At the mention of the soldiery the crowd fell back and several Japanese and Chinese slunk out of sight. Evidently they had had a taste of Russian law before and wanted no more or it.

Scarcely knowing what to do, for his wife was sick and his youngest child was but a babe four months old, Jiru Siko fell back to the doorway of his house and blocked the entrance.

“Come out of that!” continued the Russian. And then, without warning, he aimed a blow with his club at the Japanese’s head.

But the blow did not land as intended, for leaping forward, Gilbert knocked the Russian rent gatherer’s arm aside.

“For shame,” said the young American. “What right have you to attack this man in this manner?”

[Pg 35]

[Pg 35]

Astonished to have his actions interfered with, the Russian wheeled around and confronted Gilbert. He had expected to behold another Japanese, or a Chinese, and when he saw an American he faltered a little.

“I want him to get out of this house,” he growled.

“Ah, Master Pennington!” cried Jiru Siko joyfully. “You come best time. You help poor Jiru Siko. No can move—no money move—no move wife sick—no move little baby—pay rent no move,” and he chattered away for fully a minute, doing his best to explain the situation, which was to the effect that he had paid rent for nearly a month longer and that his wife was sick and must not be thrown out on the street, along with the baby and the other children.

“If this man has paid his rent, I do not see how you can put him out,” said Gilbert sternly, to the Russian. “It is not lawful, and you know it.”

“The Japanese must go.”

“Then give him back his rent money.”

“I have it not.”

“Then go and get it. To take his money and then throw him out would be robbery, and you know it.”

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