There was nothing notable about the room except a handsome gilt scroll hanging against the wall which represented the Chinese dragon. It was really a handsome piece of work. Here the eye bandage was removed and Harry was left to his own reflections. They were anything but pleasant, for once again he found himself a prisoner in the secret dens of Pell street. "But why didn't they take Alice?" he asked himself. "Why was it only me?" He was soon to learn, if Joe Ding was to be believed, for within an hour the Chinaman came to him alone, unlocking the heavy door behind a pair of portieres which had resisted all Harry's efforts. He might, indeed, have managed to open it if he had been left his skeleton keys. But as we should have mentioned, he was searched at the start, and these with his revolver, watch and what money he had about him, were taken away. The Chinaman locked the door behind him and came forward with a look of mystery on his face. "I suppose you are feeling very sore toward me, Brady," he said. "Well, I must admit, Joe, that I am not especially happy," replied Harry. "But what is it you have to say? Let's have it, quick!" "It's just this," replied the Chinaman, "I've saved your life." "How do you figure that out?" "Easy. You have bunked up against one of the most dangerous tongs in Chinatown, and all the more dangerous on account of its being so little known. I refer to the Brotherhood of the Red Door." "I have known this long time that such a society existed in San Francisco, but I didn't know they had a lodge here in New York." "Well, they have." "Are you a member?" "Now don't go to asking questions. It is enough for you to know that your death has been decreed by this tong. It is the same with Old King Brady. You want to tell him that." "How can I tell him when I am a prisoner here in this secret den?" "Wait! You may get out of this. Now let me tell you that I helped capture you for a purpose. I haven't forgotten what you did for me. I persuaded them to lock you up in this room till night. Then they mean to kill you, run your corpse out in a wagon, and dump it into the river, but I am here now to set you free." Joe Ding seemed sincere. Harry responded heartily. Thanking the Chinaman, he promised that he should be well paid if he carried out his plan. "I hope you will let up on that money business," Joe said. "I warn you, it is at the risk of your lives if you follow it up." "Look here, Joe," replied Harry, "that's all right. I can only promise to tell Old King Brady what you say. He will do as he pleases, but there was a boy mixed up in that business. What about him? Is he alive or dead?" "Ask me nothing," replied Joe Ding. "I can tell nothing, nor will I. I am here to help you, and that is just as far as I'm going--see?" Harry gave up then, as there seemed to be no other way. Joe Ding now unlocked the door, and telling Harry to wait, went out through the passage and was gone for some moments.