Part 15 (1/2)
”Of course,” was the reply. ”I always have sympathy for those in trouble. What is the matter now?”
”My princess.”
”Ah, ha! She is ill?”
”Not that. She failed to arrive on the Manchuria.”
”Is it so? Did she not sail then?”
Ah Lung told the story he had given the Bradys.
”It must be very hard for you, Lung,” replied the other. ”I wish I could help you. Perhaps I can.”
”You? How can that be possible?”
”Listen! I heard it rumored--only rumored by men--you know who--that there was a Chinese woman of high rank who was a pa.s.senger on the Dover Castle. With her was a man who claimed to be her cousin. The man was smuggled in, Lung. I saw and talked with him. His name was w.a.n.g Foo!”
”You don't mean it!” cried Ah Lung, excitedly.
”Hus.h.!.+ We shall be heard.”
”No, no! I tell you the man in the next bunk is deaf and dumb. Besides, he is a good friend of mine.”
”But on the other side?”
”It is empty.”
”Sure? Some one may have come in.”
”I'll look and see.”
Ah Lung did so and reported the alcove empty.
”Go on!” he said eagerly. ”You are interesting me greatly. What became of this woman of high rank?”
”Ah! That I do not know, my friend, but I do know that she did not land openly. Then she must have been smuggled ash.o.r.e. Probably she is concealed somewhere in Chinatown now.”
”I must find out. I will employ detectives.”
”Do nothing of the sort. If the woman is here, if she really is the Princess Skeep Hup, then I am the man who can get her for you. What will you pay, Ah Lung?”
”Pay! I thought you were my friend.”
”I am out for the dollars, brother. Out for the dollars every time.”
”What is it worth to you then to go to the trouble to make these inquiries?”
”Nothing to make inquiries, but if this Chinese woman should prove to be the Princess Skeep Hup, and I am the means of delivering her up to you, I shall expect half of that money you told me you were going to get with her, or, in other words, $5,000.”