"I'll go, but there is one thing you must understand, I can't speak Chinese. I always play the dummy when I disguise that way."
"That will be all right. I was born in San Francisco, and, as it happens, brought up in a part of the city where I associated only with English-speaking children. My own knowledge of the Chinese language is very poor. I never speak it unless I am obliged to. I won't speak it in this interview. You can and shall be a witness to all that is said. I know you play the dummy when in Chinese disguise. I want you to play it to-night."
"Settled then," said Harry, "I will be on hand."
There was some further talk, but as it developed nothing, it is not worth recording.
Soon after Ah Lung left.
"A lucky thing this matter came up, governor," observed Harry.
"It promises well," replied the old detective. "That's about all we can say for it, but we must work ahead just as though it had not come up."
It was a busy day the Bradys put in, but nothing came of it.
Towards five o'clock Harry turned up at the hotel, where he found a note from Old King Brady, reading:
"Dear Harry: I have just had a call over the 'phone from Leggett. He wants to see me at the Harper House, on Mission street, and that's where I am going now. Don't know what for, but I suppose it relates to Volckman. Don't wait for me. Be very careful of yourself to-night.
"O. K. B."