Compelled to restrain their impatience perforce, his companions sank back in silence and watched the nimble feet of the karumayas as they trotted along the streets on the way to the Bund.
Turning suddenly into the broad, well-lighted main street, they overtook a man pacing moodily toward the bay. As they dashed past, Nattie glanced at him; then, with an imprecation, the lad stood up in his vehicle. A twinge of pain in the disabled shoulder sent him back again.
Noting the action, Mori looked behind him, and just in time to see the man slip into a convenient doorway. It was Mr. Black.
"Keep cool, Nattie," he called out. "Confronting him without proof won't help us."
"But did you see how he acted when he caught sight of us?"
"Yes, and it meant guilt. He tried to dodge out of our sight."
On reaching the office, Mr. Burr led the way inside. Lighting the gas, he placed chairs for his companions, and seated himself at his desk.
"Noo I will explain everything," he said, gravely. "But first tell me if ye anticipate anything serious? Has Mr. Grant absented himself before?"
"Never," Nattie replied to the last question.
"Weel, then, the situation is thus: Last night he left here at the usual hour and took a 'rikisha in front of the door. I was looking through the window at the time, and I saw him disappear around the corner of Main Street. I opened the office this morning at eight by the clock, and prepared several papers and checks for his signature. Time passed and he did na' show oop.