“Hush!” she exclaimed; and then: “Oh, this is plain. You wouldn’t know, of course, but I see it clearly. There is no time to lose.”
“You are going to follow this clue now—to-night?”
“Maku will read it on the bill, and—oh, these Japanese! If you have one in your kitchen, you never know whether he’s a jinriksha man, a college student, or a vice-admiral.”
“You will let me go with you?” Orme was trembling for the answer. He was still in the dark, and did not know how far she would feel that she could accept his aid.
“I may need you, Mr. Orme,” she said simply.
It pleased him that she brought up no question of possible inconvenience to him. With her, he realized, only direct relations were possible.
“How much of a journey is it?” he ventured to ask.
“Not very long. I intend to be mysterious about it.” She smiled brightly. Her face had lighted up wonderfully since he gave her the paper that contained the secret of the bill.
But he knew that she must be tired; so he said: “Can’t you send me alone on this errand? It may be late before it is done, and——”
“And I will not sit and rest while you do all the work. Besides, I cannot forego the excitement of the chase.”