“Getting immodest for a minute,” the Chinese said, “I am A-1 honor student in school of discretion.”

“I’m sure of that,” the great man smiled.

“No impulse to mention these matters would assail me, I am certain,” Chan went on. “You bright man, Sir Frederic - you know Chinese are psychic people.”

“Really?”

“Undubitably. Something has told me -“

“Ah yes - we needn’t go into that,” Sir Frederic put in hastily. “I have a moment’s business in the offices below. If you will excuse me -“

He disappeared with the slippers into his room. Miss Morrow turned in amazement to Kirk.

“What in the world did he mean? Surely Eve Durand -“

“Mr. Chan is psychic,” Kirk suggested. “Maybe he can explain it.”

Chan grinned. “Sometimes psychic feelings lead positively nowhere,” he remarked.

Paradise escorted two more guests through the outer hall into the living-room. A little, bird-like woman was on tiptoe, kissing Barry Kirk.

“Barry, you bad boy. I haven’t seen you for ages. Don’t tell me you’ve forgot your poor old grandmother.”

“I couldn’t do that,” he laughed.

“Not while I have my health and strength,” she returned. She came toward the fireplace. “How cozy you are -“

“Grandmother - this is Miss Morrow,” Kirk said. “Mrs. Dawson Kirk.”

The old lady took both the girl’s hands. “My dear, I’m happy to know you -“

“Miss Morrow is a lawyer,” Kirk added.

“Lawyer fiddlesticks,” his grandmother cried. “She couldn’t be - and look like this.”

“Just what I said,” nodded Kirk.

The old lady regarded the girl for a brief moment. “Youth and beauty,” she remarked. “If I had those, my child, I wouldn’t waste time over musty law books.” She turned toward Chan. “And this is -“

“Sergeant Chan, of the Honolulu police,” Kirk told her.

The old lady gave Charlie a surprisingly warm handclasp. “Know all about you,” she said. “I like you very much.”

“Flattered and overwhelmed,” gasped Chan.

“Needn’t be,” she answered.

The woman who had accompanied Mrs. Kirk stood rather neglected in the background. Kirk hurried forward to present her. She was, it seemed, Mrs. Tupper-Brock, Mrs. Kirk’s secretary and companion. Her manner was cold and distant. Chan gave her a penetrating look and then bowed low before her.

“Paradise will show you into one of the guest rooms,” said Kirk to the women.