CLEVE PLAYS THE SPY
CLEVE BRANCH had left San Francisco. He had departed on the morning after his visit to the Mukden Theater. He had gone with a report received from Joseph Darley; the final report that concerned the Wu-Fan and its persecution by the Tiger Tong.
But Cleve had left the city only as a personality. In his place, another man remained.
Once again, Hugo Barnes was on the watch in Chinatown. Moy Chen had replaced his former workmanship. The identity of Cleve Branch was obscured by the features of Hugo Barnes.
There were two spots in Chinatown that Cleve decided were worth watching.
One was the Mukden Theater; for there, he had encountered the presence of The Shadow. The other was the abode of Ling Soo. It was possible that The Shadow might appear there.
The place was also the headquarters of the Wu-Fan. And, it could be watched simultaneously with the Mukden Theater.
Fifty feet away from the entrance to the theater, Cleve lounged idly at the doorway of a Chinese auction house. The place was busy tonight, and the figure of Hugo Barnes was inconspicuous.
Cleve rubbed his hand across his face. He could almost feel the swarthiness of his complexion. He touched his overhanging eyebrows. They, more than any other feature, had changed his countenance.
Cleve had no fear of recognition, but he was wary in his actions. For although the personality of Cleve Branch was safe from detection, he remembered well that Hugo Barnes was now a budding member of the Wu-Fan.
The badge of membership was fastened to Cleve’s vest; and, recollecting his experience at the Sun Kew, he wisely kept it hidden.
Bright lights began to flash. Long rows of bulbs showed on the sides of buildings. Strange music blared from up the street.
Small crowds were forming along the sidewalks — solemn, aged Chinamen, dainty Chinese flappers, old and young were gathering to witness another of the many parades that cleaved their way along this teeming thoroughfare.
The crowd was not as large as it had been on the last pageant night. Nevertheless, it obscured the view of Ling Soo’s entrance. The lobby of the Mukden Theater was on a higher level, for the street sloped upward in that direction.
Cleve pushed his way to the curb, and moved across the street ahead of the approaching procession. He stationed himself at a new spot, and was pleased to note that here he could observe both Ling Soo’s door and the front of the theater.
Someone jostled against Cleve. He turned and stared squarely into the face of Joseph Darley!
An exclamation stopped on Cleve’s lips. His features formed a pleased grin. As Hugo Barnes, Cleve had escaped recognition. Darley had viewed him as a total stranger!
CLEVE watched the committeeman work his way along the street. What was Darley’s mission here tonight? A visit to Ling Soo?
Yes — the surmise was correct. The man had turned into the little entrance.
Knowing the comparative frequency of Darley’s visits to Ling Soo, Cleve realized that the meeting of the two men might be of small significance. Whatever might be discussed in relation to the Wu-Fan could be learned from Darley afterward.
But there was a very definite reason why Cleve could not communicate with Darley. That very morning, Cleve had announced that he was through with his investigation. Right now, he was supposed to be traveling east, away from San Francisco.
Banners were waving in the lighted streets. Exotic music was sounding with rhythmic beat. But Cleve scarcely saw or heard. A brilliant plan was forming in his mind.
Ling Soo had said that Hugo Barnes, as a new member of the Wu-Fan, would be welcome at headquarters any time. Cleve had never accepted the standing invitation.
Now was the time to do so! Perhaps, by visiting Ling Soo, he might be introduced to Darley and hear what the Chinaman was telling the chairman of the Civilian Committee!
A great idea, especially as Cleve’s disguise had proven its worth already, so far as Joseph Darley was concerned.
Acting upon the impulse, Cleve threaded his way past solemn Chinamen who were watching the parade. He reached the door to Ling Soo’s quarters and entered. The elevator came to the ground floor when he pushed the control button. Two minutes later, Cleve Branch was standing in Ling Soo’s anteroom.
A pull of the tasseled cord beside the door would summon Foy. But Cleve hesitated before performing the action. He noted that the door was ajar. Foy must have failed to close it tightly.
Softly, Cleve opened the door and stepped into Ling Soo’s hallway. The place was deserted.
It gave Cleve an idea for an excuse, should he be discovered. He could claim that he received no response to his ring — that he supposed it would be all right to enter. In character with Hugo Barnes, such an explanation might easily satisfy Ling Soo.
Cleve went forward to the brass-faced doors that bore the Chinese dragons. These portals, too, were slightly open. Not enough for Cleve to peer through, but sufficient for him to listen.
Pressing his ear to the crack, Cleve scanned the side wall and noted a hanging curtain in the hallway. It would afford a hiding place, should he need it.
The buzz of conversation reached his cars. English words were distinguishable. As Cleve listened, they became clearer, and he caught snatches of the talk.
“It is wise to wait,” came Ling Soo’s voice. “But it is not wise to wait too long—”
The words became inaudible. Perhaps the man was speaking in a lower voice. Cleve thought he heard the words “Wu-Fan” and “Tiger Tong.”
Then came Darley’s response.
“Los Angeles… next week…” These were the words that Cleve heard plainly.
“Last night…” This was only a snatch of Ling Soo’s statement “It has been settled… Green Eyes.”
There was an impressive sound to the final words. They were uttered as one would speak a name.
Green Eyes!
Dying, Stephen Laird had spoken of green eyes. Had he been telling of a living person? Of his murderer? The thought was startling!
WHY did Ling Soo name Green Eyes? There was something sinister in the title. It brought a chain of wild, fantastic ideas.
Joseph Darley had said nothing of any one called Green Eyes. Was he hearing the name for the first time tonight?
“They are ready,” Ling Soo was saying, in a tone that made Cleve realize the men were just within the doors. “Green Eyes must speak again and name the exact hour. Then you will be ready. The men will come to me.”
“Good,” said Darley.
“But you must have the paper,” came the tones of Ling Soo. “It will be the symbol that they shall accept.”
“It is safe at my apartment.”
The doors began to tremble. Quickly, Cleve slipped toward the hanging curtain. He slid behind it and found himself backed against a depressed door.
For a few moments, nothing happened. Then, the crouched form of Foy appeared from the inner room.
Peering from a corner of the curtain, Cleve saw the evil, stooping Chinaman wend his way toward the outer door that opened into the anteroom.
Ling Soo appeared, walking slowly with Joseph Darley.
Until now, Cleve had never seen the Chinaman standing. On both previous occasions, Ling Soo had remained seated on his throne that betokened his high office in the Wu-Fan. Tonight, he saw Ling Soo as a squat, chunky figure.
The Chinaman was short, but heavy. He was attired in a black robe. Emblazoned on the back was a large golden dragon, the sign of the Wu-Fan. Words were being spoken by Ling Soo and Cleve heard them plainly.
“You are sure that it is safe,” Ling Soo was saying. “It must not be seen.”
“It is buried in a bottom table drawer,” declared Darley, in return. “Nothing of value lies there. No one would know its purpose. Do not worry, Ling Soo.”
“You are going back to your apartment now?”
“No. I shall not return until late.”
“Since no one will be there—” The rest of Ling Soo’s statement was lost. It died away as the men reached the entrance to the anteroom.
A buzz was all that Cleve could hear now. Ling Soo was gesticulating. Darley was shaking his head; then nodding as though in agreement. Cleve ducked as Ling Soo turned and came waddling back toward his inner room. He heard the door of the anteroom close. Then came a cackling laugh — the harsh chuckle that Ling Soo used when he was pleased.
Hiding, Cleve relied only on his ears. He heard talk close by; probably at the dragon doors. The words were uttered in Chinese, by Ling Soo. A short response in the same language came from the lips of Foy. The brass doors clanged shut.
A slight, scarcely audible movement now told that Foy alone was in the hallway. Cleve peered forth to see the Chinese servant headed toward the anteroom. He went through the door. It closed behind him. Cleve was alone.
What should he do now? Intuitively, Cleve waited, and, while he remained, he reflected.
Something important had taken place tonight. Ling Soo had discussed unusual affairs with Joseph Darley.
Whatever the meaning might be, it was certain that the presence of an intruder was something that Ling Soo would doubtless resent. For Cleve to burst in now as Hugo Barnes would be a grave mistake. It would be preferable to reserve a visit with Ling Soo for a later occasion.
Joseph Darley was gone. Foy was in the anteroom. That indicated that the servant had also made his departure.
Foy had been present during the discussion between Ling Soo and Darley. That meant nothing, for Foy could not talk English.
It was imperative that Cleve should learn the facts regarding this unexpected conference between Ling Soo and Joseph Darley,
As Hugo Barnes, Cleve could meet Ling Soo, but it was certain that he could learn nothing from the impassive Chinaman.
To question Darley — say tomorrow — would mean a reversion to the character of Cleve Branch. How could that be avoided? A sudden thought came to Cleve.
A paper — an expected symbol — safely hidden — in the bottom drawer of a table — at Joseph Darley’s apartment — where no one would be tonight—
THESE disjointed thoughts burst upon Cleve Branch. They were the answer to his problem!
Darley had evidently received the paper from Ling Soo. It probably referred to something that concerned the Wu-Fan.
Groping for an explanation, Cleve thought that perhaps peace was to be declared between the Wu-Fan and the Tiger Tong.
But what was the use of such wasted speculation? The paper itself would tell the story.
There was one sure way to see it. That was to go to Joseph Darley’s. Cleve was acquainted with the apartment and its location. If he could find that paper, he might learn all.
What if Darley should return and discover him? What of it? In an emergency, Cleve could reveal his dual identity to Darley.
Yes; that was the solution! He would go to Darley’s and find the paper. Go there now. Acting responsively to his thought, Cleve moved sidewise from the curtain and strode cautiously to the door of the anteroom. He found the catch of the door and opened it.
As he had felt certain, the anteroom was empty. Foy had gone, as well as Joseph Darley.
Cleve descended in the elevator and breathed freely when he reached the street. The pageant had gone by now, and Cleve quietly joined the passing throng of pedestrians.
He reflected now on the safety of his position. As Hugo Barnes, he would not be suspected if any Wu-Fan men had seen him coming from the entrance to Ling Soo’s. For Cleve was a member of the Wu-Fan himself.
He could risk the visit to Darley’s — and be sure that in a pinch he could explain all to satisfaction.
In the fashion of Hugo Barnes, Cleve shuffled along the street, and cast a wary eye toward the Mukden Theater as he passed by. Only one factor had been omitted from his calculations until now. That factor was The Shadow.
But tonight, Cleve saw nothing that indicated the presence of the man in black. The Shadow could not be everywhere. Furthermore, Cleve had never seen actual traces of his presence outside of Chinatown. Traveling into the city proper, he felt sure that he would free himself from the realm of The Shadow’s observance.
Past the outskirts of Chinatown, Cleve hailed a passing cab and gave an address near the apartment house where Joseph Darley lived. Reaching his destination, he alighted, paid the driver, and waited until the tail light of the departing cab had faded in the distance.
Here, Cleve felt safe. He smiled the peculiar smile of Hugo Barnes, as he stepped into the shuffling stride.
Hugo Barnes would enter Joseph Darley’s home tonight. There, Hugo Barnes would make a find that would be of interest to Cleve Branch.
And The Shadow would not know!