door. A wave of exquisite nervousness rippled
through the silence of the static-room as the door clicked.

When the rumor reached the _Vandalia_, lying in state at her pier, that
Peter Moore had resigned, Captain Jones, after bluntly airing his
disappointment, advanced the theory to his chief engineer that Sparks
had "taken the East too much to heart. The fangs are in too deep."

"He will be on hand sailing time," added the chief engineer, who had
been trying to retire from active duty in the China run for eleven
years.

But Moore did not come back to the _Vandalia_ for that reason at all.

CHAPTER II

Communication between certain individuals in China and their relatives
and friends in Chinatown must, for political and other reasons, be
conducted in a secret way. In Shanghai, Moore had made the
acquaintance, under somewhat mysterious auspices, of Ching Gow Ong, an
important figure in the silk traffic.

Moore, so it was said by those who were in a position to know, had once
performed a favor for Ching Gow Ong, of which no one seemed to know the
particulars. What was of equal importance, perhaps, was that Ching Gow
Ong would have willingly given Moore any gift within his power had
Moore been so inclined.

But it appears that Moore was not a seeker after wealth, thereby giving
some real basis to the common belief that he possessed that rare
thing--a virginal spirit of adventure. He cemented this queer
friendship by conveying messages, indited in Chinese script, which he
did not read, between Ching Gow Ong and his brother, Lo Ong, officially
dead, who conducted a vile-smelling haunt in the bowels of Chinatown.

Peter Moore made his way through the narrowing alleys, proceeded
through a maze of blank walls, down a damp stone stairway, and rapped
upon a black iron door. It opened instantly, and a long clawlike hand
reached forth, accepted the yellow envelope from the operator's hand,
and slowly, silently withdrew, the door closing as quickly and as
quietly as it had opened.

No words were spoken. His errand done, Peter Moore retraced his steps
to the wider and brighter lanes which comprised the Chinatown known to
tourists.

He walked slowly, with his head inclined a little to one side, which
was a habit he had acquired from the eternal listening into the hard
rubber receivers. He had proceeded in this fashion a number of steps
up one of the narrow, sloping sidewalks when he felt, rather than
percei