Prowling through Chinatown, pondering on this important question, Cleve had encountered one of the Chinese acquaintances who had arranged his entrance into the Wu-Fan. The man had been glad to see him. In a low voice, he had told Cleve that Ling Soo desired to see his American friend as soon as convenient.
So Cleve was here; and the first man he had met was Foy!
The servant’s face was as ugly as before; but it showed no deep-set malice. It seemed evident that Foy must have failed to recognize the man whom he had tried to knife at Darley’s. Nevertheless, Cleve had clutched the handle of his stub-nosed pocket revolver as he had crossed the hallway toward the sanctum of Ling Soo.
The staid leader of the Wu-Fan smiled placidly as Cleve awkwardly raised his forefinger to his forehead. Ling Soo returned the salute.
Cleve sat down in a chair indicated by the Wu-Fan chieftain. He felt relieved when he saw the crouching Foy retire to a corner of the room, where he stood in plain view, his slitted eyelids nearly closed.
Cleve felt at ease as he reflected on the circumstances of this visit. Ling Soo had no knowledge of the spying which Cleve had done. The most that the Chinaman could know was that Cleve had entered Joseph Darley’s apartment, in search of a paper which Ling Soo had given to the head of the Civilian Committee.
Foy had gone there, in anticipation of an intruder. The fact that Cleve was the man who had entered could not have given Ling Soo a real inkling of the part that Cleve was playing, in the disguise of Hugo Barnes.
Perhaps — as Cleve had thought before — Foy had not recognized him. If that were true, Cleve’s position here was as strong as ever.
Cleve studied Ling Soo carefully, as the Chinese leader began to speak. There was nothing in the squat man’s bearing, or in his speech, that betokened menace. On the contrary, Ling Soo was friendly. In fact, he seemed almost chiding; and it was that manner that lulled Cleve into believing that all was well.
“YOU have been here once,” remarked Ling Soo. “Once is not often. That is why I have sought you, tonight. It is well that we are friends. It would be better if our friendship should increase.”