Chapter Twenty Three
The Silver Buddha
“I have an appointment with Michalak; therefore, leaving you to the task of solving this problem which thus far has defied my own efforts, I will get along.”
He read a query in my glance that ran concurrent with my absolute bafflement as to how the woman who infatuated my thoughts, mentally and physically, might have effected such a disappearance.
“Oh! I shall not be late,” he added, answering the second query. “I think I may venture out alone on this occasion without personal danger.”
Estephe Bernard went upstairs to dress, leaving me seated at my writing-table deep in thought and, at some time later, I heard the front-door close at his departure.
I glanced at the clock, and determined to devote the remainder of the evening to a little private
