Cleve smiled as he looked at Joseph Darley. Thinking of eyes, he encountered those of the committeeman. Mild, kindly eyes, of a light grayish-blue. Like Darley’s countenance, and the man’s gray hair, they expressed sympathy and understanding.
“I think that you are right,” declared Cleve. “While I remain in San Francisco, it would probably be best for me to learn facts about the Tiger Tong instead of the Wu-Fan. Can you aid me in that?”
“I shall do as much as possible,” said Darley. “The police can also give you information. They know of men who are reputed to be killers.”
“Tomorrow, then,” said Cleve, “I shall prepare to finish my report.”
The decision seemed a good one. It obviated further necessity of being Hugo Barnes. With complete data on the Tiger Tong — evidence, perhaps, of attempted killings or actual deaths of Wu-Fan members — Cleve could terminate this adventurous stay in San Francisco.
With thoughts along these lines, Cleve dined with Joseph Darley. But as he ate, Cleve had new thoughts — impressions which meant that he must stay a while before his work was ended.
Cleve was thinking of The Shadow.
The invisible man who had chosen to appear on one occasion still remained a mystery!
Why was The Shadow here? Why had he been at Ling Soo’s? Why had he followed Cleve? Why had he made the rescue?
Important questions — all. But there was another realization that brought a furrow to Cleve’s brow as he considered it.