Part 11 (2/2)
”Mr. Brady! I am rejoiced! My best friend! My savior, I may say! Well, well!”
Old King Brady shook hands and invited the doctor to sit down, introducing Leggett as a Secret Service man.
”Do you mind if I take my supper at this table?” asked the doctor.
”Not at all,” was the reply.
Having come up with the man, it seemed to the old detective that he might as well listen to anything he had to say.
”I thought you were going to China, doctor?” he began.
”Did go,” replied the doctor. ”I have been across twice since I saw you.
How is Young King Brady?”
”Well.”
”In San Francisco?”
”I don't know where he is just now. He is working for a man on a private matter. It is some little time since I heard from him.”
”And--I almost hesitate to ask for reasons such as you--you know, Mr.
Brady. How is that loveliest of her s.e.x, Miss Montgomery?”
Old King Brady's eyes were right upon him as he quietly answered:
”I cannot tell you, doctor.”
”Cannot tell! Has the partners.h.i.+p been dissolved, then?”
”Temporarily, yes.”
”You speak strangely, Mr. Brady. I hope and trust that nothing has gone wrong in that direction. You need not fear to trust me. I have quite recovered from my mad folly, I a.s.sure you.”
”Something has gone very wrong, doctor. It is now several days since Miss Montgomery disappeared right here in San Francisco.”
The doctor threw up his hands dramatically.
”Don't tell me that!” he cried. ”Under what circ.u.mstances?”
”The circ.u.mstances belong to Secret Service business. I cannot state them. It may be, however, that she has fallen into the hands of your people.”
”Now, don't call the Chinese my people. I am the son of a j.a.panese gentleman, as you well know. You touch me deeply. If there is anything I can do to help, command me.”
”You are very kind. And your address?”
The doctor produced a card.
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