CLEVE’S guide urged him to a vacant chair. He sat there and waited. The group appeared to be awaiting another arrival.
Cleve assumed the indifferent attitude of Hugo Barnes. The strangeness of this room was menacing; yet he felt a security in his false identity. He believed that calmness and silence would serve him well.
The door slid up, and another man entered. Cleve could not recognize him in the light. Although the man sat close beside him, he was unable to distinguish the features of Foo Chow.
The barrier had closed again. The hush was expectant.
Ling Soo began to speak, in English. His words, though low, were friendly in their tone.
“Tonight,” said Ling Soo, “we have a new friend who seeks to be with the Wu-Fan. Is it right that we should have him here?”
“He has promised to be loyal?”
The question came from Green Eyes. Cleve could see the glowing optics sparkle as they stared in his direction.
“He has made his promise,” declared Ling Soo.
“He may be with us,” said Green Eyes.