The Pagan Madonna - Page 38/141

"Will you open the door?"

The manager agreed to do that. The bedroom was empty. The bed had not been

touched. But there was no evidence that the occupant did not intend to

return.

"We shall leave everything just as it is," said Dennison, authoritatively.

"I am her friend. If she does not return by one o'clock I shall notify the

police and have the young lady's belongings transferred to the American

consulate. She is under the full protection of the United States

Government. You will find out if any saw her leave the hotel, and what the

time was. Stay here in the doorway while I look about."

He saw the jade necklace reposing in the soap dish, and in an ironical

mood he decided not to announce the discovery to the Chinaman. Let him pay

for his cupidity. In some mysterious manner he had got his yellow claws on

those infernal beads, and the rogue Cunningham had gone to him with a

substantial bribe. So let the pigtail wail for his jade.

On the dresser he saw a sheet of paper partly opened. Beside it lay a torn

envelope. Dennison's heart lost a beat. The handwriting was his father's!