Approaching Tong Wah, he asked: "When will the death-drink be
ready?"
"It is now prepared," was the reply.
Long Sin took the bowl in which the liquor had been mixed, and,
having examined it, he gave a nod and a grunt of satisfaction.
Then he mounted the ladder again and disappeared.
As soon as he had gone Tong Wah, picking up several of the vials,
went out through an iron door at the end of the room.
A few minutes later the Clutching Hand drove up to Long Sin's
house in the taxicab and, after paying the chauffeur, went to the
door and knocked sharply.
In response to his knocking Long Sin appeared on the threshold and
motioned to Bennett to come in, evidently astonished to see him.
As he entered, Bennett made a secret sign and said: "I am the
Clutching Hand. Kennedy is close on my trail, and I have come to
be hidden."
In a tone which betrayed alarm and fear the Chinaman intimated
that he had no place in which Bennett could be concealed with any
degree of safety.
For a moment Bennett glared savagely at Long Sin.
"I possess hidden plunder worth seven million dollars," he pleaded
quickly, "and if by your aid I can make a getaway, a seventh is
yours."
The Chinaman's cupidity was clearly excited by Bennett's offer,
while the bare mention of the amount at stake was sufficient to
overcome all his scruples.
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