SOUTHERN OREGON MINER excuse. But suddenly she saw a sight which reassured her . .. made her hiwtrt sing. Dawson llalg had followed Len Chow, when the China man, apparently alnilvsaly, had set out, and had temporarily lost sight of him nt a corner. Almost at the rame moment he hail aeon Eileen— ha?“ said the doctor good humored alone with Doctor Oestler—acconi ly. “I do uot wish uiy palm to be panled by th« fortune teller. And no Eileen, glancing I wick ap read—no? And I do not wish to prehenslvely along the narrow know my future. Is It sot' “It Is not so, my gentleman," the street, recognized the glitter of “Mr. soft voice continued. "It Is that I Smith's" smoked glass«-«. Dawson know where there nro boxes such Haig followed, twenty paces behind! as this, but ever so much better— Doctor Oestler waa talking to the palmist guide and could not possibly and cheaper." “You know this—ha?" said Doc­ have noticed her backward glance. tor Oestler, smiling at Eileen. On they went Into severul streets. “You think perhaps I don't know Dawson llalg waa still only twen­ this?" “1 think—ha?—you may. I say I ty paces behind! The shop was purely Arab In ap­ do not wish to buy even such a pearance. They went down two box.” “1 make with you a bargain," the steps Into the Interior, and from man went on earnestly. "I charge a dim corner the proprietor, whom you nothing—nothing—unless you the guide addressed as Mohammed, buy from the shop 1 take you to. appeared. Mohammed bowed low, opened a This Is my bargain." Eileen begun to laugh. “My lady door hidden In the dark recess laughs," said the Armenian earnest­ from which he had emerge«!, and ly. “But I will show her." He took stood aside. Eileen glanced back In her hand, as Doctor Oestler re­ the direction of the street. . . . turned and placed the casket on Dawson Haig was outside. the counter from which he had Confidently, now, aim stepped taken it. The doctor rejoined them. through Into a big room—to pause “If 1 tell this lady true,” said breathless with astonishment The the man, still holding Eileen'a-hand, fortune taller had not exaggerated. "something I cannot know except Thia was. Indeed, a wonder house, a from the palm, will you come with treasury of beautiful things! And me to the shop I show you?" there were other rooms beyond. Eileen agreed. "But he'll fall “You see, my lady," said the palm­ down on It and expect half a-crown ist softly, “what I tel) you true." all the same." It waa indeed true, since thia, “We shall see—ha? Proceed, my and not the establishment In Htam- good fellow." boul, waa the principal warehouse “You come not to Egypt, but to of that great and mysterious Indue somewhere farther------ to India, I try controlled by Yu'an Hee See. think. And in India some one Is Here, to Port Said, came the waiting for you—some one you love choicest pieces, to be distributed for and who loves you. No I” He stared sale. closer. “It Is not so. Yet there is Eileen experienced n sense of be­ some one who waits. There Is some wilderment. It was amazing. In fact, one I have spoken of—who la now terrifying . . . opening as It did out on his way to India, or to some of that tawdry little shop—what did place very near to India. And there It mean? What could It mean? She he will meet you. . . . Ah. but still looked around that Aladdin's cave, I am not right I He Is here, this and slowly the realization came to one—here. In Port Said !" her that only a Rockefeller could Eileen betrayed herself by a sud­ have bld for the contents. den start “For him there are many dan­ CHAPTER VII gers . . . and for you, too, lady. I read it in your palm. But you AWSON HAIG pulled up before will be married, and be very happy. the shop of Mohammed. There will be—" Further consideration' ind con “That's enough," said Eileen, vince«) him that hla earlier fears startled by the man's reading. for Eileen w«*re groundless. Hla own “Then we must stick to our bar­ life hung upon a thread. This he gain—yes?" said Doctor Oestler. recognized. And he scrupulously The man smiled triumphantly. avoided overhanging windows and "Please follow, my lady, my gentle­ watched warily anyone who walked man,” he said. "It Is not far. too closely behind him. But he had Please follow." no Intention of leaving Eileen alone Eileen was conscious of a sud in the company of Doctor Oestler. den vague uneasiness. He entered the shop, and looked "Perhaps the others would like about him. The place waa empty. to come?” she suggested. Haig clapped hla hands—and a mo­ Doctor Oester nodded, returned to ment later the aged proprietor ap­ the shop, and presently came back. peared. bowing low. "The ladies are still absorbed with "What can I do for you. my gen silk wear," be said, smiling, “silk tieman?" he croaked. undies—ha? So I have left Doc­ "I came to join my friends, who tor Heatherley to take care of them, and I arrange that we shall meet arrived here just ahead of me," Haig at the Eastern exchange in half an replied. "Ah 1” Mohammed nodded. “Yes. hour." The Armenian led them Into the yea. Walt but one moment" The door of the treasure house native quarter. Eileen's brain began working rapidly. The question re­ waa opened, and he had a glimpse peated Itself over and over again: of a long, low room lined with shelves and cases. "Should I go? Should I go?" A blank wall faced the shop, and Perhaps even at the last moment she would have conjured up some there were no passers-by. It was a YU'AN HEE SEE LAUGH by S m Rohm«. CHAPTER VI—Continued —»— When, bewllderingly, come the »wish of a silken shawl—a patter of feet—a »oft, terrified cry . . . and Eileen's sweet arms were about his neck! “Billy—Billy dear! Oh. my G—d! you're covered with blood! What Is it? What is itr “My dear!" he said—“It's nothing. Tm safe—and no one must know—” She was staring into hla face eagerly, her own raised in a sort of agony of apprehension. Haig began to tremble. Gone was every resolution he so recently had made —useless—hopeless. He held her so close that she thought, “He will break me In half," and exulted. He kissed her until she was breathless, helpless. “Oh, my darling," he whispered. He had so little to offer this won­ der girl, locked, happy. In his arms —so much to tell her—so much to explain. Yet somehow all he could say over and over again, was: “Oh, my darling.*. . ." • •••••• A few moments after the Walla­ roo dropped her anchor off Port Said, the British consul came aboard. There was a conference in the captain's cabin. Haig bad deliberately failed to reveal the fact that there was a man overboard. The first news was given by a steward entering the missing man's room in the morning. The conclusion was come to that the morose Chinese passenger had committed suicide during the night by jumping overboard. . . . Now, in the closed cabin of the commander, Dawson Haig revealed the truth to Captain Peterson and the British consul “I take full responsibility," he said; “you can see for yourselves the sort of gang I have to deal with. First, the Limehouse outrage, and now this murderous attack on me. I got off lightly, with a cut scalp and a torn sleeve!" The commander scratched his grizzled head. "What do you wish me to do, In­ spector?" the consul asked. “In my opinion, the persons whom you suspect of being associated with the missing assassin should be de­ tained." Dawson Haig stood up, grinning savagely, and shaking bis bead. “Upon what evidence?” be de­ manded. “I assure you that except for a scrap of paper providentially discovered by Mlsa Kearney, there’s nothing to associate Doctor Oestler. for instance, with any conspiracy directed against me. And even that is far from conclusive. I mean, be could explain It in all sorts of ways. He doesn’t appear to be ac­ quainted either with Miss Valerie Ednam or with Mr. Chow; and cer­ tainly not with the German, Hartog, on the lower deck. And what have I against these three people which would justify detention? I assure you”—he shook his head emphat­ ically—"absolutely nothing." “Then what are we to do?" said the consul. “Of course, I could de­ tain them here, for a time—” “Nb, no. Nothing official," was Haig’s reply. With the coming of daylight, the babel of the curious port rose to full blast Sellers of all kinds of wares—carpets, lace, jewelry, Bir­ mingham antiques, and the rest— set up their shops on deck, turning the ship Into a miniature bazaar. Dawson Haig, very reluctantly, had agreed to allow Eileen to pur­ sue her Inquiries In her own way; but he didn't realize that she had actually left the ship until she had been gone some lime. He was watching Len Chow, who, having collected his baggage, was now fol­ lowing a porter toward the ladder. WNU •«rvlem By SAX ROHMER Hartog had quietly gone ashore an hour before. Just before Mr. Chow reached the gangway he passed a fortune teller, au evilly handsome fellow, wearing shabby Euro|>ean clothes and a tarbuah—not an Egyptian, Haig determined, but possibly a Greek, or an Armenian. Some words were exchanged rap­ idly, although Haig was too far away to overhear them. The China- man pointed shoreward. llalg looked and saw a native boat. . . . In thia boat sat Eileen with two women passengers, the party be­ ing escorted by Doctor Oestler and the ship's surgeon! I>awson Haig became acutely un comfortable. The girl had played her part admirably, even to the ex­ tent of striking up a friendship with Miss Ednam. But neither from the woman nor from the Aus­ trian physician had she gleuned anything In the nature of a clue. She was convinced, and had assured Haig of the fact, that they knew she was watching them. Hurrying down the ladder, the dark-eyed fortune teller was pulled away In a boat which waited. Len Chow followed In another. There was nothing to show that the pair were associated. But why had the Chinaman pointed out Eileen's party? Haig stood there watching, and trying to make up his mind which of several courses to adopt Eileen ! At all costs be must keep Eileen In sight . . . He was up against a closely and cleverly organized group, he alone bolding all available threads In bis hands. Eileen had some shopping to do at Simon Arzt and so to this store the party made their way. Doctor Oestler, it appeared, had purchases to make also. The ship's surgeon, Heatherley, went along. Dawson Haig, who had been in Port Said twice previously and, oddly enough, upon the same business which saw him there now, having satisfied himself that this was the destina­ tion of the party, became interest­ ed in the movements of Mr. Len Chow. This gentleman, depositing his baggage at the Eastern exchange, had strolled out, like a man with nothing better to do than kill time. The fortune teller had entered a shop nearly opposite. Dawson Haig, wearing the tinted glasses of "Mr. Smith,” sat down at some distance from the door and ordered a cool drink. He was doing some hard thinking. At about this time. Eileen had completed her purchases. Her com­ panions—excluding Doctor Heath­ erley—had allowed themselves to be lured by wonderful shawls, scarfs, and other pitfalls which await unwary travelers in Eastern shops. Doctor Oestler was Inspecting a handsome casket of Inlaid wood. Eileen, covertly, was watching him. That this man was an associate of criminals, murderers, she could not doubt; yet he was a most enter­ taining companion, and In spite of his marked ugliness, possessed the rare quality of soothing without boring. Eileen was enjoying that sense of martyrdom so dear to woman's nature. Her spirit was seeking Dawson Haig all the time. Where was he? Was he safe? Did he ap­ preciate what she was doing? With it all, she was so happy that she was frightened. Doctor Oestler had stepped to the open doorway to examine the casket by daylight; and: "My gentleman,” said a soft voice. The doctor stared through hla glasses at the speaker. It was the Armenian fortune teller. •1 do not wish to buy anything, queer back» liter, and I lulu won d«-red what huil Induced Eileen to visit IL Hr stared again through tliu open door. Then lie moved for­ ward and looked along the room. I.Ike a (lush of summer lightning revelation came. . . . Thia was a brunch—or perhaps the purent es- tabllahment—of Jo Lung's Lime­ house emporium Caine the sound of shuffling foot- steps returning. The aged Arab re appoared. "My gentleman," he said, “I am sorry to keep you walling, but your friends have gone.” "Gone!" "By lhe other door." Hnlg stared through dltnnesa, seeking for the expression In those sunken eyes. "They didn’t stay long!" he snapped. The old Arab spread hla palms eloquently. “They buy nothing, sir." "Hhow me the way to this other door." Dawson llalg directed. “I shall overtake them more quickly by going out that way." Mohnmmed bowed. “Please fol low," he Mild. llalg entered, hla hand upon the butt of an automatic. Y*-«, the very arrangement of the place told him now that this wan the receiving house. Jo Lung's was merely a D Some Words Were Exchanged Rapidly. salesroom. But — Eileen. “Thia way, my gentleman." The Arab, mounting three stops, Indicated a further room beyond. Dawson Hnlg followed. A second Irensure cave stretched before him. There was a sort of narrow passage connecting this room with another beyond. Through this corridor the aged Arab was hurrying. Hnlg in­ creased hla stride, entered the pas­ sage almost on the beeis of Mo hammed—and . . . The floor collapsed beneath his feet ... a stifling dnig-llke smell swept up to meet, to envelop him. as he fell. “My G—d!” Too late he knew ... to what “other door” this old fiend had led him . . . the "Bath of Feathers I” e • • • • • e Doctor Heatherley, and the two women passengers from the Walla THE STORY FROM THE BEGINNING roo sat at n table outside the East­ ern exchnnge, long drinks with Matt Kearney, young American living In London, says good-by to his sister Eileen, on board ths Wallaroo. The .ship is conveying <2,000,00* In straws before them. Presently Doc gold to Australia. On his way home Kearney meats Inspector Dawson tor Heatherley glanced at his watch. Haig, of Scotland Yard, vary much tn love with Eileen. Haig la on the trail "Our friends nre Inte," said he of opium, which he Is convinced Is concealed In Jo Lung’s warehouse “ They must have found the Ilya Called to other duty, Haig delegatee Kearney, with Detective Norwich to visit the place and find out what he can. While In the warehouse Kearney terj shop. There's supposed to be picks up and carries away a notebook, which he turns over to Haig. Yu’an a store here conipnred with which Hee See, leader of a band of International thieves, Is at Jo Lung's. He Klmon Arzt’s Is merely Woolworth's sends two of his followers after Norwich and Kearney, one of whom he realises must have picked up the notebook. Hnlg Is puzzled over cryptlo I've never found anybody to lead notes In the book, referring to the Wallaroo. Soon after leaving Kearney me to tlie Mystery shop, but I be Norwich Is murdered, but Kearney Is not overtaken. While tlalg Is por­ lleve there Is such a shop. Doctoi ing over the book, a monstrous creature enters, seizes It. and escapes At Cairo Yu’an confers with his lieutenant, Aswaml Pasha, over a mys­ Oestler may know where It Is." Even as he spoke, Doctor Oestler terious coup they are planning. Haig boards the Wallaroo at Marseilles disguised. From radio messages he decodes, he realizes that members of smiling broadly, bore down up» Yu'an's gang are on board, and that they have recognized him. A China­ them. man tries to throw Haig overboard but goes over himself In a desperate (TO BE CONTINUED! struggle.