“Grand!” exclaimed Darley, with enthusiasm. “Leo Frane is due here at the end of the week. Keep in touch with me. We would like to have you sail along with us.”
“All right,” said Cleve. “I just dropped in to say ‘howdy.’ I’m running over to Sausalito tonight on the ferry. Leaving pretty soon, so I can’t stay long.”
“By the way” — Darley’s face became serious — “if you have not fully closed that case of the Wu-Fan, I advise you to wait a short while. There have been new developments that may affect the Wu-Fan.”
“You have discovered something?” inquired Cleve, with interest.
“I have received information,” returned Darley. “It came from Ling Soo. It refers to the activities of the Tiger Tong. It proves, more conclusively than ever, that the tong — not the Wu-Fan — is responsible for any difficulties that may occur. In fact, I may say that this new information completely exonerates the Wu-Fan of all crimes that may at first glance seem to be of Chinese origin.”
“What is the nature of the information?”
“I have it here.”
DARLEY went directly to the drawer where Cleve had looked two nights ago. He brought out the very paper that Cleve had seen. He spread it out and showed the Chinese inscriptions.
“This,” said Darley, “refers to certain activities aboard the Pung-Shoon — a Chinese junk which came through the Golden Gate a few days ago. The Pung-Shoon now lies at anchor in San Francisco Bay.
“This paper, from the translation that Ling Soo gave me, indicates that certain members of the Tiger Tong, now sought by the police, intend to sail on the Pung-Shoon tomorrow. They are going back to China, Ling Soo claims, to induce certain of their countrymen — members of the tong — to come to San Francisco.”