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CHAPTER VIII.
The Trail of Maku.
When for the second time that night
lie bade the girl adieu and saw her
enter the house of her friends, Orme
vent briskly to the electric car line.
lie bad not long to wait A car
came racing down the tracks and
stopped at hla corner. Swinging
aboard at the rear platform, he
glanced within. There were four pas
sengers a man and woman who, ap
parently, were returning from an eve
ning party of some sort, since he was
In evening dress and she wore an
opera cloak; a spectacled man, with
a black portfolio In his lap; a seedy
fellow asleep in one corner, his head
sagging down on his breast, his hands
In his trousers pockets; and was It
possimeT Orme began to thfak that
Fate had indeed changed her face
toward him, for the man who sat
huddled midway of the car, staring
straight before him with beady, ex
pressionless eyes, was Maku.
Under the brim of bis dingy straw
hat a white bandage was drawn tight
around his head so tight that from
Its under edge the coarse black balr
bristled out In a distinct fringe. The
blow of the wrench, then, must have
cut through the skin.
Well that would mean one more
scar on the face of the Japanese.
The other scar, how had Maku come
by that? Perhaps In some battle with
the Russians In Manchuria, He
seemed to be little more than a boy,
but then, one ncrer could guess the
age of a Japanese, and for that mat
ter, Ormo had more than once been
told that the Japanese bad begun to
Impress very young soldiers long be
fore the battle of Mukden.
While making these observations,
Orme had drawn his hat lower over
his eyes. He hoped to escape recog
nition, for thlti opportunity to track
Maku to his destination was not to be
missed. Ho also placed himself in
such a position on the platform that
his own face was partly concealed by
the cross-bars which protected the
windows at the end of the car.
In his favor was the fact that Maku
would not expect to see him. Doubt
less the Japanese was more concerned
with his aching head than with any
Gave No Indication of Feeling at All
suspicion of pursuit, though hli
somewhat indeterminate profile, ai
visible to Orme, gave no Indication ol
any feeling at all. So Orme stood
where be could watch without seem
lng to watch, and puzzled over tin
problem of following Maku from thi
car without attracting attention.
The refusal of the other Japanese U
accept the girl's offer of money for thi
papers had given Orme a new idea 01
the Importance of the quest Makt
and his friend must be Japanese gov
eminent agents Just as Porltol an
Alcatrante were unquestionably actlm
for their government. This, at least
was the most probable explanatioi
that entered Orme's mind. The syndl
rate, then or concession, or what
ever it was must be of genuine inter
national significance.
Though Orme continued to smothei
his curious questionings as to tin
meaning of the secret, he could n
ignore his general surmises. To pui
his confidence in the girl to act fot
her and for her alone that wai
enough for him; but it added to hli
happiness to think that she might b
leading him into an affair which wai
greater than any mere tangle of prl
vate interests. He knew, too, that
upon the mesh of private lntcresti
public Interests are usually woven
The activity of a Russian syndl
cate In Korea bad been the mon
or less direct cause of the Jlusso
Japanese war; the activity a
rival American syndicates In Vent
tueia bad been, but a few yean
bfora, , productive of sertout , in
Deep. fiiM 'u coftAUr
ternatlonal complications. In thi
present instance, both South Amerl
cans and Japanese were interested
But Orme knew in his soul that then
could be nothing unworthy in an
action in which the girl took part
She would not only do nothing un
worthy; she would understand the sit
uatlon clearly enough to know wheth
er the course which offered Itself t
her was worthy or not.
In events such as she had thai
night faced with him, any other glr
Ormo had ever met would have showi
moments of weakness, impatience, o
fear. But to her belonged a caln
which came from a clear perception o
the comparative unimportance of pet
ty incident She was strong, not as i
roan is strong, but in the way a worn
an should be strong.
The blood went to his cheeks as hi
remembered how tenderly he ha
spoken to her in the boat, and hov
plain he had made his desire for her
What should he call his feeling? DM
love come to men as suddenly ai
this? She had not rebuked him
there was that much to be thankfu
for; and she must have known tha'
his words were as Involuntary as hii
action In touching her shoulder will
his hand.
But how could she have rebuke
him? She was, in a way, indebted t
him. The thought troubled him. IIa
he unintentionally taken advantage
of her gratitude by showing affectloi
when she wished no more than com
radeship? And had she gently said
nothing, because he had done some
thing for her? If her patience witr
him were thus to be explained, 11
must have been based upon her recog
nition of his unconsciousness.
Still, the more he pondered, tin
more clearly be saw that she was nol
a m wna, unuer me speu oi ineraij
good will, would permit a raise situa
tion to exist. Her sincerity was too
deep for such a glossing of fact. He
dared assume, then, that her sym
pathy with him went even so far as
to accept, his attitude when It was a
shade more than friendly.
More than friendly! Like a white
light, the truth flashed upon him as he
stood there on the rocking platform of
the car. He and she would have to be
more than friendly! He had never
seen her until that day. He did not
even know her name. But all his life
belonged to her, and would belong to
her forever. The miracle which had
been worked upon bim, might It not
also have been worked upon her? He
felt unworthy, and yet she might care
might already have begun to care
but he put the daring hope out of his
mind, and looked again at Maku.
"And you know how serious It Is,"
The Japanese had not moved. His
face still wore Its racial look of pa
tient Indifference; his bands were still
crossed in bis lap. He sat on the edge
of the seat, In order that his feet
might rest on the floor, for bis legs
were short; and with every lurch of
the car, he swayed easily, adapting
himself to the motion with an uncon
scious ease that betrayed supple mus
cles. The car stopped at a corner and
the man and woman got out but
Maku did not even seem to glance at
them. Orme stepped back to make
way for them on the platform, and as
they descended and the conductor
rang the bell, he looked out at the
suburban landscape, with Its well
lighted, macadamized streets, its va
cant lots, and Its occasional houses,
which seemed to be of the better
class, as nearly aa he could Judge In
the uncertain rays of the arc lamps.
He turned to the conductor, who met
his glance with the look of one who
thirsts to talk.
"People used to go to parties In car
riages and automobiles," said the con
ductor, "but now they take the car
when they've any distance to go. It'
quicker and handler."
"I should think that would be so,
here In the suburbs," said Orme.
"Oh, this ain't the suburbs. We
crossed the city limits 20 minutes
ago."
I "You don't carry many passengers
this time of night."
! "That depends. Sometimes we have
a crowd. Tonight there's hardly any
one. Nobody else Is likely to get on
now."
"Why Is that?"
"Well, It's only a short way now
to the connection with the elevated
road. People who want to go the
rest of the way by the elevated, would
walk. And after we pass the ele
vated there's other car lines they're
more likely to take, where the can
run frequenter."
"Do you go to the heart of the
city?"
"No, we stop at the barns. Bay,
Lave you noticed that Jap In there?"
The conductor nodded toward Maku,
'.'What, about him?"
"Ho was put aboard by cop. Looks
as - though somebody , bad slugged
mm.- ;
"That's so," commented Orme. "His
bead is bandaged."
"Judging from the bandage, It must
bave been a nasty crack," continued
the conductor. "But you wouldn't
know he'd been hurt from his face.
Say, you can't tell anything about
those Johns from their looks, can you,
now?"
I "You certainly can't," replied Orme.
! The conductor glanced out "There's
the elevated," he said. "I'll have to
. go in and wake that drunk. He gets
off here."
' Orme watched the conductor go to
the man who was sleeping In the
corner and shake him. The man
nodded his head vaguely, and settled
back Into slumber. Through the open
door came the conductor's voice:
"Wake up!" Shake "You get oft
here!" Shake "Wake up, there!"
But the man would not awaken.
' Maku was sitting but a few feet
from the -sleeping man. He had not
appeared to notice what was going on,
but now, Just as the conductor seemed
about to appeal to the motorman for
help, the little Japanese slid along the
seat and said to the conductor: "I
wake him."
The conductor stared, and scratched
his head. "If you can," he remarked,
"it's more'n I can do."
Maku did not answer, but putting
his hand behind the sleeping man's
back, found some sensitive vertebra.
With a yell, the man awoke and leap
ed to his feet. The conductor seized
bim by the arm and led him to the
platform.
i The car was already slowing down,
but without waiting for it to stop, the
fellow launched himself into the night,
being preserved from falling by the
god of alcohol, and stumbled away
toward the sidewalk,
i "Did you see the Jap?" exclaimed
the conductor. "Stuck a pin into him,
that's what he did."
"Oh, I guess not," laughed Orme.
"He touched his spine, that was all."
i The car stopped. The spectacled
passenger with the portfolio arose and
got off by way of the front platform.
Would Maku also take the elevated?
If he did, unless he also got off the
front platform, Orme would have to
act quickly to keep out of sight.
But Maku made no move. He had
returned to his former position, and
oply the trace of an elusive smile on
his lips showed that he had not for
gotten the Incident In which he bad
Just taken part. Meantime Orme had
maintained his partial concealment,
and though Maku had turned his head
when he went to the conductor's help,
he had not appeared to glance toward
the back platform.
The conductor rang the bell, and
, car 8Urted forward 8Kaln w,'tD ,u
two pa8senger8-Maku within, Orme
without the pursuer and the pursued.
"I thought the motorman and I was
going tc have to chuck that chap off,"
commented the conductor.. "If the
Jap hadn't stuck a pin into his"
"I don't think It was a pin. The
Japanese know where to touch you
so that It will hurt."
"An' 1 didn't even like to rub the
fellow's ear for fear of hurtln' him.
I heard of a man (hat was made deaf
that way. Smashed his ear drums."
"I wonder where the Jap will get
off?" said Orme.
"Oh, he'll go right through to the
barns and take a Clark street car.
There's a lot of them Japs lives over
that way. He's one of 'em, I guess."
"Unless he's somebody's cook or
valet."
"I don't believe he Is. But of
course, you never know."
"That's true," said Orme. "One
never knows."
As the car plunged onward, Maku
suddenly put his hand In his pocket
He drew It out empty. On his face
was an expression which may mean
"surprise" among the Japanese. He
then fumbled in his other pockets, but
apparently he did not find what be
was looking for. Orme wondered
what it might be.
The search continued. A piece of
twine, a pocket knife, a handkerchief,
were produced In turn and Inspected.
At last he brought out a greenback,
glancing at It twice before returning
It to his pocket Orme knew that it
must be the marked bill. But Maku
was looking for somethinglse. Ilia
cheek glistened with perspiration; ev
idently he bad lost something of
value. After a time, however, he
Maku Seemed to Have Had No Sus
picion That He Was Being Fol
lowed. topped hunting his pockets, and
teemed to resign himself to his loss
ft fact from which Orme gathered that
the objoct of his search was nothing
10 valuable that It could not be re
placed. When he had been quiet for a time,
le again produced the greenback, and
examined It attentively. From the
way fee held it Orme fuised thai ha
was looking at the well-rtniembered
legend: "Reuietuber Person You Pay
This To." Presently he turned It over
and held it closer to his eyes. He was,
f course, looking at the abbreviated
tirectlons.
"You'd think that Jap had never
seen money before," remarked the
conductor.
"Perhaps he hasn't that kind." re
plied Orme.
"Maybe he guesses It's counter
felt."
"Maybe."
"Looks as though be was trying to
read the fine print on it."
"Something you and I never bave
done, I imagine," said Orme.
"That's a fact," ' the conductor
chuckled. "I never noticed anything
about a bill except the color of It and
the size of the figure."
"Which la quite enough for most
men."
"Sure! But I bet I pass on a lot of
counterfeits without knowing It."
"Very likely. The Jap has evidently
finished his English lesson. See how
carefully he folds the bill before he
puts it away."
"We'ro corain to the barns," said
the conductor. "Far as we go."
As he spoke, the car slowed down
and stopped, and Maku arose from liU
seat Orme was at the top of the
steps, ready to swing quickly to the
ground, if Maku left the car by the
renr door. But the Japanese turned
to the forward entrance. Orme watted
until Maku had got to the ground,
then he, too, descended.
Maku did not turn at once toward
the Clark street car that was waiting
to start downtown. He stood hesitant
In the street After a moment, his
attention seemed to be attracted by
the lights of an t'l-nlght restaurant
not far away, ana he crossed the
street end walked rapidly to the
gleaming sign.
Orme followed slowly, keeping on
the other side of the street. If Maku
was hungry, why, Maku would eat
while he himself would wait outside
like a starving child before a baker's
window. But Maku, it seemed, was
not hungry. Through the window
Orme saw him walk to the cashier's
desk and apparently ask a question.
In answer, the woman behind the
desk pointed to a huge book which lay
on the counter near by. Orme recog
nized it as the city directory.
For some time Maku studied the
inges. Then he seemed to appeal to
the cnshler for help, for she pulled
the book to her, looked at him as
though she were asking a question,
and then, rapidly running through the
leaves, placed her finger at a certain
part of a certain page and turned the
book around so that the Japanese
could see. He nodded and. after bow
ing in a curious fashion, came nack to
the street.
Orme had, meantime, walked on for
a little way. He would have gone to
the restaurant in un endeavor to And
out what address Maku bad wished,
but for two reasons: The cashier
might refuse to tej bim, or she might
have forgotten the name. In cither
event his opportunity to follow Maku
would thus be lost and to follow
Maku was still his best course. Ac
cordingly he watched the Japanese
go back to a Clark street car and
climb aboard.
It was an open car, with transverse
scats, and Maku had chosen a position
about two-thirds of the way back.
There was, as yet, only one other pas
senger. How to get aboard without
being seen by Maku was a hard prob
lem for Orme, but he solved It by
taking a chance. Walking rapidly to
ward the next corner, away from the
car, he got out of the direct rays of
the street lamp and waited.
Presently the car started. It al
most reached Orme's corner when he
signaled It and, hurrying Into the
street, swung on to the back platform.
There had been barely time for the
car to slow down a little. Maku could
not well have seen bim without turn
ing his head, and Orme had watched
the little Japanese closely enough to
know that he had continued to stare
straight before him.
Safe on the black platform, a desire
to smoke came to Orme. He found a
cigar in his case and lighted it. While
he was shielding the match, he looked
over his hollowed hand and saw Maku
produce a cigarette and light It. The
Japanese had apparently wished the
consolation of tobacco Just as Orme
had.
"An odd coincidence," muttered
Orme. "I hope it wasn't mind read
ing." And he smiled as he drew a
aiouthful of smoke.
Lincoln park slid by them on the
left. The car was getting well down
Into the city. Suddenly Maku worked
along to the end of his Beat and got
down on the running-board. The con
ductor pulled the bell. The car stopped
and the Oriental Jumped off.
The action had been so quick that
Orme, taken off his guard, had not
had time to get off first. He, there
fore, remained on the car, which be
gan to move forward again. Looking
after Maku, he saw that the Japanese,
glancing neither to right nor to left
was making off down the side street
going west; so he In turn stepped to
the street, Just as Maku disappeared
beyond the corner. lie hurried quick
ly to the side street and saw Maku,
half a block ahead, walking with
short, rapid steps. How had Maku
got so far? He must have run while
Orme was retracing the way to the
corner. And yet Maku seemed to
have no suspicion that he was being
followed.
The chase led quickly to a district
of poor houses and, shops an ill look
ing, 111 smelling district where every
shadow seemed ominous. Whenever
they approached a corner, Orme hur
ried forward, running on his toes, to
shorten the distance In the event, that
Mku turned, but the course contin
ued straight until Orme bfgan to won
der whether they were not getting
near to the river, one branch of which'
he knew ran north through the olty.
At last Maku turned into u alley
which cut through the middle of a
block. This was something- which
Orme had not expected. He ran for
ward and peered down the dark, un
pleasant passage. There was his man,
barely visible, picking a careful way
through the ash heaps and avoiding
the pestilential garbage cans.
Orme followed, and when Maku
turned west again at the next street
swung rapidly after him and around
the corner with the full expectation
of seeing htm hurrying along half a
block away. But no one was In sight
Had he slipped into one of the near
by buildings?
While Orme was puzzling, a voice
at his elbow said, "Hello!"
He turned with a start. Flattened
In a shadowed niche of the wall be
side him was Maku!
"Hello!" the Japanese said again.
"Well?" exclaimed Orme sharply,
trying to make the best bit the situa
tion., "You mus' not follow mo." The
Japanese spoke Impressively.
"Follow you?"
"I saw you In a mirror at the other
end of car."
So that was It! Orme remembered
no mirror, but the Japanese might ap
ply the word to the reflecting surface
of one of the forward windows.
"You lit a match," continued Maku.
"I saw. Then I come here, to find if
you follow."
Orme considered. Now that he was
discovered, it would be futile to con
tinue the chase, since Maku, naturally,
would not go to his destination with
Orme at his heeU. But he said:
"You can't order me off the streets,
Maku."
"I know. If you follow, then we
walk an' walk an' walk mebbe till
nex' week." Orme swore under his
breath. It was quite clear that the
little Japanese would never rejoin the
man who had the papers until he was
sure that he had shaken off his pur
suer. So Orme simply said:
"Goodnight."
Disappointed, baffled, he turned east
ward and walked with long strides
back toward the car line. He did not
look to see whether Maku was be
hind him. That did not matter now.
He had missed his second opportunity
Blnce the other Japanese escaped him
in the university campus.
Crossing Clark street a block north
of the point at which he and Maku
had left the car, he continued lake
ward, coming out on the drive only a
short distance from the Pere Mar
quette, and a few minutes later, after
tlvlng the elevator boy orders to call
him at eight In the morning, he was
In his apartment, with the prospect of
four hours of sleep.
But there was a final question:
Should he return to the all-night res
taurant near the car barns and try to
learn from the cashier the address
which Maku had sought? Surely she
would have forgotten the name by
this time. Perhaps It was a Japanese
name, and, therefore, the harder to
remember It; if It were a peculiar
combination of letters, the very pecu
liarity might have fixed it In her
mind. And if he hesitated to go back
there now, the slim chance that the
name remained with her would grow
slimmer with every added moment of
delay. He felt that he ought to go.
He was dog tired, but he remembered
the girl's anxiety. Yes, he would go;
with the bare possibility that the
cashier would remember and would be
willing to tell htm what she remem
bered, he would go.
He took up his hat and stepped to
ward the door. At that moment be
heard a sound from his bedroom. It
was an unmistakable snore. He tip
toed to the bedroom door and peered
within. Seated In an arm chair was
a man. He was distinctly visible In
the light which came in from the sit
ing room, and It was quite plain that
he was sound asleep and breathing
heavily. And now for the second time
his palate vibrated with the raucous
voice of sleep.
Orme switched on the bedroom
lights The man opened his eyes and
started- from the chair.
"Who are you?" demanded Orme.
"Why the detective, of course."
"Detective?"
"Sure regular force."
"Regular force?"
The stranger pulled back his coat
and displayed his nickeled star.
"But what are you doing here?"
gasped Orme, amazed.
"Why, a foreign fellow came to the
chief and said you wanted a man to
keep an eye on your quarters tonight
and the chief sent me. I was dozing
a bit but I'm a light sleeper. I wake
at the least noise.
Orme smiled remlnlscently, think
ing of the snore. "Tell me," ho said,
"was It Senor Alcatrante who had you
sent?"
"I believe that was his name."' He
was slowly regaining his sleep bo
numbed wits. "That reminds me," he
continued. "He gave me a note for
you."
An envelope was produced from an
Inside pocket Orme took It and tore
It open. The sheet within bore the
caption, "Ofllce of the Chief of Po
lice," and the few lines, written be
nenth In fine script, were as follows:
"Dear Mr. Orme: You will, I. am
sure, pardon my seeming overanxlety
for your safety, and the safety of
Porltol's treasure, but I cannot resist
using my Influence to see that you
are well protected tonight by what
you In America call 'a plain-clothes
man,' I trust that he will frighten
way the yellow peril and permit you
to slumber undisturbed. If you do
not , wish bim Inside your apartment
he wilt sit In the hall outside your
ooor. -"With
all regard for your continue!
good health, believe me, dear Mr. J
Orme, Yours, etc.. etc., S
"PEDRO ALCATRANTE."
In view of everything that bad hap
pened since the note was penned,
Orme smiled a grim smile. Alcatrant
must have been very anxious indeed;
and yet. considering that the mlnlstet
knew nothing of Orme's encounter
with the Japanese and his meeting
with the girl, the sending of the de
tective might naturally have been ex
pected to pass as an Impressive, bat
friendly, precaution.
The detective was rapidly losing
his self-assurance. "I had only beta
asleep for a moment" be said.
"Yes?" Orme spoke Indifferently.
"Well, you may go now. There la M
longer any need of you' here."
"But my Instructions"
- "Were given under a mlsapprehe
alon. My return makes your presence)
DO
He Read It Over Several Times.
unnecessary. Goodnight or good,
morning rather." He nodded toward,
the door.
The detective hesitated. "Ixiok
here!" he suddenly burst out "I
never saw you before."
"Nor I you," replied Ormo,
"Then how do I know that you ar
Mr. Orme? You may be the very chap
1 was to keep out, far as I know."
"Sure enough, I may be," said Orroa
dryly, adding: "But I am not Now
go."
Tbe detective narrowed hla eye
brows "Not without Identification."
"Ask the night clerk," exclaimed
Orme Impatiently. "Can't you see I
don't wish to be bothered any longer?"
He went over to the door and threw
It open.
"Come," he continued. "Well, her
then" as tbe detective did not move.
"here's my card. That ought to do
you."
He took a card from his pocket
case and offered It to the detective,
who, after scrutinizing it for a mo
ment, let It fall to the floor.
"Oh, It's all right I guess," he said.
"But what shall I say to the chief?"
"Simply say that I didn't need yo
any longer."
The detective picked up his hat and
went
"Thank heaven!" exclnlmcd Orme
as he closed the door. "But I wonder
why I didn't notice his hat It wu
lying here In plain sight."
He went to the telephone and spokfe
to the clerk. "Did you let that detecfe
Ive Into my apartment?" he asked.
"Why, yes, Mr. Orme. He was one
of the regular force, and he said taatj
you wanted him here. I called up th
chief's office, and the order was cor
roborated. I meant to tell you whet
you came In, but you passed the desk
Just while I was down eating my tun
per. Tbe elevator boy let you tn
didn't he?"
"Yes. Never mind, It's all right
Good night."
But when Orme examined his travel,
lng bag he found that some one had
evidently made a search through ft.
Nothing had been taken, but the or
derly arrangement of bis effects had
been disturbed. His conclusion wa
that Alcatrante had bribed tho fellow
to go much farther than official seat
demanded. Doubtless the minister had
paid the detective to hunt for
marked five-dollar bill and make ft
copy of whatever was written on It
which would have been quite a sal
proceeding for the detective, It he
wore not caught at the task. A sub
tie man, Alcatrante; but no subtler
than the Japanese.
Dismissing the Incident from hla
mind, Orme again made ready to re
turn to the all night restaurant Ha
paused at tho door, however, to gtva
the situation a final analysis. Maki
had lost somothlng. After hunting
for it vainly he had gone to the city
directory for Information which ap
peared to satisfy him. Then what he
lost must have been an address. How
would he have been likely to lose Itt
Orme's fatigue was so great that he
repeated the question to himself sev
era! times without seeing any mean
ing In It He forced hla tired brain
back to the first statement. Maku
had lost something. Yes, he had lost
something. What was It he had lost!
Oh, yes, a paper.
, It was futllo. ' His brain refused te
work.
Maku had lost a pnper. A pnperf
"Ah!" Orme was awake now.
"How stupid!" he exclaimed.
For he had entirely forgotten the
paper which he had taken from the
pocket of the unconscious Maku, thsra
on the canVpuil He had thrust It
Into bis pocket without looking at It
and In the excitement of his later td
ventures it bad passed utterly frost
kis memory.
To be continued.
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n
