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BRAVE AND HOLD. 15
CHAPTER XII.
DELAYED AT LAST.
The voyage on the China Sea from Singapore to Heng-
kong was quite uneventful, except to Pat. who suffered
even more than usual from the moment that the vessel
started.
“Sure, Misther Tom,” he wailed, “if it worr not for
you, sorr, I'd give up the oidea of iver gettin' to Ameriky.
I'd sittle down in Hongkong an' become a haythen
Chineser, the same as I did in Colombo. But I can’t lave
you, sorr, say or no say.”
A seasick man is usuallv--and naturally-entirely
wrapped up in himself. and Toni fully appreciated this
devotion on the part of his follower.
There was no one among the passengers whom Tom
saw any reason to suspect of being the Protean Duffield,
but he kept his eyes open, just the same.
There were several Chinese of various social ranks on
board, and among them was one tall, powerfully built,
sinister-looking man, whom Toni frequently saw gazing
at him with an expression that he did not like.
“Who is that fellow?” he asked one of the officers of
the steamer, a young Englishman, on the last day of the
voyage. .
“You know what a ‘bunco man’ is in your native coun-
try, I suppose?” said the young man.
I 7)
“Well, this man occupies a somewhat similar position
in society in Hongkong. His record is shady, and he is
supposed, not without reason to be a fellow who will do
about anything for monev. I have noticed him looking
at you myself, and have'thought that, perhaps, he had
some grudge against you." ,
“I never saw him in my life until I came on board this
vessel.’’ .
“Well, I'd advise you to look out for him. for he evi-
dently don't like vou much for some reason or other. You
may have offended him in some way without know-
ing it.”
“Perhaps. Well, I’ll keep my eye on him."
While the passengers were disembarking at Hongkong.
and Tom was helping the unlucky I’at-who was actually
too weak to walk alone-on deck, Nellie Bly came hurry-
ing up to him, exclaiming: .
"I believe I have penetrated Duf'field's disguise. Tom.
I am sure he was on board, after all."
“Indeed!” returned the boy. “and in what 50“ Of 3-
ri ?”
“I think that he was disguised as a Chinaman."
Tom laughed heartily.
“No, that's too much for belief," he said.
ting nervous, Miss Nellie.”
“No, I’m not," persisted the girl. “I keep both my eyes
Open all the time, except when I’m asleep. and I know
what I am talking about. VVhy, there couldn't be a better
disguise than that of a Chinaman."
“That may be,” said Tom. “but he didn't have time
enough to get up any new disguise in the interval be-
tween our little adventure with him and the sailing: of
the ship.”
“Yes, he did, too." asserted Nellie. “Now. see here.
Tom, girl though I am, I've seen a good deal of the
“You're get-
world as you know, and when I form a theory in a matter
like this, .t's generally somewhere near the truth."
“VVel‘i. and what is your theory in this case?"
“I'll tell you. I believe that after his attempt to rob
me of this hand bag of mine, Duffield tied to some house
with which he was previously acquainted, and donned
this new disguise, which was all ready for him. Un-
doubtedly it was his intention to assume it and follow you,
even if he had succeeded in the theft he attempted."
“But how could he have made the acquaintance of any-
one in Singapore?" interposed Tom.
“Birds of a feather flock together,” answered Miss Bly.
“A fellow like Burton Duffield can always find plenty of
so-called friends of his own kind wherever he goes, par-
ticularly if he has money.”
“That's so.”
“I believe that Duflield fell in with this Chinaman
whom you have noticed looking at you in such a peculiar
manner. and that the two came on board togetlicr. I have
seen the man whom you suspect. talking with another, ap-
parently of his own race, a number of times during the
voyage, but it never occurred to me to suspect this other
of being Duftleld until the passengers were leaving the
vessel just now. Then. as he passed me, this fellow shot
such an evil glance at me that I felt sure at once. not-
withstanding his elaborate disguise. that he was the man
who has followed us from America."
“The miserable coward l" exclaimed Tom. “Oh. I wish
I could meet him once more face to face: I wouldn't let
him escape me again as easily as I did in Singapore."
“It was my fault, then," said Nellie; “but I'm not
sorry that I didi1't let you follow him. for there's no know-
ing what the result might have been. And now, Tom.
you must be doubly careful, for Duflield has found iii-
struments which he will not hesitate to use. and which
will be obedient to his every wish. A few hundred dol-
lars here are a fortune. and for the money which he eoulrl
offer-for he seems to be well supplied-he can obtain
people who will unqnestioningly obey him in everything.
You cannot be too cautious, Tom."
"Don't ye worry. Miss Nellie," interrupted Pat. “I'll
look out for Mistlier Tom. so I will."
"You seem to have all you can do to look out for your-
self just now," laughed Miss Bly.
“Thrue for ye," responded the Irishman, ruefully; “but
whin I get me fut on dhry land, I'll be niesilf ag'in. Just
now I don't know who I am."
Pat heaved a deep sigh of relief as. still leaning on his
master's arm, he once more placed his feet on tcrra firnia.
“The saints be praised. I'm still aloive. sorr,” he ejacu-
lated. piously. "But. sure." he added. sorrowfully, “it's
moighty little use I've been ter ye, Nlisthcr Tom, an' it's
a wondher ter me that ye don't discharge me the way me
other masther did." '
"()h you'll be all right when you get to America." said
Tom. smilingly; “and then you can niake up for all this.
It's lucky for you that were to have a little hreatliing spell
here. for if you had to go on shipboard again at once. I
don't know what would become of you."
“Nayllicr do I, sorr. Sure. I t'ink it w'u'd save mime
an' thmuhle ter t'row me overboanl at wzinst. But I'll be
betther soon." '
"Well. you look pretty well played out now. at all
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