"But the girl, Cio-Cio-San?" Johnny questioned.
"She is not of the secret police. She helps me as a friend, that's all, and I will help her if I can."
Johnny wished to question him regarding the treasure, but something held him back.
"So you see how it is." Hanada spoke wearily. "We have gone so far, so very far. Mebbe to-morrow, mebbe next day, we would have uncovered their lair; but to-night the police are on my trail, for 'treason' they call it. Bah! It was a dream, a great and wonderful dream; a dream that would mean much for your country and mine." His words were full of mystery. "But now they will arrest me, and you must carry on the hunt for the Russian and his band. This other thing, it can wait. It will come, sometime, but not now."
"What other?" asked Johnny.
Hanada did not answer.
There came the stealthy shuffle of feet in the corridor.
"They are coming," whispered Hanada. "Remember my testimony will free you, but you must not stop; you must hunt as never before, you must get that man!"
There came, not the expected tattoo of police billies on the door, but a shrill whisper through the key-hole:
"Johnny," the voice said, "are you there? Let me in. I seen it! I seen it! I get the century note you promised me! Let me in!"