ned his eyes and started
from the chair.

"Who are you?" demanded Orme.

"Why--the detective, of course."

"Detective?"

"Sure--regular force."

"Regular force?"

The stranger pulled back his coat and displayed his nickeled star.

"But what are you doing here?" gasped Orme, amazed.

"Why, a foreign fellow came to the chief and said you wanted a man to
keep an eye on your quarters to-night--and the chief sent me. I was
dozing a bit--but I'm a light sleeper. I wake at the least noise."

Orme smiled reminiscently, thinking of the snore. "Tell me," he said,
"was it Senhor Alcatrante who had you sent?"

"I believe that _was_ his name." He was slowly regaining his
sleep-benumbed wits. "That reminds me," he continued. "He gave me a note
for you."

An envelope was produced from an inside pocket. Orme took it and tore it
open. The sheet within bore the caption, "Office of The Chief of Police,"
and the few lines, written beneath in fine script, were as follows:

"Dear Mr. Orme:

"You will, I am sure, pardon my seeming over-anxiety for your
safety, and the safety of Poritol's treasure, but I cannot resist
using my influence to see that you are well-protected to-night by
what you in America call 'a plain-clothes man.' I trust that he
will frighten away the Yellow Peril and permit you to slumber
undisturbed. If you do not wish him inside your apartment, he will
sit in the hall outside your door.

"With all regard for your continued good health, believe me, dear
Mr. Orme,

"Yours, etc., etc.,

"Pedro Alcatrante."

In view of everything that had happened since the note was penned, Orme
smiled a grim smile. Alcatrante must have been very anxious indeed; and
yet, considering that the minister knew nothing of Orme's encounter with
the Japanese and his meeting with the girl, the sending of the detective
might naturally have been expected to pass as an impressive, but
friendly, precaution.

The detective was rapidly losing his self-assurance. "I had only been
asleep for a moment," he said.

"Yes?" Orme spoke indifferently. "Well, you may go now. There is no
longer any need of you here."

"But my instructions----"

"Were given under a misapprehension. My return makes your presence
unnecessary. Good-night--or good-morning, rather." He nodded toward the
door.

The detective hesitated. "Look a here!" he suddenly burst