“A man was killed tonight,” he said. “A man named Moy Chen. There is something I wish to tell you about his death. It is important.”
Indicating that he wished Foy to follow, Ling Soo waddled toward a cabin. He and Joseph Darley seated themselves beside a table.
Foy, at Ling Soo’s bidding, remained a short distance away, huddled with hands before his breast. He watched the speakers through his nearly closed eyelids.
“It is this,” said Ling Soo, his eyes upon Darley. “The man Moy Chen was a prominent Chinese merchant, who lived—”
As Ling Soo spoke, his right hand was resting upon a molding at the side of the cabin. With scarcely more than a gesture, he drew his chair away, but still retained his hold upon the molding. It came with his hand. The floor of the cabin opened. The form of Foy straightened as it plunged into the hold below!
“Come!” exclaimed Ling Soo, releasing his hold so that the trap would spring back into place.
He and Darley hurried down a steep flight of steps, Ling Soo showing amazing speed for his odd bulk. The Chinaman slid open a door. A flashlight gleamed in his hand. It revealed the unconscious form of Foy.
“What have you done!” exclaimed Darley.
“Foy is a traitor!” declared Ling Soo. “I have tricked him. He knew that I might come here. He does not know that I have discovered him. He let the man Branch escape!”
“Branch! Where is he?” There was excitement in Darley’s voice.