The Argosy, Vol. 76, No. 3 — page 115: what you’re looking at

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

THE THING THAT WAS C/ESAR’S. “ Bubonic plague.” Questions and answers were quick- ly and accurately recorded by the other. “ How long ago did the last coolie die, sir?”’ Seven days ago—” Colonel Itasura sat back gazing at Oakes and tapping on his front teeth with a pencil. “The legal period of quarantine is ten days, sir. That is, a ship must either not run into port, or running in must be held in quarantine for ten days after the last case has developed. This I understand has not been com- plied with in your case. Am I cor- rectly informed? ”’ “Tt has unfortunately been im- possible to comply with it. Our con- densers broke down and we had to put in on account of lack of water—” “Unfortunately, sir, a yellow flag displayed from your mast when you came in aroused the suspicions of the Korean consul. You did not then comply with the letter of the law—” The little Japanese civilian, still smiling, drew nearer to the desk. Innes stood like a rock by the door listening carefully to the conversation. Seeing the hesitation on the part of his friend, he came forward and very ostentatiously dropped a check-book on the Hong-Kong and Shanghai bank before him, saying rapidly in a low tone: “Tt’s worse than I thought, Oakes. It’s a clear case of hold-up. You don’t often find an officer mixed up in a thing like this, but when you do it’s an open and shut case. Play low, as we say in whist, till you get their lead—”’ Suddenly Oakes saw the game. Carelessly opening the check-book, he drew a piece of note-paper to him and remarked casually: “IT understand that in such case the matter can be adjusted by an unofficial fine of so much per capita for each coolie so brought in. Am I correct?” Colonel Itasura rose deliberately. 580 “TI am not instructed in this matter. Mr. Takayashi here is empowered to complete the details of the trans- action. I will bid you good morning, gentlemen,’ and bowing formally he left the room. Takayashi promptly took the va- cant place at the desk and smiled in- gratiatingly at the two white men. “Now, sir,’ said “Innes | sharply, taking the reins of .control from Oakes, “‘I understand my friend here to say that he understands it is necessary for him to pay a fine for each coolie who is on board the At- lanta before these men can be allowed to land at Chenampho to work on the government contract. Is that cor- rect?” Takayashi grinned his acquies- cenice. “How much is this precious fine?” “Two yen for each man so ad- mitted—” “H-m! Sixteen hundred and twenty yen. Suppose it is not paid. Suppose we do not pay it, but rather choose to default in the work—you are a Japanese, are you not, Mr. Takayashi?” “Oah yess. I am also what you say him—citizen of all the world—but you will pay this so small fine and the reason I will now show—see yonder flag.”’ He pointed to a building over which the white flag with the blue St. An- drew’s Cross showed where the Rus- sian government had its representa- tive. “Do you think that that govern- ment wishes the railroad built in Korea? Sixteen hundred yen fill many a mouth, sare. And there are two mouths to be — what I say — fill? _First—come- Russian mouth—then I too have a leetle honger—”’ “Whew!” Oakes drew a long breath. “It’s worse ’n I thought. A loyal Jap soakin’ up for a bribe to divide up with a Russian. If we pay it—but that’s not to be considered ex- cept as a last resort—if we do not pay COMicdoo S CO@