CLEVE BRANCH had left San Francisco. He had departed on the morning after his visit to the Mukden Theater. He had gone with a report received from Joseph Darley; the final report that concerned the Wu-Fan and its persecution by the Tiger Tong.
But Cleve had left the city only as a personality. In his place, another man remained.
Once again, Hugo Barnes was on the watch in Chinatown. Moy Chen had replaced his former workmanship. The identity of Cleve Branch was obscured by the features of Hugo Barnes.
There were two spots in Chinatown that Cleve decided were worth watching.
One was the Mukden Theater; for there, he had encountered the presence of The Shadow. The other was the abode of Ling Soo. It was possible that The Shadow might appear there.
The place was also the headquarters of the Wu-Fan. And, it could be watched simultaneously with the Mukden Theater.
Fifty feet away from the entrance to the theater, Cleve lounged idly at the doorway of a Chinese auction house. The place was busy tonight, and the figure of Hugo Barnes was inconspicuous.
Cleve rubbed his hand across his face. He could almost feel the swarthiness of his complexion. He touched his overhanging eyebrows. They, more than any other feature, had changed his countenance.
Cleve had no fear of recognition, but he was wary in his actions. For although the personality of Cleve Branch was safe from detection, he remembered well that Hugo Barnes was now a budding member of the Wu-Fan.
The badge of membership was fastened to Cleve’s vest; and, recollecting his experience at the Sun Kew, he wisely kept it hidden.