The Champion
AN ADVENTURE OF, PETER CREWE " THE MAN
WITH THE CAMERA EYES" '
By HAROLD CARTE
CorTtlgtat4SU,br VT. a. C-pman, In
la spite of an acquaintance which
had lasted several months, I had never
known that Peter Crewe was an Eng
lishman. His accent was ot that inde
terminate character common to the
educated class of both America and
England, and I had learned very little
nboutjjls antecedents, since ho ap
pearecjo be wholly absorbed In his
hobby of "unraveling mysteries through
the medium of his peculiar optical
gift. That ho had any interests out
side this lino ot occupation was borne
In upon me for the first time when
going to his office to consult him rela
tive to a client of mine, I found him
reading a morning newspaper and giv
ing vent to short and emphatic ejacu
lations. "Did you see this?" he exclaimed.
"The American fleet's middleweight
champion is to box our middleweight
champion at Coney Island tomorrow
evening at eight"
"Our champion?" I exclaimed.
"The champion of the visiting Brit
ish fleet," Crowo explained; and then
I learned his nationality for the first
time.
"Are you interested in boxing?" I
asked in some surprise.
"I was a pupil of John L. Sullivan,"
he answered proudly.
It developed that Crewe had been
widely known at one time as a suc
cessful amateur boxer, and was still
held in respect as a man ot parts and
a stickler for all the best traditions
of the ring.
"It Is strange that you should have
brought up this subject," I said, "bo
cause it is about this very man,
Thompson, the American middle
weight, that I have come to consult
you."
"What is the trouble?" asked Crewe,
laying his newspaper aside.
"I havo an appointment with him at
three," I answered. "Suppose you
come over to my office and let him
tell you his own story."
Crewo 'agreed, and, promptly at the
hour set, Thompson made his appear
ance. He was a handsome, well-setup
fellow, a seaman from the "North
Dakota," and a man of evident intelli
gence. "Sit down, Thompson," I said.
Thompson complied, laying down bis
head-covering upon the table. "Now,"
I said, "tell your story In detail."
"Well, it's this way, Mr. Langton,"
said Thompson, pulling up his trouser
legs. "Next week I shall bo twenty
one, and if I live to reach my majority
I Inherit a snug little sum of fifty
thousand dollars from the estate of
my uncle in Ireland. If I don't live
that long it goes to a distant connec
tion of my uncle known as Philip
Egan. It wasn't willed that way ex
actly, but there was a court case, and
the lawyers fixed it that way between
them after eating up half the estate in
litigation; the sum left was nearly a
hundred thousand."
"And you havo experienced some
remarkable things during the past few
days," I continued.
"Yes, sir, as I told you this morn
ing. We came ashore last week after
a year's cruise, during which I hardly
ever left the ship. Phil Egan was one
of the first men I met on landing. He
came up to me and shook hands.
Frank,' he saldi of course I hoped
you wouldn't live long enough to get
that money, but we're not going to let
a little thing llko that stand between
friends,, are we?' And though I've
nlways mistrusted Phil, what could I
do but give him tho glad grip? So we
saw the sights of the town together.
"Now, sir, that was five days ago,
and of course I've been careful of my
self, being in training and having ev
ery hope of whipping the Britisher at
the Island tomorrow. And yet, it has
seemed to mo that my life wasn't in
particularly good standing.
"That same night, while Phil and I
were strolling down the Bowery, per
fectly sober, wo were attacked by a
gang without a moment's warning.
Phil got. away; I knocked down two of
them, and tho third nearly got home
with his knife on me." He' pulled down
his sailor's collar and displayed a faint
red scratch, almost encircling the
throat
"That would have been a bad wound
if It had gone an inch deeper, Mr.
Langton," he remarked philosophical
ly. "And the day before yesterday,
when I was passing down, a side street,
I heard a snap at my side and a crack
at a window opposite. I looked, and
in the woodwork of a door behind me
I found this, just embedded."
He took from bis kerchief a ,45 car.
bine bullet
"You suspect Egan is trying to mur
der you for the sake of the money?" I
asked.
"It wouldn't become me to say that,
sir," .replied Thompson, "although I
haven't seen him since wo were set
upon by the gang. But if he's going to
got me, he'll have to do it quickly, for
I come of age on Saturday."
"Did you go anywhere else with
Egan?" Crewe asked.
"Wo took a turn round Coney Isl
and, a couple hours before we were at
tacked on the Bowery, sir," Crewe an-
swered.
"Now think. Did you do anything'
unusual at Coney?"
of the fleet
Xha United States and Great Britain)
tin. EJ
"Why, yes, sir," answered Thomp
son, reddening, "but it seems such a
trlflo, hardly worth mentioning."
"Never mind; out with it"
"Well, the fact is, I got tattoed by a
Chinaman," said Thompson. "I'd al
ways wanted to bo done, and yet some
how I'd been a llttlo shy; but Egan
persuaded ms and I had an eagle put
on my chest, very artistically, too."
"Let me see it," said Crewe.
Thompson stripped, and a moment
later we perceived tho outlines of our
national bird upon the sailor's chest.
"It's hardly sore at all," 'said Thomp
son. "That's the Chink's secret; it
don't make you sore like most tattoo
ing." "And Egan persuaded you to havo
that done," said Crewe thoughtfully.
"Now, have you a photograph of this
man Egan?"
"Yes, sir, I brought It with me at
Mr. Langton's instructions," said the
sailor. "Wo were took togother at
Coney twenty-five cents, and a very
creditable piece of work."
Crewe took the photograph in his
hand and focussed his eyes upon it
"Hra! These cheap . photographs
havo one advantage over the expen
sive ones," ho said. They aro truer
to life; the photographers don't go in
for retouching. Thank you, my friend,"
he said, returning it "Now, let mo
give you one piece of advice. Go back
to your ship and stay aboard her and
don't leave until you come of age."
"But tho fight's tomorrow," said
Thompson helplessly.
"Cut it out."
"Why, sir, if I say it myself, I'm
the only man in the fleet can whip
tho Britisher. They've been bragging
how they'ro going to put it all over
us."
"If you take part in that fight your
chances of inheriting that money will
be remote. Cut it out, Thompson, and,
whatever you do, wear a pad of soft
co.tton batting over that tattoo mark."
The sailor rose with an expression
of offended dignity.
"If that's all you can advise me,
gentlemen,' ho said, "I must say my
visit hero hasn't done me much good."
"It has saved you a lot of harm,
young man," said Crewe. "At least
you have had your warning. You don't
intend to obey my suggestions, I sup
pose?" "No, sir,' answered tho sailor dog
gedly. "Then that Is all I have to say to
you. No, Mr. Langton doesn't want to
add anything. Good afternoon to you."
And he showed him out of the door.
"I must say, Crewe," I began, "you
have a rather unceremonious manner
of dismissing my clients."
"Forgive me, Langton," said Crewe,
all penitence in a moment, "but really
I saw so much further ahead than you.
I have rea'son to believe that a diaboli
cal scheme has been put into execu
tion which will result in tho young
man's death at the fight. Tell me,
did you draw any doductlons from tho
appearance or facts of tho tattooing?"
"It looked a llttlo bluer than the
average tattoo mark," I said.
"Excellent. Then you aro begin
ning to observe," said Crewe. "But
still, even if you could see all, that
would help you llttlo without a knowl
edge of that man Egan."
"You have seen him before?" I ask
ed. "Several times. In the month' of
July, 1007, I saw him in tho Central
Criminal cpurt, during tho trial of
three Chinese gun-men, when.I hap
pened in with a communication for the
district attorney. I was it that time
practising law. Tho gun men were
acquitted. A month later, while con
ducting a party of ladies over China
town I saw him seated at a table with
two of tho samo men, eating with
chopsticks. In fact, Egan is one of
that small but influential class of
whites that makes itself useful to the
Chinese criminal and is parasitical to
him."
"Now I see ypur point," I exclaim
ed. "The tattooing substance was of
a poisonous nature, and "
"In such a case I should hardly havo
permitted our friend to depart"
"But you surely do not suggest that
the English champion has been bribed
to injure him?"
"No," said Crewe, smiling. "Still,
at all hazards Thompson must not be
allowed to participate in tho boxing
affray at Coney Island tomorrow. By
tho way, you do not know Chinese, I
suppose?"
"No."
"I often wish I did. With my power
of visual retention, I am able to re
produce practically every sign of the
ten thousand commonly used in the
Cnlneso written language. But un
fortunately nfy memory is rather sub
normal than extraordinary, and I am
never able to recollect what any ot
these signs mean. However, wo hayo a
little work to do in Chinatown."
Wo took tho Third avenuo elevated
to that swarming region, walked up
Mott street and halted boforo an ob
scure, dingy-looking shop, in whose
doorway stood a wido-hatted, felt
sboed Celestial.
"This," said Crewe, "Is the head
quarters of hq Hip Sings, by which
clan the gun men I referred to wore
employed. What do you seo in tho
window?"
I saw1 a miscellaneous assortment of
firecrackers, preserves, 'vegetables,
lacquer work, wood V carvings, and
kimonos.
"Now which of those Chinese labels
should you say meant firecracker,
Langton?" asked my companion.
"That one," I answered. "It is
placed above those bunches of rock
ets." "I think so too. Now fix that sign
In your mind. Our next objective is
Coney Island."
It waB evening before wo arrived,
and the shows were" in full swing.
"Now, Langton, we have to' find our
Chinaman," said Crewe. "I am afraid
that It is rather like searching for a
needle In tho proverbial haystack.
Keep a; sharp lookout for a Chinese
tattooer, and we will tako In each al
ley In rotation."
We traversed Coney Island and Its
purlieus for an hour and more with
out success. The booths, closely pack
ed together, almost defied examination.
One came upon them unexpectedly in
corners, one stumbled round alleys
upon the same streets that one bad
Just quitted; our chance of singling
out this particular booth seemed al
most impossibly remote. Suddenly
Crewo gripped my arm.,
"You know that man?" he asked,
pointing to a flashily dressed fellow
who slunk along, with a peculiarly
sinister gait, in front of us.
"No," I replied. '
He fell 'feck and looked downaT
his hands slypidly;
"That's Egan," he .answered. "Dis
guised, but he could not take out that
wrlnklo above the eyebrow. Now fol
low him."
We' followed him for five minutes or
more; then ho turned aside abruptly
and came to a halt In front of a Japa
nese rice-cake booth, in a corner of
which wo now perceived a savage
looking Mongolian seated apparently
aimlessly, staring out upon the
crowds.
"You recognize the firecracker sym
bol?" asked Crowe.
I did not recognize it and should
never have remembered those appar
ently meaningless hieroglyphics.
Crewe, however, seemed to be in high
spirits.
."Now a great deal hinges upon one
thing," he said. "It is my belief that
Thompson did not tell us his whole
"jtorv. 4n other words, I believe that
he has been Induced to return for a
final treatment either tonight or to;
morrow"
"Surely not Immediately before tho
fight," I suggested.
"Sailors havo no common senso
about themselves. Ten to one he will
be hero. Tho only thing to do is to
watt for him."
There was a conveniently secluded
place across the alley. Since neither
of us was known to Egan, It was ar
ranged that wo -should take our seats
within this beer garden and remain
there.
"Langton," said Crewe, when we
were seated with our full glasses before
us, "I am more than ever confirmed In
my belief that a tnost ingenious and
diabolical plot has been hatched for
that young seaman's death, and that
In return for services rendered him by
Egan that Chinese criminal nas con
sented to co-operato with him. Tho
sight of the fire crackers has confirm
ed me In this belief. And If Thomp
son meets tho English champion his
death will be a foregone conclusion;''
"But could they not encompass his'
death without such a meeting?" I
asked.
"They could, undoubtedly. A fistic
encounter between Egan or some
hired bully and Thompson would havo
the samo result so far as Thompson
is" concerned. But there would be two
drawbacks to such a plan, In the first
place, the survivor would probably bo
arrested and have to stand his trial
for manslaughter. In tho second place,
the encounter would not be without
danger to the life of tho other party.
Whereas by making the Englishman
the Innocent participant in tho mur
der, all danger is removed so far as
concerns the conspirators."
I was more piqued than ever, but I
knew that itrwas not Crewo's custom
to explain Jbls theories until the de
nouement Sjl revolved a dozen ideas
in my mind. Could the Chinaman have
Injected somp. subtlo poison which
would be set in action only in the
stress of a fistic encounter?. My spec
ulations wero cut short by my per
ceiving J3gan prepare to move away.
In his farewell of the gun man there
appeared to bo a glance of perfect un
derstanding. "Follow him, Langton,"1 whispered
Crewe. "It is not essential that we
know whore he is going, but it. Js de-
slrable in case more mischief Is brew
ing. Do not bo more than fifteen min
utes, though, In any event"
I went In pursuit of Egan, who mov
ed oft furtively through tho crowds.
Ho made his way in the direction of
tho American camp, where the sailors
of tho English fleet were being re
galed at a clambake by their Ameri
can comrades. Tho affair waB practic
ally over; as I approached the canvas
tent which had been set up I perceived
a hilarious crowd, composed of the
crews of both nations, streaming out
arm in arm, laughing and chattering
together. Egan made his way toward
a large gathering of men which seem
ed to form the nucleus of the mob.
Suddenly the crowd opened and I
perceived Thompson struggling in the
arms of a dozen sturdy compatriots,
who, elated with the festive meal, in
slsted, apparently, in carrying him in
state down the main avenue of Coney.
He regained his feet at last and stood
in their midst, flushed and a Httln im.
(Steady. I was astonished to see that
no naa evidently been drinking, In
spite of his training. At tho same
moment he perceived Egan.
"Hello, Phil," he shouted, and shook
the man by the hand warmly; then
flung his arms around him. It was
evident that prudence was no part of
the sailor's nature. I reasoned that
angered by the unsatisfactory result
of his Interview with Crewo and my
self that morning, he had experienced
an entire revulsion of feeling. Doubt
less Egan was now, .to him, his best
friend, and we were mallgnersMd
conspirators against his much-wrcjfefd
relative. I wondered how much be
would tell Egan; whether he would
put him upon his guard.
The pair wwratered slowly along the
avenue, deBplta tho -efforts of a fiery
little' man, apparently Thompson's
trainer; who made wild endeavors to
head him toward the eleyated rail
road. Thompson shook off the little
man" as' thought he were a fly, while
his companions, evidently secure in
their belief of the sailor's ability to
dispose of the. Englishman, trained or
untrained, warmly seconded their
mate. Tho little man gave up at last
and, -after shaklne his first untrriiv In
Thompson's face, disappeared , among
me crowas.
Thereupon Thompson' and Egan,
arm In arm, surrounded by a, round
dozen or their cronies, strolled. slow-J
ly In tho direction of tho 'tattboer's
uootn.
I hastened after them, and, by mak
ing a detour, succeeded in getting
ahead of them at the next block and1 in
reaching the booth a couple Of min
utes ahead of the nartv. 7 Tihm-Ipi!
across tho alley to where I had left
urewo at the beer garden table.
Where was Crewe? Could that be
he, that rough looking man, coliarless,
with dirty reversible cuffs and open
waistcoat, his face flushed with drink,
who was Inviting all and sundry to
come and Sit down and drink at his
expenso? Undoubtedly it was Cewo,
on closer Inspection, for I had seen
him In that same disguise upon a pre
vious occasion; but I was certain that
tho sailor would never recognize him
for tho immaculate counsellor of the
afternoon.
jrewo was acting. bis part to the
life.' ' ""'
"Here!' Garconl Walter!"' he yell
ed: ' "bring us arquart bottle of fizzy
drink. And say, you see that the
ice's cold, or . I'll knock your block
off." And he flung down a fifty dollar
bill upon the beer-soaked table, which
tho "waiter ran to seize with avidity.
As I lingered near, Crewe's sharp
eye was turned on me.
"Come here, bo," he yelled , "Have
a drink. Gemmen, . a .friend. My
friend gemmen," he added In intro
duction; and, rather disgusted with
the part wo wero to play, I sat down
at an adjoining table, which was al
ready filled with Crewe's strange
guests.
None of them addressed me, how
over, being all apparently "bent upon
tno possibility of extracting some
money from Crewe.
Then the uproarious crowd of sail
ers turned into the alley and lined up
in front of the booth. I heard Egan's
voice ring put, apparently to smother
some protest.
"Shut your face." he yelled to the
objector. "Let him bo vaccinated If
ho wants to be. Show 'em your chest,
Frank. Look, boys. Ain't that the
finest eaglo you've ever seen! That's
the Yankee eagle," he continued, 'and
I don't want anybody to tell me that;
Frank can't beat tho 'Britisher with
that eagle on his chest If anybody
teltojine so," be continued, looking
aroulfe'''let him step up and say so,
and 'l'y smash his face In."
Either nobody disagreed with the
speaker's views, or else each of the
sailors felt that his faco. would bo
more suitable If It were not smashed
in. "With a look ot triumph Egan
turned to tho. tattooer nndpusl
Thompsbn into a chair. The dbli
man took out his needles ani; p
menis and began his work., .'
Thorn la nnmn nnvrlinlno-fAnl
IV Vl (in Itin nrtlnlnat . J .
mentarlly silent At such a tlmo t
iwiww ui DuuiB iuuiviuuui win an
nti.t tlnmlnnln V. Mnt. ft. - . 1 i
4i,ti.),itA 4 li n itminlpnn Inn. f r
" " " - vva.uo vii V1U
came floating across the still air:
"To hell with the American eagle
A dozen sailors sprang round, gh
leg. "What's that? What's that
they cried. "Who said that?"
"T akM .tnl,iAj r .
and swaggering unsteadily town
thnm "Tr Vmll ,in, 1. 1
i -t vv nuiciiu
lty. "There's no Yank living, but a 1
tie Canadian can knock the flve-sp
oft every time.".
''hi l'Au iij ,L
flnn T n I n I r f rf- j
.by a mob of .excited seaien, while h
. 1 nir fliArt v n 1 a 4- m l
evidently unwilling' .to!haro, his u
popularity, yet not wholly absent li
themselves, in -case of1 further profl
to como.
"You'U take' that back," shouted
brawny saltorman, shaking 'his fist u
der Crewe's nose. "You'll eat the
. 1 .. Tftl 1 t .
you."
IIXTn.. .111 . 111 nit ii-
.-uu " niu juut tCJJliCU
about your measure. There ain't
man here I can't lick singly In fa
light."
Crewe had forced his way to Thom
Mnn 11. l-ll .
'VMUU 11 KJIAA. L11U LilLLUIIKI N I . 1 1 1I r
IIMM VMliUllfjlJlf, XilO IU
hearing theso words, he sprang
glaring.
"Let me get at him," ho shouted.
1 i
Frank," cried his supporters.
"Let him fight," shouted Ega
mrt,n()n ii ii ii
HHHVO VUU UUUO. 11. WUU L L LI II 13 III II
COM?" VfA n11w1 4l..f 1. 1 .
within an inch of Crewe's.
"I surely do. and hero's fo nrnvo U
Crewe answered, and his fist shot 01
jaw. x tjuw uie man couaDse. ernmti
Tin flfld 1(q of 111 Tf Ttrou nun nf V,
delivered.
friend. Thomtison dnrtprl fnrwnH lv
...1, tl 1 111 I m
was nothing of science shown. Creu
f AnnUl. 1.I1.. li. I 1
that he could not staiid for lonfe befor
l,nn 1J 1- . 1.1 Tt.
forward and tho men clinched. I her.
a short, quick snap, and heard tn
He fsil back and looked down at hi
iiuuus BiuiJiuiy, uiie uanKiea mn
from tho wrist, as though It -wer
broken.
"Tt- .nr. A..t UIa... T l li t
uui uuu uca L1U11UU1 r 1L IXO I Li a LI lie
XUi IUU bUVlUU UL LUU 1UUU H 111U. li
Wnr T msist 4-Vir. 4- 1, nntlnl.,ni
tute."
YTT1 1 11 - -
ii nut no mo DULDLaiiuu uo.u u
Crewe's storv would havo to bo dmwi
out of him piecemeal.
ur a it. i - . . . -
"nv1 4V.A 1 i
1 r 1 i ii ... . .
juuwu. ru vifiiMTiT. nrn tfirv in i in
action that, if a few grains be strewi
uijuu iuo xuce oi a waicn, me nanus
coming in contact with them, will de
LULla Ltl LlltIIl ILIIII IIII1W I MM WIII1IH WHini
to pieces."
IUIO DUUDLailLU llUtl UKHII lIMt'Ll. UII
how was it Intended to work?"
daVs. Lanirton?" mv rnmnnnlnn nnkpl
v I shook my head.
itlft TM'ftnoi'tw rf Knlnn -t .-.11 jn .In-.
en nv T.iin tihhiipr nr mA nitmnn nnr r
Thompson's statement that the tattoo
r . i . i. i ii-ii n..
.11 -l f . m a l
IICLU11U11V .11 II tl tlllllKlll HI I'H III III
Un a nnnn-ptad TirltVi n f1trt rf flrnn-nnlr
Rusntclon. Thnmlnn 4vnn linnniihtpiilv
rnna I ir. innii Vi i- nVioaf nrAnlil stnyl nln
producing instant death.
' ' V nil Imnni liofr whan n frlrm .nh
j i i itur. ... . b II u LI1U .GUI LUU
luib cuujibijub jjiu'juob liiigui uireuu
hn.rn Tinnrim wVtfr.li n.naaJ 1 11 ri-1 i r n
CJ . . -O w .
sist upon a second application.
"If tho substance could have been
removed, I would have confided
In Thompson. But any attempt to
cut out- tho explosive would have
caused an Immediate detonation. My
problem, therefore, was to prevent the
fight by rendering Thompson power
less without striking him upon tho
chest as Egan hoped I would when he
Incited him to at.ack me. And but
for that," concluded Crejve, with a
touch of prldo in his tones, "I think
I could have glv- a better account
of myselt In our llttlo tussle."
"I suppose there is no chance of
bringing the criminals to Justice," I
suggested. "Thompson, would be tho
flrBt to tako the part of Egan. At
least he ought to know the truth."
"What for?" asked Crewe. "He will
bq well- protected In tho Bhfp's hos
pital, the explosive will havo become
encysted with a few days, and Thomp
son will certainly Inherit that legacy.
Langton, he said, looking at me Whim
sically, 'you, as a Javyer, ought to
know that the wlr'e man is he who
knows when to keep his mouth shut.' '