But I am doubly
glad to have met you, M. Gaston, for not only can I put you in touch
with the London establishment, but I can impress upon you the necessity
of preserving absolute silence"...
M. Gaston extended his palms eloquently.
"To me," he declared, "the name of Mr. King is a sacred symbol."
"It is to all of us!" responded the Greek, devoutly.
M. Gaston in turn became confidential, bending toward Gianapolis
so that, as the shadow of the Greek fell upon his face, his pupils
contracted catlike.
"How often have I prayed," he whispered, "for a sight of that remarkable
man!"
A look of horror, real or simulated, appeared upon the countenance of
Gianapolis.
"To see--Mr. King!" he breathed. "My dear friend, I declare to you by
all that I hold sacred that I--though one of the earliest patrons of the
first establishment, that in Pekin--have never seen Mr. King!"
"He is so cautious and so clever as that?"
"Even as cautious and even as clever--yes! Though every branch of the
enterprise in the world were destroyed, no man would ever see Mr. King;
he would remain but a NAME!"
"You will arrange for me to visit the house of--Ho-Pin, did you
say?--immediately?"
"To-day, if you wish," said Gianapolis, brightly.
"My funds," continued M.
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