"Of course, you have brought the cash, Mr. Hampden?" he said.

He speaks quite faultless English. He walked up three steps to a
sort of raised writing-table in this upstairs room, and I counted
out the money to him. When he sat at the table he faced toward
the room, and I couldn't help thinking that, in his horn-rimmed
spectacles, he looked like some old magistrate. He explained
that he would pack the purchase for me, but that I must
personally take it away. And:

"You understand," said he, "that you bought it from a gentleman
who had purchased it abroad."

I said I quite understood. He bowed me out very politely, and
presently I found myself back in the office with Lala Huang.

She seemed quite disposed to talk, and I chatted with her while
the box was being packed for me to take away. I knew I must make
good use of my time, but you have never given me a job I liked
less. I mean, there is something very appealing about her, and I
hated to think that I was playing a double game. However,
without actually agreeing to see me again, she told me enough to
enable me to meet her "accidentally," if I wanted to. Therefore,
I am going to look out for her this evening, and probably take
her to a picture palace, or somewhere where we can have a quiet
talk. She seems to be fancy free, and for some reason I feel
sorry for the girl. I don't altogether like the job, but I hope
to justify your faith in me, Chief.