poor girl? We gladly promised what help we could give, and our
visitor left as quickly and mysteriously as he came, only leaving
for our guidance a roughly sketched diagram of alley and house
where the little captive could be found. There followed much
planning and plotting. Our staunch friend, Sergeant Ross of the
Chinatown squad, was summoned and consulted. The place was a
difficult one to reach, but at last satisfactory plans were made,
the day and hour set. There were three officers and three Chinese
girls from the Mission. It was a good-sized rescue party and
divided into three companies, we guarded well the three exits from
the low-roofed house on Spofford alley. With Sergeant Ross leading
and our courageous young interpreter at our side, we stealthily
ascended the dark, narrow stairs to the second floor, where a
heavy door barred the way, but for such obstacles our good officer
was prepared. A few blows of his strong hammer made bolts and bars
yield. We passed through into a small dark passage. From there
could be heard on all sides sounds of excitement; light feet
running hither and thither to places of escape, only to be turned
back by the sight of our guards, who stood on watch. As we
cautiously felt our way further in we were met by the baffled and
angry keeper of the den--a woman, but not worthy the name. She
fiercely demanded our business--there was no need to tell it,
for she knew as well as we; but she wished to find some means of
hindering our search for her newest and most valuable slave. A
room was at length discovered in which we felt sure the treasure
was hidden. Again Sergeant Ross had to force open a door. As it
gave way, a small, dimly-lighted room opened before us. In the
center cowered a Chinese girl. It needed not a second look to
recognize in the frightened, anxious face before me Kum Ping of
the steamer. Our talisman had worked its charm. She had proved
to the depths the terrible truth of our warning, and now gladly
entrusted herself to our care, while her almost frantic owner
stormed, threatened and at last laid violent hands on the officer
who was helping us. As we led the trembling Kum Ping out, a
greatly excited crowd of chattering Chinese met us at the end of
the passage at Spofford alley, and the news passed from lip to
lip, "The Mission people