"Our affairs do not wear the aspect they bore when I called upon the Culberson Agency for help," said the secret agent.
There was an unemployed taxi-cab by the curb a little distance away; they got into this and in a short time were put down at their hotel. The secret agent asked some question of the clerk, which the latter seemed to answer in the negative; then they ascended to Ashton-Kirk's apartments.
The secret agent threw himself into a comfortable chair and drew a tobacco pouch toward him. As he rolled a cigarette he said:
"We must lie idle until I get a call from Burgess."
"Yes; I had a few words with him over the wire while at Von Stunnenberg's. The secretary told him that I was there."
Through the open window the drone of the night could be heard. It was now perhaps two o'clock, and the city was deep in sleep. From somewhere in the distance a car could be heard passing now and then; occasionally the smooth hum of a motor, or the sharp "clup-clup" of a cab horse sounded nearer at hand. In silence the two young men sat smoking; half an hour went by and then the telephone rang, brusquely. Ashton-Kirk sprang to the receiver.
"Everything right," said he. "I followed them from the embassy to the Tillinghast."
"I will be with you in a very few minutes." Then as an afterthought, the secret agent added, "They are _all_ there, I suppose."
"They all came here--yes. And they held a consultation in a small reception room on the second floor. After this the young fellow went out."
"Those men of Culberson's came in mighty handy. One of them followed him."
Ashton-Kirk hung up the receiver, and reached for his overcoat.
"Is it the Japs?" asked Fuller, expectantly.
"No," said he, "it is not the Japs. But," and the other noted the speculative look come into his singular eyes, "I rather think we shall see something more of those very interesting personages before the night is over."
A cab took them to the Tillinghast in less than a quarter of an hour. It was a huge, ornate place, showily furnished and glaring with lights. In an office floored with marble and rich with gilt and mirrors, they found Burgess, engaged in conversation with a clerk. He greeted Ashton-Kirk eagerly.
"You are just in time," said he. "The young man just came in, and two Japanese were with him."