and had bungled some important commission. It
occurred to Orme that the secret of the bill might be connected with the
negotiation of a big business concession in Alcatrante's country. "S. R.
Evans" might be trying to get control of rubber forests or mines--in the
Urinaba Mountains, perhaps, after all.

In any event, he felt positive that the secret of the bill did not
rightfully belong to Poritol. If the bill had been in his possession, he
should have been able to copy the abbreviated message. Indeed, the lies
that he had told were all against the notion of placing any confidence in
him. The two South Americans were altogether too eager.

Orme decided to go for a walk. He could think better in the open air. He
took up his hat and cane, and descended in the elevator.

In the office the clerk stopped him.

"A man called to see you a few minutes ago, Mr. Orme. When I told him
that you were engaged with two visitors he went away."

"Did he leave his name?" asked Orme.

"No, sir. He was a Japanese."

Orme nodded and went on out to the street. What could a Japanese want of
him?

CHAPTER III

THE SHADOWS

Orme walked north along the Lake Shore Drive. As best he could, he pieced
together the curious adventures of the day. The mystery of the
five-dollar bill and the extreme anxiety of Poritol seemed to be
complicated by the appearance of the Japanese at the Pere Marquette.
Orme sought the simplest explanation. He knew that mysterious happenings
frequently become clear when one definitely tries to fit them into the
natural routine of every-day life. The Japanese, he mused, was probably
some valet out of a job. But how could he have learned Orme's name.
Possibly he had not known it; the clerk might have given it to him. The
incident hardly seemed worth second thought, but he found himself
persistently turning to one surmise after another concerning the
Japanese. For Orme was convinced that he stood on the edge of a
significant situation.

Suddenly he took notice of a figure a short distance ahead of him. This
man--apparently very short and stocky--was also going northward, but he
was moving along in an erratic manner. At one moment he would hurry his
steps, at the next he would almost stop. Evidently he was regulating his
pace with a purpose.

Orme let his eyes travel still farther ahead. He observed two men
actively conversing. From time to time their discussion became so
animated that they halted for a m