Moose had not noticed the man’s face before. Even now, it was obscure in the dimness. But he detected an odd sparkle in the eyes. They seemed to glow like beads of light in the hollows of that yellow face.
The big Chinaman appeared to be staring at the visitor through a mask.
During this scrutiny, the Mongolian’s back was toward Wing Toy. Having finished his inspection of Shargin, the big man studied Elvers. He then turned to the door to make sure that it was tightly closed.
He did not face Wing Toy at all. The Tong leader spoke while the big man’s back was turned. Wing Toy’s words were in Chinese; the Mongolian uttered a low reply in the same language. Wing Toy spoke again, the man grunted a reply.
Wing Toy motioned to Moose and Garry to follow as he went toward the street door.
The three stood within the door, Wing Toy speaking in a low undertone while he glanced back at the guardian of the door.
“When we get out of here,” he said, “make it plain that we are separating to rejoin later. Then if we are overheard—”
Moose and Garry nodded.
“You” — Wing Toy indicated Garry — “go to the Manchu Restaurant, in the next street.” He drew a card from his coat pocket and slipped it into Garry’s hand. “Ask for Looey Look. Give him this. He will take you back to the room.
“You” — Wing Toy turned to Moose — “go in there a little later. Also ask for Looey Look. You will find me there.”