He had already arrived at the conclusion that Ling Chu was but a messenger who had been sent by the man from Shanghai to bring him to his presence.

But there was no sign of Tarling.
"Now, my friend, what do you want ?" he asked.

"It is true I am Mr.
Milburgh, but when you say that I have committed murder you are telling a wicked lie." He had gained some courage, because he had expected in the first place to be taken immediately to Scotland Yard and placed in custody.

The fact that Tarling's flat lay at the end of the journey seemed to suggest that the situation was not as desperate as he had imagined.
Ling Chu, turning suddenly upon Milburgh, gripped him by the wrist, half-turning as he did so.

Before Milburgh knew what was happening, he was lying on the floor, face downwards, with Ling Chu's knee in the small of his back.