Adventure Magazine Cover — page 127: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Sled Wheeler and the Nameless Order Dan was tempted. A cued Chink trimming a drayman in an alley had its artistic possi- bilities, but Dan waved his cue at the husky mick and sprinted on. ~ Within half an hour he had told his story to the merchant. Lu Yan was all wonder and congratulation. “Truly you are favored of fortune,” said he. “In all my days I have never witnessed your equal for activity or courageous spirit.” “IT can’t blush in these clothes—who ever saw a Chinaman blush? How do you ac- count for that?” asked Dan. ‘And look! Why can’t I shed this make-up now? Garth knows I’m on the job—he’ll have spies watching this house. How about that?” “T can provide an efficient body-guard,” said Lu Yan gravely. “It is a thing I have never been forced to do before, but the means are at hand, and you must remember that a price is set upon your head.” “Don’t bother,” said Dan carelessly. But he knew how thorough and reliable were the tong hatchet-men and gunmen. They were not picturesque or graceful in their methods, but wonderfully “efficient” as Lu Yan said—especially within the bounds of Chinatown. He was touched by Lu Yan’s solicitude, especially as the mer- chant went on: ‘‘Also, since Garth has offered five thou- sand for your ‘removal’ I shall let it be known that double that.-amount will be the reward of frustrating the attempt by removing the remover.” Wheeler looked in the serious face for signs of humor, but it was not there. He reflected that in Chinatown this thing was not only possible but commonplace. Not even a tong thug would attempt to ring in a spurious corpse and collect the reward— they were scrupulously honest. He would be safe at Lu Yan’s—that was certain, and uninteresting. “But I have got to do something!’ he protested complaining. “TI can’t sit here with What’s-His-Name and think myself to sleep”—looking at Buddha. “And don’t waste any good money on a cheap yegg—if anybody tries to collect Garth’s five thou, he’ll be welcome to what he gets.” He finished with a grim set of his cleft chin. “We might pay a ceremonial call on the prince across the bay,” Lu Yan suggested. “T think I could get his consent.” 117 “Gosh! No!” Dan jumped. “I’d rather climb the cafion again—and besides he’s so particular about coming in contact with anything or anybody. I am too of-the- earth, earthy! There I draw the line—right there!” ‘He suggested it himself,” said Lu Yan wistfully. “He would send a formal request if he thought it would be welcome.” ‘Request! Hm! He’ll have to send a few cattlemen—good ropers—and I’d give ’em a battle, at that,” said Dan. “No, sir—not unless you make a point of it yourself.” “T shall not do that,’’ Lu Yan said after reflection. ‘I do not dare to interfere with your movements. I believe I share the belief—you would call it superstition—of the prince.” “What’s that?” asked Dan. ‘About what?” “About you.” “Go on! Dan was incredulous. “He has been fully informed of your movements, and he charges all of us—those working in his interest—not to influence you in any way. He believes the fortunes of the Twins to be bound up with yours, and that you are a predestined instrument for their return—also that you are under their pro- tection.” ; “They may be big medicine, but—as J said before—give me the gun!” Dan touched his faithful companion. “But we'll try to déliver the goods.” Then restlessly: “Bui that doesn’t answer the question— what am I to do all tomorrow? I got to have a job to keep me out of mischief.”’ After a moment in thought: ‘What does this prince look like—much tinted—very dark?” “Just about your coloring—and with the same colored eyes.” Dan blinked for a moment and wrinkled his nose. He was evidently surprized. “That being the case,” he said deliber- ately, ‘‘wait till I change my make-up and we'll go take a look at him.” “You are a most engaging youth,” said Lu Yan with a smile, “and you will never regret it.” Dan was always reticent about that visit, but one could gather that he was surprized to find the prince so much like white folks. Simple and boyish in manner, he made a hit with Dan at sight. Although flanked by COmicloook S Co inn