So I beat it. But when I got in the
open air I felt I'd never make my lodgin's without a tonic.
That's 'ow I come to meet you, mates.
"Listen--I'm away in the old Seahawk in the mornin', but I'll
tell you somethink. That yellow bastard killed his daughter last
night! Beat 'er to death. I see it plain. The sweetest,
prettiest bit of ivory as Gawd ever put breath into. If 'er body
ain't in the river, it's in the 'ouse. Drunk or sober, I never
could stand the splits, but mates"--he stood up, and grasping me
by the arm, he drew me across the room where he also seized
Harley in his muscular grip--"mates," he went on earnestly, "she
was the sweetest, prettiest little gal as a man ever clapped eyes
on. One of yer walk into Limehouse Station an' put the koppers
wise. I'd sleep easier at sea if I knew old Kwen Lung 'ad gone
west on a bloody rope's end."
II
AT KWEN LUNG'S
For fully ten minutes after the fireman had departed Paul Harley
sat staring abstractedly in front of him, his cold pipe between
his teeth, and knowing his moods I intruded no words upon this
reverie, until:
"Come on, Knox," he said, standing up suddenly, "I think this
matter calls for speedy action."
"What! Do you think the man's story was true?"
"I think nothing.
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