"That is not necessary," said the man.
Ling looked up quickly, lifting his eyebrows. For a moment his eyes flashed, suggesting something of the fierce sudden intelligence of a beast of prey that scents its quarry.
"How do you mean?" he rapped out.
"It is not necessary," said the man, "that I return to Cheong-Chau, for the simple reason that Cheong-Chau himself has come to me."
Ling closed his mouth with a snap.
"Ah!" he exclaimed. "So Cheong-Chau is--in Canton?"
"He approaches Canton," said the man. "That is the information that I desired to give to Men-Ching."
"He approaches Canton," repeated Ling. "This is indeed interesting! And can you tell me why Cheong-Chau approaches Canton?"
"Yes," said the man. "One of his prisoners has escaped."
At the word Frank Armitage caught his breath. With a great effort of will he managed to control himself. He stared hard at the opium bowl, filled with the sticky, treacle-like substance, that was immediately in front of him.