has given me a letter to a fellow named Will Holley, who’s editor of a little paper at Eldorado. I’m going to invite him to have dinner with me, then I’ll drive out to Madden’s. You, of course, will get out some other way. As somebody may be watching us, we won’t speak on our journey. Friends once, but strangers now. That’s the idea, isn’t it?”
“Precisely the notion,” agreed Chan.
The car had stopped before the ferry building. “I have your tickets here,” Alexander Eden said, handing over a couple of envelopes. “You have lower berths, in the same car, but at different ends. You’ll find a little money there for expenses, Mr. Chan. I may say that I think your plan is excellent—but for heaven’s sake, be careful, both of you. Bob, my boy—you’re all I’ve got. I may have spoken harshly to you, but I—I—take care of yourself.”
“Don’t you worry, dad,” Bob Eden said. “Though you’ll never believe it, I’m grown up. And I’ve got a good man with me.”
“Mr. Chan,” Eden said. “Good luck. And thank you a thousand times.”
“Don’t talk about it,” smiled Charlie. “Happiest walk of postman’s life is on his holiday. I will serve you well. Good-bye.”
He followed Bob Eden through the gates and on to the ferryboat. A moment later they had slipped out upon the black waters of the harbor. The rain was gone, the sky spattered with stars, but a chill wind blew through the Gate. Charlie stood alone by the rail; the dream of his life had come true; he knew the great mainland at last. The flaming ball atop the Ferry Building receded; the yellow
