“In what way does this throw light on the matter?” I asked.
Durham--a very intelligent young officer--smiled significantly.
“I begin to see light!” he declared. “The gentleman who made off just as
I arrived on the scene probably had a private quarrel with the Chinaman
and was otherwise not concerned in any way.”
“I am disposed to agree with you,” I said guardedly.
“Of course, you've no idea of his identity?”
“I'm afraid not.”
“We may find him,” mused the officer, glancing at me shrewdly, “by
applying at the offices of the Planet Line, but I rather doubt it. Also
I rather doubt if we'll look very far. He's saved us a lot of trouble,
but”--peering about in the shadowy corners which abounded--“didn't I see
somebody else lurking around here?”
“I'm almost certain there was someone else!” I cried. “In fact, I could
all but swear to it.”
“H'm!” said the detective. “He's not here now. Might I trouble you to
walk along to Limehouse Police Station for the ambulance? I'd better
stay here.”