The boy retired, and Mr. Hampden found himself alone with Huang
Chow. No word had been exchanged between master and servant,
but:
"Good morning, Mr. Hampden," said the Chinaman in a high, thin
voice. "Please be seated. It is from Mr. Isaacs you come?"
IV
PERSONAL REPORT OF DETECTIVE JOHN DURHAM TO
CHIEF INSPECTOR KERRY, OFFICER IN CHARGE OF
LIMEHOUSE INQUIRY
Dear Chief Inspector,--Following your instructions I returned and
interviewed the prisoner Poland in his cell. I took the line
which you had suggested, pointing out to him that he had nothing
to gain and everything to lose by keeping silent.
"Answer my questions," I said, "and you can walk straight out.
Otherwise, you'll be up before the magistrate, and on your record
alone it will mean a holiday which you probably don't want."
He was very truculent, but I got him in a good humour at last,
and he admitted that he had been cooperating with the dead man,
Cohen, in an attempt to burgle the house of Huang Chow. His
reluctance to go into details seemed to be due rather to fear of
Huang Chow than to fear of the law, and I presently gathered that
he regarded Huang as responsible for the death not only of Cohen,
but also of the Chinaman who was hauled out of the river about
three weeks ago, as you well remember.
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