The party were told to hold up their hands. They were searched and all their valuables taken from them: and Mr. Poletti was violently abused as the citizen of a state that had betrayed China and was an ally of their foes, the Japanese. If the chauffeur had claimed for his master the nationality of one of the effete democracies, it is just possible that Mr. Poletti would have been let go, though doubtful in view of the fact that an Italian flag adorned the radiator of his car. A heated discussion seems fo have arisen among the band, whether to shoot Mr. Poletti out of hand, or not. Fortunately wiser counsels prevailed, the commercial aspects of the venture doubtless gaining the upper hand over the political.
After setting fire to the car, the band, about 20 to 30 strong, retired calmly and quite unmolested, carrying off their four prisoners with them into the hills to the northwest. The Japanese garrison in Changpingchow was apparently enjoying its afternoon siesta.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.