"I must have hit my head in some way," reasoned Ed. "That's what's the matter. Bless me, don't I feel queer! What strange dreams I have had! I suppose Pow Chow thinks I have been drowned." He felt now that it was time to act, and he tried to stand up in the boat. Very quickly Ed found that this would not work. He was glad to sit down on the seat. If he had not done so he surely would have fallen. Just then the boat began to move rapidly forward. Looking, Ed saw that a hand was clutching the rope. The boat was pulled out from under the pier and Ed saw a tough looking young man clinging to a standing ladder. "Aw, say," he cried, "youse is come back to business, has you? Come up out of dat now. You must climb de ladder. De Chinks are waitin' for yer--see?" "I--I can't!" gasped Ed. "I'm too dizzy." "Yer must!" was the reply. "But I shall fall into the water." "No yer won't, and if yer do I'll be behind to ketch yer. Can't stop here without any clothes on--see?" He jumped into the boat, continuing to urge Ed to make the move, which he presently did. The man kept close behind him, and it was well that he did, for twice Ed lost his hold. The fellow supported him, however, and he finally got upon the pier, where he sank down at the feet of two Chinamen. "I guess youse has doped him half to de't, dat's what's de matter," said the man. "He comee alle light. He comee lound allee light," chattered one of the Chinamen. And sure enough, in a few minutes Ed found himself much better. The other Chink had a suit of Chinese clothes, and he now ordered Ed to dress himself in them, which he was able to do with some help. By this time the illusion had been dispelled. Not only were these the same Chinamen, but Ed could see by the lights of the bridges that they were now away downtown, for he had studied the map of New York and he knew about where the bridges were located. The two Chinamen now led him down the uncovered pier to South street, where an old ramshackle hack was waiting. Ed got in unresistingly. He was too weak to help himself. The tough proved to be the driver. He got on the box, started up his horses and rounded them up in Chinatown. During the ride Ed dropped off asleep and had to be aroused. He was so weak and heavy that they had to almost carry him. They passed through a narrow hallway and went down into a cellar. Here a trap door was raised and they went still further down. They were, in fact, descending into the secret dens of Pell street. Ed was rounded up in a little room where there were several Chinese sleeping on mattresses which had been thrown on the floor. All were boys. The place was abominably hot and smelled horribly. There was no mattress for Ed. He was told to lie down beside a boy who did not even arouse as he dropped upon it. A moment later Ed was sound asleep. And he must have slept very soundly--perhaps he was drugged again--for when he awoke he was in a smaller room, lying alone upon a cot-bed.