New York Detective Library (v. 1) (1884 02 14)
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s as A oe a Sas . SS = ; Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1883, by FRANK TOUSEY, in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D, C. Pee pee ts Entered at the Post Office, at New York, N. ¥., as Second Clase Matter. ; FRANK TOUSEY. Pusiisner, 34 & 36 Nortu Mooke Srreer, N. Y. PRICE d No. 82. t COMPLETE. | Mew Yore, Fesrvary 14, 1884. IssvuED EvERY THURSDAY. {10 CENTS, Vol. 1 4 = A v7 *, .- A ” x te. = Sees pes te
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CHUNG WING. The subscription price for THE New YORE DETECTIVE LipRary for the year of 1584 will be $35.00 per year; a: = r 6 mon t-paid. Address FRAN me PUBLISHER, 34 and 36 North Moore Street, New York, e q 0. Sew ae THE By PROLOGUE. THE history of Chung Wing, the most noted bandit king of China, is so fall of realistic romance, that I have been induced to write the story of his life for the benefit of our readers. The incidents recorded in the following chapters are all found- ed on facts, the whole being translated from the official life, published in China a few years ago, and written by a noted Chinese historian. The adventures of Chung Wing far eclipse those of any of '_ eountries, not only for their daring and brutality, but also for a the ingenious manner in which all the schemes for robbery and 3 murder were planned. a Tp the early part of the Chu dynasty, and during the reign of Wing Wong, a poor family, by the name of Chung, lived in the little village of Kin Loong, which is situated about one hundred miles north of Nankin. ‘This family consisted of the mother, father and two sons. At the time we write the elder of the two boys, Chung Wing, was twenty years old, while his brother, Chung Sing, had just celebrated his seventeenth birth- os Both were fine-looking young men, and were noted in the city for their great physical strength and honesty of charac- put to work early in life, and were thus unable to get any kind an education. Chung Wing became a policeman under the ng e of the city of Quin Lung Hien, and Chung Sing out as.a farp-hand to a wealthy farmer in a neighboring village. Chung Sing being the possessor of an abundance of Z good looks, soon attracted the attention of the farmer’s only er, a girl of some sixteen summers, who fell desperately ith the tender of her father’s stables. The lovers met ly for some time, until at last the farmer found out y it their meetings, and then he grew wroth and discharged gallant Chung Sing, Not daunted by this act of the irate ) young man still contrived means of seeing his mis- finally proposed to her that they should elope and wife. "The girl yielded to his entreaties, and was ea from home on business, all the jewelry aud. Sin 7d t valuables the noted bandits of ancient or modern times in Christian. ter, “Owing to the poverty of their parents they were both Author of ‘‘ The Rusty Nail,” CHUNG WING CHINESE BANDIT KING : An American iskacktvs in China. POLICE SERGEANT MALLORY, ‘The Stolen Cane,” Ete. to the farmer, and then she and her lover went to Quin Ling Hien, where they were married. After the marriage was over, the runaways took up their residence with Chung Wing, who was living in a pretty little cottage on the outskirts of the town. Two years passed by, and the lovers were still living happily together, enjoying their stolen wealth. Chung Wing had succeeded in getting his brother a position as warden in the jail, and this required Chung Sing to be away from home the greater portion of the day and night. In Quin Lung Hien there lived a young major by the name of Lee Po Tai. He was in the Imperial army, and was noted for his daring in the-field of battle, and for his good looks, which made him a great favorite among the women.. While in the city his principal hang-out was in a notorious tea sa- loon kept by a depraved woman by the name of Chang, who had for her friends many men occupying high positions under the government, and through their influence she was safe from: being molested by the police. One day when Lee Po Tai was passing Chung Sing’s resing dence on his way to the tea saloon, he saw Mrs. Chung sitting at the window, engaged in making fancy work. He was struck with her beauty, and on his arrival at the saloon, he called Madame Chang aside and told her about his seecget and said: ‘‘Madame, if you will bring that young woman to. this house and introduce her to me, I will give you one mbes teals.” = After considerable parleying, the mistress of the amma then 3 said: ‘¢T'll do it for that price if yeu promise me faithfally that if any disturbance should occur from her being — that you will stand by me.” ‘Tl promise that, and do anything else that you Y done,” replied the gaflant major, as he drew a well- filled purse from his pocket and handed it to the woman. = The next day, while Chung Sing was away from Madame Chang called at his house, and was gracio ceived by Mrs, Chung, who, up to this time, had not bee ited by any of the neighbors. ; : On peters =the neat little ee sora
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CHUNG WING. oe fs 1am one of your neighbors, Mrs. Chung, and I thought that as none of the ladies around here had called upon you, _ that I would come and see you, and invite you to my house, where you will be welcome at any time, and where you can spend a few hours while your husband is away and not feel lonesome.” z ‘*T have suffered terribly with ennui since I have been liv- ing here, and I have often wished that some one would call upon me. -I don’t know how I shall ever thank you for this + pars and you may rest assured that it will not be long before - T ayail myself of your kind invitation.” After a short conversation Madame Chang took her depart- ure, congratulating herself that the young woman had fallen so easily into the trap set for her, and caught at the bait. Early the next day, after her husband had left the house, Mrs. Chung, feeling quite lonesome, concluded to visit: the 2 charming Madame Chang. She dressed herself with the _ greatest of care, and without telling any of the servants where she was going, she went to the tea saloon, where she was i ~ graciously received by the proprietress, who did everything _ that she could to make her guest enjoy herself and feel at a ease. Things were so pleasant that Mrs. Chung hardly noticed _ how time passed. In the afternoon the major came and was _ _ introduced to the visitor, to whom he paid the greatest atten- tion. Mrs. Chung was perfectly infatuated with the officer, “3 and when night came on she allowed him to escort her home. ae Mrs. Chung said nothing about this visit to her husband. This visit was followed by another and another, until finally nothing _ could induce her to stay at home after her husband left the Pe “house. Things went on in this way for some time, until : e commenced to notice Mrs. Chung’s frequent visits to the ne ‘tea saloon, and commenced to talk about her intimacy with dee Po Tai. At last Chung Sing heard of his wife’s actions, and he went ‘immediately to her paramour, and demanded ‘satisfaction. "The major was sitting in his parlor on the evening that Chung Sing called at his house, and was enjoying a quiet smoke when the irate husband entered the room. The first thing that met the major’s gaze, as he turned around to see who it wa that was standing in the door-way of hisroom, was Chung who carried a dagger in his hand. When the wronged sand saw the major, he made a dash for him, and if it had been that the officer dodged the blow as quickly as he did would.have been instantly killed in his chair. The major lost no time in returning the attack, and before Chung Sing ‘recover from his surprise, the major gave him a furious ‘ander the chin which knocked him senseless to the floor broke his jaw. Not satisfied with knocking the wronged d senseless and injuring him perhaps for life, Lee Po | commenced to kick the insensible man about the head and , until at last Chung Sing’s body was covered with he was bleeding terribly, and some of his ribs were - Then the major stopped his assault, and taking the ad man in bess arms, he carried him to the frontdoor, and row, and I think that the best thing that we can do is to put him out of the way.” “What would you advise me to do?” asked the faithless wife, throwing her arms around the major’s neck and kissing him several times as she sat on his lap, and allowed his arm to encirele her waist. **T have brought you this little powder,” answered Lee Po Tai, drawing a small package from his pocket. ‘‘ You can mix it with Chung Sing’s medicine, and it willmake short work of him.” The row between the major and Chung Sing occurred while Chung Wing was away from the city, and he did not hear of it. - When Lee Po Tai left his mistress that night, oe went to her husband’s room and administered the powder to him in a dose of medicine. In the morning Chung Sing was dead. The poison made the dead man’s flesh turn black, so, to cover up all traces of her crime, the heartless wife had her husband’s remains cremated. The ashes she had put in a leather bag, which she carried around in her pocket every place she went during the days of her mourning. A few days after Chung Sing’s remains had been cremated Chung Wing returned to the city, and on his arrival at the house he was astonished to see the blinds all closed, and still greater was his astonishment when he learned that his brother was dead. When Chung Wing entered the room where his sister-in-law was, he was surprised to see her making prepara- tions to go out. He did not let her think that he suspected anything, and so he asked in a very pleasant. manner: ‘What did Sing die of?” ‘Heart disease,” answered the widow, pulling her mourn- ing garments closely around her. “Where did you bury him?” This question seemed to confuse the guilty woman for some minutes; but at last she controlled her nerves and answered: ‘* Being a stranger here, and not having a plot in a ceme- tery, I thought that the best plan would be to have the body cremated. Here are the ashes.” She pulled the bag from her pocket, and, without any signs of gricf, she handed it to Chung Wing. As she handed Chung Wing the bag one of her sleeves flew up, and displayed beneath her mourning garments a suit of gay-colored silk dresses, “What does this mean?” demanded Chung Wing, as his eyes rested upon the gay apparel, ‘‘ How comes it that you have these holiday dresses on in this time of mourning, and under your widow’s weeds?” Chung Wing now stepped up to his sister-in-law’s side and tore the mourning garments from her bagk, displaying fully now the under-dresses, Mrs. Chung was so taken aback that for some moments she hardly knew what to answer. she recovered her composure and answered: “Ohung Sing died so suddenly, while I was visiting a friend, that when I arrived home I had no chance to change my dress, and so put on the mourning garments over these.” Chung Wing was too old a bird to be taken in so easily. atone ho telling the truth, and that she must At last wake long association with all kinds of criminals had made him __ most | 4 go8d judge of character, and. from his sister-in-law’s actions —
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4 CHUNG WING. On entering the prison, Chung Wing met his friend Lum Kee, to whom he confided what he had discovered, and then asked: _‘* Will you aid me in bringing these human hyenas to justice ?” ‘*T will do anything in the world for you,” answered Lum Kee, ‘“‘and if you say so, I will help you to punish them to- night.” ‘* Agreed!” exclaimed the excited Chung Wing. ‘‘It is now dark, and I think the best thing that we can do is to go over to the tea saloon and find out what is going on.” Accordingly the two friends left the prison, and it was not long before they reached Madame Chang’s saloon. They found the doors locked, and the front of the house enveloped in darkness, si instant, and then, with trembling hands, he untied the string, = opened the neck of the bag, and examined the ashes, During = the time that he had been on the police he had studied chem- istry, more especially that portion of the action of poison upon the bones of the human system, and, the minute he examined the ashes in his hand, he saw that they were black instead of light in color, and he came to the conclusion that his brother had been poisoned. Saying nothing about his discovery to the woman standing before him, he replaced the ashes, tied up the bag, put it in his pocket, and, after saying good-bye to his sister-in-law in as pleasant a manner as the circumstances would permit, he left the room and proceeded to go to the prison, where he intended to analyze the ashes and make sure that he was not wrong in his suspicions, When he was going out of the front door he met a small boy coming up the steps, Ee who asked: ‘‘ Let’s go around to the back,” suggested Chung Wing. = ‘Ig Mrs. Chung Sing in?” They found little difficulty in reaching the back of the house, “Yes,” answered Chung Wing, and then he said to the | and discovered that a bright light was burning in one of the lad: rooms on the ground floor. This room had a window facing a ‘¢ What do you want with her?” ‘*T have a note for her.” ‘« Let me see it.” The boy handed.the note to Chung Wing. He hastily open- : ed it and read: ‘‘My Dear DavGHTeR—Be sure and come this evening. Lee Po Tai and I will be the only occupants of the house, and eas we will have a general good time. =a “‘- Your god-mother, ae ‘MADAME CHANG.” So—ho!” exclaimed Chung Wing, when he finished read- ing; “‘ things begin to dawn upon me now.” He turned to the boy and said: 1 «Come with me, I want to talk to you in a quiet place.” The boy obeyed, and Chung Wing led the way to a tea -galoon, where he ordered refreshments served in a private room. When the things were brought in, and he and the boy _ were seated at the table, after the waiter had left the room, he said; , __ & Boy, do you know anything about Mrs. Chung Sing, and can you tell me anything about her visiting Madame Chang’s _ saloon?” _-_——s- * Yes,” replied the lad; ‘‘she frequents the saloon every night, and meets Major Lee Po Tai there.” _ The lad then went on to relate all about the quarrel between ~ Lee Po Tai and Chung Sing, and then said: J took Chung Sing home the night that he was so badly beaten by the major, and then Mrs, Chung told me to stay with - her to help take care of the sick man. One night the major - came and gave Mrs. Chung a powder, which she mixed in her _ husband’s medicine, and the next morning he was dead.” ‘Are you sure of this?” asked Chung Wing. “I could swear to it,” replied the boy. _ Chung Wing pulled some coins from his pocket, and then I: mine these, and tell nobody that you have spoken to me, path which led along the side of the house. The two police- men approached the window, the lattice work of which was covered with -heavy oil paper, in the place of glass. This paper was so thick that at night nothing could be seen with- out, and it thus saved the two friends from being observed by those in the house. Chung Wing noiselessly approached the window, and dexterously bored a hole in one of the panes with the point of his dagger. He looked through the hole that he had just made, and a sight met his gaze which fairly made his blood boil in his veins. He turned to his companion, whis- pered something into his ear, and then the two went to we front door and rapped. ‘“Suey, ah?” (‘Who is that?”) asked Madame Chang, as she hurried to the front door of the saloon. ‘« A customer who is very hungry and desires some refresh- ments,” answered Lum Kee. ‘The place is closed for the night,” said Madame Chang, “ to open, At last Madame Chang opened the door. She no sooner did so than Chung Wing pounced upon her and drove his sword completely through her body. The woman fell to the floor without uttering a word, gave a heavy sigh and =< Patt ee yy O that no one in the house was aroused, and Chung Wing and Lum Kee entered the saloon, after clint the door, without — e any one being aware of their presence. They threw the life- less body of the proprietess into a corner out of the way, a then crept towards the room where the major and his Da mour were enjoying themselves. | ‘Chung Wing gently re hing Wing hn gave the boy the note that was directed Chung at the door. Mrs. Chung thinking that it was Madame came tothe door and opened it. Before she could utt ‘The lad left the saloon, and then the Police- . | word Medians Chee Wing swung his sword — ered h m her body. e head
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CHUNG WING. hos 8 bounded to his feet, grasped his sword and engaged both Chung Wing and Lum Kee in deadly combat. The major was _ a skillful swordsman, and for a long time he managed to keep his assailants at bay. He and Chung Wing were wounded in _ several places, and the blood flowed in streams upon the floor. 72 Both being powerful men, the loss of blood did not seem to _ affect them any. ‘The table, chairs, and every bit of furniture a in the room was overturned and smashed to pieces. Clang, _ clang, clang, clang! went the swords. Thrust after thrust _Was made and dodged. The major was being bard pressed, - and he fought life a furious-tiger at bay. _ Pake that, you dog!” cried Lee Po Tai, as he made a _ lunge at Chung Wing, who met the stroke half way with his sword and warded off the blow. Before the major could re- ~ sume his guard, Chung Wing swung his sword around several ~ times in the air, and then, with all the strength that he could command, he allowed the blade to descend upon Lee Po Tai’s ~ head, and cut it and the neck completely in two. With a groan the massive frame of the major sank to the floor. Not - satisfied with killing their antagonist, Lum Kee and Chung Wing now set to work to chop the body in pieces. When death, and who are used to hardships, if we properly combine Se our forces, we can live like kings and hold the empire in a state 2 Senishasat that we have administered, still, at the same ime, we had no right to kill them, and if we are captured or er. If we should be convicted we may have to suffer or perhaps be imprisoned in a dark dungeon, or, still 2, be transported to the wilds of Tartary, to be beaten to th. I propose that we leave this place to-night and join band of brigands under the famous Queen Sau ur Neau.” —eapitall” cried aoe Kee, — from his it this time the 1 western slope of the great Quien Lung of ' mountains, fer a distance of- about fifty miles, was feared by travelers, owing to the frequent dise ppear- er of) wealth, _ who were journeying through the These di were accounted for in one way c ‘but none seemed to be able to account for ‘them secret about what had happened, and what they had seen and heard. Chung Wing and Lum Kee succeeded in joining the great Sau ur Neau’s band. After a time the queen fell in love with Chung Wing, and after murdering her husband, she married the ex-policeman and had him crowned king. CHAPTER I. CANTON EXCITED. THE streets of Canton were packed with a mass of Mongoli- ans, whites and blacks. All were hurrying to and fro, talking excitedly, as if something had happened which interested every one in the city. It seemed as if all the inhabitants were abroad, Even the lanes and alleys were full of people, and around the public squares and buildings the Imperial troops were gathered together in full force. The American man-of- war “Tuscarora” was in the harbor, and had her guns pointed on the city. Most of her officers were on shore, with a large number of men, on this memorable morning, the 12th of April, 1858. A fearful massacre of the white population had occurred the night before, and this was the cause of the excite- ment of the populace. The Chu dynasty had fallen, and the outer provinces’ were in a state of revolution. Up to this time Canton had remained undisturbed, and it was hoped by the inhabitants that the unruly hordes would not come near the city. Suddenly it was whispered abroad that the famous ‘bandit king, Chung Wing, had been scouring the country, and that it was likely that he and his band would visit the city during the day: He arrived before any preparations could be made to try and arrest him. He swooped-down on the American and English quarters of the town, robbed and plundered the houses, and then massacred the helpless women and children, and before assistance could arrive he succeeded in making his escape, with all the plunder, and one captive. This captive was a young woman of about eighteen years eh the highly accomplished and only daughter of a very wealthy merchant, whom the brigands had murdered, and the acknowledged queen of beauty of the American colony. Juanita Lloyd’s society was greatly sough® after by all the beaux of the place, both English ard American, She gave her preference to a young man in her father’s employ by the name of Armand De Witt. It is unnecessary to say that Armand loved his employer’s daughter, and lavished on her every af- fection. When he heard of Juanita's disappearance he was almost frantic, and this, coupled with the murder of her father, made him determined to follow up the bandits, and have them captured and punished. Armand De Witt was a young man of about twenty-five years of age, of medium height, with very light hair and eyes, and from his clear-cut features one could see that he possessed not only ability, but a great deal of determination, “which helped him in overcoming every difficulty which surrounded’ him. When Armand De Witt heard of Mr. Lloyd’s murder and of Juanita’s abduction, he applied to the city government for aid, F but the officials would not listen to him, and he was compelled 3 to leave the City Hall unsuccessful and baffled. Sab Every minute was precious to him. He thought of the _ American man-of-war in the harbor, and wen and saw the a commander. "The officer listened to his story, and when ‘bs had ‘ied ur | ths oornlitaaaes oe: pee “Tuscarora ” Said: ;
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CHUNG possibly can; but it will be impossible for me to give you any try.” ‘What would you advise me to do?” asked Armand, in perplexity, now that he saw that he could not receive aid from his own countrymen. ‘¢T hardly know what:to advise,” answered the commander. ‘*You say that the Chinese government officials have refused to help you. I will see what I can do with them to-morrow.” ‘¢ But to-morrow will be too late, I am afraid.” ‘¢Tt is the best that can be done.” ‘+ Well, I'll wait. until to-morrow,” said Armand, as he shook hands with the officer, and went back to his office, feeling low-spirited, and as he sat down at his desk it seemed to him as if a heavy weight had been placed on his heart. He bowed his head on his hands, and was lost in deep thought when the office door was opened, a gentleman entered and stepped to his side. So intent was he in thinking that he did not notice that any one was standing by him. The visiter was a man of about forty years of age, of medium build, and of a very dark complexion. He waited some time to see if Armand would notice him, and finding that the young man did not look up, he said: “Ts Mr. De Witt in?” Armand, who did not expect any one, now looked up with a start, and stared at his visitor with a look of surprise. He recovered his composure in a few minutes, and then he re- phed: ‘My name is De Witt. Is there anything I ean do for ~ you?” ‘* My name is Joseph Clinton,” answered the man; ‘‘I ar- rived in Canton this morning by the steamer ‘‘ Great Re- Be? + i ” from San Francisco. I am a detective by profession, pea "OU; hearing of the massacre oad your loss, I came to offer 3 pe services to you.” ** You have just come in time, and I shall be only. too glad to accept of your kind offer,” said AEN, as he handed his ‘Visitor a chair. He then related t0 the: detective all: tha details of the anhamaere, and of his unsuccessful attempts to get assistance [a the government. _ “I see now,” said Joseph Clinton, ‘‘ that we need hope for ~ no wappart from any one—all we can do now is to go to work © ‘these fiends.” ” = em willing to start immediately if you say 60,” said eda “(After considerable time spent in talking over different plans, they agreed to start after the brigands that evening. _ Joseph Clinton, or Clint, as he was more familiarly called in San Francisco, was noted on the Pacific coast for his ability ) solve the mystery surrounding any case that he took hold qi _ He had lately succeeded in arresting a whole band of ‘ighw: that had proven a terror to the inhabitants of ar California; after this exploit he had concluded to take rip to China to recuperate his health, and he arrived just ae to hear of the bloody massacre. Being of an adven- nature, he decided to call on Armand De Witt, when he Lloyd's abduction, and to see what he could do ef the young girl's rescue, and bringing . Havi ogame do with the ourselves, eee renee Miss Lloyd from the hands of| night in a little grove on the outskirts of the village. Clint you are foolish if you go forward. ‘Whole regiments. eet eres — eae at the mouth ¢ . WING. Armand De Witt also spoke Chinese proficiently, and so the of my men to follow the brigands into the heart. of the coun-} two men were able to travel through the country without the aid of an interpreter. Armand and the detective went to dinner together, and when they were through the clerk said: **Mr. Clinton——” ‘* Don't call me that,” broke in the detective, ‘‘ call me sim- ply Clint; it will sound more natural.” “Well, Clint,” — Armand, laughing, ‘‘I feel as if I had known you for years.” - ‘** Armand—I’m going to call you Armand—I can say the same about you. © We will be compelled to suffer much hard- ship in what we are going to undertake.” ‘‘Tam willing to suffer anything, providing we can suc- ceed in rescuing Nita,” Armand answered. “ Are you acquainted with the country?” asked Clint, when they were about to leave the dining-saloon. Thoroughly,” replied Armand, ‘‘1 have traveled a great deal through the provinces.” ‘That will help us considerable. I have bought some maps, and with these, and your knowledge, I have no doubt but what we will be able to get along allright. We had better go to your room now, and prepare to start the minute it is dark.” The detective and Armand now went to the room, where they had their heads shaved in the Chinese fashion, and queues attached to their back hair. When this was donethey — dyed their skin, and then dressed in the costume of the natives, When they had finished dressing no one could have told but what they were Chinamen. They had bought two fleet horses that afternoon, and a number of pistols, which they placed in _ the belts under their blouses. When everything was ready, Clint and Armand mounted their steeds and rode out of the city. For days they traveled without seeing anything of the - bandits. They were traveling in the right direction, however, and they hoped that before many days would pass that bene: would be up with Chung Wing and his gang. About a month after they had started from Canton, after — riding all day through the scorching sun, Armand and Clint — arrived at the little village of Tau Guin. The weather had — been so pleasant that most of the time they had camped out _ during the journey, and had thus far saved oe money that they would otherwise have spent for hotel fares. — It being a very warm day, they concluded to camp out for the and Armand selected a spot under a large, shady elm, and laid down for some time to rest their tired limbs before 4 x prepared to get anything to eat. Fie While they were resting and talking together, an old fi Pd came up and asked where they were going. “We are going through the mountains,” answered ** Sir,” exclaimed the old man, “ witha startled look upon z his face, ‘‘have you not been told of the dangers that basco e those mountains?” Lae “What dangers?” asked Clint, appearing to be s iste a _ “For the past four years,” answered the farmer, ‘ "ea . dressed travelers have been sen only to go towards the m n¢ tains, but have never been seen to come back.” ‘We are going to risk our lives, tas, bet en p to go through the mountains,” said Clint. are ‘I see you are brave men,” said the old man, ‘ “but
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CHUNG WING 7 re “Who is it that does this?” The walls of the room were inlaid with fine lacquered work. - “JT don’t know—no one knows. In fact, it is supposed to | Handsome silk banners hung here and there. The ceiling was ‘be the work of the devil and his hosts,” elaborately frescoed, and from the center was suspended a “There must be a whole army of devils then,” said Clint, | gold chain, on the end of which was attached a silver lamp. witha laugh. ‘Since you have been so kind as to tell us | The lamp was in the shape of a horn, with small indentures in - about this mysterious cave, I am only the more curious to | the side, in which were inserted brilliant stones. Armand ex- - know what power there is that lurks therein. We will push | amined this, and exclaimed in surprise: ; on to the mountains now, so that we may reach the cave befere | +‘ Look, Clint, these are diamonds.” : rht.” & Don’t express any surprise at what you see,” cautioned : ‘¢T have warned you,” said the old man, with « serious look “i = 33 you, ’ Serious 100K | the Gotaonire; keep a cool bead, and be careful about what ~ upon his face. you say.” For which warning I am greatly obliged,” said Clint, as or he and Armand arose and prepared to mount their hoxsee: _* Accept this as a token of our regard.” The detective hand- ed the old man a éeal, and then he and Armand rode away in the direction of the mysterious cave. 2 ‘Do you know, Armand,” said Clint, as they rode along, ow ” & : - ° ‘*We want both,” said Clint, ‘‘and if you will give us a _ that I think that -we have struck the robbers’ stronghold at private room and serve our meals there, Bas shall 2 greatly Z an hope so, at any rate,” replied Armand. Sica ? ; 7 “I think that the best plan for us to pursue, will be to join = one A TM RI: DO. 208 WHE UNE OES TE - ‘the bandits—if the opportunity is offered. Then we will stand iar ainnes! ‘a better chance of rescuing Miss Lloyd, and we can then be-| ‘4 regular dinner,” answered Clint, and he pulled out a bag ~ filled with gold and offered the woman a teal. As he did so, he noticed the expression of her countenance closely, Her eyes sparkled as she spied the bag of gold, and after she had . placed the piece in her pocket, she looked longingly towards the place from which it had been taken. ‘‘T have only a few meat puddings,” said the womaa. ‘You can give us some of those and somé wine,” answered Clint. The woman now commenced to get ready a large wax- candle, which was placed in a brass candlestick, the base of which was. ornamented with snakes’ and lizards, After she had lit it she turned to the men and said: ‘Tf you will have the goodness to follow me I vill show you to your rooms.” To the surprise of both Armand and the detective, the woman picked up the candle and walked straight up to the - side of the wall of the room, and commenced to run her hand up and down a picture as if she were brushing dust off of the surface, After she did this several times, a small door swung open and displayed to sight a narrow pair of iron stairs. On | both sides of the stairs were massive walls of solid rock, The = detective and Armand followed the woman up the stairway, — Before Armand had time to say anything, a beautiful-look- ing young woman presented herself before them. She eyed the men cfosely, and then said: : ‘¢ Good-evening, gentlemen. Do you want refreshments or lodgings, or both?” - the opportunity offers itself we can escape.” Ym willing to follow-you any place you go,’: answered = int and Armand concluded that they would rot do anything that night, but wait until morning. They tied their horses to a neighboring tree, and prepared to find a place where they d camp for the night. As they were looking around, Clint ply spied a hat, built on a plateau about two hundred seer they were Laas. and discovered a young | REFRESHMENTS aes ote F4 LODGINGS. Seer een until after they had gone up about one hundred feet in the gir, es s ‘anything to eat within?” asked Clint, as he | When their guide ushered them into a room, and deposited the = where the girl was standing. eReader aes ne e into the sitting-room, = I will go = oo mother,” stone and looked as if it had been hewn from the mountain. — ait The floor was covered with variegated matting, and hereand = there on the walls were hung the pictures of some heathen = deity. In the center. of the room, with the headboard toward = the wall, was a bedstead, made of aeeee® and gussets carved. <OTRia te your rom; » said the woman. “I will tell Sat vants to bring up your dinner.” ‘With that she left the room. When she had left, Armand took @ seat at the table, and lech | ing straight at the detective, he said: : cin, 1d ho he apeiron tt Se apart: | think this room is no ribs a trap. Everything yo men followed the git! through a ig and narrow They went on for nearly two hundred yards, and it if they were entering the very center of the moun- ast the girl stopped before a door, and ushered a large room and then disappeared. When the the room, Clint examined everything carefully,
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& _ thing for us to do is to keep our eyes open and not be taken by surprise.” “hat woman is a beauty,” said Armand, after a short time, during which both he and the detective were thinking deeply. ‘‘She is a perfect giantess in stature, anc looks as if she could hold her own if she were attacked.” At this juncture a man entered the room bearing a tray, on which was the dinner and a demijohn of liquor. The plate of steaming pudding “was placed in the center of the table, to- gether with the liquor and two cups of tea, and alarge bowl of boiled rice and curry. Both Armand and Clint were hungry, and they set to immediately to devour the repast. Clint had eaten two of the puddings, and was about to demolish a third, when he looked up from his plate and saw Armand holding a half a pudding in his hand, and critically examining the in- side. All of a sudden Clint cummenced to taste something pecul- iar in his mouth, and he, too, set to work to examine the bal- ance of his pudding. The meat in the pudding had a peculiar smell, and was chopped very fine. After a careful examina- tion of his piece the detective quickly laid it on his plate, and motioning to Armand not to say anything, he turned to the s man in attendance and asked: ef * What kind of pudding is this?” se ‘« Meat,” laconically rejoined the waiter. es “What kind of meat?” queried Armand. **T don’t know,” replied the man. _ After this they said nothing, but ate the rice, and managed to make’a meal off of that. When they had finished eating, ‘the man took the dishes and the remains of the meal away, and they were left alone. Then Armand turned to Clint and said: ** Clint, do you think that the meat in those puddings was - that of a human being?” Yes,” answered the detective, ‘‘I amcertainof it. Once, _ while I was spending some time in the Sandwich Islands, I was served with the same kind of food. You had better take _ a drink of this whisky to settle your stomach.” _- + “Flow do you know but it is drugged?” It is straight enough. They have left us a large quantity, ole ‘hoping that we will get drunk.” _ We are in a den of fiends, sure enough,” said Armand. J have no doubts now,” replied Clint, ‘but what this is sav abode of the bandits.” “1'Those were made, evidently, with a sword or some shies See,” said Clint, “‘and the best thing that we can do to avoid that region and watch during the aso in some ut-of-the -way part of the apartment.” some time the detective and his companion sat talking, Clint arose and fastened the door through which they red the room. After he had done this, candle in hand, CHUNG WING. ‘*T can’t find any traces of there being any other entrance to this room except the door, which I have locked. However, we will watch all night and see if anything turns up.” Clint then emptied the demijohn of liquor on the floor and took the candle to the opposite side of the room from the open- ing that he had discovered, and after placing the light on the floor, he placed the demijobn over it, and this left the room in darkness. The detective told Armand to sit down in the corner oppo- site to him and to prepare for any emergency. They then drew their swords from the cases and laid them, together with their pistols, at their sides. The room was shrouded in dark- ness, and they could not hear a sound that would break the — silence of the night. CHAPTER II. THE BANDIT QUEEN, For over an hour the detective and his companion satin silence, and listening closely to see if they could hear any noise. At last Clint thought that he detected the sound of rustling leaves, anda moment afterwards he felt a cold current of air play agaist his face. Then he heard a sound as if a door had been opened, and a second afterwards this was fol- lowed by a heavy crash, which caused him and Armand to jump to their feet and grasp their swords. had startled them came from the direction of the bed, and sounded as if that piece of furniture had been cut in two by some sharp instrument. Following this blow a female voice exclaimed in great surprise: 3 ** Ah yal” (they are not here). And then the room was brilliantly lighted from some unseen - _ source. In a moment the detective’s eyes became accustomed to the light, and he saw standing by the bed the form of a large woman, with her head completely obscured by a large hideous mask, on the top of which were burning a number of — small lamps. Her feet were resting on cotton soles, which were attached to the ankles by a number of ribbons, in the same manner as sandals would be. Her dress was made of the skin of some wild animal, and only covered her legs, leaving the -_ rest of her body bare, and displaying to sight a pairof arms When Clint’s — eyes fell on her, he discovered that she was struggling to pull — ‘a large sword from the place where it had been imbedded that looked as if they belonged to some giant. across the center of the bed. It had been the woman’s inten- tion, it was now evident, to cut the men in two while the; were quietly sleeping. Now she was baffled in her cruel plan. and she was furious with rage. bed for an instant, Clint discovered that the place where the — small air-hole had been was now a large opening, in the center a of which stood a dark-complexioned man, who held a large 7 servants. Clint saw that there was not a moment to be Tost, hatchet in his hand, and acted as if he were one of the woman's — and after he had spoken a few words to Armand he lifted sword over his head and rushed upon the she-fiend, who hi planned his and Armand’s death. The woman drew her sword at that moment from the side of the bed and leveled a blowat Clint’s head, which the detective — quickly, ate Looking at the foot of the . :. The crash that —
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3 CHUNG ing to cut his head open. Before he could carry out his de- sign Armand threw himself in front of the fiend, and, with a sweeping stroke of his sword, he cut the man’s head off. He now turned and looked at Clint, who was fighting desperately, and had just received a wound in his shoulder. The sight of the blood trickling down his sleeve seemed to put more strength into the detective’s blows, and at last he succeeded in inflicting @ small wound in the woman’s breast. When he did this the woman stopped fighting, and cried: ‘¢Hold! You are a noble warrior, and my superior. I ac- knowledge your ability. This is the first time that Sau ur Neau has ever acknowledged this to any man. Your life is safe, and if you and your friend want to join my band, 1 will give you the office of grand chancellors.” The detective was glad that the woman had thus desisted, for his strength was rapidly giving way, and it is doubtful whether, even by Armand’s aid, he could have conquered the famous bandit queen if she had continued to fight, When Sau ur Neau stopped speaking Clint said: ** Both of us shall be only too glad to join your company and accept the high positions offered. I might truly say that it was for this Berpees; of becoming one of your Soldiers, that we came here.” Sau ur Neau (or the mountain maid, as her name means when translated) now threw off her disguise, and the two men were somewhat.surprised when they recognized her as the woman who had shown them to their apartment. The story of this woman’s life, up to the time that the detective and Armand had entered her stronghold, was a very roman- tic and remarkable one. When she was ar infant her parents, who were very poor, abandoned her in the mountains, to be eaten by the wild animals that infested that region. A tigress, who had just lost her cub, discovered the infant, and instead of devouring the child, she allowed it to draw the milk from her burdened breast. The beast was so much re- lieved by this that she caught the babe up in her mouth and carried it to her den, where she nursed it and treated it as if it had been her own young. For four years the child lived with the tigress, until, one day, when she and the beast were asleep in the valley, a hunter discovered the naked child, and - thinking that the tigress would kill it when it awoke, he slew the beast. This awoke Sau ur Neau, who, when ste saw the blood running from her -tiger foster-mother's side, threw her arms around the animal’s neck and commenced to cry bitterly. When the hunter came up and tried to lift the young child in his arms, she bit and scratched with her fingers with all the fury of a wild animal. The hunter spoke to her, and found ‘that she could not speak. He then took her home and gave ‘her into the charge of his wife, who, after a great deal of - trouble, succeeded in teaching her how to talk, and put com- fortable dresses on her. At first the wild girl would not allow any clothes to stay on her, but tore everything to pieces. At last she became rec- onciled to her fate—took to studying, and then, when she - reached the age of fourteen,.she could read and write pro- ficiently. People called her the ‘‘ Mountain Maid,” on ac- count of her being found in the mountains. ‘a? and soon was larger than any man or woman in the village. She grew rapidly, The restraint of home life wore on her, and she yearned for the freedom of a mountain home. She bided her time, and one A day, when the hunter's wife was sick, Sau ur Neau stole her mother’s bow and arrows and ran away to the mount- WING. 9 — — ains, where she hid herself, and commenced to lead the life for which she had yearned so much, One day, while she was hunting in the woods of the western slope of the Quin Lung range of mountains, she met a band of robbers, the chief of whom was a powerfully-built man by the name of Jow Zoon. She joined the band, and soon afterwards married the chief. Jow Zoon was looking for a cave where he and his men could live, and Sau ur Neau led them to the place which soon afterwards became sweh a terror to travelers. They obtained possession of the house of ‘‘ refreshments” by murdering the inhabitants, and then built their mysterious caves in the center of the mountain, which made them secure from arrest, and helped them to baffle the assaults of the army of the Imperial Government. After Chung Wing and Lum Kee joined Sau ur Neau’s band, and after Jow Zoon had been killed, and Chung Wing became Sau ur Neau’'s husband and. king of the bandits of the Quin Lung mountains, the numbers of the band was increased, and the raids upon the towns in the vicinity of the cave became more frequent, and the massacres committed more brutal. The brutal work of Sau ur Neau and Chung Wing held the inhab- itants in a state of terror throughout the whole empire. The emperor had offered large rewards for the capture of the bandits, but up to this time no one had undertaken to arrest them. ’ After Clint had spoken to the bandit queen, Sau ur Neau dropped her large sword from her hand, and the handle fell on her foot and bruised it. This caused her to cry out with pain, and she limped to the side of the bed and sat down, Reaching out her arm, Sau ur Neau touched a little black spot on the wall, an alarm-bell rang, and a few minutes afterwards, a young woman entered the room and knelt at her mistress’ feet. ‘Bring me my yellow box,” ordered Sau ur Neau, She bowed, left the room, and in a short time returned, carrying in her hands a yellow box, oblong in shape, and about a foot long by four inches high. The bandit queen opened the casket, and took out a small black instrument, the sharp point of which she applied for some minutes to the bruised foot, and then the swelling and bruises instantly disappeared. When Clint was about to ask the woman what it was that she had applied to her foot, she arose from the side of the bed, and said: ‘*Gentlemen, from this day forth, this shall be your home, and you shall be my grand chancellors.” She then turned to one of her servants, who had just come up-stairs, and ordered him to bring in two suits of clothing. When the clothes were brought in, Clint discovered that they were of the same material, and made in the same manner as those that were worn by the members of the Imperial Govern- ment at Nankin. After Armand -and Clint had dressed, Sau ur Neau shoved the bed aside and motioned them to stand by her side in the center of where the bed had just stood. The bandit queen now rapped a dozen times on the floor with her sword, and cried out: “Turn kee low sow.” * The place where they were standing gave away, and they commenced to descend slowly—into the center of the mount- ain. Down, down they went, for more than three hundred feet, and it seemed to Clint and Armand that their journey | into the bowles of the earth was never coming toanend. Sud- denly the platform came to a stand still, and they saw before _ them a magnificently furnished room, which was brilliantly
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3 10 CHUNG WING. lighted. Sau ur Neau led the way into the apartment where two pretty maids of honor were waiting to receive her, The young women brought their mistress a handsome silk garment which was trimmed with diamonds and rubies, and this Sau ur Neau put on, and then placed a golden crown upon her head. When the maids of honor saw that Clint and Armand were in robes of state, they knelt before them and kissed their hands. One of them then arose to her feet and walked to the end of the room, where she slowly opened a large iron door. ‘The minute the door was opened the sound of a num- ber of voices shouting came to Clint and Armand’s ears. Sau ur Neau beckoned them to follow her, and then led the way iuto a large hall, where her soldiers were awaiting her arrival with impatience. That which was now presented to Clint and Armand’s sight, they had never seen anything to equal before. From the appearance of everything, one could easily imagine that one was in fairy land. The ceiling of the hall were inlaid with precious stones and decorated with paintings, while the walls were padded and covered with silk, on which were painted different scenes from the works of Confucius. The floor was paved with square blocks of silver and yade stones—at the end of the hall was a golden throne, which was erected on a platform made of yade stone, the steps leading to which were made of gold and ornamented with carvings. On each side of the throne were two massive candlesticks made of silver, and inlaid with diamonds, rubies, pearls and a number of other different kinds of precious stenes of great value. Sau ur Neau’s band consisted of two hundred and seventy men, and fifty-five young women, all of whom were at- tired in a different-colored costume. The young women all earried banners made of silk, and when they saw the queen enter the hall they formed in line and prepared to escort her and her guests to the throne. A number of musicians who were sitting at the side of the throne, tow commenced to play; the whole assemblage arose to their feet, and cheer after cheer rent the air. When Sau ur Neau reached the throne she pointed to two chairs which had been placed at each side of the steps and requested the detective and Armand to be seated. Silence now fell on every one present, and Sau ur Neau took her seat. Each bandit had a distinct position to-fill, the same as the members of the imperial household. The men were divided into four divisons or boards, each having a president, and were classified as follows: rirvst.—The Board of Domestics, which had full charge of the appropriation of any household goods which might be stolen. Second.—The Board of Bullion, which had en of the robbing of banks and the city treasuries. Third.—The Board of Tautero, which had charge of the capture of great people, and holding them until a ransom was offered. - Fourth.—The Board of Yaw Koon Boa, which had charge. of the planning of raids and the equipment of the men. This last board was a very important one, and had for its president a clever delusionist, by the name of Chin Kurin, This man, it was said, possessed wonderful powers, and he could jump any wall, no matter how high it was, and land safely on his feet. Je was a swift runner, and no one had ever been able to overtake him. -This board also possessed another man whose skill was remarkable, and whose duty it was to plander ae ships. He was able to live under water for hours, and for ase Soy BP ne M oe : < this power his companions called him Yu Zing (The Man- Fish.) At last Sau ur Neau broke the silence and said: ‘Gentlemen, if you have any reports to make, I desire you to do so immediately, for-I want to have prepared a grand dinner in honor of my two new grand chancellors, who are famous noblemen and soldiers from Canton, and who have consented to join our household.” After this speech those present cheered, and both Clint and Armand arose and bowed their acknowledgments. The head of the Bullion Board now arose and said: ‘‘T am sorry to report to your majesty the capture of So Moon, one of our ablest swordsmen, by the Foo Tai of Tam Chow Foo, while he and some others of our board were on duty in the city.” ‘*T will make a note of this,” answered San ur Neau, when the man had taken his seat, ‘‘and when Chung Wing gets back he will attend to it.” Chin Kurin now arose, and after a great deal of bowing and much flowery language, he said: ‘‘ While in Hau Chow to-day I carried off the viceroy’s seal in mistake.” . Sau ur Neau made a note of this also, and, seeing that there were-no more reports to be rendered, she said, in a voice that was full of authority: ‘‘'The presidents of the boards will remain, the other mem- bers of the army are dismissed for the rest of the day.” Clint and Armand were surprised to see the men not make any motion to leave the hall, but, instead, turn their faces to the wall. When the men had done this, and remained in this position fora short :time in silence, Sau ur Neau pressed a knob in the arm of the throne, and an instant afterwards fifty- four narrow doors flew open in the side wall which the men were facing. The queen then gave a signal, and the bandits marched out of the hall, two abreast, through the mysterious door, which closed again the minute after the last one had passed through. No one was left in the hall now except the young woman and the heads of the boards. Sau ur Neau now led the way into the chamber which Clint and Armand had first entered, and from thence went into a spacious dining-hall, where a ta- ble was spread with all the delicacies of the season, This room was as elaborately furnished as the main hall, with the exception of the floor, which was paved with square blocks of gold, on which were engraven images and inpaipecable designs of flowers, etc. This mysterious underground palace was erected at an enor- mous expense, under the superfision of two skilled architects who had been kidnapped from Nankin, and when it was com- pleted they were put to death for fear that they might reveal the secrets if they were permitted to go free. 4 In this palace there were four large halls of state, seventy- two gorgeously furnished rooms, and three secret entrances besides the main entrance, where the little house of refresh- ments stood. These entrances were known by the following names: First—Ki, or the world, which was the hut. Second—Shing, or the alarm, which was at the top of Quin Lung, about two miles from the hut. Third—Au, the secret, which was through the haunted cave. Fourth—Wing, me reserve, which was in the forest near the village. Besides the rooms that we have just mentioned, there were
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_ safety is terrible,” exclaimed Armand,.as he paced up and ‘Clint, re-assuringly. CHUNG WING. ll also two large store-rooms, which were filled with goods, and valuables. The treasury contained over 2,000,000 teals, all this having been collected through theft and murder. The store-rooms were situated in a secret part of the mountain and the knowledge ‘of how to reach them was only possessed by Sau ur Neau, Chung Wing and the grand chancellor. The greater portion of this ill-gotten wealth, which would have dazzled the eyes of a king, had been collected by Sau ur ‘Neau, the woman who had been nursed by a tigress, the woman who possessed a heart ofsteel, and the woman who was never happy unless she was reveling ‘inthe blood of her vic- tims. who was guilty of such an offense was instantly put to death. She loved Chung Wing and his friend Lum Kee, and it was this lack of fear that made her respect Clint and Armand. The banquet was almost over when a great noise was heard at the outer door of the hall, and an instant afterwards Chung Wing and Lum Kee entered, followed by a number of bandits Clint and Armand were introduced to the king by the names of*Jo Ki and Hop Soon. Chung Wing expressed no surprise at meeting them, and he immediately took a seat by his wife's side at the table“and commenced to eat. Chung Wing had a large appetite, and the cook of the establishment told Armand that the king had been known to eat five pounds of rice, three pounds of meat, and a lot of vegetables at one meal, besides drinking a gallon of wine. Both the detective and.Armand were astonished to see the amount of food this man got:away-with. It was, nearly noon when the meal was over, and Sau ur Neau called two servants and had her new grand chancellors conveyed to a handsomely farnished apartment in the same corridor as her own. When the servants had left them alone, and after they had gi the door, Armand said to Clint: ‘¢ We have found the bandits, and are now members of Sau ur Neau’s household; what next are we to do?” ‘* At present we can do nothing more than we have dan and we will.have to wait until we become better acquainted with the mysteries of the palace.” *‘T would like to know where Nita is. I hope that fiend has done nothing to injure her. - Clint, this suspense about her down the room. **T don’t think that any harm has happened to her,” said ‘* Very likely the bandit has her in some one of these rooms, and intends to keep her, thinking that a reward will be offered by her friends for her safe return.” _ *¢Tf I could only think this way. I feel like going to work right away, and searching every room in this underground mansion.” ** No, no!” exclaimed Clint, “you must not think of doing anything as rash as that. Leave everything to me, and I promise you that before many days have passed we will res- cue Juanita Lloyd, and get her safe out of the reach of these accursed fiends.” «* How can I ever thank or repay you for this interest you _ have taken in my affairs?” exclaimed Armand, as he took the - getective’s hand and shook it warmly. “ You have helped me when others turned a deaf ear to my entreaties.” - 4J’m your friend, Armand. For ‘the short time that we - have been acquainted, I have grown to think as much of you as if you were my brother. Think no more of payment or _ gratitude, but look on what I do as a kindness- sagen by _~ your brother—Joseph Clinton.” ; Fe he os To show fear in-her sight was a crime, and the person- ————— The two men, who had grown to be such fast friends, now retired to their bed, and it was not long before they were wrapped in a sound slumber, from which they did not awake’ until almost midnight, when they were aroused by*a loud knocking at their door. CHAPTER III. THE TWO CAPTIVES, Wirarn fifty feet of the room where the detective and Ar- mand were sleeping, was the apartment where Nita Lloyd and her cousin, Ella West, were held prisoners. Chung Wing had been attracted by the beauty of the two girls, and, know- ing that they were thought a great deal-of by the American and English colonies, he had carried them off, thinking that their friends would offer'a large reward for their safe return. In the event of no-reward being offered, it was the bandit’s intention to make them members of his harem. At the mo- ment that Armand and Clint were wondering where Nita was, she and Ela West were sitting in their prison, talking about their friends and grieving about the sad loss which they had sustained. The room in which the girls were confined was furnished in the same elaborate style as the main hall, with the exception that the floor was covered with silken rugs of variegated hues. Ella” was a girl of about eighteen, with large, dark eyes, and raven-black hair, which hung in large waving locks down her back. » Hers was a disposition that grieved at the least proroeation, while her Cousin Nita took things in a philosoph- ical manner, and always looked on the bright side. Ella and Nita were sitting side by side on a divan, and Ella was crying bitterly, while Nita was trying to pacify her. ‘Tt is no-use to cry,” said Nita, as she placed her arms around her cousin’s neck and kissed her several times. ‘I don't think the bandits will harm us, and I hare no doubt but that our friends will do all they can to reseue us,” Juanita Lloyd's face shone with love as she tried to inspire courage in her cousin. Her eyes were large, expressive, and of a deep-blue color, reminding one of the fathomless depths of the dark-blue sea. A slight flush suffused her fair face, Her lips were well-rounded and expressive, and when she opened her mouth to speak two even rows of pearly-white teeth were visible. Her form was symmetrical, and was shown off to ad- vantage by the close-fitting morning-wrapper which she wore. ‘‘There, there, Ella!” she said, smoothing her cousin’s hair back from her forehead; ‘‘dry your eyes, and don’t worry any more. It will only make you feel miserable, and it will not help our condition. Be brave.” | ‘*T will try to, dear Nita,” rejoined Ella, as she wiped her eyes and maze a great effort to choke down the sobs that would arise in spite of all efforts. ‘If I only had your dispo- sition I would be happy. Nothing seems to frighten you, You are brave, while I am a big coward.” ‘Ella, you are not a coward. You can be the same as I am if you only make up your mind to it.” The tears had all disappeared from Ella’s eyes, and she was now looking bright, and apparently reconciled to her fate un- der her cousin’s re-assuring words. ‘“‘T wonder what Armand is doing?” said Nita, after a short silence. ‘No doubt he is searching for you,” rejoined Ella. ‘« Do you know, Ella, that I dreamed last night that Armand was in this place, and that it would not be many ee before I would see him,”
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- 12 CHUNG WING. ‘*T only hope that your dream will come true.” “T can’t explain the feeling, but then something seems to tell me that he is near at hand.” Click, click. The two girls jumped to their feet. Some one was trying to unlock the door. Ella turned white, and clung to her cousin’s arm, while Nita showed not the least signs of fear, but waited with her form erect, and eyes flashing, to see who it was that was trying to enter the apartment. They were not left Jong in suspense, for the door flew open and two men entered. One was Chung Wing, and the other his lieutenant, Lum Kee. The bandit king stepped up to Nita’s side, and said: ‘*T want you to write a note to your friends, and state that unless they pay us 150,000 teals you will be killed.” ‘«That’s a large sum of money,”*returned Nita, ‘‘I don’t see why you should harm either of us.” ‘‘That is neither here nor there,” rejoined Chung Wing. ‘“You do as I order, or I shall be cofnpelled to torture you until you give your consent.” ‘¢ You can torture me, then,” exclaimed Nita, and her eyes flashed with indignation. ‘Oh, Nita, this fellow will surely do what he threatens,” broke in Ella. ‘‘Let him do it, then,” returned the fair captive. ‘‘I would sooner suffer torture than to permit myself. to aid this man in extorting money from our friends. No, sir, I will not do it.” “Then will you do it?” asked Chung’ Wi ing, turning to Ella. ‘No, she will not,” said Nita, answering with decision for her cousin. ‘Then you will have tosuffer. If your friends do not pay the reward I ask, I will first cut off your ears and send them to them, and then if I am still refused, I will cut out your tongue, and then, if you still live, I will put you both on arack and tear you limb from limb!” ‘You fiend, you, I defy you!” cried Nita, stepping up in front of Chung Wing, and ane her finger in his face. « ‘You defy me?” Fi T do!” ‘Then we will give you a taste of something that will break this rebellious spirit in you.” ‘‘ Nita,” broke in Ella. ‘* Billa, show some spirit,” said Nita. This admonition seemed to inspire Ella with courage, and the frightened look which had o’ercast her face up to this time disappeared. “TI give you both one more chance,” said Chung Wing. *¢ Are you going to do what I ask you?” “‘No!” answered both of the girls simultaneously. “Tum Kee, call the guards,” Chung Wing ordered. ‘I order these girls to be taken to the main hall, where, in the presence of the whole army, they are to be tied at the foot of the throne, and their feet beaten with rattans until they re- pent and are willing to do as I order.” Lum Kee gave a signal, and four stalwart bandits entered and seized Nita and Ella. They then bore them to the main hall, where all the bandits, the queen, and the two new chancellors were assembled. It was to summon the detective and Armand to the hall to see the punishments that the mes- ' senger had come to their room. The captives were brought into the hall deeply veiled, and it was not until they reached the throne that Armand recog- nized who they were. After the veils were removed, and he . =e 4 = A~eis ae - — +s a= hee Sa 8 maha = 2 LES ESS Sse, 2 ees) saw Nita, a thrill of joy bounded through his whole system, and it was as much as he could do to keep from rushing forward and embracing her. Armand and Clint were standing to- gether now, and the detective whispered: “Leave everything tome. I will see that the girls are not harmed. If we make one false step now we are ruined.” These wretches will carry out their fiendish designs,” broke in Armand, who would have rushed upon the king and queen and slain them if it had not been for Clint, who saw that by such an action they would all be killed, and nothing would be gained. . ‘Strip the captives and bare their feet,” ordered-Sau ur Neau. Nita saw that it would be useless to offer any resistance, so without protesting she allowed the men to strip her of her stockings. They did the same to Ella, and just as they were about to throw the girls on the floor to commence their cruel work, Clint stepped up close to the captives. The min- ute he did so the guards fell back, out of respect. The de- tective faced Sau ur Neau and Chung Wing, who were sitting on the throne, and said: . ‘‘ Your most gracious Majesties, I would like to say a few words.” ‘‘What favor has the great Hop Soon to ask?” asked the queen. “Agree to everything that these fiends ask,” whispered Clint, in English; ‘‘ friends are near.” Nita started with surprise. Sau ur Neau did not notice that Clint had said anything to the captives. The detective now replied to the queen: ‘‘Your most gracious majesty, these captives do not un- derstand our laws. I can speak English, and if you will per- mit me I wil! explain matters to them, and then perhaps they will do what you desire.” ‘‘We grant you this request, and if the captive maids will yield for you, we will give them to Jo Ki and you to hold as prisoners until their friends agree to concede to our de- mands,” ‘‘T thank your gracious majesty for your goodness.” Clint now prostrated himself, and after he arose to his feet, he said to Nita: ‘¢ What is it they want you to do?” ‘s Write a note to my friends asking for 150,000 teals.” “To it.” ©T will.” The detective then turned to Sau ur Neau, and said: ‘The captives consent to write the note.” “Then bring forth the paper and ink,” ordered the Queen. The paper was brought forth and Nita took the bush ‘in her hands and wrote in Chinese the note dictated by Chung Wing, asking for a ransom to be paid. When this was finished Sau ur Neau handed it to a messenger and ordered him to take it to Canton. She then said to Clint and Armand: ‘‘ We give these captives into your keeping. Now you can take them to theirrooms. Here is the key, and we shall hold you responsible for their safety. When you have done this we want you to return to the hall, as we desire you to take part in the rescuing of one of our men who was captured by a magistrate a few days ago.” Clint and Armand took the girls by the arms and then led them away. When they were in the room Armand spoke for the first time as he caught Nita in his arms and kissed her.
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CHUNG WING. 13 ‘‘ Nita, you need fear nothing now I am by your side, and will do everything in my power to help you.” ‘*Oh, Armand, you don’t know how glad I am to see you. Tell me how you got here?” ‘Not now. I will tell you when we return to-morrow.” Armand then introduced Clint to the girls, and after a few _ minutes’ more conyersation they went back to the hall, where they found a number of the bandits making preparations for a journey. The detective and Armand were compelled to go with . the raiding band, which consisted of four swcrdsmen, two athletes, Chung Wing, Lum Lee, besides themselves. When all was in readiness, the band started out down tke mountain-side toward Chung Chow Foo. Arriving at a place called Lai Yon, they saw grazing in an open field a drove of horses which belonged to the Imperial camp, which was about three miles distant. Chung Wing ordered his men to capture a Lorse apiece, and, when all were mounted, the bandits started off again on their journey without. being dis- covered. Within two miles of Chung Chow Foo the bandits dismount- ed in a small woods, and then Chung Wing addressed them as follows: ‘Men, one of you must take these horses into the village, stand before the jail, and pretend to offer them for sale. I will enter the jail-yard in the disguise as an eye-doctor; the rest of you are to assume various disguises to suit yourselves, and are to gain admission to the jail under different pretexts. 1 de- sire you, Lum Kee, to get into a row with some one and to be arrested.« While the guards are taking you into the prison- yard, the rest of us will bolt the gates, ane peen attack the ae eeadesbers. ” With this they all started out in different directions towards the town, leaving Clint and Armand in the woods to watch some yaluables. After Chung Wing had gone, Armand said to the detective: ‘Can't we prevent this raid in some way?” **T see no way in which we can stop this wholesale slaughter which, undoubtedly, will take place, unless we give notice to the authorities.” ‘Let us do so, then.” ‘«The-government of Tung Chow Foo is despotic, and if we should attempt to notify the viceroy, he would have us locked up, and perhaps tried. The best thing that we can do, is to remajn where we are.” ‘But it seems cruel to allow people to be murdered if we can prevent it.” ‘We can't prevent it. I would willingly risk my life to save that of others, but under the existing state of affairs, when so much depends on our caution, it would be suicidul for us to at- tempt anything now which will endanger the lives of Nita ‘and Ella.” On entering the jail-yard, the bogus eye-doctor engaged the jailer in conversation. Before this, three of the bandits had succeeded in gaining admittance to the jail. While Chung Wing stood talking, a cry of murder came from the street, and two of the guards rushed out of the yard to the assistance of a man whom Lum Kee had knocked in the face with his fists. Luni Kee was arrested and brought into the yard. Chung ‘Wing and the jailer were standing by the gate when they en- tered. The guards leaving the gate to arrest Lum Kee, left it unguarded, and the minute they had passed into the yard with the prisoner, Chung Wing pulled his sword from his side, cut a iy : F r] the jailer’s head off, and bolted the gate securely before any one was aware of what had taken place. The guards were now attacked by the rest of the bandits, and in a few minutes the jail-yard was the scene of a fearful struggle. The bandits tought like fiends, and slew their assailants like so many cattle. In a few minutes the fight was over, and Chung Wing and his men triumphantly entered the jail, over the bleeding bodies of their victims. Chung Wing went direct to the cell where his man was confined, released him, together with three other prisoners, who were held and awaiting trial for murder. These men joined the bandits, and then they proceeded out into the yard again, where the dis- guises were thrown off, and the costumes of Quin Lung’s ban- dits were displayed to view. The next building to the jail was the City Court and Treasury, both yards being connected by an iron door. This deor Chung Wing had pried open, and then waving his bloody sword over his head, he led his men into the crowded court-room. Those present, when they rec- ognized the bandits, were so terrified that they could not move. Chung Wing marched straight up the center aisle, and faced the judge, who was stricken with fear. ‘‘Have you anything to eat, judge?” asked Chung Wing, with a great deal of insolence. And then, before the trem- bling magistrate could reply, he spoke in a voice that showed that he would not be trifled with. “Tf you have. any good wines, have them brought forth, as I am tired and hungry and want some refreshments before I depart. If you don’t obey me you shall die.” Chung Wing waved the bloody sword before ‘the judge, and then placed it on thedesk. The magistrate then said: «7 will bring you the wines if you allow me to go into the cellar.” ‘Here, Lum Kee, you go with this fellow,” said Chung Wing, as the judge vacated the seat, and he took it, ‘‘and see that he brings us good liquor, and that he does not try to put poison in it.” Lum Kee pricked the judge in the hinder parts with his sword, and made the magistrate march at double-quick time out of the court-room. In a few minutes the judge returned, carrying in each arm a large demijohn of liquor, which he deposited before Chung Wing and said: ‘< Here is the liquor, but I am sorry to state that we have nothing to eat in the jail.” This made the bandit king furious, and after he had tasted the wine to see if it was good, he said: ‘“‘ You had better find me some er I will eat you up in- stead.” The judge fell on his knees; his face was pale, and he was trembling in every limb. “Spare my life, oh, noble king,” he cried in anguish, ‘Well, I will,” answered Chung Wing; ‘‘you can stay in that position until I get through with my meal.” The bandit king now called two of his men to him, aud said: ‘*Go into the next yard and nies me a few of the hearts of the boys that we have just kill Lum Kee went with the men, sti in a few minutes returned with three human hearts, the blood from which streamed upon the floor and formed a perfect pool. A thrill of horror ran: through the audience as they witnessed this spectacle. The court officer whom the bandits had taken with them when he came into the rdom, was so frightened that the hair of his
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14 CHUNG WING. head stood on anemd. For some minutes he could not talk, and when some one asked him what was the matter, he at last managed to say in a hoarse whisper: “They are al! killed, and those are the hearts of the guards and jailer.” ‘Take those hearts into the yard and ry them,” ordered Chung Wing. This was done, and wher Lum Kee had sat them before the bandit king, Chung Wing said: ‘‘ Bring those three women up here and make them wait on me.” The three women, who were in the audience, were now brought forward, and they were so frightened at what they had seen that they could not do anything. Chung Wing noticed their pale faces, and he seemed -to delight now in add- ing more torture to their position. “Tf you can’t wait upon me,” he exclaimed, ‘you may sit down and have some of the dinner.” : The women did not awail themselves of this invitation, but stood transfixed, as it were, to the spot. The bandits at length sat: down to the meal and ate and drank until their hunger was appeased. After the dinner was over and Chung Wing was picking his teeth with the point of his sword, he happened to glance down into the prisoners’ pen, and saw a man kneeling in a-corner heavily chained. ‘‘ What is the matter?” he asked of the man. ‘¢T murdered a man in self-defense, and was being tried for my life when you enter ‘¢So ho!” exclaimed the bandit king, ‘‘this judge was go- ing to sentence you to be killed?” Then turning to the judge, who was still ested a ac me the key for to unlock those chains.” > ~ The judge obeyed, and the man was freed from his bonds... ‘‘ Now,” said the bandit to the prisoner, ‘‘you are free, and if you choose to join my army I will be glad to have you.” The man expressed his gratitude to Chung Wing, and then took the oath of allegiance which Lum Kee administered to him, “Judge, I give-you and your assistant fifteen minutes to de- liver to me all the money and valuables that are now in the treasury, which you have so diligently saved for us,” ordered Chung Wing. At this command the judge seemed to hesitate. It was - only for a few minutes, however, for that minute he saw the bandits draw their swords, aud wave them over their heads. He led the way to the vaults where the money was stored. The men soon returned to the room bearing in their arms 500,000 teals of gold, 110,000 teals of silver, and about 200,000 teals’ worth of diamonds and precious stones. This wealth was packed in bags which were fastened to the horses’ backs. When the bandits were preparing to leave, Chung Wing said to the judge: « Hand over your seal of office.” This wasdone. ‘I will keep this until you pay me 500,000 teals. I spare your life this time, but if you molest any of my men again, I will sure- ly put you to death. Tell the balance of the city magistrates that they must be eareful hereafter how they provoke the wrath of the bandits of Quin Lr The bandits now mounted their edads, met Clint and Ar- “mand in the woods where they had left them, and then drove | y mountains. t a furious tow . hs ie vered that the soldiers had On nesting Tai You thay & ? - Sot et ae 2 eee aes ae en missed their horses, and were now scouring the country high and low for their property. By accident they ran against a small patrol, the major in command of which quickly recognized the animals, and driv- ing up to Chung Wing, he cried: ‘*Dismount from those horses. Don’t you know that they are the property of his royal highness, the Emperor of Tong Zoon. I arrest you in the name of the emperor.” As the soldiers were about to grasp the horses’ heads, Chung Wing waved his sword about his head three times, gave an order to his men, and then-dashed into the midst of the soldiers, and cut them down right-and left, before they were able to realize what had happened. Losing their leader, the soldiers who were still alive took to their heels, and made for thecamp. The robbers were about to pursue the fleeing men, when Chung Wing noticed that about two hundred men were coming out of the camp after them. In a few minutes the soldiers were within shooting distance, and a shower of arrows was fired over the bandits’ heads. Considering that it would be foolishness to stay any longer, Chung Wing and his followers commenced to beat a hasty re- treat. They managed to dodge the arrows of their pursuers for some time, when at last three of the horses were shot dead, and their riders were left in the road without any means of escape. Chung Wing immediately ordered a halt, and sig- naling to his pursuers to desist, the soldiers stopped firing, and approached, thinking that he meant to surrender. Chung Wing waited until they were within a few yards of him, when he yelled out the war-cry and swept down so sud- denly upon the soldiers that a panic was created in their ranks, and notwithstanding the efforts of the leaders they fled for their lives, while the bandits pursued them for some dis- tance like maddened tigers, and killed over fifty of them, in- cluding the officers, who fought bravely even tothe last. Chung Wing captured the commander, and was about to be- head him when Lum Kee stopped him and suggested that in- -stead of killing the general that they should strip and tie him toa wild horse. The bandit king thought well of this sug- gestion, and the general was accordingly stripped of his clothes, and then bound with a strong rope to the horse’s back. Lam Kee then took some human blood on.the end of the. stick and wrote upon a_ piece of white silk, ‘‘This isa sample of the brave soldiers of Tong Zoon’s army—Chung Wing, King of the Himalayas.” He tied this around the general's neck in such a manner that it could not drop off. He next took a quantity of sage, which he tied into a large bunch, and then fastened it to the horse’s tail, which they lit, and allowed the animal to start off on his journey. The emperor was horrified when he heard of the depreda- tions of the bandits, and he immediately issued orders to the great general, Shi Soon, to raise a large army arid suppress Chung Wing and his band. Immediately on Chung Wing's return he set to work to de- vise a plan to abduct the Viceroy of Nankin, and to hold him a prisoner until a large reward was offered for his return. This undertaking was to be the greatest scheme ever planned by the bandit chief, and he made every precaution against failure. _ Chung Wing appointed Lum Kee to disguise himself as the son of the Tido of Lornlin. ‘He was to take an escort of fifteen and visit the viceroy. Chung Wing was to be included in this escort, and was to act as the Tido's son's body-servant. The bandit king next appointed Wong Hi to disguise him-
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CHUNG _ WING. self as the famous fortune-teller, Pa Ya, and to set up his gorgeous tent in the center of Nankin for the purpose of telling the fortunes of those high in authority. Clint and Armand were not let into the secret of this raid, and they did not learn of it until some days afterwards. Chung Wing only-took with him his oldest followers, and those whom he could rely on. Clint and Armand were accorded every liberty, and were great favorites with the queen. CHAPTER IV. A NIGHT OF HORRORS. ‘‘Have you the horses in a sate. place?” asked Clint, the evening after they had returned from the raid, as he and Armand sat talking together in their room, ‘‘T have tied them to a tree on the other side of the mount- ain,” rejoined Armand, as he drew his sword across a whet- stone. ‘‘I have selected four of the fleetest. The girls are both good riders, and, if we start at midnight, by riding all night we-will reach Nankin by morning.” ‘‘ What did Miss Lloyd and Miss West say to the scheme? Are they willing to take the risk?” ‘Both of the girls are anxious to leave this place,” ‘* How about the suits?” - ** Both Nita and Ella pronounce them perfect fits. I have given each a brace of revolvers, and if we are attacked on the road Nita can use hers as well as J can.” ‘‘ Have you got the plans drawn yet?” ‘Yes; here they are. We will make our way to the main hall, till we reach the last secret door on the right side of the wall. You see this plan of the underground palace,” and Armand spread out a plan on which he had spent somé hours in drawing. He had taken much pains in making a tour of the whole place, and he considered the hi as nearly cor- rect as anything could possibly be. ‘“‘T can’t see how we can go astray,” said Clint, after he had examined the diagram carefully. ‘‘You have drawn it very neourately, and as far as I can see I don’t see as there is any mistake.” oe ‘*T heard this afternoon that Chuang Wing aaa some of his men are going off this evening before midnight,” said Armand, when Clint had folded up the diagram and placed it in Ae pocket. — : «Have you any idea where they are going?” ‘‘No; they are very secret.” “*T would like to be able to take Sau ur Neau away with us,”’ mused the detective. ‘< If we could do it without exposing the girls to any danger, I would be willing to agree to such a plan,” exclaimed Armand with enthusiasm, as the brillianey of the idea struck him with all its force. bhi 4 gos will take care of the girls I will manage the ueen.” “Tl take care of Ella and Nita; but I want you to under- stand one thing, Clint, that if any danger comes to you, I will riot desert you.” ' “Thanks, Armand,” exclaimed the detective as he grasped ae oung companion’s hand and squeezed it. “We dine with her majesty to-night,” said Armand; “ it is - almost the hour and we had better be making preparations.” “What did you do with the chloroform?” asked Clint, as he Piet his queue. re what do you want with it?” *‘T’ll show you after a while. Where is the bottle?” “ Here it is.” Armand handed Clint the bottle of chloroform, wondering what he was going to do with it. Clint placed it earefully in his pocket, together with a sponge and three large silk hand- kerchiefs. He then cut the silk spread into shreds, and wove the strips into a rope. He placed this also in a pocket inside of his blouse. Armand watched the detective closely, and then when Clint had finished weaving the rope, he said: ‘** Are you going to use those on Sau ur Neau?” ‘Wait and see,” replied Clint, with’a twinkle in his eye. Armend did not question the detective any more, but pre- ferred to wait and see how he would accomplish the diffieult job of capturing the woman whom the most noted Chinese gen- erals had failed to entrap. Rap, rap, rap! ms ‘Who's there?” asked Clint. No one answered, and the detective went to the door and found that no one was in the entry. ‘*T wonder who that could have been,” said Clint, with a puzzled look upon his face, as he closed the door again. He had no sooner done so than—— Rap, rap, rap. He looked.out again, and found no one in sight. “This is strange!” he mused. He closed the door and waited by it, so that he could throw it open the minute a rap came again. Rap—— Open went the door, and Clint sprang into the passage. “Help, help!” a female voice cried with anguish. Clint brought the woman into theroom. She wasalmost a skeleton, and as the detective lifted her from the floor, and stopped her from crying, he thought thet he heard her bones rattle, Clint closed the door and let go of the weman. For some minutes she stood chattering like a simpleton, and then she burst out into a hideous laugh that made Armand’s blood run cold. She had come to the door, had rapped, and then darted back into a niche which concealed her from Clint’s sight both times “he had looked. On looking at the woman more closely, both Clint and Armand discovered that she was white. Her cloth- ing was nothing but rags, and was out of place among such sumptuous furniture as that in the bedroom. When the woman got over her chattering and laughing, a look of in- telligence seemed to o’ercast her face. Then she seemed to know that she was in the company of two Chinamen (as she supposed). ‘When she saw Clint she een up to her full height and exclaimed: ‘*Fiend, carry me back to my husband!” ‘“My good woman,” said Clint, in a kindly tone of voice, “T would willingly do what you suggest, but I don’t know what your name is, or who you are.” | The minute the woman heard her own language spoken she burst into tears." Her hair was gray, 2nd it fell in straggling locks down her back. Her face was haggard, and showed ‘| that she had suffered terribly, but, for all this, Armand and Clint could see that at one time her beauty was something more than ordinary. Again she went off into her chattering mood, and commenced toshriek. This exertion was too much for her weak system, and she fainted. Clint pulled a bottle of brandy from iis pocket, and poured some of the contents down her throat. This seemed to revive her, and when she came to she was sensible again. ~- an
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vealed to them so suddenly. 16 CHUNG WiNG. ‘“‘My good woman, can you tell me your name?” asked Clint, as he held the thin frame up, ‘“My name? I haven’t spoken it in years. Let me see —what is it?” She stopped, and then it seemed as if she were going to faint again. Clint gave her some more of the liquor, and this seemed to give her new strength. After a few moments she placed her hand to her head, and exclaimed: ‘‘T have suffered fearfully for years; my senses have almost left me, and now that some of my reason has returned I feel as if I am going to die.” Again Clint gave her more of the liquor, and she continued: You asked me what my namewas. Yes, if I tell it to you you will not believe me.’ ‘Yes, I will,” answered Clint, re-assuringly. ‘Are youa Chinaman? No, youcan’t be, and talk English so fluently.” “Nevér mind, tell me who you are, and you may rest as- sured that I will help you all I can.” ‘My name is Celia De Witt.” At this Armand started, and then exclaimed, as he rushed to the woman’s side: ‘€Can it be—my mother?” The woman had fainted again, and it seemed this time as if she were dead. More liquor was administered, and at last the detective and Armand had the satisfaction of seeing her open her eyes, When she had gained a little strength, she went on with her narrative. ‘My name, as | told you, is Celia De Witt; my husband is a wealthy banker at Canton. His name is Armand De Witt.” At this Armand clasped his arms around the ragged form, and kissed the pale and bloodless lips. “My mother; oh, that I should see you in such a plight.” Tears came to the young man’s eyes, and he cried bitterly. Clint was overcome with emotion also, and could not speak as he looked at the picture of mother and son. “You call me mother?” exclaimed the woman, name; let me know your name?” ‘Armand De Witt.” Ts it possiple! My son; the child from whom I was so cruelly egarried away. Inthis costume, and among these men.” _ “Yes, mother.” “That name is sweet to my ears, my boy, after so much suffering,” said Mrs. De Witt, kissing her son and pressing his head to her bosom. - “JT was always told that you had been murdered, mother,” said Armand. ‘Oh, that I had known of this before.” ‘« How is your father?” ‘ ‘Dead years ago.” ; ‘*My God!” Mrs. De Witt fell back in her son’s arms, clutched several ** Your _ times at her breast, as if she were in deep agony, and then with a deep groan, a gasp for breath, and the name of her husband upon her lips, she slowly passedaway. The detective and Armand did everything in their power to revive her, but at last they saw that she was dead, and had passed toa world beyond, where her sufferings would beat an end, and she would meet her husband, who was murdered by the bandits when she was carried off. The two men were silent for some time, each contemplating the form before them, and musing about what had been re- At last Armand exclaimed: ‘May all the curses from. MOetEn, be visited on those fiends for the work that they have done. I swear that I will never rest until I see all of these devils brought to justice, and puniened for the wrongs that they have committed against me.’ i Clint clasped Armand’s hand when he stopped speaking, and said, with a voice that was full of emotion: “ Armand: the oath that you have just taken, I take, also, and I swear that, ne matter what may come, I will stand* by you and help you to avenge your parents’ death.” ‘Clint, J am very grateful to you for tais kind offer. I ac- cept it. But why should you — your life in such a cause as mine?” ‘¢ For justice, and to help a lini yman.” It was now quite late in the afternoon. Both men stood gazing at the body of Mrs. De Witt, and then Armand said: ‘‘Clint, what shall we do with the body?” ‘‘ Notify the queep, and have it buried.” ‘*T would like to give it a Christian burial.” ‘¢That will be impossible now. We can bury your mother temporarily, and when we have captured the fiends, then we can remove the body to Canton.” Mrs. De Witt had been captured years before by the ban- dits and confined in a cell in the underground palace. She had become a maniac and a walking skeleton by ill-use and being poorly fed. She was harmless, though, and was allowed to run around loose during certain hours of the day. This was the first time that either Clint or Armand had sceu her, and the occasion was a sorrowful one to-each. Mrs. De Witt was called ‘‘The Phantom” by Sau ur Neau’s household, and she was greatly feared by the women, who at times would meet her in some one of the galleries and think that she was a ghost. Clint and Armand were about to goto the audience-chamber to see the queen, when they were interrupted in their conver- sation by arap at the door. Clint opened the door and Sau ur Neau entered the room. ‘* Gentlemen, I have been waiting for you to come to dinner. I got tired, and I thought that I would come myself and see what detained you. No one will be present except ourselves, and we will have a good time. Hello! what is this?” This last exclamation was uttered as the queen’s eyes fell on the bed, and she beheld the cold and stiff body of Mrs. De Witt. ‘‘ What is the dog doing here?” Armand could hardly refrain from jumping upon the queen, when he heard her use this phrase. Clint held his friend back and then answered in a quiet tone: ‘* She is dead.” ‘* How came she to die?” Clint explained to Sau ur Neau how she had entered the room, but left out the account of the meeting between mother and son. When he had finished speaking, the queen said: ‘‘ We will have her body thrown out for food for the wolves.” ‘* Better bury it,” broke in Clint, as a shiver ran through his body, when he thought of the woman’s cruelty. ~ ‘Why should we bury it?” asked Sau ur Neau with a sneer. “T ask it as a favor of your majesty,” said Clint, ‘‘ that you have these remains inclosed in a coffin, and have them buried on the mountain-side.” ‘Well, I will doso,” answered the queen, after some moments, during Which she was wrapped in deep thought. She then call- ed some of her attendants, and in about fifteen mmutes all that remained of Mrs. De witt was placed in a rude pine box. The
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. 7 CHUNG men lifted the box on their shoulders, and slowly followed by the detective, Armand and the queen, they conveyed it to the side of the mountain, where they dug a grave and buried it. The grave was at the foot of a large hemlock. While the queen was not looking, Armand marked the tree with a cross, by entting away the bark in such a manner that the mark would remain for years if not disturbed, After burying Mrs. De Witt, the queen and her grand chancellors returned to the palace, where they sat down to a bounteous feast. Besides Armand, Clint, and two attendants, no one else was in the room. ‘The two friends ate their dinner, and did their utmost to try and keep up a lively conversation, but they found it hard work. When dinner was over, the queen had the dishes cleared away, and then ordered wine to be brought on. When this was done Sau ur Neau dismissed the attendants, and the two friends were now alone with the woman they intended to capture. Notwithstanding the fact that they were two to one, they saw that they would have to be cautious, lest they should arouse the queen’s suspicions, and then she would escape from them. Sau ur Neau poured out three large gold goblets of wine, handed one to each of her guests, and kept the third for her- self. After she had done this, she said: Peis Here’ s to the health of Chung Wing, and may he succeed ‘ in the expedition.” The friends appeered to drink the toast, but they only sip- ped the wine. - Sau ur Neau drained her goblet, poured out some more wine, filled it, and then drank the second time. ‘Drink and be merry,” said the queen, ‘‘for Chung Wing will bring back a fortune greater than that possessed by any of the kings of the world.” ‘* Where has his majesty gone?” asked Clint, when he saw that the queen was becoming quite talkative under the in- fluence of the wine. ‘“‘Gone to Nankin to abduct the viceroy. Here’s to his health.” The queen drank a goblet-full again, while Clint and Armand only took a sip of the wine. By this time Sau ur Neau was almost intoxicated, and Clint had hopes that she would drink so much that i would not be compelled to chloroform her. At this point the great bell in the hall tolled the midnight hour. Sau ur Neau attempted to rise from the table, but found her legs so unsteady that she could not do so. She was about to summon her attendants, when Clint said: “If your majesty will permit us we will see you safely to your bed-chamber.” ine Tl accept your offer,” said the queen. The two friends took hold of each arm, and assisted her from the chair. Unnoticed Clint had taken the sponge from his pocket and entgenton it with the drug. He held it in his teft hand. The queen had snail taken ten steps toward the pi when, with the rapidity of a flash of lightning, the detective slapped the sponge over Sau ur Neau’s nose and mouth, Ar- mand was as quick as his companion, and pinioned the wom- an’s arms behind her back in such a manner that she could offer hardly any resistance. » They had taken the queen so by surprise that in a few min- utes she lay unconscious upon the floor. Clint now put a gag over her mouth, and tied her fect and hands so that she could not offer any resistance when she came to. ‘* Away, Armand, and bring the girls hither, and we will WING. 17 be off,” exclaimed Clint, when he was through tying the queen. ** Look well when you go out of the room, and make sure that no one is in sight.” ** All right,” returned Armand, as he left the dining-hall. In a few minutes he returned and said: ‘The coast is clear and we have nothing to fear. The girls are in the main hall waiting for us at the secret door. I will now help you carry the queen.” Armand took hold of Sau ur Neau’'s feet, while Clint took hold of her arms. They lifted her up and then carried her out of the room, through the audience chamber, and thence into the main hall, where they joined Nita and Ella. Clint found very little trouble in opening the secret door, and then they entered the passage which led to the wing en- trance. After Clint had closed the door he lit his dark-lantern and handed it to Nita, who carried it in the rear of the party. The brave girl showed not the least signs of fear, and was fully conscious of the importance of the »>rt which she was to act. For some distance the party proceeded in suence. The un- conscious Queen proved a heavy burden for Armand and Clint to carry, but then they were so excited over the capture that they did not mind the weight. The passage was cold and damp, and at certain places they were compelled to wade through pools of water ankle-deep. Here and there on the walls small streams of water trickled down over the rocks, and as the light fell upon them, the adventurers could see snails and lizards dart in and out of holes, On, on, they went, without anything occurring to impede their progress, when suddenly Armand, who was leading, came to a full stop. An iron door stood before them. Armand examined this and turning to Clint, said: “TJ don’t understand this. This door was not here the other day. The door to the entrance Jf the passage is made of wood; this is of iron.” ‘Perhaps they have changed the door,” returned Clint, ‘We may have got off into some side passage,” suggested Nita. ‘“‘T don’t Know of any side passage,” said Armand. ‘I thought that I had examined the place pretty carefully. I didn’t see any passage but the main one the other day. I think we are all right.” ‘Then let us go ahead and lose no more time,” said Clint. Armand now examined the door, and found that it opened much in the same manner as the one leading from the. main hall. He touched a spring, and the door flew open. the way forward, and they entered another passage. Nita was holding the door open, but somehow she let go her hold, and it flew to with a bang. ‘What have I done?” she cried, as she realized that she had locked the party in. ‘‘ Never mind,” said Clint; ‘‘ we will go forward and see if »| there is not another opening.” They now proceeded along a narrower passage than the first, until their progress was again impeded by an iron door, much smaller than the one through which they had entered. Armand opened this as he had done the others, and the party entered a large vault-like chamber. Nita seemed to be espe- cially unfortunate this night, for as she tried to hold the door open her foot slipped, she fell to the floor, and the door went to and locked with a qlick that awoke the death-like silence of the place. ‘Oh, horror! what is this?” exclaimed Nita, as ‘Bho looked ‘at her hand, which was covered with a slimy substance. -* “ He led -
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18 CHUNG WING. She turned the rays of the light full upon the floor, and then she started to her feet, her face as pale as death. She grasped Armand’s arm, and in a hoarse whisper exclaimed: ‘‘ Look at the floor, Armand; it is completely covered with decomposed human jlesh.” ‘*My God! we are in the Chamber of Horrors, ” eried Ar- mand, as he looked at the floor, and felt his feet slip every time he took a step. ‘We are in this charnal-house,” said Clint, coolly, as he - Jooked around, ‘‘ and now we will have to devise some means . of getting out.” : “T tell you Sau ur Neau is heavy,” said Armand. ‘My arms are giving out, and if we don’t get out of here pretty soon I will be compelled to let her drop on this floor.” ‘Can't Nita and I hold her for a short time?” asked Ella, who had acted quite bravely all during the trying circam- stances of the evening. Now that she was in this terrible dungecn, her nerves were strong, and her voice showed not the least sign of a tremor. - ‘¢T don’t think that you and. Nita are strong enough,” said Clint, ‘‘ but if you think that you could hold the woman for a few minutes you will be rendering us a great service, as it will give Armand and me a chance to look around and see if we can’t find some means of escape.” ‘*T think that we can do it,” said Nita, who fully coincided with what her cousin had suggested. “You can try it,” said Clint, ‘‘and if she is too heavy for you, you can just say so, and we will come to your aid.” The girls then took the places of the men, and Clint took tte the lantern from Nita. : As the detective looked around the dungeon he saw, heaped up in little hillets, masses of bones and dust, and here and there he came across the whole skeletons of men, some lying on their backs, others on bended knees, with their hands clasped and raised up before their faces, while still others were leaning up against the walls, just as they had died of starva- tion after they had been thrown into this fearful place, the terrors of which were enough to make one die of fright instead of hunger. _ Clint and Armand took opposite sides, and commenced to sound the walls with the handles of their swords to see if they could find a hollow place. All their efforts proved of no avail, and they arrived at the end of the dungeon only to report to one another that the walls which they had sounded were solid. _. “If we don’t find some means of escape,” whispered Clint in Armand’s ear, ‘‘ we will smother to death from the gases that arise from these decomposed bodies.” ~ - Let us try this end wall,” said Armand; ‘‘I have an idea that there must be sans door besides the one by which we entered.” ‘* You commence at your end aud work towards the cen- “ter,” said Clint. . The men went at their meek again. Suddenly Armand's sword hit against a kind of elastic surface, which made it _ spring almost out of his grasp. Then there was a rumbling sound, and a minute afterwards the wall gave way, and a gust of pure air rushed into their faces, _ ‘Hurrah !” cried Armand, ‘we have found an outlet, and it will not be many minutes before we will be out of this ac- cursed hole.” Clint and Armand now relieved the girls of hele burden, ~ ‘and then Jed the way into the passage that they bad so luckily discovered. In a few minutes they came to a small opening just large enough for a man to crawl through on his hands and knees. The detective and Armand deposited the queen on the ground, and then Clint crawled through the hole to recon- noiter. The detective found that the hole was hid from sight by a thick growth of sage-bushes, and that it was situated within a few yards of the Smo River, a small stream, the source of which was in a lake at the top of the mountains. ~ Clint helped Nita and Ella through the hole, and then he and Armand got Sau ur Neau through. Armand now went to look for the horses. He found them still grazing where he had left them, and in a short time he re- turned to his companions, who were not long in mounting the animals, and then they drove quickly away. The girls were both fine horsewomen, and Armand found that they would have no difficulty in managing their animals. Clint carried the limp body of the queen across his lap. He administered to her another dose of chloroform, so that she could not possibly return to consciousness and give them any trouble. Very little occurred during the journey to Nankin to interrupt their progress, and they arrived safely in the city before any one was astir. After considerable trouble Clint succeeded in hiring a vacant house—in one of the rooms of which he locked the bandit queen. The detective did not de- sire to make the capture known, until he had first seen the emperor, and learned what his feelings were in regard to the bandits. He did not wish to run any risks, when be had such wily. foes to deal with, and this was the reason he was so cau tious in his actions. CHAPTER V. ; THE CAPTURE OF THE VICEROY. A crowp of men and women, principally working people, were gathered around a large tent in a vacant lot in the cen- ter of Nankin. ‘The tent was made of heavy silk cloth, and from each one of the poles there waved a silken banner on which was engraven some mystic symbol. Over the main en- trance was placed a sign, on amiitey was painted, in large red | letters: CREO ERE eR EEE EERE EE EE EOE EEE EERE EEE RE ES EETT HS “THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE: REVEALED. : NONE BUT DISTINGUISHED MEN AND : WOMEN CAN- ENTER. : UTNE R ee eee ee eee eee eee eee EEE HEHE EET EEE EE EEEEEEEE The crowd read and re-read the sign, and wondered what the mysteries were that the tent contained, from which they were excluded on account of their being poor. To them it seemed as if their poverty was a crime, and some murmured at the unjust decree of the famous fortune-teller, and yearned to enter the place. All classes of Chinese are very supersti- tious, and the fortune-tellers reap a rich harvest by practicing on the credulity of their clients. Upon the morning of the day that the bogus Pa Ya set up his tent, the bogus Tido’s son entered the city with his ret- inue, and went immediately to the house of the viceroy. At that moment the great statesman was greatly exorcised and in deep trouble over the loss of his seal of office. There was a law in China which punished the guilty party by death
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CHUNG WING. 19 if he lost his seal of office. looking for his seal, a servant entered the room, and said: “The Prince of Namlin, John Pin, desires to see you.” The viceroy, who was glad to see any one except an emis- sary from the emperor, ordered the servant to show the vis- itor into the audience chamber. John Pin entered, and after the customary ceremonies of greeting, he and Chung Wing sat down in seats on each side of the viceroy. After talking about various subjects, John Pin said: “T have been sightseeing in Hau Chow and Soo Chow. In the latter city I lost a very valuable slave. I was told there that the famous Pa Ya, the fortune-teller, was to be here, and so I came hither to consult him about my loss.” ‘Ts he able to tell you what has become of the slave?” queried the viceroy, in an excited tone of voice. ‘*T have never known him to faii. He is a wonderful man, and the minute he sees you he can tell exactly what you have come to consult him on. I have been to consult him several times, and what he has told me has invariably come trne.” ‘©When are you going to see this noted and fortunate man?” the viceroy asked, with a great deal of concern. ‘‘He is now in the city; I heard one of my guards talking about him this morning.” ° “Tf that isso,” said the bogus John Pin, ‘‘I guess I will go and see him immediately.” At this he arose, as if he intend- ed to depart right on the spur of the moment. **If you will wait a moment, until I put on a civilian’s dress, I will go with you.” ‘**T shall be pleased to have your iitanate:” The viceroy retired, and soon returned so completely dis- guised that no one would recognize him as the great Chin Kurin, the man who controlled the policy of the imperial party. In a short time they were in the fortune-teller’s tent, and stood before an old man, who was sitting at a table reading a book, which was full of mystic signs and characters. Before him on the table was a large glass globe, a chart, a number of curiously-shaped brass instruments, a skull and a quantity of human bones. The tent was darkened, and on each side of While the viceroy was engaged in | both of his hands over the viceroy’s head, and made various motions with his fingers, as if he were feeling the great man’s bumps. Suddenly he stopped and looked fulkinto the vicerdy’s face, and then hissed between his teeth: ‘It’s a terrible mishap—terrible, terrible, terrible.” The fortune-teller covered his face with his hands. At this moment one of the lamps went out, and the other only burned with a small flame. As the viceroy now looked at the table where the skull was lying, he started and groaned aloud. It seemed to him that as the fortune-teller uttered the last words, two flames of fire shot from the eyes of the skull and the mouth opened wide. To him the action of the skull seemed to fore- bode evil, and he remained for some time silently gazing at the object, and acting as if he had been stricken dumb. ‘How can I arrange this matter?” muttered the fortune- teller, as he took a seat at the table, and commenced to figure on the forehead of the skull, which was so arranged that it could be used as a slate. For some time he figured in silence, and then, as he added column after column of figures to those that he had already written, he exclaimed as he stopped adding up the sums: ‘* Great heavens! Great heavens!” ‘* Tf you can arrange this,” said the viceroy, in a voice full of anguish, ‘‘I will be willing to pay any amount, no matter how great it may be.” ‘ “Let me a exclaimed the fottune-teller, as he ponent B Before the viceroy could do anything his ate were tied S ~ . : a
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20 CHUNG WING. tightly behind his back, and then Chung Wirg exclaimed, as he cut off the heads of the statesman’s two slaves: ‘‘ Behold before-you the great Chung Wing, Himalayas!” Instantly it flashed upon the viceroy that he had been duped. He was so securely tied that he found that even if he had had a chance it would be impossible for him to escape. Chung Wing mounted a swift horse, threw the captive the King of the across the saddle, and then, followed by his adherents, who looked after the gold, they drove off in the direction of their palace, intending when they arrived to hold the viceroy a cap- tive until a heavy rarsom was paid them for his safe return. When they arrived within a few miles of their stronghold it was bright daylight, and as Chung Wing looked down into the valley he beheld a sight that made him start with surprise. In front of the House of Refreshments there was gathered a large body of soldiers, and the bandit king saw that a fierce struggle was going on between them and his men, As Chung Wing drew nearer, he saw that his men were be- ing worsted, and that unless something was speedily done his stronghold would be captured. He looked at the struggling parties closely, but he failed to see any signs of his wife. He started as the thought came to him that perhaps she might have been killed, and then, witha curse, he cried to his men: ‘+ Follow me, and don’t let a man of you give any quarter to the dogs.”’ The men answered their leader by giving the famous war- ery, which their companions heard, and which seemed to make them rally and fight with the fury of demons, The Imperial army was now attacked in its rear. This threw the forces into a panic, and the men stopped fighting, and tried to escape from the fiends, who were cutting them down on all sides, and slaughtering them like so many cattle. Chung Wing gained the place where the rest of his band were gathered, and then after he had consolidated his forces _he led them after the fleeing Imperialists. Chung Wing captured the commander, Ye Sii, and then cut his head off. After he did this he ordered his men to stop. They halted under a large hemlock, and then the bandit king cut the limbs off of . the commander, stuck his head on one of the limbs of the tree, and tied the rest of the body under it. When this was finished he wrote on a piece of the man’s shirt with the blood of one of his victim: © ‘‘This was done by Chung Wing.” He tied this around the neck of the commander, and then the party returned to their stronghold. Great was Chung Wing’s surprise when he discovered that Sau ur Neau was no place to be found; and that the new gtand chancellors had disappeared also, together with the white girl captives. After he found this out, it suddenly dawned upon him that perhaps his wife had been made a prisoner and carried off. Heimme- diately summoned his followers in the great main hall, and then stated to them all that he had discovered, and said: “Sau ur Neau is held a captive some place, and I intend to appoint fifty scouts, whom I desire to scour the country high and low and try to find out where she is. To the man who discovers the queen’s place of confinement I will give a cap- _ tain’s commission anda large reward. We will hold the viceroy a prisoner, and upon Sau ur Neau’s safe return de- pends the life of the emperor’s favorite statesman.” The king now appéinted the scouts, and after giving. them some orders, the men started off on their mission, each deter- mined not to leave a stone unturned until they discovered their mistress’ whereabouts. When the famous general, Woo Soon, heard of the failure of the expedition against the bandits of Quin Lung, and of the great loss which his men had sustained, he was furious with rage, and he gave immediate orders for the equipment of two thousand men, whom he intended to assume the command of, and then start out towards the mountains with the full de- termination of not returning until he had rid the kingdom of the fiends who had held the people in such abject terror for years. The day after the general had started out on his expedition, the emperor received notice that his favorile minister was held a prisoner by the bandits, and also that if he had Sau ur Neau a prisoner he was to give her up, or the viceroy would be put to death. Clint had not been able to obtain an andi- ence with.the emperor as yet, and after he heard of the vice- roy’s abduction, and Ching Wing’s proclamation, he and Armand concluded that the best thing that they could do, would be not to make known Sau ur Neau’s capture until after they found out what the bandits would do if they found that the emperor did not have the queen in any of his prisons as a cap- tive. After the emperor heard of the viceroy’s capture, he became frightened, and called his ministers together to consult about the course they should pursue in the matter. After a great deal of consultation they finally came to the conclusion that the best thing they could do would be to allow the bandits to make their own terms, and to allow Chung Wing to search all the prisons, and make sure that the emperor did not have Sau ur Neau confined inany of them. Accordingly, a proclamation was written to this effect, and then sent to Chung Wing. The bandit king waited for a few days before he replied to the em- peror’s proclamation, and till after he had searched the prisons, and made sure that Sau ur Neau was not confined in any of them. Then he sent word to the emperor that he would re- turn the viceroy in safety providing that he was given the ex- clusive right of the Quin Lung mountains, covering an area of 700 square miles, and was paid 5,000,000 teals, and three hun- dred horses. The demand wasconceded to without a murmur, and negotiations were immediately set on foot for the exchange of the captive and the money. : The viceroy was returned in safety, and was welcomed with joy by the emperor. When questioned about the place where he had been confined, he could not give any information as to where it was situated, on account of his having been blind- folded when he was taken in and out of the underground palace, He told his constituents and the emperor of the wonderful sights that he had seen, and of the great wealth which the underground palace contained. They were aston- ished, and after the emperor had heard his prime minister’s story, notwithstanding his fear of Chung Wing, he commenced to think of some plan whereby he could capture these bandits and become possessor of all this immense wealth. Up to this time he was not not aware of the new expedition that General Soon had planned and set out at the head of. The general now surrounded the mountain, and-was almost confident that this time he would be successful. He was not fully acquainted with the characters of the bandits, or he never would have thought as he did. Day after day, as he waited to see if Chung Wing or any of his men would show themselves, reports came to his ears, through his scouts, of the most terrible massacres being committed in different parts of the surround-
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CHUNG WING. Qi ing country. He could not understand how it was that the bandits could make their way to and from their cave without him knowing of it, as his army guarded every approach to the mountains. Chung Wing and his men now went in and out of the entrance near the village, and every day passed within four hundred yards of where the general and his forces were stationed. Finally, news came to Chung Wing that two of the scouts that he had sent out to search for Sau ur Neau had been cap- tured for committing a murder at Che Foo, and had been taken to Nankin. This action the bandit king considered as the work of the emperor, whom he thought had broken his prom- ise. The emperor, when he heard of the incarceration of the two bandits, went before his Board of Punishment, which was the same as a Grand Jury, and advised the members to put the robbers in jail instead of putting them to death, as he was afraid of provoking the robbers any more, lest they should become more cruel and carry on their raids with more fury. Some of the members of the board agreed with the em- peror, but the majority of them thought that the best thing that could be done, would be to execute the robbers, and not show them any more mercy than the victims whom they had slaughtered. “T would advise,” said the president of the board, Kwi Kong by name, “that we execute every one of these fiends that we capture; then ‘in the end we will have the satisfaction of seeing them all brought to justice.” ‘Do as you think best,” said the emperor, ‘‘ and if any evil follows 1 will not be responsible for it.” Kwi Kong then had the bandits beheaded and their heads displayed in the public market-place, as a warning to any of their associates. When Chung Wing heard of Kwi Kong's action, he im- mediately summoned together thirty of his men and started out for Nankin, which he reached at midnight on the day of “the execution. He had with him a picked body of men, among whom were ten experienced athletes who were proficient in the art of sealing high walls. - Chung Wing went immediately. to the house where Kwi Kong resided, and which adjoined the emperor's palace. Chung Wing learned that the emperor was not to blame, and he determined to be revenged on the president of the Board of Punishment. Kwi Kong’s house was surrounded by a high wall, and was well guarded by a large body of soldiers who were stationed in the court-yard. This made it almost impossible for any stranger to enter the minister’s house without being seen. This fact did not baffle Chang Wing, however, and he and his men soon mounted the rear wall, the top of which was within a few feet of the roof of the house. Waitiag until the guards were busily engaged in conversation, the bandits then jumped upon the roof, and in a few minutes had a hole cut through into the apartment below, without attracting the attention of its inmates. On looking through the hole which they had cut in n the roof, Chang Wing discovered that two young women were sitting in the room by the window engaged in playing on musical instru- ments. The apartment was brilliantly lighted, and the bandit ‘king saw that it was connected with another large room, the door of which was standing wide open. Not waiting ay longer, for fear that the woman would discover the opening and give an alarm, Chung Wing gave a few hasty orders to his followers, and then jumped into the center of the room, fol- lowed by three of his men. The bandit did not wait for the women to recover from their surprise, but he pounced upon them instantly, and, with one stroke of his sword, severed both of their heads from their bodies. He then walked into the next apartment and discovered that it belonged to Kwi Kong, and that the minister and two of his wives were quietly sleeping in the bed. Unconscious of danger, they slept on. Chung Wing saw that the sleepers were sleeping on their backs, and that their necks were in an even row. He stepped with a cat-like tread up to the side of the bed, grasped the handle of his sword with both hands, raised the weapon over his head, and then let it come down upon the throats of the sleepers with terrible force. The women’s heads rolled over on the pillow, but Kwi Kong’s still remained on his body; he being near to the bandit, the sword did not come down with as much force as it did on his wives’ necks. The throat of the minister was cut slightly, but not enough to kill him. Chung Wing noticed this, as the man raised up in the bed, and then he stabbed: him through the heart, and finished his bloody work. The deed had been done so quickly that no one in the house was disturbed. Chung Wing and his men now plundered the rooms, and packed the valuables ina bag. When they had finished plun- dering, Chung Wing had the minister taken from the bed, the blood washed from him, and then dressed in his state robes. They then lifted the body to tke roof, and, by the aid of a rope, lowered it to-those in waiting on the wall, and thence into the emperor's private garden in the back of the paiace. The windows of the Imperial chambers faced the private garden, and were on the ground floor. No one was allowed to enter the private garden except the members of the family, and to the person who dared to encroach upon the sacred grounds the penalty was instant death. Chung Wing and one of his men carried the minister’s body to within a few feet of the emperor’s window. The curtains were drawn down, and a dim light was burning in the window. The bandit king now placed the body of Kwi Kong upon the knees, and then in a position as if the minister were kneeling with his head bowed and his hands clasped before him. Chfing Wing now placed a card around the minister’s neck, on which was written: ‘* So perish an dogs that take the life of the brotherhood! CHUNG WING, | King of Quin Lung.” The bandits now took their departure, and arrived at their stronghold when the gray dawn of morning was just breaking over the top of the mountains. They saw the Imperial army still in the valley, but were not seen either by General Soon or his hosts. Everything was aswquiet as the grave, and only the measured tread of the sentries could be heard as they paced up and down their posts, little thinking that Chung Wing and his band had that night committed a crime that would startle the whole na- _ tion on the morrow. What next would the bandits do, if something was net done to check their mad career of blood- shed, incest, and robbery? CHAPTER VI. CLINT VISITS THE EMPEROR. WHEN the emperor arose in the morning and looked out into his private garden, he was astonished to see a man kneel- ing before his window, and still greater was his astonishment, , when he discovered that this man was Kwi Kong. He could ~ -
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22 CHUNG WING. not imagine why the minister should be kneeling in such a position, and in such a place. He supposed that it must have been very important business that would bring the man iuto his private garden. He dressed hastily and went out to see what was the matter. He approached the body from behind, laid his hand on his shoulder, and said: ‘* Rise, my lord, and inform me = you are inactae here at this hour.” Not receiving any reply, he shook him, and then the head fell to the side, displaying where the neck had been cut. ‘Great heavens!” cried the emperor, in alarm, could have done this?” : At this the card attracted his attention. He took it in his hands, and with his eyes fairly starting from his head, he read what Chung Wing had written. With a cry of horror, and his teeth chattering with fear, the emperor ran back into the palace and aroused the whole household, which came trooping into the yard, and beheld the terrible sight of the murdered body of-the President of the Board of Punishment. Still greater was their horror when they carried the body into ihe minister’s house, and beheld the other victims in the sleep- ing-room. The minute the emperor returned to his palace, he caused to be issued a proclamation, recalling General Soon, whom he had heard the night before was surrounding the bandit’s stronghold. When Clint and Armand heard of the assassination that morning they and the girls were eating their breakfast in a room adjoining that in which the queen was confined. Sau ur Neau had returned to consciousness, and when she was in- formed that she was a prisoner she became furious, and swore that when she got free she would revenge herself upon those who had bronght her away from the underground palace as a prisoner. So frantic was she in her actions that they were eompelled to keep her heavily laden with chains which Clint had brought the morning after their arrival. Nita was just pouring out some tea when a servant entered the room, out of breath, and exclaimed: = ‘*Kwi Kong, one of the emperor's prime ministers, and his two wives were murdered last night by the Great Chung Wing.” ~ ‘ ‘‘What’s that?” queried Nita, in great surprise. “This thing bas got to stop,” said Clint, in a voice that was full of decision, ‘‘and this fiend must be brought to justice. I will see the emperor to-day and offer him my services.” ‘*Suppose he declines them?” said Armand. “Then I will undertake the capture myself, without his aid. Tt is a downright shame that such a scoundrel and human hyena should be allowed to run loose at will.” The detective swallowed a cap of coffee, put on his hat, and was about to leave the room when Armand said: _ “TI go with you, Clint. It will be perfectly safe to leave the girls alone for a short time.” “Come on, then,” said Clint. The two friends then left the ‘house and proceeded direct to the palace, where they were ushered into the audience chamber to await the emperor's ar- rival. Neither the girls nor the men had changed their cos- tumes, and if one had not-known it, one could not tell but what they were Chinese. For some time, Clint and Armand waited, and when they _ found that the emperor was late in arriving, Clint grew im- ee and stepping up to one of the noblemen present, he “who see him in private, for a few minutes, on business of vital im- portance.” The occurrences of that morning had made every one of the imperial household suspicious. The nobleman eyed Clint closely, and then said: “«Tf you have any business with the emperor you can wait until he arrives.” ‘Tf you don’t tell his majesty what I ask you, I will seek him out without your permission.” The detective said this in such a tone of determination that the nobleman became frightened, and thinking that there might be a row, in which he did nct care about participating, he said: “‘Tf you will wait here a few minutes I will give the em- peror your message.” The nobleman went off, and in a very short time returned, saying that the emperor would be pleased to receive them in his private room, and that-if they would follow him he would show them the way. They were ushered into a room where they found the em- peror sitting at a table and busily engaged in writing. When they entered the apartment Jow Zoon arose from his chair, and after motioning for his attendants to withdraw, he said: “You say that you want to see me on business of vital im- portance; please state what it is.” Clint then said: “Your majesty has been annoyed for a number of years by Chung Wing and his bandits, and of late their inhuman deeds have become so frequent that something ought to be done to bring them to justice. I am an American detective, and my friend here is also an American, and has been a resident of China for a number of years. We have been among the ban- dits for some weeks, and: are fully acquainted with their abode. Ifyou will give us a commission and a body of men well equipped we will guarantee to capture both Chung Wing- and Sau ur Neau, as well as the rest of the fiends.” ‘*T have sent expedition after expedition against these rob- bers, but’every one of them has proved unsuccessful. I_ can’t see how you will be able to accomplish anything.” “Tf your majesty will give us the support that we ask for we will guarantee to do whatever we promise.” For some time the emperor was lost in thought, and then he said: _ T will think over your proposition, and let you know to- morrow. Here is a passport, which you can show in the au- dience chamber to-morrow morning, and you will be allowed to come to this room without any trouble.” Clint took the passport, which was made of a narrow slip of yellow paper, with a number of Chinese characters on its sur- face. and placed it carefully in his pocket. The detective and Armand now left the palace, and went towards the place where they had been stopping. They ar- rived at the house, and were surprised to find the front door standing wide open. . Armand rushed up the stairs to the room where they had left the girls, and when ke entered the apartment he cried out in surprise, as he saw the condition in which the room was: ‘“Qlint! Clint! come here quick. There has been a strug- gle in the room, and the girls have disappeared.” He did not wait for the detective to come up, but he hur- ried to the room where Sau ur Neau had been confined. He —* _‘Willyou tell his majesty thet two of his subjects desire to! drew apes the door, and saw the chains lying in a heap in the
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CHUNG center of the floor. Clint was now by iis side, and the min- ute the detective realized what had occurred he exclaimed: ‘Quick, Armand! The girls are again in the hands of the bandits. Sau ur Neau has escaped, and if we do not act quickly I am afraid that we will be too late to be of any ser- vice. This time the queen will not hesitate to do anything that is cruel.” ** Why didn’t I stay?” said Armand, with his voice full of anguish, and his face showing the agony that he was suffer- ing. “There is no use of crying over spilt milk, and the sooner we get started the better it will be.” Without waiting any longer, the two friends buckled on their swords, strapped on their pistol belts, went and got their horses, mounted and rode off in the direction in which they thought the abductors of the girls had gone. At the gate of the city, they were told that three men and three women had driven past about an hour before, and from the description given, they supposed that it must have been the two girls—the queen and some one of the Quin Lung brigands. While Clint and Armand are pursuing the abductors, let us return to the time when.they left the house to go to the em- peror’s palace. Armand and Clint had hardly left the house fifteen minutes, when there came a knock at the door, and Nita went to an- swer it, as they had just dismissed their house-servant, and the girls were in the house alone with the prisoner. Nita had barely opened the door when she was grasped and gagged by a stalwart Chinaman before she was able to cry out for help or offer any resistance. She immediately recognized the fellow’as Lum Kee, Chung Wing's lieutenant. ' Lum Kee had been passing along the street that morning, when he recognized Clint and Armand as they were leaving the house. The bandit waited until they were out of sight, and then after the servant left the house, and he had question- ed the man closely about its inmates, he knocked at the door, and out came Nita, as has been described. Lum Kee left Nita lying in the hall bound securely, and then he entered the room where Ella was waiting, wondering why her cousin was so long at the door. As he entered, Ella was just in the act of going to the door. “She had drawn her revolver, and now that she had become in- _* ured to the dangers through which she was compelled to bat- tle, she was as brave as Nita, and was not afraid of anything. She met Lum Kee face to face, but did not show the least* signs of terror when he said to her in @ sneering tone: “You thought that you were safe out of our reach, but re- member one thing, when you try to run away from Chung Wing, : that his sentinels never sleep, and can find you wherever you may be.” 4 With that he made a dash forward and tried to grasp Ella, but the girl was too quick for him, for she jumped aside and he fell flat on top of the table, upsetting it and breaking nearly all of the dishes. Ella did not wait to think whether she was ‘strong sisi or not, but with the agility of acat she pounced > upon the man’s back, placed her pistol to his head and pulled the trigger. ce sper! There was no explosion. The pistol had missed fire, and : ghe was now at the mercy of the bandit, who was now in a Ee: towering rage. Lum Kee bounded to his feet, caught Ella by dooms hair and dragged her across the whole length of the ~ WING. 23 room. Her hair would have been pulled completely from her head had she not caught hold of it with both hands and thus saved it. Ella still had the pistol in her disengaged hand, and she dealt Lum Kee such a blow in the face that he jamped to his feet howling with pain. This gave Ella a chance to regain ler feet, and, when she had done so, she rushed towards the door, and would have escaped had not two of Lum Kee’scom- panions, who were with him on the outside of the house, come up the stairway and captured her. She was then .bound as Nita had been, and, together with her cousin, she was given in charge to one of the men, while Lum Kee entered the other apartment, and freed the queen. The party then mounted their horses, and drove away to- wards the mountains, where they arrived in the afternoon, and Sau ur Neau was welcomed by Chung Wing and the rest of her followers. The queen, after she had ascended the throne, had Nita and Ella brought before her. Sau ur Neau was not aware of the fact that Clint and Armand were Americans, but she thought that her new grand chancellors were in the employ of the Im- perial Government, and that they had abducted her and the girls so that they could get the large reward that had been of- fered for her capture. They had been baffled, and the queen was now in a good humor, and, as Nita and Ella were brought up before her, she said: ‘Do either of you know who the menare who abducted us?” ‘‘No more than you do, your majesty,” answered Nita. ‘The men treated us very kind and gave us some liberty, but would not permit us to leave the house. This morning Jo Ki and Hop Soon went outand left a servantto guard us. When his masters went away the man said that he wanted us to stay quietly in the room for a short time, while he went out to see a friend. We promised him not to leave the room, but the minute he was out of sight we both concluded that we would unfasten the chains which bound you and then we three could escape. Just as we were about to carry out our plans there came a summons at the door. I answered it, and was seized by Lum Kee. You know what followed, and there is no use in relating anything farther.” The queen listened attentively to all that Nita said. She believed the girl, and imagined that she was telling the truth. Even Lum Kee was forced to believe it. Ella had complained to the queen about Lum Kee’s actions, and he was severely reprimanded by her majesty. After Nita’sstory Sau ur Neau did not think much of Lum Kee’s actions, for the way she looked at matters now, she would have escaped anyhow with- out her husband’s lieutenant’s aid. The queen now turned to Chung Wing and asked, while the girls were standing before the throne: ‘‘Have these girls’ friends sent any response to the note that we sent asking for the ransom?” “‘The messenger has not yet returned. few days.” ‘Lum Kee, take these girls to. the room where they were confined before they were carried away, and see that a close I expect him roy a guard is placed before their room-loor, so that they will have -ho means of escape.” Lum Kee now carried the captives away, and did as the queen had ordered. . He then retarned to the main hall, where alll the bandits were now gathered, and were listening attentively to what the | presidents of the boards were saying in relation to new plans > < La 7 es. a. ae
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ay «aren + 24 CHUNG WING. —oOjq“_“O°V——wees=~nna_:S$S—"S ee which were to be set on foot to pei the emperor for some of his breach of contracts. While they were debating a messenger came in and told the queen that the Imperial army was moving away, and that he had just heard that this was owing to the fact that the em- peror had issued orders for General Soon to return immediate- ly to the fort at Nankin. ‘‘ Perhaps he has commenced to realize that it does not do to deceive Chung Wing and Sau ur Neau,” said the queen, as she ordered her followers*to retire, stating that as she was very tired they would defer the discussion until the morrow, when they would consider what they should do in relation to the punishment of the new grand chancellors who had so cleverly deceived them all, and carried off the queen. CHAPTER VII. THE PURSUERS: MEET GENERAL SOON. Cunt and Armand did not spare their horses, but made them travel at their full speed all the way from Nankin to Quin Lung, where they arrived just as the Imperial army was preparing to leave. The presence of the Imperial troops was a surprise to both Armand and Clint, and they made inquiries of several officers about what had been done, and what they intended to do. They handed the detective a copy of the emperor’s orders. This Clint read, and then asked to be shown to Genera Soon’s head-quarters. When Clint and the general had grest- ed one another, the detective said: ‘* General, I see it is the intention of the emperor of giving ‘up all idea of capturing the bandits.” ‘* That seems to be the orders.” “What is the penalty if you disobey the jnayerot?” ‘Instant death.” “That’s tough.” “Yes, it is; but why do you ask?” ‘ Because I thought that you might be able to keep your men in the valley for a few days. I could lead you immedi- ately to a place where we could capture a large number of these bandits.” “Tt will be impossible for me to break the law.” «Can't you do something?” The general thought for some time and then an idea oc- curred to him. ‘J can camp within some miles of here, ‘and if you like you can select a body of experienced men from my own company and then you can carry out your plan, and I will not ran any ’ risks, ” “T accept this offer, with thanks,” said Clint. re They stayed with General Soon until it was dark, and then they started out to reconnoiter and see if they could fiud out _ where the girls were confined. > © yy thi _ be for us to enter the passage in the center of the mountain, ” said Clint, ‘“ that perhaps the best plan would and then when everything is quiet we on enter the main por- tion of the palace.” _ “T think that if they have the girls confined in any of the : rooms, they very likely will place a strong guard on the out- side, to prevent them from escaping again,” said Armand, — stad that is the case, we will have to devise some means of out | j ambled around in the 1 | their heads they and stones, that if one did not know of its existence, one could not have been able to find it. The friends entered the passage, and passed along until they reached the place where they had lost their way a few evenings before. As Clint turned the rays of the dark-lantern upon the opening, Armand and he saw how they had been led astray. ‘The opening to the passage leading to the Chamber of Horrors was built in such a manner that on coming along the main passage, unless one examined the surroundings closely, the opening would be passed by unnoticed. The open- ing to the passage came in at a turn, and this is how the par- ty made the mistake and lost their way. Armand and the detective reached the door leading to the main hall without any interruption, and then Clint listened to hear if there was any one stirring in the main hall. Making sure that no one was in the-hall, Clint opened the door stealthily. and, followed closely by Armand, he hurried across the hall to the passage leading to the rooms. Once in the passage, they saw that one of the rooms was closely guarded by two stal- wart sentinels. The two friends crept into the niche where Clint had found that Armand’s mother had hid. They waited impatiently on the alert to see if the guards would leave their post at any time, so that they would be able to enter unob- served the rooms where the girls were confined., At last one of the guards said: “Ki, isntit about tine that the reliefguard should arrive?’ “In about ten minutes,” replied the other sentinel. ‘Follow me, Armand,” whispered Clint, ‘*I have an idea. We will go to the end of the passage and wait until the relict guard enters, when we will seize them and then go to those on duty, and represent those that we have secured.” Clitt and Armand stationed themselves at the end of the passage, and did not have long to wait before they heard the tramp of the relief-guard, The minute the guard entered the door, Clint gave Armand the signal, and they both bounded upon the men and bore them to the ground. It was a short struggle, for the men were taken so by surprise that they offered very little resistance, and in a few minutes Clint and Armand had them gagged and tied securely. They then left the men in a dark corner of the passage, and walked along leisurely to the place where the sentinels were anxiously waiting to be relieved. The men thought it was the relief-guard, and so did not challenge Clint and Armand when they drew nigh. The men exchanged a few words with the detective, and tlen left him and Armand to watch the captives, supposing that everything was correct. The guards left the passage without discovering that they had been deceived, and went direct to Chung Wing, and re- ported that everything was all right, and that the girls were securely fastened in the room. Clint waited some time to make sure that everything was still in the palace, and then he tried tLe door of the girls’ room. He found it locked, and the key was no place in sight. It did not take him many minutes to break down the door, and to Nita’s surprise, when she awoke suddenly from her slum- bers, she saw Armand and Clint standing in the center of the room, . ‘* Be quick,” exclaimed Clint; me. ” Ella and Nita arose, and after throwing =e over. wed Clint and Armand through the main — hall, thence into tie passace, and out to the mountain-side, — “say not a word, but follow =,
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. ; CHUNG WING _ where they mounted their horses, and were soon safely ensconc- ed ina tent in the center of General Soon’s camp. = Clint left Armand to protect the girls if anything should happen, and then went direct to the general’s tent. As he - entered, he found the officer sitting by a table, listening to what a man who was standing in the center of the room was telling him. When Clint approached the place where the offi- cer was sitting, General Soon and the man looked at him, and then the detective recognized the stranger as Lum Kee, Chung Wing's first lieutenant, who had that day rescued Sau ur Neau, and recaptured Nita and Ella, Clint was greatly sur- prised when he found the bandit and the general together, and he was about to leave the place again when General Soon arose from the table, came forward, shook him by the hand, and offered him a seat by his side. When they were seated the general said to him: * “This man is Chung Wing's lieutenant, Lum Kee; no doubt you know him?” “‘t know him,” returned Clint. =s ‘*He has made a proposition to me which I think is very favorable, and I want to know what you think about it.” © What is it?” _ “He says that if the emperor will pardon him for all the - crimes that he has committed, give him one half the wealth of - the bandits, and a governorship, that he will betray his com- _ panions to us, and place-them captive in our hands.” _ **he scoundrel!” exclaimed. Clint, as le listened to what _ the general was saying. ‘‘If I were you, I wotld decline the ofr, and arrest the fellow.” “Why so?” queried the general; in some surprise. ees Because, by doing as he asks, you place a premium on crime of all descriptions. This fellow has been one of the chief murderers and thieves, and has done more harm than any bandit, except Sau ur Neau and Chung Wing.” Lum Kee could have killed Clint with a good grace. When - the detective stopped speaking, the bandit glared at him with the ferocity of a wild animal, and would have pounced upon e eae if he had dared. Lum Kee’s face was clouded, and as soon as he could command his feelings sufficiently, he You talk saisat traitors. You were the worst of traitors. You abducted the queen and carried off the two American _. girls. I thwarted you, though, and the girls are now securely locked up in a room of the palace.” _#*So you think,” said Clint, quietly. He turned his back on Lum Kee, and was about to say something to the general, when _ the ‘bandit noticed the detective’s position, drew a long mur- -derous knife“from his blouse, and with a bound forward he ~ struck ont at Clint’s back. The general noticed Lum Kee’s tion, but was too late to stop him. As luck would have it, as the knife was about to descend, Clint stepped forward steps and escaped the blow. The bandit had struck h such force that he was precipitated to the floor. turned around instantly, but before he could clutch the ld-be assassin Lum Kee was on his feet, and had closed in _ It was to be a struggle for life, and Clint saw that e exerted himself the Chinaman would comeout victor, ~ as he was more muscular than he was. General Soon rush > dcor of the tent, hoping to stop the struggle g into the tent ut none of them were able toot | nbatants to cateh hold of « from the knife fell harmless. ‘The officers of the general’s staff knives in their hands. Clint and Lum Kee were both slightly __ wounded, and the blood was flowing over their garments, The bandit wound his foot around Clint’s leg, and before the detective could balance himself he fell heavily to the floor- In falling, Clint caught Lum Kee about the arms in such a manner that the bandit was brought down on top of him, and did not have a chance to use his knife. ‘*Cursed dog,” howled Lum Kee, as he struggled lariat and tried to free himself from Clint’s embrace. The bandit now put his mouth down to Clint’s ear, and caught hold of the upper part between his teeth. The detective cried out in agony, and let go of his hold of Lum Kee. With a part of Clint’s ear in his mouth the bandit lifted himself up, placed his knee upon the detective’s chest, and then caught his antagonist by the throat with one hand, while with the other he tried to strike a blow with his knife. Clint now turned over on his side, and his action was so sudden that the bandit was thrown over also, and the blow Noticing that this had dicon- = certed Lum Kee, Clint mustered all the strength that he pos- sessed, struck the bandit in the face with his fist, knocked him over, and then jumped to his feet. He picked his knife up, which he had dropped a few minutes before, and then rushed upon Lum Kee, who was preparing for another attack. ‘*Dog, die!” Slash, slash, slash! The blows which the bandit dealt were successfully dodged by Clint. Slash, slash, slash! “Back, dog! Kil Ki!” It seemed as if the officers Who were ‘standing around look- ing on were fairly riveted to the ground. Several of them had made unsuccessful attempts to grab the combatants, but finally they all came to the conclusion to let them alone and let Clint and Lum Kee fight it out. Both men were bleeding profusely, and the detective’s face was completely covered with blood from his wounded ear. Up to this time Clinthad been so engaged in trying to defend himself from the fiend’s assaults, that he never thought of the pistols that he carried at his waist. Lum Kee advanced to strike a blow, he took a hasty aim and pulled the trigger. 2 Bang! ee A cry of anguish followed this, and when the smoke ansaid away Clint saw that Lum Kee was lying dead on the floor his feet. Turning to the general the detective said: and before many weeks have been passed I swear to rid i Chinn = of the balance.” A looking-glass was brought to the detective, ond. he The surgeon belonging to the general's ‘s staff was eat and in a short time he bandaged up Clint’s wounds an : some ointment on his ear which. stopped it from bleeding. red "When this was done, the general had the bandit’s body ried out of the tent apd A He then gave orders to Now he pulled a revolver from his belt, and as
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Se ee. CHUNG WING. we . “T can’t understand how it is, that the government is so afraid of this band of bandits?” said Clint. “You ought to know,” returned General Soon, ‘‘ that the emperor is a man who is very weak-minded and easily fright- ened. If I were he, I would have had them all captured by this time.” ‘* What do you intend to do to-morrow?” Take the command to Nankin.” ‘¢Can't you wait for a few days?” ‘Phat will be impossible, unless I receive orders from the emperor to stay.” : * “JT will go to Nankin to-night, and get those orders the first : thing in the morning.” 3 Clint shook hands with the general, left the tent, and wént to the tent where Armand and the girls were staying. He told them all about what had happened, and what he intended to do. i ‘“‘T will stay here with the girls,” said Armand, when Clint ___, had finished his narrative. - any aid to you, I would go with you, but I think, after the occurrences of yesterday and to-day, that it will not be safe to - Jeave Ella and Nita alone.” “You can go if you want to, Armand,” said Nita, ‘‘ we don’t feel the least bit afraid, and then I think that we will be _ perfectly safe here.” 5 “No, I will stay—Clint will be back before noon, and then _ we.can decide what we will do.” ___ ©lint now bid his friends good-bye, and as he shook Ella’s Os hand he, squeezed it and looked longingly into her eloquent eyes. The glance was returned by Ella, whose handsome face was covered with blushes. Armand and Nita noticed this, but said nothing. The detective mounted kis horse, and before daylight he.ar- ¥ rived at Nankin. After breakfast he presented himself at the aba palace, and by showing the passport, he was admitted imme- diately to the emperor's presence. __ Jow Zoon was surprised when he heard what the detective had done, and after thinking for a long while, during which it seemed to Clint, as he watched the man’s countenance, that }emperor was debating with himself about what course he ould pursue, he finally said: Yon can return to General Soon and tell him that I am willing for him to do whatever you may suggest.” ‘The emperor sat down at his table and wrote out a commis- which he hdnded to Clint, saying: “This empowers you and your friend to assume full com- of the Imperial forces during this campaign, and if you - “If I thought that I could be of the stronghold for hours, and neither the queen nor king w and murder Jow Zoon. General Soon very kindly offered them the hospitality of his house, which they gladly accepted. It did not take Nita and Ella long to prepare for their journey, and when they were ready, and after they had bade Armand and Clint adieu, they left the camp with an escort of fifty soldiers, commanded by the general's son, and it was not many hours before they were safely lodged in the general’s house. The house was a large building, situated on the left side of the palace, and was built of granite. The room that was given to the girls was on the second floor, and overlooked the gardens strrounding the palace. Every attention was shown them as the general's guests, and they did not express a wish but what was attended to immediately, and whatever they desired was brought to them. Clint and his companions fina!ly come to the conclusion that they would wait until midnight before they undertook to do anything. It was agreed upon that the soldiers were to be divided into four commands; the first, under Armand, was to enter the entrance near the village; the second, under Gen- eral Soon, was to enter the entrance in the center of the mountains; the third, under Clint, was to enter the entrance through the cave; and the fourth, under the general’s son, Lou Tow, was to enter the House of Refreshments, and make his way to the main hall. Armand drew up four plans and handed one to each of those taking command, so that when they commenced the attack it would be systematic, and no mistakes would be made. Guards were placed at each en- trance, so that if any of the bandits made their-appearance at the openings they would be captured. The great difficulty under which General Soon had labored in his campaign was — that he was not acquainted with the ground, and did not know anything about the entrances to the undergroun palace. : In the palace active preparations were being made to ma another raid upon the surrounding country. No one had } aware of the fact that their abode was about to be invaded. — Sau ur Neau and Chung Wing had discovered that the girls had disappeared, and that Lum Kee was no place to be found, — a This time they supposed that the lieutenant had run off with the captives. have much time to think about the disappearance of Nita and Ella. that the bandits had ever participated in. Being so intent upon their plans, they did not This raid was to be the greatest and mae extensive “It was Sau ur Neau’s intention to enter the emperor's palace When this was done she and Chung Wing were going to seize the throne, and then compel the peo- ple to proclaim them emperor and empress. The scheme was a bold one, and the most daring that had ever been thonght of by any person during the whole history of Napkin as the resi- dence of the emperor. capture the bandits and rid the country of them, you can n | aah wealth that you say the underground pal- 4 postage keep his word this would make both = very wealthy. The stake was.a large one, | «pat cursed hound siiag die,” exclaimed Sau ur Neau, as g for,and as Clint drove away from the palace she stood on the throne and harangued her followers, who | cheered her until they howled themselves hoarse. ‘ ‘* He has deceived us,” she cried; ‘“‘he ‘has set spies upon Se _| our tracks, and therefore he is not entitled to live any longer. | We will seize his throne, and then we will show the people that they will not have as easy & time under our reign as — they did under Jow Zoon’s, The nobles must die also, a | and the more you n38 the ne pow will he anasto: vaneat for yom": is | With that the queen ‘descended the throne, and after waving Oe ee i ee
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CHUNG WING. 27 S her room to dress for the asad which she was going to cut him in two, so sudden was the assault, had it not been that - Start out on. the young man jumped back and parried the blow with his The bandits were dismissed until midnight, when they were | sword. to form into companies under competent leaders, when they| Clash, clash, clash, clash! would commence their journey to Nankin, where they hoped} _ Clash, clash, clash, clash! - to gain not only more wealth, but also more power. Every “Help!” one was sanguine of success, and when they returned to the *‘ Chop them to pieces!” _ guard-room, large bumpers of wine were set out, and the “‘ Show them no quarter!” bandits enjoyed themselves by toasting the expedition so ‘Give the fiends all that they deserve!” much that a large number of them became drunk. The conflict was a furious one. The bandits fought like When Sau ur Neau came into the guard-room and saw the demons, and the dead and wounded Imperialists, as well as a condition, which her men were in, she was furious, and with-| great many of the robbers, were piled up in every part of the out waiting for an explanation from the major in command, | room. Blood flowed in streams over the floor, and made it she drew her sword and cut his head off. Taking the head in | slippery. her hands by the hair, she twirled her finger around the} Armand’s foot slipped, and he fell on his knees, Chung queue, and then whirled the sickening object around her head Wing was down upon him like a vulture. - in the sight of her followers, and said: Whir-r! __ * All who disobey my orders may expect the same fate as|~ gash! Siege a ne ies Armand met the blow with his sword, and an instant after- : tly the men stopped drinking, and so great was Sau | wards the bandit’s weapon fell from his grasp. ur Neau’s influence over them, that most who were almost «Sarrender!” oried Armand, as he placed the poitit of his stupidly drunk, sobered up, when they saw that if they should | .yord at Chung Wing’s breast, and then pointed his pistol at show any signs of the debauch they would suffer the same as | the bandit’s head. the major. One would ‘have thought that this would have been enough “Hark! What's that?” exclaimed the queen, as she was | t) make the arch-fiend himself surrender if he were not armed; about to leave the guard-room. ; but not so with Chung Wing. _. A rumbling noise was heard in the distance, and sounded| ‘The bandit stepped back afew paces, and then like a flashof — o% like the tramp of many feet. lightening he lowered his head and rushed. forward, clutched _ “ Are any of the men out?” queried the queen. 2 __ None,” replied an officer standing by her side: To arms, then!” Tramp, tramp, tramp! '__‘The sound of the tramping came from all quarters of the ge palace. The queen was bewildered, and for a few minutes she hardly knew how to act. _ “Be quick! the Imperialists are on us, Every man——” cried Chung, as he entered the guard-room, out of breath. _ “What’s that you say?” asked Sau ur Neau, who had re- covered her composure, and was now mustering the forces. _ “No quarter is to be shown to the hounds!” she cried, as : she ¢ drew her pooperose sword from her side and waved it ene Tramp, tramp, tramp! Armand around the waist, and threw him to the floor. Un- doubtedly this would have been the last of the brave young man, had not the general seen the bandit throw himselfon top of Armand and-prepare to stab him with a dagger. General — Soon’s sword was whirled around his head with ae force, and just as Chung Wing was-about to deal the his head fell to the floor, and his body rolled off of Armand’s ; breast. ; “So dies the man who never knew what it was to be merci- fal, and who has held China in chains of fear for years,”cried General Soon, as he assisted Armand to arise. There had come a lull in the fight, and Armand saw that the queen wag pushing Clint hard in the other end oftheroom. Thebandits had lost heavily, and now only about twenty-five remained. — There were abont thirty left out of the two hundred soldiers that had entered the room. The general’s son had fallen in the action. ter “Come, let us help Clint, and try and capture plies alive,” said Armand, when he saw that his friend's Segre A was giving out. The general and Armand now cut their way through: rz) The sound of the advance of the yiciosaete drew nearer every minute, ul , tramp, tramp! _ They. ‘were now within a few feet of the guard-room. The "was now thrown open, and the moment afterwards Clint sred the room atthe head of a body of soldiers. At this ent the other door of the room opened, and Armand en- closely followed by the general and his division. of the room, until they reached Clint’s side, The moment that they stepped up the detective’s foot and he fell. Sau ur Neau raised her sword above shied : as she did so Armand brought his weapon around and ut the queen’s hand off at the wrist. The sword fell with a tho and Sau ur Neau gave a cry that was fall of an ate general and Armand then threw’ themselvesupon her, and with a silken cord tied her hand and foot. ‘When the bandits saw that their es ak cei i captive, they tried to rescue her but failed in the at Neau, seeing Clint,’signaled.| being cut down by the Imperialists, who now ; pee ietrp aed teat oe ee
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7 CHUNG WING. - took the prisoners with them, and after placing a strong guard in the cave, they set out immediately for Nankin. It was bright daylight when Armand and Clint left the underground palace, and almost noon when they arrived in Nankin with the pris- oners. The emperor had just arisen from his bed when the friends entered the palace leading Sau ur Neau.between. WhenJow . Zoon saw the bandit queen and heard about what had occurred, - _ he threw his arms around Cliat’s neck and exclaimed: : ‘You are a mighty general, and if you stay with me I will -make you secretary of military affairs.” ‘* would like to accept your offer,” said Clint; ‘‘ but I am compelled to return to my own country.” : The emperor then offered the office to Armand, but he, too, refused. Jow Zoon hardly knew what he could do to express his gratitude to’ the two Americans. 5 ‘Well, then, if you won’t accept an office under my gov- __ @rnment, you surely will live at the palace during your stay in _ Nankin?”~ - ___-—s-* The friends accepted this offer, and the emperor gave or- ders for the best rooms in the palace to be prepared for their They immediately commenced to remove the money and valuables from the underground. palace to the®palace of the emperor. ‘The greater portion of the wealth had been re- moved from the underground. palace, and nothing now re- mained except some silks and the inlaid precious stones on the floor. The morning after the fight, as some of the guards ___were preparing to enter the cave, they heard a low, rumbling ur sound, and a few minates afterward the whole mountain com- There came a fearful crash, the noise of which echoed oak re-echoed throughout the valley. A hollow x place appeared on the side of the mountain, ‘and long gorges < Neau’s palace had been a few hours. before. earth ‘to open and swallow everything up. $7 - When the inhabitants of Nankin and the surrounding coun- that fa and Armand went they were received like princes, The em emperor was as good. as his word, and divided the money d valuables Saas t seemed as if he could not do too en. | for life. in which they reside. ‘Yes, Clint (I can never call you anything else, soa? will be your wife.” . The detective was happy, and drew his promised bride to his bosom after she said this, and kissed her, General Soon happened to be passing down a path-by the side of the one where the lovers were standing. He overheard the conversation, and saw all that happened. He went im- mediately to the emperor, who dispatched a messenger to Clint, stating that he desired to see him and Armand without delay. The two friends posted off in haste to the palace, won- dering what Jow Zoon could want. When they entered the room where the emperor and the general were, they were greatly surprised when Jow Zoon stepped forward and said, as he grasped both of them by the hand: ‘* Allow me to congratulate you both on your choice—and I would like very much for you to have the marriage ceremonies * performed at court.” The friends wondered how the emperor had found out about ~ their engagements, when General Soon settled their minds on that question by acknowledging that he had been guilty of informing on them, A few afternoons after this the whole city was decorated with flags and gay streamers. Thestreets were crowded vith people, and soldiers in full uniform rode up and down as if something great was going to happen. The imperial court Was crowded with noblemen and ladies; the emperor was in full State costume, and was sitting on his throne.. Suddenly the doors of the palace were thrown open, an American mis sionaty entered with a prayer-book in his hand, and was closely followed by Armand De Witt and Nita Lloyd, Joseph Clinton and Ella West. The bridal party stopped before the throne, the minister read the marriage ceremony,.and in a few minutes Armand, Clint, Nita, and Ella were made-happy ~ They received the congratulations of those present, and participated in the grand dinner which the emperor had had prepared in honor of the occasion. The next day Sau ur -Neau was executed, Sceaiene fie those of her followers who had been made prisoners with her,” Clint, Armand, Nita and Ella now took their departure © from Nankin, and started out for Canton, taking with them the ‘ money which they had so well earned. The emperor sent an = escort with them, after he saw that nothing could induce them i to remain at his court. After spending some time at Canton = among their acquaintances, the happy husbands, with their wives, set sail for America. They visited all the places of 73 note in the United States, and then went to Europe, where — they stayed for two years. They then returned home, and took up their residences in San Francisco, where two magnifi- cent houses had been built and furnished for them, for which, they gave an order to a contractor before they left for Europe. Armand and Clint entered into the banking business together, as after the detective had resigned from the’ police force, and they are now. known and-respected by every one in the pase ae S ieee) “BOW TO BECOME A MAGIUTAN,—Containing ee
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The Boys of New York Aes | Te eA ALL BOYS’ PAPERS IN THE WORLD, BECAUSE IT CONTAINS THE BEST AND MOST ORIGINAL Stories of Travelsand Adventures IN ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD, GIVING EXPERIENCE IN LOW LIFE AS WELL AS IN THE PALACE. Thrilling, Startling, and Wonderful are the Many Adventures Pictured Out in Our Paper Every Week. OUR ILLUSTRATIONS ARE THE VERY FINEST 7M4T MONEY CAN PROCURE, AND WILL BEAR COMPARISON WITH ANY WEEKLY PAPER PUBLISHED. Wy amploy only the Best Talent, as the following list of Prominent Authors will attest, who write exclusively for THE BOYS OF NEW YORK. Any statement to the contrary is utterly false, “ PAD.” “ED.” POLICE CAPTAIN HOWARD, $e soc ees er eean ca : a DETECTIVE, i ALBERT J. BOOTH, R. T. EMMET, ROBERT MAYNARD, KIT CLYDE, N. ¥. DE GASTON GARNE, C. LITTLE, ROBERT LENNO GORPORAL MORGAN RATTLER, “ NONAME,” BERTON BERTREW, and many others. Subscription price for 1883, postage free, for one year, $2.50; for six montbs, $1.25; for three months, 65 cents. For sale by all newsdealers.in the United @tates and Canada, ag@- SAMPLE COPIES SENT FREE. -@a Address : FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher; P. O. Box 2730. 34 and 36 North Moore Street, New York. The Young Men of America. THIS SPARKLING JOURNAL FOR YOUNG MEN IS FULL OF INTEREST FROM BEGINNING TO END, Its stories eannot be surpassed, and its authors have a reputation seldom equaled. Read the follow- ing array of talent, who write EXCLUSIVELY for this paper: ALEXANDER DOUGLAS (Scotland Yard Detective)-TOM TEASER—H K. SHACKLEFORD—RALPH MORTON—ALLAN ARNOLD—J. T. BROUGHAM—HAL STANDISH—A. F. HILL—D. W. STEVENS—TOM FOX (Philadelphia Detective)-FRANE ~ : FORREST—JOHN SHERMAN—HORACE APPLETON—RICHARD R. MONTGOMERY-—COL. RALPH FENTON—PEROY 8B. ST. JOHN—CAPT. GEO. GRANVILLE (U.S.A.)—ALEXANDER ARMSTRONG—JAMES D, MONTAGUE, and many others. THE YOUNG MEN OF AMERICA For soe rae fire Hoe doe sent to your address, post-paid, for $2.50; for six months, $1.25- and for three months, 65 cents “For s sale by all newsdealers, or sent to your address, postage free, on receipt of price. Address FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, B42 and = North Moore Street, Hew. York +
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USEFUL, INSTRUCTIVE SCIENTIFIC BOOKS. CONTAINING INFORMATION FOR EVERYBODY How to Do Second Sight, - ~ > 10ce How to Keep House, . w . 10¢ How to Play Games, - . - . 10c How to Do It, - - - 10c How to Behave, - - - * 10c How to Box, - : = . * 10ce How to Make Love, - - . + 10c How to Become an Athlete, - . - 10¢ How to Write Love Letters, - = e 106 How to Row, Sailand Builda Boat, - ” 10¢ How to Do Tricks, - - « - 10c How to Keep and Manage Pets, - - 10e How to Write Letters, - - - 10c¢ How to Play Cards, - - . ” 10c How to Cook, - - - 10c How to Become a Scientist, - - rn 10¢e How to Entertain an Evening ee - ” 10c “How to Become an Inventor, : 10c How to Become Beautiful, - - + 10c How to Dress, - - 10c How to Flirt, - + 10c How to Become a Magician, > 10c¢ How to Become a Ventriloquist, - 6 106 Muldoon’s Jokes, - ° 10c How to Become Rich, 7 . 0c The Shortys’ Jokes, . . 10c © How to Dance, - > > 0c The Shortys’ Snaps, - - 10c How to Become’ a ‘ocetane: =. 2 . 10c The Boys of New York Minstrel Guide and How to Tell Fortunes, . ~ 10c Joke Book, - 10¢ How to Explain Dreams, - . 1 106... Ireland's Struggles Sic Sabepty eal Laci, « 10e How to Hunt and Fish, - - ; 10e Prank Tousey’s United States Distance baer. How to Keep Birds, - . > - 100e Pocket Companion and Guide, - 106 These books are always in print, and for gale by all newsdealers, or <hey will 4a sent to your address, post-paid, on receipt of pris OUR COMIC BOOKS. Unequaled for Fun, WV Wit and Humor. ‘The Bald-Headed Club, . . =. 100. | Our Servant Girls, See eG, 10¢ Going to the Country, . ; . 10c. Pounds of Fun, . ° ‘ ; 0c Red Hot, , / . , 16c. The Tickler, ; 5 ° ° 10c ~ A Quiet Fourth of Sash. ; ; ‘ 10c. A Box of Jokes, . ; ; ‘ 10¢. _ Good Templars Exposed, a i 10c. A Cure for the Blues, . P # 10c. -, Onadury, . : ; = A 10c. Fun fora Dime, . $ : : 0c. _ My Wife’s Mother, : ; : 10c. Hash, . : . 10c. _ Dodging a Creditor, F ; 10c. A Basket of Wiig Things : ; We. - Mrs. Snoodles’ Gadiii deinen ° 10c. An Hour’s Fun, . : “ 10c. _ Joining the Freemasons, 3 ; 10c. Rib Crackers, .. - ‘ " 10e. Where Are You Going? . : 10c. | Shorts, .. ? ; : : 10c. _ Miss Blinker’s-Blinds, . . . 0c. | Smiles, . 106 ‘Mulligan’s Boarding-House, . ; 10c. Funny Stories by a : Fanny Fellow, 3 10c. Our Baby, . oes ; 10c. My Birthday, J * ‘ " 100. iz ee ey Pn, oe tenes it pee Address et _FRANE ‘TOUSEY, Publisher, as are a Sh se 38 Mert ows strents See
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"I" Fi EE James Boys Series of Adventures CONTAINED IN THE WIDE AWAKE LIBRARY, By the World-renowned Author, D. W. STEVENS. PRICH 5 CENTS Every book complete in itself, and full of startling and exciting scenes. Read the following list of the names and numbers of the books already published. For sale by all newsdealers. 440. The Train Robbers, A Story of the{ 490. The James Boys in Mexico. James Boys. 492. The James Boys at Cracker Neck. 457. The James Boys as Guerrillas. 514. The James Boys and Timberlake. 462. The James Boys and the Vigilantes. | 521. The James Boys in Court. _ 466. The James Boys and tke Ku Klux. 527.. The James Boys’ Cave. 469. The James Boys in California. 531. The James Boys as Bank Robbers. 474. The James Boys as Train Wreckers. | 538. The James Boys’ Brides. 479. The James Boys in Minnesota. 550. .The James Boys’ Band. 482. The James Boys as Highwaymen. 571. The James Boys’ Fate. 488. The James Boys’ Longest Chase. * Any of the above books are for sale by every newsdealer in the United States and Canada, or they will be sent to your address, post-paid, on receipt of 5 cents. Address . FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, Box 2730. 34 and 36 North Moore Street, N. Y. THE JAMES BOYS’ STORIES PUBLISHED IN THE “Boys of N ew York Pocket TLibemey, 7. THE LIFE AND DEATH OF JESSE JAMES, | = pone By D. W. Stevens. + §1. FRANK JAMES THE AVENGER, . By D. W. Stevens. s - 105. FRANK J AMES’ SURRENDER, . » By D. W. Stevens. g Foro yun he Unio Sao sd Can, o sn 0 your nen, poags en wp et . a are, ib sageest ie Sh Address ; a Rao. JOUSEY. Publisher, a ane 36 sake Moore penta nN Y.
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a, a : THE NEW YORK DETECTIVE LIBRARY THE LATEST AND BEST LIBRARY PUBLISHED. Ragone 2 THE FOLLOWING LIST OF NUMBERS ALREADY PUBLISHED: No. 1. OLD STEALTHY, THE GOVERNMENT DETECTIVE, No. 39. OLD MERCILESS THE MAN HUNTER, By Allan Arnold. By Police Captain Howard. | No, 40. Tae OLD Hut or Demon’s Guicn, By A. F. Hill. Wo. 2. OLD SNAP, THE PosTaL SERVICE DETECTIVE, No. 41. NAMELESS; OR, 108, By J. . Brougham. By Allan Arnold, | No. 42. BRANDED, . . . . By Allan Arnold. No. 3. Younc LIGHTNING, THE TREASURY DETECTIVE, No. 43. THE Youne AMATEUR DETECTIVE, By Tom Fox (Philadelphia Detective). By Police _— Williams. No. 4. Sam Sty anp His Doc DETECTIVE, No. 44. No Man’s MONEY, . > en Ape. eee, - By Police ‘Captain Howard. | No. 45, STORIES OF WorLD-RENOWNED DETECTIVES, ~ No, 5. TRACKED TO CHINA ; on, A DETECTIVE’S TRIALS, By AN. Y. Journalist. ‘ By AU. S. Detective. | No. 46. THE Youne Nraiuist, By Allan Arnold, No. 6. OLD RELIABLE, THE WESTERN havactinen, No. 47. THRILLING ADVENTURES OF A LONDON DETECTIVE, By A New York Detective. Written by Himself. No. 7. THE MARKED FINGER; oR, THE SLIGHTEST OF CLEWS, . CONVICTED; OR, A FELOn’s History, By Allan Arnold. ‘By Alexander Douglas (Scotland Yard Detective). . DICK DaRK, THE Boss DETECTIVE, By Allan Arnold, No. 8. THE Broken Button, By Police Captain Howard. . Poor Jog, By Capt. Geo. Granville, U, S. A. No. 9. In Deep DIsGuIsE, 4 . . By D. O'Sullivan. . BRANDED WITH A STAR, ce By F. F. No. 10. £10,000 REWARD ; OR, THE YounG IRIsH DETECTIVE, . THE Lost NUMBER, = By old Cap Lee. By = Hammond. . THe YouNG BaNK CLERK, . . ./. . By H. A. No. 11, Tae Nraruist’s Daceuter, By F. M. Cobb. IN THE SECRET SERVICE, . By F. F. No. 12. OLD RUFE, THE SECRET SERVICE DETECTIVE, . HAWKSHAW, THE YANKEE Deteorive, By P. C. W. H By Harry Hammond. . THE DRUNKARD'S Son, . By OC. G. G. No. 13. THe Missinc Rinc . . » By Allan Arnold, . A Coat SLEEVE, By G. G. Small. No. 14. THe Priest’s Cram, .... . By H. C. H. P LEADWLLE: JACK, 523 32 oc ee ee No. 15. Jack STANTON, THE CONVICT, . . By G. G. 8. . YANKEE DonovaN, . . By J. T. B. No, 16. A Torn LETTER, . . . By F. M. Cobb. . YOUNG SLEUTH, By Police Captain Howard. No. 17. ‘‘ NuMBER 1763,” . . By 'W. Howard Van Orden. . THe Buack DocTor,. . . Se Be ee No. 18. THz OLp PuotocrapH,. . By A U. 8, Detective. . DEaD Man’s Port, . .- + - Be Pe No. 19. A Piece OF PAPER, By Captain Howard. Dragy OF A Norep DETECTIVE, Written by Himself. No, 20, ALLEN DaNg, THE Detective, By Harry Hammond. 64. Tue Bent Key, . « Old Lee. No. 21, TRAPPED; OR, TONY AND THE BANKER’S SECRET, Younc SLEUTH, THE DETECTIVE IN CHICAGO, at By H. K. §, By Police Captain Howard. * No. 22. THe Broken BLACKTHORN, By Allan Arnold. . Rose AMBLER’S FATE; By Ce ee Mansing. No. 23. THe LovER OF AN EMPRESS, By F. M. Cobb. . Tue Torn Coat. 3 y Wm. 8. Hall. No, 24. A Pack or Carbs, . ais, Soy SOY key. FE . OLD MYSTERY . : By Police Cintas Howard, No. 25. OLD SPHINX, THE PHANTOM DETECTIVE, a . THE STOLEN CANE By Police Sergeant Mallory. By Marline Manly. . SHADOW, THE MYSTERIOUS DETECTIVE, No. 26, THe Dwarr DETECTIVE, . By Allan Arnold, By Police Captain Howard. No. 27, THe Mysterious HEAD, Harry Hawk By Police Cree Howard. By Alexander Douglas (Scotland Yard Detective). . THe ForGeD CHECKS. . . . . By Old Cap Lee. ; No. 28. Was He MURDERED BY FREEMASONS, . By @.G.S . THe FataL Prints . By Wm. 8. Hall. No. 29. Dick DANGER, THE cess of rr igs ae ' No, 30..A TERRIBLE ENDING,. . . By A Hill. No. 31. THe Danpy DETECTIVE, me ‘By Allan Bae No. 82. Seorets; or, B. G. O.'M., . By Frank Forrest. No. 33, DENNY THE Dunc, . . By J. T. Brougham, No. 8. Tue Youre Mountep POLICEMAN, . THE Sr.vgE Watcn CHAIN, . Old Cap Lee. Bi By Horace Appleton. . A SreeL BraceLet, By Ex-Chief of Police Mansing. 5 No. 35. Yankee Jep, THE Down East Derecrive, . Tar Lost No1E-Boox * No, 36. Tue. Siuver D By Poli Captain tion Seach : VER DAGGER, « olice ‘No. 87. Tue Fats Fincers, . = By J. No, 38. THE HunNcHBACKS. ws wae _ Extra No. 1, ROSE AMBLER ; or, THE Paigiedey uxerun. : - Extra No. 2, PHEBE PAULLAIN; or, THE — MOUNTAIN MYSTERY, - - «+ + Price 10 Cents. . THe Rusty Nan . BIOGRAPHY OF A GREAT DETECTIVE . . PaEBE PAULLIN’s FaTE, By Police Contes Howard. . THE CROYDEN MYSTERY . CHUNG WING, ‘THE CHINESE BANDIT Kina, A Lock or Hair, By Alexander Douglas (Scotland Yard Detective). By Police Sergeant Mallory. By Himself. By Alexander Douglas (Scotland Yard Detective). By Wm. 8. Hall. By Police Sergeant Mallory. aE’? l,l nevosalers inthe United Stats and Casa, o or sent to your address, post-paid, on recerpt of price, FRANK 10uSe ees ER, ees Moore am - Price 10 Cents, om N.Y.