo for one mo ment, and the black walls and gloomy passago became a palaco filled with flowers. Then her strength and reso lution returned and she aWook herself free. "Come; let us go back to tho oth ers," she said a little unsteadily. "Wo should not havo left them." "Certainly," I replied. "Thoy ought to be here by this tlmo." Hut as we turned a sudden cry sounded as of an order given. Thoro was a bang of wood and a click of metul, and as we looked wo saw that unseen hands had closed the way to our return. A barred and Iron-bound door was locked In our faces. CHAPTER XVIII. The Dnttle In the Maze. For an Instant I was overwhelmed with torror and self-reproach. Tho bolted door before mo gave notice of danger as plainly as though tho word had been painted upon Its front. Tho dark and lowering walls of tho pass age In which tho Wolf flguru of Ihuld ridge Knapp had appeared and disap peared whlspuied tlmmtH. And I, In my folly and ourohaunusH, had brought Luolla Knapp Into thin place nnd exposed her to tho dangers thnt onclrcled mo. It was this thought that for tho moment unnerved mo. "What does this mean?" naked Lu ella In a matter-of-fact tone. "It is a poor practical joke, I fear," said I lightly. I took occasion to shift a revolver to my overcoat pocket. "Well, aru't you going to got me out of here?" she asked with a little sug gestion of lni atlence. "That Is my present Intention," I re plied, benting a tattoo on the door. "You'll hurt your fists," she said. "You must find some way besides beating It down." "I'm trying to bring our frlonds here," said 1. "Thoy should have been with us beforo now." "Isn't thero anothor way out?" asked Luella. "I suspect thoro aro a good many ways out," I replied, "but, unfortun ately, I don't know them." And I gavo a few resounding kicks on tho door. "Whore does this stairway go, I wonder?" said Luolla. "It can't be tho way out. Isn't there anothor?" "We might try tho passage." She gave a shudder and shrank to ward mo. "No, no," she cried In a low voice. "Try tho door again. Somebody must hear you, and it may be opened." 1 followed her suggestion with a rain of kicks, emphasized with a shout that mado tho echoes ring gloomily In the passage. I heard In reply a sound of voices, and then an nusweriug shout, nnd tho stops of men running. "Are you thoro, Mr. Wilton?" cried tho voice of Corson through the door. "Yes, all Bafo, I answered. "Well. Just hold on a bit and we'll" The rest of his sentence was lost in a suppressed scream from Luella. I turned and darted beforo her, just In time to faco throe Chinese rufllans who wore hastening down the passago. The nearest of tho trio, a tall dark savage with a deep scar across his cheek, was just reaching out his hand to soize Luella when I sprang forward and planted a blow squaro upon his chin. Ho fell back heavily, lifted al most off his feet by my Impact, and lay like a log on tho floor. The othor two rufllans halted Irreso lute for an instant, and I drew my re volver. Their wish seemed to bo to take mo alive if possible. After a moment of hesitation thoro was a mut tered exclamation and ono of tho doa peradoos drew his hand from his blouse. "Oh!" cried Luella. "He's got a knife!" Beforo ho could make anothor movement I llred once, twice, three times. Thero was a scramble and scuflle In tho passageway, and tho smoko rolled thick In front, blotting out tho scone that hud stood in all houettte before us. Fearful of a rush from the Chinese, I threw one arm about Luella, nnd, keeping my ' body between her and possible attack, guided her to tho stair that led upward at nearly right angles from tho passage. Sho was trembling and her breath came short, but her spirit l)ud not quailed. She shook herself free as I placed her on the first step. "Have you killed them?" she asked quietly. "I hope so," I replied, looking cau tiously around tho corner to see tho results of my fusillade. Tho amoko had spread Into a thin haze through the passage. (TO UK CONTINUED.) Lost a Good Thing. Formerly a telephone had stood on tho bracket in tho corner. Tho brack et had boon made expressly for tho 'phone. It had been so exceedingly convenient to call up hor friends that tho woman Immediately notlcod tho chango; for on tho bracket In plnco of tho telophono stood a atatuotto that alio didn't much care for. "What have you dono with It?" she asked of them. "Tho company tried to collect tho bill," thoy said. " 'I am sorry,' " tho woman sighed, because at that mo ment she thought of about a dozen to whom sho would havo liked to tele phone. "So are all our friends," Bald thoy pointedly. Simplicity In Furnishing. Tho reign or bric-a-brac Is ouding. That confusion of our rooms, as It were, externalizing tho confusion of mlddlo class minds, has felt tho attack or tho revived Idea of simplicity. In many houses you-aro refreshed by un incumbered walls, merely decorated by quiet, plain pnpora, without pic tures or fans or platea. A few necos aary chairs, a table meant for uao, fewer thlnga ovorywhero, and thoBo things better chosen that la tho new Ideal in funilahiiig. Time Loot Means Slavery. Tho time wasted in delaying and postponing and procrastinating and putting off, If rightly utilized, would bo HUlllcleut to accomplish the most Important of titHka, which when thus shunned for the present booaufco of somo llttlo unpleasantness or 1 1 f II cully aro liable to never bo performed Tho road of "lly-and-by" lends to tho town of "Never." Norwegian wrapping paper lu tho bimt. Is Pe-ru-na Useful for Catarrh? Should a list of tho ingrodlonta of Pe runa bo submitted to any modlcal ex port, of whatever school or nationality, ho would bo obliged to admit without rosorvo that tho medicinal horba com posing Poruna nro of two kinds. First, standard and woll-trlcd catarrh romo dlos. Second, woll-knowu and gonor ally acknowledged tonlo romodloa. That In ono or tho other of theso uses thoy havo stood tho tost of many years' oxporlonco by physicians of different schools. Thoro can bo no dlsputo about this, whatovor. Poruna Is composed of some of tho most efficacious and uni versally used hurbal romodlos for ca tarrhal dlaoasos, and for such conditions of tho human system as rcquiro tonic. Kaeh ono of tho principal Ingrodlonta of Poruna has n reputation of Its own in tho euro of somo phase of catarrh or as a tonic mcdlulno. Tho fact is, chronic catarrh ia a dla oaso which is vory prevalent. Many thousand pcoplo know they havo chroniocatarrh. Thoy havo vlsl tod doc tors over and over again, and boon told that their caso Is ono of ohronlo catarrh. It may bo of tho noso, throat, lungs, stomach or somo othor Internal organ. Thoro Is no doubt as to tho naturo of tho disease Tho only troublo Is tho remedy. This doctor has trlod to euro thorn. That dootor has trlod to pro scribe for thorn. No other household romody so uni versally advortlsed carries upon tho label tho principal actlvo constituonts, showing that Poruna invltos tho full Inspection of tho critics. The Old-Time Boy. Tho boy of to-day who complains of anything should bo mado to road tho rules and regulations laid down for boys in old colonial days. Ho had to stand up at tho table. Ho must go to bed at candlelight. Ho must not sit down in the presonco of a visitor. He must not sliout. Ho must not run without cause. Ho nuiBt not throw BtonoB nt animals or birds. Ho must not idle on tho street, nnd If he had been found trying to stand on hia head ho would havo gono to Jail for a week. With a smooth Iron and Doflnnco Starch, you can launder your shirt waist just as well at homo as tho steam laundry can; It will havo tho proper Htlffnesa and finish, thoro will bo less wenr and toar of tho goods, and it will bo a posltivo pleasure to use a Starch that does not stick to the Iron. Contentment is said to bo bettor than riches, but it ia only a matter of hearsay with most pcoplo. Smokers appreciate flic quality Value ol Lewis' Sinulu Hinder cigir. Your dealer or Lewis' Factory, Peoria, 111. Goodness thinks no 111 whoro no 111 scorns. Milton. Food 1 Products Peerless Dried Beef Unlike tho ordinary dried beef that sold in bulk Libby's Peerless Dried Beef comes in a sealed glass jar in which it is packed the moment it is sliced into those delicious thin wafers. None of the rich natural flavor or goodness escapes or dries out. It reaches you fresh and with all the nutri ment retained. Libby's Peerless Dried Bee! is only one of a Great number of high-grade, ready to servo, pure food products that are prepared in Libby's Great While Kilchcn. Just try a package of any of these, such as Ox Tonguo, Vienna Sausage, PicSIos, Olives, etc., and see how delightfully dif ferent ihoy aro from others you liavoeaton. Libby, McNeill Libfcy, Chicago