“I’m going there tonight,” said Darley. “Why don’t you come along? We’ll have dinner at the St. Thomas Hotel; then we can head for Chinatown. We’ll see a show at the Mukden Theater.”
“All right,” agreed Cleve.
This was convenient. As Cleve Branch, the government agent could visit the Chinese district with Joseph Darley. As Hugo Barnes, he could go alone and attend the meetings of the Wu-Fan. So the invitation for tonight was a good one to accept.
“You have been out of town?” inquired Cleve.
“Yes,” said Darley. “I just arrived home this afternoon. I called you at your hotel. I wanted you to go with me — if you had been able to spare the time. I had a most enjoyable trip; down to Los Angeles by air, back by private yacht.”
“An enjoyable trip?”
“Wonderful! Leo Frane, the movie magnate, is the owner of the yacht. He is East at present, and he ordered it up here to Frisco to meet him on his return. We had delightful weather from the time we left San Pedro.”
“Frane is a friend of yours?”
“Yes. I have cruised with him occasionally. He knew that I was coming to Los Angeles, so he had the yacht held there until I arrived. I may go back to Los Angeles with him when he comes West — and if you have business in Southern California, I know that you would be a welcome passenger.”
They left the apartment for the hotel. Darley found a secluded table in the corner, and ordered a sumptuous repast for himself and his guest.