The Bradys After a Chinese Princess Part 27

A good-sized launch was rapidly approaching, evidently heading for this abandoned beach.

"Can it be the hop gang?" asked Leggett.

"Who can tell?" replied the old detective. "Sneak on beyond the boat-house and get a sight of them. If you find they are c.h.i.n.ks hold up two fingers and get back as fast as you can. Don't show yourself any more than you have to."

"Right. What about the treasure?"

Harry hastily explained and Leggett hurried away, pa.s.sing behind the boat-house.

The Bradys approached it leisurely.

The building was much larger than an ordinary boat-house. Indeed, perhaps it had never been intended for a boat-house at all, but for the office of the proprietors of the beach.

It had a door opening on the pier, also a window.

They stepped upon the pier and were just about to pa.s.s around to the front of the building when suddenly they heard the door open noisily.

"Stop!" breathed Old King Brady, "we want to know what that means."

He was about to peer around the corner of the building when a harsh voice called out something in Chinese.

"Mercy!" whispered Alice. "Garshaski! He says 'Now I'm going to be rid of you, princess!'"

Before Alice finished speaking, Old King Brady knew.

Peering around the corner of the building, he saw Dr. Garshaski starting down the pier carrying the Princes Skeep Hup in his arms crossing a sort of runway or gang plank which connected the pier with the house.

"Stop where you are, Doctor!" shouted the old detective, as all three showed themselves now.

The old detective ran to head him off. Harry and Alice were now on the side platform separated from the runway by considerable s.p.a.ce.

Instantly the Doctor saw them.

With an exclamation of surprise and disgust he turned and took the back track.

Old King Brady rushed after the flying Chinaman who was carrying the princess.

He crossed a gang plank and entered the house on the piles.

The next instant part of the runway flew up, closing the doorway, while Harry and Alice looked on.

"You scoundrel!" shouted Old King Brady. "Harm that woman at your peril!"

"Leggett is signalling!" cried Harry. "There are c.h.i.n.ks in the launch!"

"Save the princess!" exclaimed Alice. "That yellow fiend has unearthed the treasure and now he will kill her."

"But how to get at him!" cried Old King Brady. "You two keep guard here.

There must be a rear entrance. I'll tackle him there."

He ran around to where they were standing.

"Let Harry go too!" cried Alice. "If he comes out with the princess I'll shoot him."

"Come, Harry," said the old detective, and around the house they went.

Meanwhile Leggett was hurrying along the beach.

There proved to be a back door to the house, but it was shut. There was no window here, thus it was impossible to tell what Garshaski was about, but as they drew nearer they could hear him fumbling with the lock of the door.

"Stand in close, Harry," whispered the old detective.

The order was a wise one, for the next instant the door slightly opened and Garshaski peered out.

He jumped back, closing the door, but before the Bradys had time to think twice it was opened again on the crack and a revolver was fired.

The shot went through Old King Brady's hat.

The instant the crack of the revolver was heard, Harry, who had drawn his weapon, fired.

His aim was true, the shot flew in through the crack of the door.

There was a yell of pain and something was heard to fall.

"Forward!" cried the old detective.

As he said it a succession of queer little squeals began inside the house and a woman's voice chattered in Chinese.

It was the princess!

The Bradys rushed inside.

Harry's shot had taken Dr. Garshaski in the right hand.

He dropped the revolver and starting back had stumbled over a chair and fallen.

The princess lost no time in improving her opportunity.

She could not stand on her little feet owing to the damage done those nearly useless members by that terrible rack, but she had free use of her hands as she sat there on the floor.

Garshaski, as we should have mentioned, was now in full Chinese costume even to a false pigtail, but his natural hair was long enough for Skeep Hup to get a good hold, and there she was yanking it for all she was worth.

The scene was a comical one, but it might have been a tragedy, for the Doctor had just managed to get hold of the princess with his unwounded left hand, when the Bradys burst into the room.

Harry covered the Doctor, Old King Brady managed to make the princess let go her hold on his hair, but not without some difficulty.

Quickly they tied his legs together, searched and captured another revolver.

Meanwhile Garshaski had not spoken a word. His face was deathly white, the sight of his own blood which flowed freely had apparently turned him faint, for by the time the Bradys succeeded in securing him he had relapsed into unconsciousness.