Chapter 9
“Well, Craig-Fry?” said the Honorable Mr. Bidulph, the next day, to the two agents whom he had appointed to watch over the new patron of the Centenary.
“Well,” answered Craig, “we followed him yesterday during a long walk which he took in the country around Shang-hai”—
“And he certainly did not appear like a man who is thinking of killing himself,” added Fry.
“And, when night came, we escorted him as far as his door”—
“Which, unfortunately, we could not enter.”
“And this morning?” asked Mr. Bidulph.
“We have heard,” answered Craig, “that he was”—
“As safe and sound as the Palikao bridge,” added Fry.
The agents Craig and Fry—two unmistakable Americans, two cousins in the employ of the Centenary—were absolutely only one being in two persons, who could not possibly be more
