THE DUMPLING [Illustration: THE OPIUM DEN.] THE DUMPLING A DETECTIVE LOVE STORY OF A GREAT LABOUR RISING BY COULSON KERNAHAN Author of "GOD AND THE ANT," Etc. Illustrated by STANLEY L. WOOD New York B.W. DODGE AND COMPANY 1907 Copyright, 1906 By WILLIAM T. BELDING NEW YORK Copyright, 1907 B.W. DODGE AND COMPANY NEW YORK To LORD AND LADY NORTHCLIFFE: WITH SINCERE REGARD. 29, Cannon Place, Brighton _June 6th, 1906._ CONTENTS. PAGE Prologue 1 CHAPTER I. The Opium Den 15 CHAPTER II. The Man with the Picture Eyes 26 CHAPTER III. The Lucifer that Saved my Life 33 CHAPTER IV. Criminals, Chemicals, and a Crucible 40 CHAPTER V. A Pair of Handcuffs 46 CHAPTER VI. The Millionaires' Club 55 CHAPTER VII. I am Snubbed by Scotland Yard 65 CHAPTER VIII. "Wanted" by the Police 73 CHAPTER IX. "Dead Man's Point" 83 CHAPTER X. I turn Burglar 92 CHAPTER XI. "What's your little game?" 103 CHAPTER XII. John Carleton's Burglar Alarm 112 CHAPTER XIII. The Face at the Broken Window 120 CHAPTER XIV. Miss Clara "Saves my Life" 126 CHAPTER XV. My Friend the Dumpling 138 CHAPTER XVI. The Ghost in the Garden 145 CHAPTER XVII. The Man with Gorilla Arms 152 CHAPTER XVIII. I Play the Craven 159 CHAPTER XIX. The Dumpling's Secret 176 CHAPTER XX. The New Napoleon 187 CHAPTER XXI. The Kindness--and Unkindness--of Kate 192 CHAPTER XXII. The Inexplicable Conduct of Miss Clara 201 CHAPTER XXIII. Kate's Confession 211 CHAPTER XXIV. I Discover the Identity of the Dumpling 216 CHAPTER XXV. John Carleton's Double 221 CHAPTER XXVI. "Only Starving" 229 CHAPTER XXVII. Re-enter the Dumpling 243 CHAPTER XXVIII. Mutiny and a Mesmerist 249 CHAPTER XXIX. The Mystery of the Third Man 257 CHAPTER XXX. Forty Miles in a Perambulator! 267