“Tell me first,” grunted Phelan, releasing his grip.
The Jap ducked his head in every direction as if 48 fearful that the walls had ears, then said in an impressive whisper:
“My boss––Mr. Gladwin––home!”
“Misther Gladwin home! Here in New York!” There was both incredulity and amazement in Phelan’s voice.
“Ees!” bleated the Jap and his grin returned.
“Well, why didn’t you say so before?” said Phelan angrily, at which the fidgety little brown son of Nippon hastened to explain:
“No one should know. He come all in much secret. He go boat to Boston. No use name. No one know he Mr. Gladwin. He say, ‘Bateato’––me Bateato––‘Bateato,’ he say, ‘no tell I come home––sure,’ he say, and Bateato he no tell.”
Officer Phelan yielded to the grip of the mystery and his attitude toward the Jap changed.
“What did he want to snake home that away fer?”
“I no know,” nodded Bateato.