“I cannot make up my mind. He spoke of a mysterious purpose of which I was supposed to be acquainted, as I told you, and of a mysterious person who was to be safeguarded. And he was intensely and passionately in earnest. Whatever it is, it was of tremendous moment to him.” “Then there is Forrester’s whispered injunction to you at the end; also the garrotting of the stranger from Butte outside the door. I tell you, Ken, you have had a night of it, and no mistake.” For a moment both were silent. They smoked thoughtfully and the corners of their eyes were gathered in tight little lines. Suddenly the cigarette dropped from Kenyon’s hand, and he uttered a cry. “What is it?” asked Webster, in surprise. “Only the check,” answered the other, ironically. “What confounded stupidity! I never thought to look whose signature was attached to it.” “Holy Smoke!” ejaculated Webster. And he sat regarding his friend with bulging eyes. Kenyon drew the check from his pocket and opened it; he gave it a single glance, and then sank back in his chair, disappointment in every line of his face. “It is signed by Hong Yo,” he said. VI KENYON HAS ANOTHER ODD EXPERIENCE “And when darkness fell, he stopped at a caravansary where there were other travelers also.” --_The Amazing Adventures of Mansour Bi._ THE two young men sat regarding one another, vexedly. “Now was there ever such an aggravating thing before,” cried Webster, at last. “I felt sure that it would contain the old man’s name, and that our guessing was at an end.” He took the check from Kenyon’s hand and inspected it closely. “Whew!” he whistled. “Your services are placed at a pretty high figure, Kenyon. This calls for as many as ten thousand dollars. Apparently the parties whom you visited last night are not at all stinted for money.” “It looks that way, to be sure,” answered Kenyon, dryly. “And upon second thought we may glean some information from the check, after all. The bank will surely know something of Hong Yo.” “Unquestionably. But will they tell it to you?” “Very likely not. Banks are rather disposed to be noncommittal, I have found. But I can call there and inquire, at any rate.” “Moritze & Co.,” read Webster thoughtfully, still examining the check. “Somehow it seems to me that I’ve heard of that house before.” He pondered awhile, then suddenly said: “Ah, I have it. It’s a Seattle concern, and is much favored by the Pacific trade--steamship companies, exporters, and the like. Webster & Seybold have done business through them; they have branches in Hong Kong and Tokio, and the Orientals seem to rely greatly upon them.” He handed the slip of paper back to Kenyon and inquired: “But what are you going to do with this!”