I read the address with some wonder, and Laura Kendrick continued:
"Moon Ying says that funny little sign up in the corner is Big Sam's seal; but he surely never wrote that remarkable address. I suppose it is by one of his clerks."
At this, I hastily opened the envelope, and found within a formal note:
Kwan Sam Suey requests the pleasure of Mr. Hampden's company, at his office in Waverly Place, this evening, at as early an hour as convenient.
I passed the note over to Miss Kendrick.
"It looks as though there was going to be a party," she said, "or a supper at the very least. I hope you won't overeat--or worse."
"Big Sam has never suggested such an idea as eating or drinking, though I don't put it beyond him. But he surely hasn't picked out this season of alarms to give a reception. So if you'll excuse me, I'll run down to his place. It may be something important."
"Of course you must go--and you must come back, too. I'm sure I can't sleep till I know what it's about. I shall be up most of the night, and so will Mercy; so you needn't have qualms about ringing the bell, even if you are later than late. There will be somebody to let you in."
"As I'd rather be here than anywhere else, I shan't miss the chance to come back," I said boldly.
She ignored my words, and evaded my devouring glances, and with a sage nod suggested that the sooner I was on my way, the sooner I should have a chance to come back.