had ever existed, and had hardly thought of
his queer little gift, which still reposed in the upper drawer of my
safe. But I was to hear more of it later on.

"One night, about a month after my coming into possession of the stick,
my wife and I entertained a few friends at dinner.

"As the clock struck eleven I said good-night to the last of my guests
upon the door-step. The carriage had not gone fifty yards down the
street before a hansom drew up before my door and a man dressed in a
heavy cloak jumped out. Bidding the driver wait for him he ran up my
steps.

"'Mr. Wetherell, I believe?' he said. I nodded and wished him
'good-evening,' at the same time asking his business.

"'I will tell you with pleasure,' he answered, 'if you will permit me
five minutes alone with you. It is most important, and as I leave Sydney
early to-morrow morning you will see that there is not much time to
spare.'

"I led the way into the house and to my study, which was in the rear,
overlooking the garden. Once there I bade him be seated, taking up my
position at my desk.

"Then, in the light of the lamp, I became aware of the extraordinary
personality of my visitor. He looked at me very searchingly for a moment
and then said: 'My business will surprise you a little I expect, Mr.
Wetherell. First, if you will allow me I will tell you something about
myself and then ask you a question. You must understand that I am pretty
well known as an Eastern traveller; from Port Said to the Kuriles there
is hardly a place with which I am not acquainted. I have a hobby. I am a
collector of Eastern curios, but there is one thing I have never been
able to obtain.'

"'And that is?'

"'A Chinese executioner's symbol of office.'

"'But how can I help you in that direction?' I asked, completely
mystified.

"'By selling me one that has lately come into your possession,' he said.
'It is a little black stick, about three inches long and covered with
Chinese characters. I happened to hear, quite by chance, that you had
one in your possession, and I have taken a journey of some thousands of
miles to endeavour to purchase it from you.'

"I went across to the safe, unlocked it, and took out the little stick
China Pete had given me. When I turned round I almost dropped it with
surprise as I saw the look of eagerness that rose in my visitor's face.
But he pulled himself together and said, as calmly as he had yet
addressed me:

"'That is the very thing. If