During the ride from the water front Captain Tom Halstead had sat on the front seat of the cab, quiet and reserved.
Now, as they entered the outer confines of Chinatown, Halstead leaned slightly forward, peering out at the shops and at the queer Oriental jumble, mixed here and there with white people, that thronged the narrow sidewalks.
"Are you headed for any particular place, sir?" queried the young skipper, after a few moments.
"No," admitted Mr. Baldwin. "I know nothing of Chinatown. We must drive through, first of all, at a venture. Presently an idea may come to us. Whatever we do, our plans must soon be formed. If I dared speak to a police officer--but the risk is too great."
"There's a restaurant," murmured the boy, suddenly. "It looks like a big and clean place. Why don't you and Mr. Ross slip in there, have some tea or something, and let me prowl about in these queer, crooked streets for a few minutes? Chinatown is only a few blocks in extent, I understand. I may be able to learn something that way, unless you have a better plan, sir."
"I am afraid you'll run into danger, alone in this barbarous crowd," objected Mr. Baldwin.
"I'm not in the least afraid," smiled Tom, confidently. "Two prosperous looking men like you might attract attention, but, as for me, the people hereabouts will think only that I'm some young sailor ashore for a lark. Shall I stop the cab, sir?"
"Yes," agreed Joseph Baldwin, though he spoke doubtfully.
Tom's hand shot up at once, grabbing the check string. The driver pulled up his horses, then came to the door, opening it.
"This will be as good a place for you to remain, driver, as anywhere," said Halstead, as he stepped out. Then he turned, waiting for Messrs. Baldwin and Ross to alight.
"Shall I find you in that restaurant, sir?" the young skipper inquired.
"Yes; but don't be too long away, Halstead, or we shall be more uneasy than ever."
"Trust a sailor to take care of himself in any crowd, sir," laughed Tom Halstead, jauntily. With that he stepped off, at a more rolling gait than he usually employed on shore.
The young motor boat captain carried in his mind a good personal description of Gaston Giddings. He had secured this from Mr. Baldwin before leaving the yacht.