“What of Hoang Fu?” he inquired. “Should he not be named among them?”
Doctor Tam shook his head. He noted a puzzled blink behind Noy Dow’s spectacles. Motioning to the secretary to sit down, Doctor Tam spoke. His voice became a smooth, persuasive purr.
“There are very few,” he stated, “whom I can fully trust. You, Noy Dow, are one. Like myself, you have become American. Yet you are young, Noy Dow. You still must learn very much.”
“That will be possible,” returned Noy Dow, “since you are my teacher, Doctor Tam.”
“That is true. You have an advantage that I did not possess. When I was a student, Noy Dow, I still considered myself Chinese. Even though I was studying medicine at an American university, my one purpose was to some day return to China, where I could be a man of great strength among my countrymen.
“Then came the light. I saw greater opportunity here in America. Instead of carrying new messages to those who were steeped in old traditions, I remained here, organizing those who had already emerged from their superstitions and could therefore be banded for greater progress under one strong leader.
“Being wise, I have chosen this secret abode, that only those who are worthy may be joined with my cause. I have appointed you as my secretary, because you have had an American college education. Later, I may gain others like yourself.
“They will do as I am doing. They will go among those of our countrymen who will listen. They will show the way to new opportunity and will receive new contributions toward the wealth that I have raised.”
Doctor Tam paused. A smile showed upon his firm-set lips as he drew a sheaf of papers from the desk drawer. He pointed to a row of figures.
“Already my fund has passed two hundred thousand dollars,” he declared. “It will become greater, Noy Dow. It will reach one million. Then we shall have the power that we need.”
Noy Dow started to speak; his bespectacled face was troubled. Doctor Tam noted his expression and held up a restraining hand.
“When I say that we shall have power,” affirmed Tam, “I mean power that is necessary for good. Personal wealth is not our desire, Noy Dow. Our mission is to aid others, to help those who are hindered by their own ignorance. Those Chinese who are living in this country can advance themselves only by conforming to American customs.”
“That is true, Doctor Tam,” corroborated Noy Dow, moved by the physician’s persuasion. “To seek wealth for the advancement of our noble cause is indeed an estimable measure.”
“You, too, have seen the light,” purred Doctor Tam. “Continue to trust in me, Noy Dow. I need intelligent men like you to persuade those who are still ignorant. Such men as Tuan and Leng are weak. They are faithful only because I understand them and their superstitions.
“LOOK at this list — these crossed-off names. They are the ones whose faith in me has weakened. I have dropped them because they have proven themselves unworthy and, therefore, useless. You spoke of Hoang Fu. Bah! He is like the others who have failed me. I need him no longer.”
Taking a pencil, Doctor Tam crossed off the name of Hoang Fu. Noy Dow made protest.
“Hoang Fu is strong,” he reminded. “When I talked with him not long ago, he swore that he would serve you forever, Doctor Tam. I can not believe that he—”
“You have much to learn, Noy Dow,” interrupted Tam, in a testy tone. “I spoke with Hoang Fu only an hour ago. His attitude has changed. He pretended that he still believed in me; but he does not. Hoang Fu is no longer in my service; remember that, Noy Dow.”
“I shall remember, Doctor Tam.”
Looking up from his desk, Tam could still see doubt upon his secretary’s face. Briskly, the Chinese physician changed the subject. Driving a dynamic fist against the desk, he loosed a fierce tirade.
“This man Roucard is dangerous,” he stormed. “He has visited Shan Kwan the Mandarin. Perhaps they have conferred concerning the Fate Joss.”
“Roucard does not hold the Fate Joss, Doctor Tam.”
“He knows where it is. He may have made plans to acquire it. Should he gain the Fate Joss, he could sell it to Shan Kwan.”
“Perhaps Satsu can give us information.”
“Satsu is still with Laudring. Since we know that Laudring no longer has the Fate Joss, what can Satsu tell us?”
Noy Dow could think of no answer to the question.
“Rumors are about,” remarked Tam, slowly. His square-jawed face showed a scowl. “Rumors that the Fate Joss is here, in New York. Those rumors have weakened my followers.”
“Not Tuan and Leng,” reminded Noy Dow, “nor many others upon whom you can call.”
“Perhaps not; but I am sure that the reports have influenced some. Hoang Fu, for instance.”
Doctor Tam spoke the last sentence with slow, important emphasis. He eyed Noy Dow and noted that the secretary was impressed by the statement. Instinctively, Noy Dow was nodding. Doctor Tam lost no opportunity to drive home another statement.
“I shall prove that I am stronger than the Fate Joss,” he declared. “Once given opportunity, I shall show my faithful followers that I can control its so-called destiny. Serving me, they will gain proof that a half-ton idol is nothing more than a mass of useless metal that can be shipped about as one desires.
“That point proven, our cause will be gained. The power of Doctor Roy Tam will be known. None will block my path to the accumulation of wealth. Our wealth, Noy Dow, not mine.” Again Tam eyed his secretary. “Wealth that will be used to help those who are in need.”
Noy Dow was nodding soberly, his face no longer doubtful. Doctor Tam picked up the telephone that lay beside the desk; then replaced it and pointed toward the door.
“You may go, Noy Dow,” he said, quietly. “Should calls come, I shall answer them. Be ready, in case I decide to summon you.”
NOY DOW retired. Doctor Tam remained alone; seated at his desk, he began a new study of the account sheets. Laying the papers aside, he eyed the door through which Noy Dow had gone. A wise smile appeared upon the lips of Doctor Roy Tam. The meaning of that smile was plain.
Doctor Tam was pleased with the success of his recent discourse. He had convinced Noy Dow on every point. The secretary believed that wealth for the cause was justified; that Hoang Fu was no longer in the service of Doctor Tam; that the power of the Fate Joss was a myth.
Doctor Tam, in turn, was convinced upon one point that Noy Dow had not argued. Though other followers might weaken, there was one upon whom the enterprising physician could rely. That was Noy Dow; and Doctor Tam intended to depend upon his secretary in every move that was to come.
CHAPTER IV
THE MIGHTY JOSS
WHILE Doctor Roy Tam was seated alone in the seclusion of his office, strange events were shaping elsewhere. A taxicab had pulled up in front of an old house on the upper East Side; two men were alighting, suitcases in their hands.
One was an American, tall, pale-faced, with light-colored mustache. The other looked like a Japanese; but his build was unusually bulky for a member of that race. The American paid the driver and picked up a suitcase; his companion lifted two larger, heavier bags. Together, they ascended the steps of the house.
“Here we are, Satsu,” chuckled the American. “The place doesn’t look so inviting, though, does it! Maybe it will be better after we open those boarded windows.”
“I shall open them tomorrow, Mr. Laudring,” replied the other man in choppy, oddly pronounced English. “You have the key to the door, sir?”
“Here it is.” Laudring unlocked the door. “Come on, Satsu, bring in the bags and we’ll take a look about.”
The two entered a musty hallway. Laudring found a light switch and pressed it. Glowing bulbs showed plain furnishings, with curtains by a doorway on the right. Laudring glanced toward a carpeted stairway; then decided to enter the room beyond the curtains.