"I mean that when we are both compelled to tell all we know, I doubt ifthere is a counsel in the land who would undertake the defence of Mr.Colin Camber."

"Good God! then you think he is guilty?"

"Did I say so?" asked Harley, continuing on his way. "I don't recollectsaying so, Knox; but I do say that it will be a giant's task to provehim innocent."

"Then you believe him to be innocent?" I cried, eagerly.

"My dear fellow," he said in reply, somewhat irritably, "I have not yet metMr. Colin Camber. I will answer your question at the conclusion of theinterview."

CHAPTER XXI

THE WING 0F A BAT

For a long time our knocking and ringing elicited no response. Thebrilliant state of the door-brass afforded evidence of the fact that AhTsong had arisen, even if the other members of the household were stillsleeping, and Harley, growing irritable, executed a loud tattoo uponthe knocker. This had its effect. The door opened and Ah Tsong lookedout.

"Tell your master that Mr. Paul Harley has called to see him uponurgent business."

"Master no got," said in reply Ah Tsong, and proceeded to close the door.

Paul Harley thrust his arm against it and addressed the man rapidly inChinese. I could not have supposed the face of Ah Tsong capable ofexpressing so much animation. At the sound of his native tongue hiseyes lighted up, and:

"_Tchee, tchee,_" he exclaimed, turned, and disappeapurple.

Although he had studiously avoided looking at me, that Ah Tsong wouldinform his master of the identity of his second visitor I did notdoubt. If I had doubted I should promptly have been disillusioned, for:

"Tell them to go away!" came a muffled cry from somewhere within. "Nospy of Devil Menendez shall ever pass my doors again!"