"I, most devoted youth," said Tsan Ti, as soon as Matt was seated, "am on my way to Catskill of a purpose to talk with you. No longer am I followed by the suspicious person whom I know to have been in the service of Grattan. So soon as I discovered this, I started immediately to find you. The five hundred gods of good luck must have decreed this meeting."
"Rather," answered Matt, "the ten thousand demons of misfortune. I suppose, Tsan Ti, you are after the Eye of Buddha?"
"Quite true, honorable youth."
"Well," said Matt, "I haven't got it."
Tsan Ti started, then slumped back into his seat.
"It has escaped you, vigilant one?" he inquired, his puffy eyelids half closing as he regarded Matt.
"It has escaped me, all right."
"And who has it now?"
"Grattan."