Staggering under their load, the two Chinamen disappeared down the alley.
"Now, Alice!" said the doctor, when presently they returned.
"Dr. Garshaski, be sensible and let me go about my business," said Alice, in her calmest fashion, for she realized that it would be more than useless to display excitement now.
"No," replied the doctor. "No, it cannot be. I have begun, and I am going to see the thing through. That's all there is about it."
He got out and extended his hand to Alice, who accepted it and alighted.
The two Chinks closed in behind her.
In a few seconds they had vanished down China alley, where there was no hope of rescue, for although the alley is not the dark, mysterious affair it used to be before the great fire, it still retains much of its old character, and is a mighty dangerous place at night.
They did not have far to go; the doctor retained his hold on Alice's arm.
She had heard the click of cocking revolvers behind her, so knew what to expect.
Suddenly the doctor turned in at a dark doorway and hurried Alice up an equally dark flight of stairs.