Argosy All-Story Weekly, Vol. 124, No. 3 — page 194: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

968 in the two long lines among the yellow weed. ‘“ Makee walkee: can do?” “Tm a qualified engineer, if that’s what you mean. Full chief’s ticket and all the rest of it. Ill tell you about the makee- walkee when I know how much they’ re damaged. “ By the way, may I introduce myself— Mr. Li Chang. The chief on board here is down with a touch of malaria, so I’m taking his watch to keep my hand in. I’m really the company’s shore superintendent.” ‘Oh!’ said Teach, for once in his brazen life taken aback. Lord Raisghyll chuckled. “And you, I suppose, are Admiral Teach? You see, I know your published description, and, if you'll pardon me, that clipped ear. Captain Yuan Sin is in com- - mand of the Ship, of course, as Mr. Mc- Gregor will doubtless have instructed you. He speaks Chinese and German. I speak a little English, if you prefer that.” Mr. Li Chang showed no emotion of in- terest. For all the animation that appeared on his yellow face it might have been mold- ed out of blobby putty, and the voice that issued from it have been supplied by a gramophone—Mr. Li Chang put his hands inside his sleeves and bowed. ‘“ Lovely weather we're having.” | Teach’s dark face grew still darker with the flush that rose under its skin. There was something about this bland Celestial that he objected to abominably. But there was nothing so far that he could resent openly. | He tried to scowl down Lord Raisghyll with singular want of success. That noble- man, as every gne knows, is singularly care- less of who he offends when amusement overtakes him. (You will remember of course the seandal his snigger occasioned in a solemn House of Lords over the arch- bishop’s trouble.) \ ‘“ And I think,” Mr. Li Chang added in his pleasant, educated voice, “ that the rain will keep off for at least another day. As a resident, admiral, in this charming spot, can you recommend the fishing?”’ _ Lord Raisghyll thought that his friend had been baited enough, and though he was of opinion that Teach was, as a rule, very ~ ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. well able to take care of himself, this time came to the rescue. ‘I’m afraid,” said he, “ there are only coarse fish here, and they are rather slow in coming to the hook. But I’m sure that if negotiations don’t go smoothly, the fish- ing will be improved—with the ground- bait this steamer will provide.”’ ‘““ Now, that’s interesting,” said the Chi- nese unemotionally. ‘ May I ask if you’re speaking now as a member of the British cabinet, or a man of the world, or merely as a fly fisherman in Yorkshire streams, Lord¢Raisghyll ?” ‘The devil!” rapped the visitor. ‘“ How in the name of thunder do you know me?” “Does the coat so entirely change the mane I had the felicity of meeting you once across a dinner-table in Pekin, and again at our embassy in London. But neither time, I admit, was I dressed in grimy blue dungaree. I was sorry you British won over that Shensi matter.” ‘My aunt! Youwre—”’ ‘’ Mayn’t we leave out names?” A flick- er, the smallest flicker of emotion slid across the unemotional face. “I bear no resent- ment, my lord, but your diplomatic clever- ness lost me my official h and would also have cost me the physical I wear at present if I had gone back to Pekin to— as you would say—deliver the goods. “So I am now,’ he added in the same dry voice, “‘in another diplomatic service. My lord, pardon me—Admiral Teach, as you have come here, I conclude it is your wish we should get to business.” — ‘The sooner the better.”’. The fat Chinese bowed. ‘“ Would you like to see Captain Yuan Sin? It is not necessary unless you wish it specially. He is merely navigator. I am the plenipoten- tiary.”’ “Have you brought the money?” the pirate asked bluntly. ‘“ That’s the main point.” The end-ways pigs’ eyes glinted for an instant, but the flat, expressionless face never changed. “ Yes, admiral, I am well supplied with means.of payment. That’s curious, but it’s true. But first I wish for a settlement on another small matter that so far has not GON Gwoolks Colin