As carefully he returned all the clothes he had removed, relocked the lid and pushed it under the iron bedstead.

Swiftly he reviewed all the circumstances.

Ling Chu had seen Thornton Lyne and had planned his vengeance.

To extract Tarling's revolver was an easy matter--but why, if he had murdered Lyne, would he have left the incriminating weapon behind?
That was not like Ling Chu--that was the act of a novice.
But how had he lured Thornton Lyne to the flat?
And how did he know--a thought struck him.
Three nights before the murder, Ling Chu, discussing the interview which had taken place at Lyne's Stores, had very correctly diagnosed the situation.

Ling Chu knew that Thornton Lyne was in love with the girl and desired her, and it would not be remarkable if he had utilised his knowledge to his own ends.
But the telegram which was designed to bring Lyne to the flat was in English and Ling Chu did not admit to a knowledge of that language.