it was good to be out in the open air, to breathe the pure atmosphere once more. for a long time the chinaman stalked on ahead until the docks were passed and the tower bridge loomed high against the sky. it wanted little till daylight now, and already there was a red glow in the east. but the chinaman went on and on till he came to the strand and thence across into leicester square, to oxford street and behind gower street. there were gardens and trees looming ghostly in the morning mist, and before one of the gardens the chinaman stopped and peered through the high gate. he stood for a moment or two as still as statue, then suddenly he grasped uzali's arm.
"there," he whispered. "you see yourself."
without another word he turned and sped silently down the road as if his feet were shod with india-rubber. on uzali, peeping through the bars of the gate, this defection was lost. he was too intent upon some object which appeared to be creeping across the grass. in a low whisper he called mercer's attention to it, but the latter could see nothing.
"i forgot you do not possess our eyesight," uzali murmured. "but there is one of the men i am in search of. what they are doing here i don't know. that is what i mean to find out. now give me a lift over this gate and stay till i come back. oh, there is no danger."
in his heart of hearts mercer did not feel so sure of it. but it was not for him to question uzali's purpose. to lift the latter over the gate was easy, and a second or two later he was safe on the other side.
"one moment before i go," he said. "i am an utter stranger and have never seen this place before. so far as i can judge this is a fine square with a number of good houses round it. it is not difficult to guess that these fellow-countrymen of mine have their eye upon one of the residences. now, do you think you could find out the names of some of the residents? of course, i know it is rather a risky thing to try at this time of the morning, but you might hit upon some unsuspicious policeman who can give you all the information you want."
the request seemed ridiculous, almost farcical, but mercer promised. neither was he the less anxious to find out for himself, because a shrewd idea had come into his mind and he resolved to put it to the test. he strode off down the road as if on some important errand and presently he saw a policeman swinging silently along. there was an element of risk in what he was about to do, but mercer did not hesitate.
"i have been looking for an officer for some time," he said. "i wonder if you could be of assistance to me."
the policeman pulled up hurriedly and flashed his lantern full on mercer's face. he was not in the least disposed to be friendly. evidently his suspicions were aroused.
"what can i do for you?" he asked curtly.
"well, you see, i have just landed off a voyage," mercer said, "and i have had the misfortune to mislay all my belongings. i could not think where to go until it struck me that i had, a friend who lived somewhere near here, a ship-owner by the name of flower. do you happen to know his name?"
the policeman shook his head slowly.
"i can't say as i do," he said. "you see, i haven't been on duty in these parts very long, and anyway, i don't suppose your friend would care to be knocked up at this time in the morning."
"naturally enough," wilfrid said coolly, "but, you see, i was not disposed to do that. if i can only find the house it will be easy to walk about till daylight."
once more the policeman hesitated. his suspicions were not altogether lulled.
"you had better come with me and speak to my sergeant," he said. "i have got to meet him in five minutes at the top of torrington place. he will tell you about this mr. flower."
there was no help for it, so mercer strode along carelessly by the side of the constable until the sergeant made his appearance. he seemed to be just as cold and suspicious as his colleague, but at the same time wilfrid had the satisfaction of knowing that he had not drawn a bow at a venture altogether in vain, for at the mention of samuel flower's name the sergeant's face changed.
"oh, yes, i know mr. flower well enough," he said. "he lives at number twenty-three on the other side of the square. for the most part he spends his time in the country. but the family is in town to-night, because i was passing the house when they came home from a party. but what do you want with mr. samuel flower, young fellow? you don't look like the sort of company he generally keeps."
"very likely not," wilfrid said coldly. "but the fact remains that i was once in mr. flower's service as doctor on one of his boats. i am much obliged to you for your information, which will save me a great deal of trouble in the morning."
wilfrid strolled away quite naturally and easily; indeed, he was so cool and collected that the sergeant allowed him to depart with a curt good-night. there was just the chance that the officer might change his mind, so that mercer sped on rapidly back to gower street, nor did he breathe freely till he stood once more outside the gate over which he had helped uzali to climb. it struck wilfrid as being a good idea that he should climb the gate himself and stay till the square keeper came in the morning to unlock the gates. no sooner had this idea occurred to him than he proceeded to put it into operation. he dropped quietly on to the path on the other side and settled himself down to wait in patience for uzali to reappear. twice did he walk the circuit of the garden. twice did he pass samuel flower's house; the brass numbers on the door shone so steadily under the street lamp that there was no mistaking it. the house appeared to be in darkness save one light in an upper room, which flickered every now and again as if a window had been opened and the draught had caused the gas to flare unsteadily. there was nothing for it but to wait with what patience he possessed, although wilfrid was getting tired of his adventure. he was wondering if it would be safe to light a cigarette to pass the time away. he looked around him and saw in the centre of the garden a dense mass of bushes where he might conceal himself and smoke without the faintest chance of detection.
he made his way across the grass, and as he reached the shelter of the thicket he seemed to hear some one breathing stertorously. shading the vesta in his hand he swept the shining blue flame over the grass. there was the outline of a figure lying on its back with a pale face turned up to the sky.
"good heavens!" mercer cried, "why, it's uzali!"
at the mention of his name the malay opened his eyes and looked drearily about him. there was a nasty cut on the side of his head and a big black bruise under the left eye. it did not take mercer long to discover that his companion was suffering from loss of blood, but so far as he could see no very great harm had come to him. a minute or two later uzali staggered to his feet.
"how did it happen?" wilfrid exclaimed.
uzali put the question aside impatiently.
"don't ask me now," he whispered. "get me home as soon as you can. i will tell you about it in the morning. no, you are not to come home with me. you will put me in a cab and send me straight round to my flat. i can summon my own doctor by telephone and no one will be any the wiser. now do you think you could manage to get me over that gate?"
there was something so imperious in uzali's manner that wilfrid asked no questions. by the great exertion of strength he managed to lift uzali over the gate and deposit him on the coping-stones outside. a sleepy driver of a hansom cab came plodding along and mercer summoned him without delay.
"my friend has had an accident," he said. "here is his card and address. i want you to get him home as soon as possible and see him into his flat. you will have nothing more to do after that except to mind your own business and ask no questions. come, my good man, i don't suppose you will mind earning a five-pound note like that. it isn't much for the money."
"i'll do it," the cabman said hoarsely. "i haven't earned ten shillings to-night. now come on, sir."
uzali was lifted bodily into the cab and as the driver reached the box the wounded man whispered a few, terse peremptory words to wilfrid. a moment later the cab was out of sight. wilfrid wondered what was going to happen next. he made his way back into the square again to the thicket of evergreens where he had dropped his cigarette case. he could see the houses opposite now. he could see that a flare of light had flashed upon the second floor in samuel flower's residence; quite plainly against the blinds were the shadows of two men struggling together. it was only for a moment, then all was thick darkness again. wilfrid stood there rubbing his eyes in bewilderment.
