much to-day as yesterday--very often more. The thing that did surprise
Johnny was the size of the bills she left with the dealer. She was
buying those garments, there could be no question about that. But why?
No one in this region would think of wearing them. They were seldom seen
five hundred miles north. And this woman was a Japanese. There were no
Japanese men at Khabarask, five hundred miles north, let alone Japanese
women; Johnny knew that.

But the door had closed. The American looked at his watch. It was one
o'clock. The train went at four. He must hurry.

He was about to move out from among the furs, when again there came a
rap, this time loud and insistent, as if coming from one who was
accustomed to be obeyed.

"American officer!" Johnny stifled a groan, as he slid back into hiding.

"Wo Cheng!" he cautioned again in a whisper, "my wanchee you keep mouth
shut; you savvy?"

"O-o-ee," mumbled Wo Cheng, his hand on the latch.




CHAPTER II

THE MYSTERIOUS RUSSIAN