The Mystery of the Forbidden City; OR DR. JACK'S WIDOW.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 129, 1 June 1901, Page 6

The Mystery of the Forbidden City; OR DR. JACK'S WIDOW.

Author ct ' Uftlo Hiss Sliiiioo*,' "th« SpMort. ? Web,' ' Mtes JMittUri-s of Mow York,' "fite Captcia i»f tfec Kaiser,1 'anas ! Gojwicft,' etc., ote, ■ . I J^O

CHAPTER XXXVIIT. TO THE APARTMENTS OF THE EMPBBSS. There were those in the little company clustered in that upper chamber who knew immediate action wasi essential. i

When Dr. Jack had been assisted through the opening "'which hi* own indomitable energy had made, Kai Wang proceeded to cover tlie hole with a lot of matting he had discovered. Koine people have that rare faculty for finding just, what is especially needed Lor the occasion, and such persona generally prove very handy to have about. Then he struck a match and calmly proceeded to bring that invaluable old lantern into play. To relate how 'Larry blessed it now as much as he had cursed it under his breath at first when it persisted in banging against his shins, would betray the little fellow's coniidence, but the glances he bent upon it were full of deep veneration, and he was now ready to believe it their best friend. All of them were greatly interested m a hurried survey of their position. This was specially true of the maker of heathen gods. Kai Wang knew the intricacies of the imperial palace about as well as the next one, and it was a matter of considerable importance that he should be able to recognize their surroundings in order to plan the line of escape from under that dangerous and hostile roof. The consultation below could not last long. Presently it would give way to action, on the part of the delegates. Some would speed through the passages to give tlie alarm, and in all too brief a time the palace would be in an uproar. It was very unfortunate that discovery should have followed their ar- j rival at Jack's quarters. j

Knowing how the guards would be doubled and every precaution taken to prevent their escape from the royal building Larry would have, been most abominably dejected over the outcome only for one thing. This was his supreme faith in their guide.

As the mariner pins his fortunes upon the compass and the barometer, so bo was ready to believe Kai Wang could be v second Moses to lead them out of the wilderness.

It was as tliough his prayer was ah •werecl.

How it was to be done was a matter ihat did not enter into Larry's philosophy; nor did he concern himself very rnurh about it. The mirid that had brought them through other difficulties must surely be equal to this task: and besides there, was Dr. Jack to suggest new ideas.

It is wonderful how such perfect eoniidence takes possession of a true believer at times, and gives his spirit halm even in the face of the most appalling conditions. And Kai Wang certainly proved beyond all peradventure that he was worthy of such trust.

When he had swept one glance around him the Chinaman smiled.

It was only a faint nicker that appeared upon his yellow face, but Dr. Jack, whose eyes hod been riveted in that quarter, caught it, and a great wave of satisfaction swept over him.

Kai Wang knew where they were, nnd would be able totake up the game intelligently.

Nor did he waste any time. Unlike most Chinamen, this remarkable individual seemed to possess the Yankee trait of unceasing "push," which was one reason his business had outgrown that of rival image makers.

Gladly they followed in his wake

It would be a strange procession to pass through the intricate corridors and halls of the great imperial palace. Dr. Jack had one arm thrown about the form of his belov.ed wife. How eagerly .she dung to him, gazing up from time to time into his face, as though hardly able to comprehend as yet the wonderful blessing that had been vouchsafed her.

Then came Larry, while the stalwart Britisher brought up the rear. .

Lord Rackett was prepared for foes, not knowing how soon some of the native soldiers whom they had left in the recent prison of the American promoter might see fit to climb up the' ladder, just as they had themselves done, and follow at' their heels, intent upon business.

These fellows were picked for their fighting qualities. The old Empress knew the value of such stock near her sacred person during the many changes apt to take place in Chinese politics, the most intricate under heaven, and understood by few foreigners.

Lord Eaekett knew full well that should they come in contact with these defenders of the palace he woukl find them entirely different from the cowardly Cantonese coolies with whom had occurred the battle on board the Kussian plotter's floating junk. He quickly became aware of the fact that their guide was leading them along the most lonely and seldom-used passages in the building. This caused Plympton to suspect that there might be secret corridors not known to the general frequenters of the castle. He would be surprised' at nothing in connection; with, such d venerable, building, the very appearance of which breathed an air of mystery and enchantment that was considerably heightened by surrounding conditions.

When this had gone on for some little time Kai Wang suddenly stopped.

His manner indicated that it was his desire to have a little consultation, or "powwow." "1 Illustrious son of the morningl," he said, addressing- Dr. Jack, directly, aoid his manner was most impressive, "thus far have we come without discovery. It is impossible to proceed farther without passing through the doors where heavy goiards have been I placed." j "That is bad, my good friend. I fear we shall have to make a. rush for it, and | as I have one very precious with me to guard against evil, 1 regret such a contingency very much," returned Evans, taking in a long breath. "Most excellent comrade and. friend, permit me to say that a thought lias come into this most unworthy brain of mine. I have reason to believe I may be able to secur4 a magic talisman that will make our most desperate enemies as harmles3 as babea.. That wonderful thing- is the order of her most gracious majesty, the Dowager Empress, now domiciled beneath this sacred roof." Dr. Jack wa k s not at all deceived. He knew that Kai Wang and the. faction he represented were at loggerheads with the party of the old queen, and that of her own free will she would never give him this wished for pass. Evidently the sagacious Kai Wang, who knew almost everything worth knowing, was so thoroughly at home in the royal palace that he could find the secret passage leading to the royal apartments of Her Highness.

Wrth such an excess of excitement pervading the palace from causes political, the exact nature of which she herself was best able to understand, it

might be set down as certain that the .shrewd female diplomat of the Chinese empire would not retire yet a- while; and if Kai Wang- could, through his own. private resources, secure an interview, he might be able to present his case in stich a strong" light that she would grant his favour.

At any rate the said Kai Wang- seemed full of assurance, possibly relying' on certain facts that were known only to himself and the eminent statesman now exiled to a survey of the troublesome Yellow River, and which secrets must prove of considerable importance to the Dowager Empress.

As for Larry, when he grasped the situation, and realised what a. dashing bid for fortune the keen-witted Celestial meant to make, ho could hardly catch cnoug-h breath to faintly exclaim: "Henri hear!" It was not Kai Wang's idea to lose any time, though n« n Chinaman, he found it a difficult Ihing to cut matters short.

Dr. Jack speedily understood that they were to remain in this spot, awaiting his return. If h« came not when half an hour went by they might grow anxious but should wait twice that time ore makingl a move.

Should Ik* finally fail to appear, Dr. Jack was to undertake to guide tht> expedition according1 to certain directions he left; and though hope of escape was rather slender, still desperate cases cannot wait upon circumstances.

Then he left them, and started upon his dangerous mission with as much sang froid as might have marked a pleasure jaunt to Tien-Tsui. Ah, Kai Wang1 was indeed a most remarkable fellow, and had few equals in the Flowery Kingdom, where graceful phrases drop like precious pearls from the lips of her saffrouhtied children, and where the diplomats of Europe may well journey to pick up a few new points in their line. When the courier had departed, our friends made all necessary preparations for a stay that might be long or short, according to the favour of fortune.

Dr. Jack had been armed, and much of his lost strength seemed to be returning' to him tinder the happy conditions prevailing.

With his beloved wife nestled close at his side, he had gwxl reason to summon all his reserve powers to the front. Danger to Avis was quite enough to rouse the lion-like qualities for which he had always been distinguished, and throw him upon his mettle as a son of Mars.

The lantern had been extinguished

While they waited for a sig-nal that would convey the glad intelligence of Kai Wang's happy return Irom his momentous interview with the great Dowager Empress, they had no need of any illuminating agency. Besides, such, a condition of affairs only added to the dangers with which they were surrounded, without affording any compensating advantage. So Jack liad begged Larry to -'douse the glim," and they remained there in the corridor, awaiting the turn of fortune's wheel.

Dr. .Tack would have been the happiest man in China if Avis were only at the legation of the American or British minister.

The fact that she shared his danger kept his already overburdened nerves Under a constant tension that must be experienced to be understood. More than once, when half muffled shouts came to their eager eara, ho would press the dear girl closer to his heart, as tbe memory of other scenes of danger which Bhe had shared in his company flashed into hid mind. A kind providence had carried them throug-h these pant perils unscathed, but that was no indication the pitcher might not go once too often to the Wfll.

For her sake he counted the minutes as he had seldom done in his past life.

The half-hour was long since up, and Kai Wang had 'not appeared.

Perhaps he had failed; perhaps even now his headless body was being borne away by those merciless janizaries who guarded the Dowager Empress. It was a fearful thought, considering what it meant for them —for his

o-entJe and brave Avis. Dr. Jack, believing- tbe Lime bad come to act, was on tbe point of conferring with Plyiupton, when a sudden rush of: light burst upon them, ■while at the same time loud and an-o-ry voices announced the coming qi The palace guard, following: the secret passage from the dungeon tha.t had so recently held Dr, Jack. (To be continued.)