mg.greeneyes-第17章

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　　Foy　had　gone　there；　in　anticipation　of　an　intruder。　The　fact　that　Cleve　was　the　man　who　had　entered　could　not　have　given　Ling　Soo　a　real　inkling　of　the　part　that　Cleve　was　playing；　in　the　disguise　of　Hugo　Barnes。
　　Perhaps…as　Cleve　had　thought　before…Foy　had　not　recognized　him。　If　that　were　true；　Cleve's　position　here　was　as　strong　as　ever。
　　Cleve　studied　Ling　Soo　carefully；　as　the　Chinese　leader　began　to　speak。
　　There　was　nothing　in　the　squat　man's　bearing；　or　in　his　speech；　that　betokened　menace。　On　the　contrary；　Ling　Soo　was　friendly。　In　fact；　he　seemed　almost　chiding；　and　it　was　that　manner　that　lulled　Cleve　into　believing　that　all　was　well。
　　
　　
　　〃YOU　have　been　here　once；〃　remarked　Ling　Soo。　〃Once　is　not　often。　That　is　why　I　have　sought　you；　tonight。　It　is　well　that　we　are　friends。　It　would　be　better　if　our　friendship　should　increase。〃
　　Cleve　nodded　in　agreement。
　　〃There　is　a　reason；〃　declared　Ling　Soo；　〃why　I　seek　the　better　acquaintance　of　my　American　friends　who　have　seen　the　light　of　the　Wu…Fan。
　　〃Our　great　order　needs　the　advice　of　such　friends。　For；　though　the　Wu…Fan　is　of　China；　its　purpose　lies　in　America。　Great　power　will　e　to　those　who　believe　with　the　Wu…Fan。　Would　you　like　to　share　that　power？〃
　　The　proposition　was　suggested　in　a　mild；　friendly　tone。　Cleve；　thinking　keenly；　believed　that　he　understood　Ling　Soo's　inference。
　　It　was　a　positive　fact　that　Stephen　Laird　had　been　an　agent　of　the　Wu…Fan。
　　Laird　had　been　slain…and　Cleve　inclined；　from　experience；　to　the　theory　that　the　Tiger　Tong　had　been　responsible。
　　Despite　the　fact　that　sinister　Foy　had　wielded　a　knife　with　which　he　had　sought　Cleve's　life；　the　government　agent　discounted　any　murderous　intentions　on　the　part　of　the　Wu…Fan。
　　It　was　logical　that　Ling　Soo　needed　someone　to　take　the　place　that　death　had　caused　Stephen　Laird　to　vacate。　If　so；　it　would　be　to　Cleve's　advantage　to　seize　the　opportunity。　He　put　forward　a　question；　which；　if　answered；　would　give　him　a　clew　to　Ling　Soo's　design。
　　〃Does　danger　acpany　that　power？〃　Cleve　asked。
　　〃Yes；〃　responded　Ling　Soo　quietly。　〃Danger　threatens　all　who　learn　the　inner　secrets　of　the　Wu…Fan。　One　can　not　expect　power　without　danger。
　　〃We　of　the　Wu…Fan　have　enemies。　We　must　guard　against　them。　Hence　those　who　are　the　chosen　few　of　our　great　number　are　the　ones　who　know　the　most　cherished　secrets。〃
　　Ling　Soo's　impersonal　speech　carried　a　subtlety　which　was　not　detected　by　Cleve　Branch。　Keen　though　the　investigator　was；　his　urge　to　learn　more　overcame　his　natural　reluctance　to　accept　such　luring　statements　as　these。
　　He　saw　his　opportunity。　Established　as　an　inner　member　of　the　secret　order；　he　could　quickly　learn　the　truth　concerning　the　death　of　Stephen　Laird。
　　Not　only　that；　he　could　gain　important　information　of　the　Wu…Fan's　secret　methods。
　　〃My　American　friends；〃　mented　Ling　Soo　sadly；　〃are　all　too　few。　I　must　have　more　of　them。　There　is　work　ahead…great　work。
　　〃Think　well　before　you　accept　my　offer；　friend　Barnes；　for　I　warn　you　that　many　duties　will　be　imposed　upon　you。　But　if　you　choose　to　accept；　I　can　assure　you　that　a　great　power　will　be　yours。〃
　　Ling　Soo's　change　of　tack…his　unwillingness　to　force　Hugo　Barnes　into　the　inner　circle　of　the　Wu…Fan…was　the　subtle　note　that　brought　Cleve's　prompt　decision。
　　He　made　a　definite　reply　as　he　stared　squarely　into　the　owl　eyes　that　were　large　and　kindly　behind　the　thick　lenses　of　the　spectacles。
　　〃I　accept　your　offer；〃　said　Cleve；　in　the　tone　of　Hugo　Barnes。　〃What　do　you　wish　me　to　do？〃
　　〃You　must　promise；　first；〃　declared　Ling　Soo　softly。　〃Promise　by　your　oath　in　the　Wu…Fan　to　keep　your　new　knowledge　a　plete　secret。〃
　　〃I　promise；〃　replied　Cleve。
　　He　caught　Ling　Soo's　gesture；　and　followed　the　statement　by　making　the　sign　of　the　Wu…Fan；　to　which　Ling　Soo　solemnly　responded。
　　〃You　have　promised；〃　said　Ling　Soo；　with　a　touch　of　sternness　in　his　voice。　〃Tomorrow　night；　you　may　meet；　for　the　first　time；　the　members　of　our　inner　shrine。
　　〃Be　cautious　in　your　actions　until　then。　Await　the　hour　of　ten。　e；　then；　to　the　Mukden　Theater；　which　lies　across　the　street　from　the　doorway　to　my　home。　There　you　will　see　a　man　with　folded　arms。　Upon　his　finger　a　ring　…
　　such　as　this。〃
　　Ling　Soo　displayed　his　left　hand。　Upon　it　was　a　ring；　fashioned　with　the　head　of　the　golden　dragon。　Cleve　noted　that　the　eyes　of　the　little　dragon　were　two　tiny　emeralds。　It　brought　a　sudden　meaning　to　his　mind。
　　Green　Eyes！
　　Could　this　be　an　inner　secret　of　the　Wu…Fan？　Those　were　words　which　Stephen　Laird　had　uttered。　Green　Eyes！
　　〃Approach　that　man；〃　continued　Ling　Soo；　apparently　oblivious　to　the　fact　that　his　visitor　was　still　staring　at　the　dragon　ring。　〃When　you　see　him　face　to　face；　make　the　secret　sign　of　the　Wu…Fan。〃
　　The　squat　Chinaman　solemnly　raised　his　finger　to　his　forehead；　and　Cleve　duplicated　the　action。
　　〃That　man　will　lead　you　to　the　meeting　place；〃　declared　Ling　Soo；　in　a　final　tone。　〃There　you　will　learn　the　secrets　of　the　inner　shrine…the　highest　secrets　of　the　Wu…Fan。
　　〃Remember〃…the　voice　spoke　more　deliberately　than　usual…〃until　then；　you　must　tell　no　one　of　your　purpose。　Your　promise　has　been　made。　Your　secrecy　begins　now。〃
　　〃I　understand；〃　said　Cleve。
　　Ling　Soo　clapped　his　hands。　Foy　came　gliding　forward；　carrying　the　brass　image　of　the　dragon。　He　held　it　between　the　other　men。
　　Ling　Soo　placed　his　finger　upon　the　dragon's　head；　then　raised　it　to　his　forehead；　and　held　it　there。　Cleve；　in　response；　pressed　his　finger　to　the　metal　image；　and　placed　it　to　his　forehead。　He　held　that　position　until　Ling　Soo　lowered　his　hand。
　　The　ceremony　was　ended。
　　
　　
　　LING　SOO　slipped　down　from　his　throne。　It　was　his　act　of　special　courtesy　to　acpany　an　honored　guest　to　the　outer　door　of　the　abode。
　　Foy　going　ahead　to　open　the　doors；　Cleve　and　Ling　Soo　walked　out　to　the　anteroom。　With　Foy；　they　formed　a　group　beside　the　door　of　the　elevator。
　　Cleve；　softly　repeating　the　instructions　he　had　received；　stepped　into　the　lift。　It　was　then　that　he　saw　something　which　startled　him。　A　shadow　on　the　floor；　beside　the　two　Chinese…a　long；　mysterious　shadow！
　　The　Shadow！
　　Could　he　be　here？　Cleve　looked　up　quickly。　Except　for　Ling　Soo　and　Foy；　the　anteroom　was　empty。
　　Quickly　seeking　to　cover　up　his　mistake；　Cleve　closed　the　door　of　the　elevator　and　began　the　descent。　But　as　he　traveled　downward；　he　was　wondering　about　the　presence　of　that　shadow！
　　Up　above；　Ling　Soo　was　returning　toward　his　inner　room。　Behind　him　stalked　the　form　of　Foy。　The　servant's　hands　were　doubled　against　his　body。　Ling　Soo　noticed　it　as　they　entered　the　inner　room。　The　leader　of　the　Wu…Fan　cackled。
　　〃Foy！〃　he　said。　〃Foy。　His　hand　is　ready〃…the　words　were　in　Chinese　…
　　〃ready　to　strike　tomorrow　night！　Foy；　The　Slayer；　is　ready！〃
　　A　murderous　grin　came　over　the　leering　features　of　Foy。　The　man's　yellow　skin　was　livid　in　the　dull　light　of　the　room。　The　brass　dragon　image　was　lying　on　a　taboret。　Ling　Soo　drew　a　silk　cloth　from　beneath　his　robe。　With　it　he　stroked　his　hands；　then　his　forehead；　and　finally　the　brass　image。
　　〃Ling　Soo　has　planned；〃　he　said　solemnly；　in　Chinese。　〃Foy　shall　strike。
　　His　victim　shall　be　the　man　who　bears　the　mark　of　death！　Green　Eyes　has　spoken！〃
　　Grinning；　Foy　stared　at　his　master。　Ling　Soo　cackled　again　as　he　tapped　his　forehead　knowingly。
　　Handing　the　brass　image　to　Foy；　the　leader　of　the　Wu…Fan；　plodded　toward　his　throne；　with　his　servant　advancing；　crouched；　beside　him。
　　A　strange；　insidious　pair！　One　had　planned　death。　The　other　was　to　deal　it。
　　Yet　more　sinister　than　these　living　men　was　the　long　shadow　that　lay　across　the　floor　in　front　of　Ling　Soo's　throne…like　chair。　It　was　a　living　shadow…a　phantom　shade　that　was　foreboding！
　　Foy　retired　to　the　outer　room。　Ling　Soo　rested　on　his　throne。　He　was　staring　toward　the　floor。　The　sinister　blotch　was　there　no　longer。
　　Keen；　though　he　was；　Ling　Soo　had　not　sensed　the　presence　of　The　Shadow！
　　
　　
　　　CHAPTER　XV　
　　　GREEN　LIGHTS　GLOW　
　　IT　was　late　the　next　afternoon。　Cleve　Branch　was　sitting　in　a　hotel　room。
　　He　was　himself　again；　but　tonight　he　would　assume　the　personality　of　Hugo　Barnes…perhaps　for　the　last　time。
　　Cleve　was　confident　that　his　work　in　San　Francisco　was　nearing　its　pletion。
　　Ling　Soo　had　told　Hugo　Barnes　to　be　cautious　in　his　actions　until　the　meeting　time。　Cleve　had　taken　those　instructions　to　heart。
　　With　Ling　Soo；　he　had　secretly　agreed　that　the　less　seen　of　Hugo　Barnes　the　better。　So　immediately　upon　leaving　the　abode　of　Ling　Soo；　he　had　shambled　away　in　Hugo　Barnes　style；　and　had　stolen　into　the　shop　of　Moy　Chen。
　　Cleve　had　not　required　the　services　of　Moy　Chen　to　remove　the　traces　of　Hugo　Barnes。　Cleve　had　done　that　himself；　wiping　away　the　make…up　with　a　thorough　application　of　cold　cream。　Himself；　again；　he　had　sauntered　from　the　side　entrance　of　the　Hoang…Ho　Cafe。
　　Indifference　had　gripped　Cleve　on　his　way　to　the　hotel。　As　Cleve　Branch　he　could　not　be　identified　with　Hugo　Barnes；　member　of　the　Wu…Fan。　Cleve　had　decided　to　rest　and　to　forget。　He　had　slept　late　in　the　morning；　he　had　eaten　his　meals　in　his　room。　Now；　with　dinnertime　approaching；　he　was　ready　to　go　forth。
　　He　glanced　at　himself　in　the　mirror。　Due　to　the　dimness　of　the　room；　Cleve　saw　only　the　outline　of　his　face…not　its　details。　He　chuckled　to　himself。　With　this　game　of　Branch　and　Barnes；　it　was　sometimes　difficult　to　remember　which　he　was。
　　Had　the　lights　been　on　in　the　room；　Cleve　might　have　noticed　something　unusual　about　his　face。　But；　as　it　was；　Cleve　had　not　seen　his　mirrored　reflection　closely　since　he　had　left　Ling　Soo's　the　night　before！
　　A　door　was　ajar　across　the　hall。　Cleve　did　not　notice　it　as　he　left　the　room。　When　he　reached　the　lobby；　he　left　his　key　at　the　desk　and　strolled　to　the　barber　shop。
　　He　did　not　observe　the　man　who　peered　at　him　over　the　top　of　a　newspaper。
　　That　man　was　dressed　like　an　American；　but　his　face　had　a　yellowish　hue。
　　In　the　barber　shop；　Cleve　slipped　into　a　chair　and　ordered　a　shave。　In　glancing　at　Cleve's　face；　the　barber　paused　and　leaned　over；　as　though　wondering　about　something　he　saw　there。
　　But　the　man　made　no　ment；　and　Cleve　did　not　encourage　conversation。　He　was　thinking　of　his　plans　for　tonight。　He　was　still　in　a　meditative　mood　when　he　left　the　barber　shop；　and　dined　in　a　small　restaurant　near　the　hotel。
　　There；　as　before；　Cleve　paid　no　attention　to　the　persons　about　him。　He　did　not　see　the　sidelong　glances　of　a　man　who　was　seated　at　a　table　in　the　corner。
　　For　Cleve；　while　he　ate；　was　considering　an　important　visit　before　he　set　forth　to　change　his　character　at　Moy　Chen's。
　　
　　
　　CLEVE　was　thinking　about　Joseph　Darley。　So　far　as　he　knew；　the　mitteeman　still　had　the　paper　with　the　Chinese　inscription。　Darley　had　received　the　paper　from　Ling　Soo。　In　their　discussion；　both　Darley　and　Ling　Soo　had　regarded　the　paper　as　important。
　　After　all；　Cleve　felt　that　he　had　adopted　the　wrong　course　when　he　had　entered　Darley's　home；　like　a　burglar。　He　would　have　been　to　blame　had　he　fallen　at　the　hand　of　Foy。
　　Clev