Part 15 (2/2)
Harry heard Ah Lung give an angry exclamation, and he feared that he was going to say something which would spoil everything, but the Chinaman controlled himself.
”Why, this is almost as bad as blackmail,” he said, sarcastically. ”I don't mind paying a thousand dollars, but five thousand! It is nonsense!”
”It has to be or I won't work.”
”Come, I'll be liberal with you. I'll make it two thousand. Go ahead and find out for me.”
”Not a cent less than $5,000, Brother Lung.”
”Dr. Garshaski, I believe you know something definite, that this is a deal to blackmail me.”
Dr. Garshaski! Harry almost jumped off the couch.
Now he knew whose voice he had been listening to.
He wondered at himself.
How could he ever have forgotten?
”That scoundrel!” he thought. ”Alice in his hands? This is terrible, but it explains her disappearance, all right.”
Meanwhile the talk was going right on.
”Have it your own way, Mr. Lung,” said the doctor, ”but you want to decide. Do I work or don't I work? Which?”
”I will give up no more than I said. I won't be swindled.”
”Very well. Then I won't do anything about your Chinese princess. Your opium will be delivered. I am going now. Good-night.”
”Go,” replied Lung. ”I shall not forget this, doctor.”
”No, I don't think you will,” replied the doctor, and Harry heard him leave the room.
Instantly Ah Lung drew aside the curtain.
But Harry did not wait for him to speak.
”After him!” he whispered. ”I know that fellow! He is a scoundrel! No doubt he is at the bottom of this whole business, and of the disappearance of Miss Montgomery, too.”
CHAPTER VII.
IN A TORTURE CHAMBER.
Alice felt that her situation was bad enough as she pa.s.sed through the ”door of death” without Dr. Garshaski adding to it by clap-trap.
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