mg.greeneyes-第7章

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　as　he　read。
　　It　was　several　minutes　before　he　had　pleted　his　survey。　Then　he　passed　the　report　back　to　its　owner　and　nodded；　while　he　blinked　in　owl　fashion。
　　〃Can　you　add　to　it？〃　questioned　Cleve。
　　Moy　Chen　shook　his　head　as　solemnly　as　he　had　nodded　it。　Then；　for　the　first　time；　he　spoke。
　　
　　
　　〃THIS　is　quite　plete；〃　he　declared；　in　slow；　short　syllables。　〃I　can　tell　you　nothing　more。〃
　　〃You　know　of　the　Wu…Fan？〃
　　〃Of　course。　I　have　been　told　of　it。〃
　　〃But　you　have　never　sought　to　join？〃
　　〃No。　The　tongs　would　not　permit。　I　must　not　oppose　the　tongs。　I　learn　much　through　them。〃
　　〃I　understand；〃　said　Cleve。　〃Well；　Moy　Chen；　I'm　not　satisfied　with　this　report。　I　want　to　see　the　Wu…Fan　at　first　hand；　you　understand？　It's　spreading　all　over　the　country；　and　I'm　here　to　take　a　good　look　at　its　headquarters。　How　would　you　suggest　I　go　about　it？〃
　　Moy　Chen　considered　the　question　thoughtfully。　His　blinking　eyes　and　round　face　showed　perplexity。　Cleve　offered　a　suggestion。
　　〃A　man　named　Stephen　Laird　was　killed；〃　he　said。　〃He　was　an　American。　He　was　also　a　member　of　the　Wu…Fan。　Can　you　explain　that？〃
　　〃Yes；〃　said　Moy　Chen　simply。　〃As　you　have　said；　Ling　Soo　has　men　who　travel　far。　They　go　many　places　for　him。　They　see　many　people　who　are　Chinese；　and　who　are　with　the　Wu…Fan。　Americans　may　travel　with　more　ease　than　may　Chinese。　That　is　why　Ling　Soo　can　use　Americans。〃
　　〃What　are　the　qualifications？〃
　　〃I　do　not　know；　but　I　can　make　a　suppose〃…Moy　Chen　was　slipping　into　a　trace　of　pidgin　English。　〃If　an　American　man　should　seek　to　be　with　the　Wu…Fan；　he　could　do　so。　I　think　I　could　tell　him　how。〃
　　〃Give　me　your　idea；　Moy　Chen。〃
　　〃There　are　certain　Chinese　who　are　easy　friends　for　an　American　man　to　make。　If　that　American　man　should　be　full　of　interest　in　what　they　say；　he　would　hear　from　them　in　the　Wu…Fan。　If　he　should　listen　well；　and　speak　high　of　it；　they　would　want　him　to　be　with　the　Wu…Fan；　too。〃
　　〃Great！〃　exclaimed　Cleve。　〃That's　my　ticket；　Moy　Chen。　If　I　join　the　Wu…Fan；　I'll　have　the　real　slant　on　the　whole　crew。　But　I　won't　be　Branch　when　I　meet　that　outfit。〃
　　〃You　must　be　someone　else；〃　agreed　Moy　Chen。
　　〃And　you　are　the　man　to　see　that　I　am；〃　returned　Cleve；　knowingly。
　　〃When　do　you　wish　to　do　this？〃　asked　Moy　Chen。
　　〃As　soon　as　possible；〃　answered　Cleve。
　　〃As　soon　as　possible；〃　mused　the　Chinaman。　〃As　soon　as　possible。　That　is　now。　You　shall　be　someone　else…now。〃
　　Rising　slowly；　he　went　across　the　room　with　short；　toddling　steps。　He　beckoned　to　Cleve　to　follow。
　　Through　a　door　they　went；　into　a　side　room。　From　a　large　chest；　Moy　Chen　removed　well…pressed　clothes　and　a　box　of　make…up　materials。
　　The　transformation　began。　Cleve　submitted　himself　to　Moy　Chen's　art。　The　Chinese　undercover　man　was　a　master　in　the　creation　of　disguise。　With　subtle　touches　here　and　there；　he　seemed　to　change　the　contour　of　his　subject's　face。
　　When　Cleve　had　donned　the　other　clothes；　he　examined　himself　in　the　mirror　at　the　side　of　the　room。
　　He　found　himself　staring　at　a　face　that　he　could　never　have　recognized　as　his　own。　It　had　taken　on　a　swarthy　hue。　The　cheeks　seemed　less　full。　Even　the　square　chin　had　lost　its　challenge。　Deftly；　Moy　Chen　had　added　patches　of　eyebrows　that　had　effected　the　most　noticeable　change。
　　Rubbing　his　hand　over　his　face；　Cleve　was　pleased　to　find　that　his　new　visage　would　stand　the　test。　He　had　heard　of　Moy　Chen's　ability　in　forming　new　features。　He　had　witnessed　it　now；　in　himself。
　　〃You　say　that　Ling　Soo　has　seen　you；〃　declared　Moy　Chen。　〃He　has　seen　the　man　named　Branch。　He　has　not　seen　this　man。　You　may　go　to　see　Ling　Soo。　He　will　not　know。　That　I　can　say…and　I　mean…sure。〃
　　Cleve　reached　in　the　pocket　of　his　vest　and　produced　a　wallet。　It　was　a　special　one　that　he　always　carried　with　him。　It　contained　cards　and　other　identifying　articles　that　bore　the　name　of　Hugo　Barnes。　He　showed　these　to　Moy　Chen。　The　Chinaman　nodded。
　　
　　
　　MOY　CHEN　led　the　way　through　a　series　of　passages　and　down　two　short　flights　of　stairs。　They　arrived　in　a　little　ground…floor　office；　ing　through　a　door　that　slid　back　to　form　a　portion　of　the　wall。
　　Seating　himself　at　a　desk；　Moy　Chen　carefully　wrote　out　a　list　of　names。
　　These　were　Chinese　businessmen　whom　Cleve…as　Hugo　Barnes…was　to　visit。
　　〃You　must　have　money；〃　declared　Moy　Chen。　〃You　must　show　much　money　to　those　who　are　the　right　people。　The　Wu…Fan　likes　those　who　have　much　money。〃
　　The　Chinaman　produced　a　stack　of　bills　from　a　desk　drawer；　and　tendered　them　to　the　newly　created　Hugo　Barnes。
　　〃It　is　from　here　you　must　go；〃　declared　Moy　Chen。　〃It　is　to　here　you　must　e　back；　while　you　are　Barnes。　When　you　should　wish　to　be　Branch　again；　you　must　go　away　by　the　door　through　which　you　came　when　you　did　see　me　first。〃
　　〃I　understand。〃
　　〃You　e　here；　when　you　wish；〃　added　Moy　Chen；　〃because　you　have　found　great　interest　in　those　goods　which　I　sell。　It　is　because　of　that　I　bring　you　in　this　room。　Here　I　bring　those　who　mean　good　business。〃
　　So　saying；　the　Chinaman　opened　the　door　of　the　room　and　brought　Cleve　into　the　back　of　a　large　store　stocked　with　Oriental　wares。
　　With　calm　demeanor；　Moy　Chen　led　his　panion　to　the　front　of　the　shop；　stopping　now　and　then　to　point　out　some　attractive　piece　of　merchandise。　At　the　door　to　the　street；　the　Chinaman　became　silent　and　stood　blinking；　as　though　expecting　a　statement　from　the　man　beside　him。
　　〃Thanks；〃　said　Hugo　Barnes；　in　a　voice　that　varied　greatly　from　the　tones　of　Cleve　Branch。　〃I　like　your　shop。　Best　place　I've　seen　in　Chinatown。　I've　got　my　eye　on　a　couple　of　things　I　want。　I'll　e　back　in　a　few　days　to　buy　them。〃
　　Moy　Chen　bowed；　silently　and　with　courtesy。　He　watched　with　approving　eyes　as　Hugo　Barnes　shuffled　from　the　shop　with　a　slow；　indifferent　gait；　no　longer　Cleve　Branch。
　　
　　
　　THE　man　who　called　himself　Hugo　Barnes　smiled　in　a　peculiar　manner　as　he　sauntered　along　the　street。　Cleve　Branch　was　eliminated　for　the　present。　This　new　identity　would　mean　new　lodgings　at　another　hotel。　The　abode　of　Cleve　Branch　would　temporarily　be　unoccupied。
　　Hugo　Barnes　affected　indifference　as　he　passed　the　Mukden　Theater。　The　first　part　of　the　game　was　ended。　Hidden　watchers　could　stare　in　vain。　Keen　eyes　could　not　detect　the　presence　of　this　disguise。　The　watched　had　bee　the　watcher。
　　Tomorrow；　Cleve　Branch；　in　a　new　identity；　would　meet　in　person　members　of　the　Wu…Fan。　But　in　the　meantime；　Hugo　Barnes　was　on　the　lookout　for　a　mysterious　shadow。　Now；　he　felt　sure；　that　shadow　would　not　move　away　as　it　had　gone　before。
　　There　was　a　patch　of　darkness　on　the　sidewalk　beyond　the　Mukden　Theater。
　　No　shadow　could　have　been　visible　there。　Perhaps　that　was　why　the　alert　eyes　of　Hugo　Barnes　failed　to　see　a　tall；　dark　figure　that　stood　motionless　in　a　blackened　doorway。
　　But　the　watching　form　saw　Hugo　Barnes。　When　the　disguised　man　rambled　by；　the　silent　figure　moved。
　　Flitting　invisibly；　it　followed　at　a　distance。　A　jet…black　cloak　and　low…brimmed　hat　concealed　the　peering　eyes　that　watched　the　man　called　Hugo　Barnes。
　　From　unseen　lips　came　a　low…almost　inaudible　laugh…a　sound　that　was　eerie　in　its　tone。
　　The　disguise　prepared　by　Moy　Chen　had　failed　in　its　first　test。　Beneath　the　semblance　of　Hugo　Barnes　was　the　concealed　personage　of　Cleve　Branch。
　　The　Shadow　had　seen…and　The　Shadow　knew！
　　
　　
　　　CHAPTER　VI　
　　　THE　WU…FAN　MEETS　
　　ANOTHER　evening　had　arrived　in　Chinatown。　Tonight；　odd　Oriental　buildings　were　aglow；　even　to　their　pagoda…shaped　roofs。
　　A　Chinese　parade　was　moving　along　the　narrow　street　beside　the　Mukden　Theater。　The　eyes　of　viewing　throngs　were　watching　it。　No　one　paid　attention　to　those　who　jostled　their　way　along　the　narrow　sidewalks　behind　the　pageant　crowd。
　　Among　the　few　who　were　pressing　past　the　standing　hordes　was　Cleve　Branch…in　his　disguised　personality　of　Hugo　Barnes。　He　was　on　his　way　to　something　more　important　than　a　motorized　version　of　an　Oriental　pageant。　He　was　bound　to　a　meeting　of　the　Wu…Fan。
　　Moy　Chen　had　served　him　well。　Without　even　mentioning　the　name　of　the　undercover　Chinaman；　Cleve　had　made　the　acquaintance　of　the　men　whom　Moy　Chen　had　suggested。
　　A　roll　of　paper　money；　tactfully　displayed　in　a　Chinese　shop；　will　work　wonders。　With　Cleve…or　Hugo；　as　he　preferred　to　call　himself…it　had　proven　a　perfect　passport。
　　He　had　made　friends　with　three　Americanized　Chinese。　From　one　of　them；　he　had　heard　of　the　Wu…Fan。　He　had　mentioned　the　subject　to　another。　The　third　had　discussed　it　of　his　own　accord。
　　Through　his　expression　of　admiration　for　Chinese　customs；　Hugo　Barnes　had　received　an　unexpected　invitation　to　be　present　at　the　meeting　of　the　order。　He　had　accepted。　The　place　had　been　named。　It　was　Ling　Soo's。
　　Cleve　paused　before　the　entrance　to　Ling　Soo's　abode；　and　waited　while　a　Chinaman　detached　himself　from　the　crowd　that　lined　the　curb。
　　The　Celestial　entered　Ling　Soo's。　Cleve　gave　him　time　to　reach　the　elevator；　then　went　in　alone。　He　waited　for　the　lift　to　descend；　and　rode　up　to　the　floor　where　Ling　Soo　lived。
　　He　drew　the　cord　at　the　anteroom　door。　This　was　in　accordance　with　instructions。　Foy　appeared　and　glared　suspiciously。　Cleve　lost　no　time　in　declaring　his　false　identity。
　　〃My　name　is　Hugo　Barnes；〃　he　said。　〃You　savvy？　Go　tellee　boss　that　Melican　man　is　here。〃
　　The　words　had　their　effect　upon　Foy。　The　stoop…shouldered　man　evidently　recognized　the　name　of　Hugo　Barnes。　He　hesitated　no　longer。　He　opened　the　door　and　allowed　Cleve　to　enter。
　　There　were　more　than　two　dozen　persons　in　Ling　Soo's　reception　room。　Cleve　stood　uncertainly　for　a　moment；　then　one　of　his　Chinese　friends　came　forward　and　drew　him　toward　the　large　chair　where　Ling　Soo　sat　in　state。
　　Awkwardly　following　his　panion's　gesture；　Cleve　touched　his　forehead　with　his　forefinger　and　received　Ling　Soo's　salute。
　　The　leader's　eyes　were　mild；　but　quizzical；　as　they　rested　upon　the　American。　There　seemed　to　be　some　purpose　in　Ling　Soo's　study。　Americans　were　rare　converts　to　the　Wu…Fan；　Cleve　fancied。　There　were　none　here　tonight　besides　himself。　Perhaps　they　were　much　desired。　From　what　Moy　Chen　had　said；　Ling　Soo　always　required　capable　traveling　delegates。
　　〃It　is　a　pleasure；　Mr。　Barnes；〃　said　Ling　Soo；　with　a　friendly　smile。　〃A　pleasure；　indeed；　to　have　you　with　us　this　evening。　I　have　heard　about　you　from　my　friends。　They　say　that　they　have　told　you　the　purpose　of　the　Wu…Fan。〃
　　〃They　have；〃　replied　Cleve；　in　the　voice　he　used　for　Hugo　Barnes。　〃I　was　very　interested　in　what　they　had　to　say　about　your　order。〃
　　〃They　have　suggested；〃　continued　Ling　Soo；　〃that　you　be　named　a　member　of　the　Wu…Fan。　Is　that　your　wish？〃
　　〃I　should　consider　it　an　honor；〃　said　Cleve。
　　〃So　it　shall　be；〃　declared　Ling　Soo。
　　
　　
　　HE　clapped　his　hands。　There　was　silence　in　the　room。　Foy　crept　forward；　and　stood　beside　his　master's　throne。　Ling　Soo；　in　the　singsong　words　of　the　Chinese　language；　made　an　announcement　to　the　others。　A　response　of　approval　came　in　reply。
　　At　Ling　Soo's　mand；　Foy　thrust　forward　a　small　box。　From　it；　Ling　Soo　produced　a　small　blue　badge　tha