Part 11 (1/2)
”If we only had some one who could speak Chinese.”
”Get ready,” said the old detective, impatiently. ”We'll go ahead and do the best we can.”
It was about six o'clock when they reached the House of the Seven Delights.
”We'll take supper in the restaurant as a starter,” said Old King Brady.
”It is not impossible that I may strike somebody I know.”
They entered to find the place reasonably full.
The old detective picked out a central table, from which they could see in all directions.
Supper was ordered, and they had almost finished when Old King Brady suddenly said:
”There's a man I know. Just sitting at the third table on the left as you come in from the door.”
Leggett looked.
”A j.a.p, isn't he?”
”Half j.a.panese and half Chinese. Don't you know him?”
”No.”
”You will be surprised, then, when I tell you that he was once a Secret Service man.”
”Is that so? He never operated in San Francisco in my time, then. What's his name?”
”Dr. Garshaski.”
”Is he really a doctor?”
”Yes. I certainly ought to know him. He made me trouble enough. I don't like this. I thought the man was in China.”
An inkling of the truth dawned upon Old King Brady.
The sight of Dr. Garshaski had stirred him more than he would have cared to own.
”If Alice fell into the clutches of that fellow, then heaven help her!”
he thought.
He hardly knew whether he ought to show himself to the doctor or attempt to trail him.
But the matter promptly settled itself.
Dr. Garshaski saw him.
Old King Brady, who was watching him closely, did not fail to note the start he gave.
He immediately got up, and the old detective thought it was with the intention of leaving the restaurant, but instead of that he came forward to their table and, putting out both hands, exclaimed: