ral common traits of character was a fact which the
dissimilarity of their complexions wholly failed to conceal. But while
Seton Pasha hid the grimness of his nature beneath a sort of humorous
reserve, the dangerous side of Kerry was displayed in his open
truculence.

Seated there in that Limehouse attic, a smoky lamp burning on the table
between them, and one gripping the stump of a cheroot between his teeth,
while the other chewed steadily, they presented a combination which none
but a fool would have lightly challenged.

"Sin Sin Wa is cunning," said Seton suddenly. "He is a very clever man.
Watch him as closely as you like, he will never lead you to the 'store.'
In the character of John Smiles I had some conversation with him this
morning, and I formed the same opinion as yourself. He is waiting for
something; and he is certain of his ground. I have a premonition, Chief
Inspector, that whoever else may fall into the net, Sin Sin Wa will slip
out. We have one big chance."

"What's that?" rapped Kerry.

"The dope syndicate can only have got control of 'the traffic' in one
way--by paying big prices and buying out competitors. If they cease to
carry on for even a week they lose their control. The people who bring
the stuff over from Japan, South America, India, Holland, and so forth
will sell somewhere else if they can't sell to Kazmah and Company.
Therefore we want to watch the ships from likely ports, or, better
still, get among the men who do the smuggling. There must be resorts
along the riverside used by people of that class. We might pick up
information there."

Kerry smiled savagely.

"I've got half a dozen good men doing every dive from Wapping to
Gravesend," he answered. "But if you think it worth looking into
personally, say the word."

"Well, my dear sir,"--Seton Pasha tossed the end of his cheroot into the
empty grate--"what else can we do?"

Kerry banged his fist on the table.

"You're right!" he snapped. "We're stuck! But anything's better than
nothing. We'll start here and now; and the first joint we'll make for is
Dougal's."

"Dougal's?" echoed Seton Pasha.

"That's it--Dougal's. A danger spot on the Isle of Dogs used by the
lowest type of sea-faring men and not barred to Arabs, Chinks, and other
gaily-colored fowl. If there's any chat going on about dope, we'll hear
it in Dougal's."

Seton Pasha stood up, smiling grimly. "Dougal's it shall be," he said.

CHAPTER XXXII. ON THE ISLE