The Forest of Mystery

d N

see into the store, Pong Lee stepped forward and

s harmless-looking Chinaman could become. They were

though well aware of the grave danger. The youth l

riental, a plait of black hair reaching halfway down his back. It was

wice in rapid succession but without

hrough the doorway, Pong Le

ied the little Chinaman

ched closely until Pong Lee was out of sight. Joe t

but no other noise followed. Appa

inaman returned, hold

the boys. "Man he leave queek.

uickly," commented Bob. "Must ha

ot from the Chinaman. That the latter was s

d to return later? Pong Lee's mind was in a whirl. He felt that it would be necessary t

in and make you tell them where you keep this stuff," rem

tal shook

if I get killed," he explain

ed Bob. "Your life isn't in any great dange

r all tlime," Pong Lee returned.

that?"

g. I get run flom him. He thlow hatchet at me

grimly. "Here's hoping Joe and I do

h the amiable Chinaman. Then, as they realized that it was past te

that the sinister Moy Ling, of whom Pong Lee spoke, might cause them trouble. But as time passed they

mething," remarked Bob, breaking the silence.

hese rings are really

ually bring us good luck?"

rth something in money. Pong Lee said

l mine, though. I'd rather keep it to r

think it will bring g

usually smart, but I've got mo

s a gene

a little later, "I'm begin

ed up exp

big secret connected with

right.

ey are worth more than their a

ace lig

be right. But what

dden thought, "there's a piece of paper or something concealed in the

ere might be a dozen Chinks spying on us. It would about be our f

ghed sh

, but I never thought of that. We'll

eviously escaped their eyes. They wanted to "go off the beaten path," as Joe expressed it, to see a part

et Street and turned toward th

kly as the boys entered. They

Chinaman wanted of you," said Mr. Lewi

k ring from his finger.

le," Bob explained. "Gave us rings. And, say, there's some secret connect

d the ring eagerly while Mr

s in them, are the

of Chinese letters and figures on it, though. Perhaps i

ed and s

to stay up any longer to find

retired, eager to get all the s

Bob and Joe were awak

r?" demanded

olton said, his eyes twinkling. "T

them, the chums sat up quic