Among the many places which Elaine had down on her shopping list was a small Chinese curio shop on lower Fifth avenue.
They entered and were greeted with a profound bow by the proprietor. He was the new Tong leader, and this up-town shop was his cover. In actual fact, he was what might have been called a Chinese fence for stolen goods.
In their interest in the wealth of strange and curious ornaments displayed in the shop they did not notice that the Chinaman's wrist was bound tightly under his flowing sleeve.
Elaine explained what it was she wanted, and with Kennedy's aid selected a number of Chinese hangings and decorations. They were about to leave the shop when Elaine's eye was attracted by a little show case in which were many quaint and valuable Chinese ornaments in gold and silver and covered ivory.
"What an odd looking thing," she said, pointing out a knobbed ring which reposed on the black velvet of the case.
"Quite odd," agreed Kennedy.
The subtle Chinaman stood by the pile of hangings on the counter which
Elaine had bought, overjoyed at such a large sale. Praising the ring to
Elaine, he turned insinuatingly to Kennedy. There was nothing else for
Craig to do—he bought the ring, and the Chinaman proved again his
ability as a merchant.
From the curio shop where Elaine had completed her purchases they drove to Kennedy's laboratory.
I had been at work on a story for the Star when they entered.
"You will be there, too, Mr. Jameson?" coaxed Elaine, as she told of their morning's work.