While Cleve stood waiting, the Chinaman turned slowly. With arms still folded, he walked into the theater.
The action meant that Cleve was to follow. He did so, but controlled his shuffling gait to allow time for any concealed agents to take up the trail.
The man looked back impatiently. Cleve sensed that it would be unwise to delay too long. He slipped his hands in his coat pockets — a pose that went with the character of Hugo Barnes — and sauntered leisurely after his guide.
THE Chinaman turned to the left, and silently strode down the blackened aisle. Cleve was close behind him.
He suspected that the Chinaman was going back stage, and thence out into the night; for this was the pathway which Cleve had taken the night he had met Foo Chow, with Joseph Darley.
They reached the curtain at the entrance to the boxes. There, the Chinaman stopped. He motioned for Cleve to step through the curtain.
Cleve did so, boldly. He knew well that a false step now might loose unexpected dangers. He must play his part — that of a neophyte in the order of the Wu-Fan, seeking admission to a higher order.
He might be watched every step of the way; and this part of the journey might be only a blind to test him out.
Cleve was experienced in his work. He knew how to play his part. He obeyed the Chinaman’s gesture; but his hand closed within his pocket as he gripped the butt of his short revolver.
Through the curtain, Cleve was shuffling toward the door to the stage when he felt the Chinaman’s hand pluck his sleeve.