"To-morrow," he said, "I shall lodge the coffer in a place of greater security. Come along, Petrie, Weymouth is expecting us at Scotland Yard."
CHAPTER XI
IN THE FOG
"But, Smith," I began, as my friend hurried me along the corridor, "you are not going to leave the box unguarded?"
Nayland Smith tugged at my arm, and, glancing at him, I saw him frowningly shake his head. Utterly mystified, I nevertheless understood that for some reason he desired me to preserve silence for the present. Accordingly I said no more until the lift brought us down into the lobby and we had passed out from the New Louvre Hotel, crossed the busy thoroughfare and entered the buffet of an establishment not far distant. My friend having ordered cocktails—
"And now perhaps you will explain to me the reason for your mysterious behavior?" said I.
Smith, placing my glass before me, glanced about him to right and left, and having satisfied himself that his words could not be overheard—
"Petrie," he whispered, "I believe we are spied upon at the New Louvre."
"What!"
"There are spies of the Si-Fan—of Fu-Manchu—amongst the hotel servants! We have good reason to believe that Dr. Fu-Manchu at one time was actually in the building, and we have been compelled to draw attention to the state of the electric fitting in our apartments, which enables any one in the corridor above to spy upon us."