In view of everything that had happened since the note was penned, Orme smiled a grim smile. Alcatrante must have been very anxious indeed; and yet, considering that the minister knew nothing of Orme’s encounter with the Japanese and his meeting with the girl, the sending of the detective might naturally have been expected to pass as an impressive, but friendly, precaution.
The detective was rapidly losing his self-assurance. “I had only been asleep for a moment,” he said.
“Yes?” Orme spoke indifferently. “Well, you may go now. There is no longer any need of you here.”
“But my instructions——”
“Were given under a misapprehension. My return makes your presence unnecessary. Good-night—or good-morning, rather.” He nodded toward the door.
The detective hesitated. “Look a here!” he suddenly burst out. “I never saw you before.”
“Nor I you,” replied Orme.
“Then how do I know that you are Mr. Orme? You may be the very chap I was to keep out, far as I know.”
“Sure enough, I may be,” said Orme dryly, adding—“But I am not. Now go.”
The detective narrowed his eyebrows. “Not without identification.”