But why?
There was the mystery!
And we may as well add right here that just how it came about was never fully explained.
The chances are that the pair were inside the secret door when Ed fell, and hearing the noise, looked in upon him, although he did not see them.
A third Chink in American dress, which was not the case with the others, stood in a narrow passage holding a lantern.
Instantly Ed recognized him as Pow Chow, the Chinese mission worker who had run away with Ethel Rawson and caused all the trouble.
"You scoundrel!" cried Ed, who was nothing if not plucky.
He made a dive at the fellow and dealt him a stinging blow in the face.
It was a piece of folly, of course.
That was the time Ed got it good and plenty.