She seemed quite disposed to talk, and I chatted with her while
the box was being packed for me to take away. I knew I must make
good use of my time, but you have never given me a job I liked
less. I mean, there is something very appealing about her, and I
hated to think that I was playing a double game. However,
without actually agreeing to see me again, she told me enough to
enable me to meet her "accidentally," if I wanted to. Therefore,
I am going to look out for her this evening, and probably take
her to a picture palace, or somewhere where we can have a quiet
talk. She seems to be fancy free, and for some reason I feel
sorry for the girl. I don't altogether like the job, but I hope
to justify your faith in me, Chief.
I will prepare my official report this evening when I return.
Yours obediently,--JOHN DURHAM.
V
LALA HUANG
"No," said Lala Huang, "I don't like London--not this part of
London."
"Where would you rather be?" asked Durham. "In China?"
Dusk had dropped its merciful curtain over Limehouse, and as the
two paced slowly along West India Dock Road it seemed to the
detective that a sort of glamour had crept into the scene.
He was a clever man within his limitations, and cultured up to a
point; but he was not philosopher enough to know that he viewed
the purlieus of Limehouse through a haze of Oriental mystery
conjured up by the conversation of his companion.
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