“If not,” muttered Starbright, “it should be destroyed.”
“And the man who destroyed it would forever have a hideous shadow hanging over him, as such an act would doom him to strangulation by some member of the society, and every member is sworn to know no rest till the guilty one is found and punished. The persistence with which these men follow up such a hunt is terrifying. They are like bloodhounds on the scent.”
“You have said quite enough,” laughed Frank. “Had you not said half as much, I should have returned the stick to you. I have no fancy to be harassed and hunted by a lot of Chinese thugs. Here, sir, is the stick.”
The stranger bowed low and expressed his thanks as he received the mysterious little article from Merry’s hand.
“But now,” he said, as he slipped it into his bosom, “it will be well for you to be on your guard, Mr. Merriwell.”
“What do you mean?”
“The stick has been seen in your possession.”
“Well?”
“You will be hunted and dogged by men determined to obtain it from you.”
“Whew! Then I am not getting rid of the hoodoo when I give it up to you?”