“What do you say?” he muttered irresolutely.

“I think the plan is a good one, and should be adopted,” was the instant reply.

Nevertheless, Winter was perplexed.  He hemmed and hawed a good deal.  Seldom did he hesitate in this fashion.  As a rule, he was quick to decide and quicker to act.

“I might entertain your scheme if I were told more about it,” he said dubiously, gazing with troubled eyes at the Chinaman’s blandly inscrutable face.  “Please believe me when I say that I trust your good faith, but I am not sure that even you understand fully the nature of the adventure you have in mind.  Wong Li Fu has already committed one murder in London.  He has attempted others, and is absolutely careless of consequences.  How can I have any guarantee that you and this other gentleman may not be his next victims?  He is a person who displays a somewhat forced humor.  We might enter the Charlotte Street house at one o’clock and find your corpses there, with labels and ivory skulls neatly attached.”

“That will not be so,” was the grave answer.

“If I agree, what time do you propose going there?”

“About midnight.”

“And do you expect the police to leave the whole neighborhood severely alone for another hour?”

“Not unless you wish it.  If you so desire you can occupy both ends of the street, and arrest every Chinaman coming away from No. 412, but let those pass who go towards it.”

“Will others go there—­ friends of yours, I mean?”

" Oh, yes.  We will overpower the Young Manchus by taking them unaware.  We will act quietly, but there will be no mistake.  It is you who will err if you do not accept our help.”

Then Winter yielded, though not with a good grace.  The implied suggestion that the London police could not handle a set of Mongolian ruffians was utterly distasteful, yet he admitted, though unwillingly, that he did not want to sacrifice some of his best men in rushing the place.

“All right,” he said.  “Hand over the skulls, Furneaux!  It is quite agreed,” he went on, addressing the Chinaman again, “that I have full liberty of action in so far as preliminary arrangements are concerned?  I see your point that Wong Li Fu must not be forewarned, and shall take care that my men are hidden.  I have your positive assurance, too, that you are not exposing your own life in any way?”

“To the best of my belief I shall be as safe in Charlotte Street as I am here,” said the jute merchant, smiling for the first time during the interview.

“One!  Two!  Three!” said Furneaux, counting the skulls into the Chinaman’s outstretched hand.

For some reason, the action, no less than the words, jarred on Winter.

“I do wish you wouldn’t be so d——­d theatrical!” he growled.

Furneaux said nothing.  He accompanied the chief inspector when the latter escorted the two Chinamen to their car, and whistled softly between his teeth while Winter and he were walking to Scotland Yard.  The big man glowered at him once or twice, but passed no comment.  When they reached the Embankment, Winter took Furneaux to his room, but left him instantly.  He was absent a long time.  When he came in again he was cheerfully placid.