Mystery Wings

called himself Tao Sing twisted his face into a smile and in doing so added a

asking for Tao Sing. Tao Sing had said he would show him a picture of his thoughts. Johnny did not believ

ou can't do that. I still have my head on.

le man said soberly. "But I can

it's nonsense. But he did tell me what I had thought about the pep meet. He did tell me wha

d my mind?" he said t

e little man's brow puckered in a comical manner. "

mall instrument before him on a table. He

ack of Whong Lee's shop where all manner of Oriental roots and seeds were sold, he was listening to strange talk. There was a druggy smel

to think is easy. We always think, except when we sleep. Then we dream. Yo

For very soon I shall show you what you have thought. It shall be all put down, right in here." He tapped his instrumen

uldn't do that!"

gain. "Now! Get ready-think! I record your thoughts." A second

oy told himself stoutly. "But

o the task of run

to the las

Old Paint,

words of that song. A fly caught in a spider's web buzzed loudly in one corner. H

brought his mind

nd-up, the la

le man could read people's minds? How terrible to have someone about, who could tell everything you

to the las

in. "Only-" he smiled again. "You will never sto

d metal box a little larger than a silver dollar. "We fit it

to time himself while the tiny hand

ught to himself once more. "He must be. How c

or your teacher when you thought she had caught you in some prank, or the person who sits next to you in a street car, or the new girl next door, or a

to the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. Johnny could visit that fascinating place any ti

ed with interest. He had followed mysterious rivers and searched

over the world, rich Chinamen came that they might trade silk and tea, quaint Chinese toys, teak woo

mber of Commerce-a lamp made of three thousand pieces of porcelain, banners ol

, "Now then, you shall see!" He heaved a sigh. He snapped his old-fashioned watch shut. "Now we take it o

finger. "You shall see th

so." A clicking sound followed. "I press this so. Now. Now! You look." His tone rose as he

his eyes were words, faintly illuminated words. Strangest of all, he realized

on himself he realized that here recorded, apparently for all time, just as a moving picture is recorded, were his least and most trifling thoughts of a fe

he rest. The space beneath his e

have your thoughts. They are recorde

s feelings not at all. He looked up at Tao Sing fo

ul!" he exclaimed. "C

again?" The lit

. Oh

ght. Yo

ope affair for a moment. "All right

ughts that passed through his mind

nderful new invention, like the telegraph, radio, televis

ips as the spot before Johnny's eyes

o try?" sai

at last. "Try to take pict

s,

othing," he thought, "could

" he whispe

inaman, "Yes,

n's eyes narrowed. "You

?" Johnn

s eyes became mere slits o

ny n

long time. Very wise thoughts. You take picture of these thoughts. Tao Sing read thoughts. By and by Tao Sing very wise. You take picture Wung

had often sat before, admiring the ancient, green-eyed dragon, while Wung Lu, the rich and wise one, s

" Tao Sing spoke slow

true. Wung Lu smiled

wed to perish." The little man w

said Johnny

s lost to the world in his study of the invention

weirdest plans. How many things there were that he truly wished to know! Now he would get them from the minds of others with

th enthusiasm. "Never have to write them at all now; just prop that old thought-camera up against the books on my table, get all set to look right at it,

oor, he had all but tumbled into Meggy S

ered. "I-I beg

an hour. Doug Danby wants you to go over to the lab

d. "How queer you look! You m

ny said slowly. "A ghost o

There was a teasing

hnny was through the door an

set, he tiptoed down the back stairs, then sped away thro

f. "Not just yet. I might tell, and that would