CHAPTER XXV
TRAP FOR THE SHADOW
Spotter had believed that there were only three entrances to Loo Look’s underground den. He knew that three passages merged in front of the door of the innermost room. He had used all three entrances on different occasions. Each was guarded by two strong Chinese attendants.
But there was a fourth entrance to the place — and two men alone knew of its existence. One was Loo Look; the other was Tiger Bronson.
The secret entrance came from a house across the street. When either Loo Look or Tiger Bronson wished to enter the opium den, they used the secret way. The house across the street was deserted. The two men who used it each had a key to the side door.
When one of them entered the house, he went to the cellar and found an opening which led to the den where Spotter now lay. The passage terminated in an unused bunk. From this, Loo Look or Tiger Bronson would emerge or disappear.
The Chinese guard knew that there was some secret in that bunk; for both Loo Look and Tiger Bronson entered it and left it; yet neither of them used opium.
But the guard never investigated. Typically Oriental, he showed no curiosity in those matters of which he was expected to know nothing.
Loo Look was usually in the opium den. Tiger Bronson seldom appeared there. But the guard knew that he must not be too curious about either of the two.
The Shadow had come through the secret entrance from the house across the street. He had emerged from the special bunk when Spotter had first seen him.