“Americans,” said Darley thoughtfully. “Yes, Ling Soo knows a number of Americans; but I did not know that they were actively interested in his picturesque plans.”
“One was,” declared Branch shortly, “but he isn’t any more. That’s the reason why I am here.”
“You knew one?”
“I knew of him. He knew of me. He was to communicate with me. I was waiting. But he happened to die very suddenly.”
“How?”
“He was murdered. Not so many nights ago. Stabbed to death on the Mountain Limited, going East.”
“You mean the man Laird?” questioned Darley, in a surprised voice. “The man who was found dying on the observation platform?”
“THAT’S the one,” declared Branch. “If you read the newspaper reports, you may have learned that Laird wrote a letter shortly before he was killed. I rather suspect that the letter was addressed to me.”
“Remarkable!” exclaimed Darley. “This is somewhat amazing to me. You are sure that his death was caused by the Wu-Fan?”
“Not at all,” replied Branch. “I believe that his death was connected with the Wu-Fan; but how, I cannot tell.”