“Well?” said Orme indifferently.
“I trust that you did not think me absurd for sending that detective to you. That I did so was a result of poor Poritol’s frantic insistence.”
“Indeed?”
“My young friend was so afraid that you would be robbed.”
“I was robbed,” laughed Orme, trying to make light of the situation.
“Why, how was that?” Alcatrante’s surprise was well assumed.
“Oh, after I said good-night to you, the two Japanese caught me while I was going through the tunnel to the courtyard.”
“My dear Mr. Orme!”
“They are clever, those Japanese.”
“And afterward you went out again?”