Charlie’s frame shook with another ponderous sigh.

“Poor little Barry Chan,” he said. “He would have been happy to see me. Captain Flannery will not be so happy. Let us ride away into the face of our problems.”

CHAPTER VI

The Guest Detective


BARRY KIRK tossed Chan’s suitcase into the luggage compartment of his roadster, and the trio crowded again onto its single seat. The car swung about in the pier shed and emerged into the bright sunlight of the Embarcadero.

“You are partially consumed with wonder at my return?” suggested Chan.

The girl shrugged. “You’re back. That’s enough for me.”

“All the same, I will confess my shame. It seems I have circulated so long with mainland Americans I have now, by contagion, acquired one of their worst faults. I too suffer curiosity. Event comes off on boat which reveals, like heavenly flash, my hidden weakness.”

“Something happened on the boat?” Miss Morrow inquired.

“You may believe it did. On my supposed farewell ride through city, I inform you of Li Gung. I tell you he must be questioned. He can not be questioned now.”

“No? Why not?”

“Because he is on Maui, churning away. It is not unprobable that shortly he will experience a feeling of acute disfavor in that seat of all wisdom, the stomach.”

“Li Gung on the Maui?” repeated the girl. Her eyes were wide. “What can that mean?”

“A question,” admitted Chan, “which causes the mind to itch. Not only is Li Gung on Maui, but he was warmly encouraged away from here by a friend of ours.” He repeated the brief conversation he had overheard in the adjoining cabin.

Barry Kirk was the first to speak. “Colonel Beetham, eh?” he said. “Well, I’m not surprised.”

“Nonsense,” cried Miss Morrow warmly. “Surely he isn’t involved? A fine man like that -“

“A fine man,” Chan conceded, “and a hard one. Look in his eyes and behold; they are cold and gleaming, like the tiger’s. Nothing stands in the way when such eyes are fixed on the goal of large success - stands there long - alive.”

The girl did not seem to be convinced. “I won’t believe it. But shouldn’t we have taken Li Gung off the boat?”

Chan shrugged. “Too late. The opportunity wore rapid wings.”

“Then we’ll have him questioned in Honolulu,” Miss Morrow said.

Chan shook his head. “Pardon me if I say, not that. Chinese character too well known to me. Questioning would yield no result - save one. It would serve to advise Colonel Beetham that we look on him with icy eye.