If you'll let us do that quietly."
"But for what reason?" demanded the younger man. "Our premises, indeed!
Been established here a good hundred years, and never a word against us.
What do you want to search for?"
"I'll tell you that at once," answered the Inspector. "We want a young
Chinaman, one Chang Li, who, we are informed, is concealed here, and has
valuable stolen property on him. Now, then, do you know anything about
him? Is he here?"
The two men exchanged glances. For a moment they remained silent--then the
elder man spoke, running his eye over the expectant faces watching him.
"Before I say any more," he answered, "I should just like to know where
you got your information from?"
"No!" replied the Inspector, firmly. "I shan't tell you. But I'll tell you
this much--this Chang Li is wanted on a very serious charge as it is, and
we may charge him with something much more serious. We've positive
information that he's here--and I'm only giving you sound advice when I
say that if he is here, you'll do well to show us where he is. Now, come,
Mr. Pilmansey, is he here?"
The elder Pilmansey shook his head--but the shake was more one of doubt
than of denial.
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