"So do I," declared Ah Lung, emphatically. "I know Miss Montgomery by reputation, and can well believe it. But this one thing you speak of!"
"Is the fact that the matter was managed by opium smugglers. If we can catch on to who these people were we may stand some chance of success in our chase after this Chinese princess."
Ah Lung sat silent for some time.
"What you say is true," he said at last. "I could help you in that if——"
"Well, if?"
"If I could feel sure that the Secret Service people would not interfere with me."
"In other words, Lung & Lung sometimes deal in smuggled hop."
"I make no statements. What I want is a guarantee."
"Assure me upon your honor that you are not mixed up with this gang and you shall have it."
"Oh, I do, Mr. Brady; indeed I do. The worst Lung & Lung have ever done is to buy cheap opium without asking questions."