CHAPTER XXI.
COVERING THE TRAIL Tarling had a brief interview with his assistant Whiteside, and the Inspector, to his surprise, accepted his view of Ling Chu's confession.
"I always thought Milburgh was a pretty cool customer," Whiteside said thoughtfully.

"But he has more gall than I gave him credit for.

I would certainly prefer to believe your Chink than I would believe Milburgh.
And, by the way, your young lady has slipped the shadow." "What are you talking about ?" asked Tarling in surprise.
"I am referring to your Miss Odette Rider--and why on earth a grown-up police officer with your experience should blush, I can't imagine." "I'm not blushing," said Tarling.

"What about her ?" "I've had two men watching her," explained Whiteside, "and whenever she has taken her walks abroad she has been followed, as you know.

In accordance with your instructions I was taking off those shadows to-morrow, but to-day she went to Bond Street, and either Jackson was careless--it was Jackson who was on the job--or else the young lady was very sharp; at any rate, he waited for half an hour for her to come out of the shop, and when she didn't appear he walked in and found there was another entrance through which she had gone.