The Argosy, Vol. 76, No. 3 — page 118: what you’re looking at

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

588 grimly. “Whoever plays, China pays. She'll make ’em sweat for it some day, and don’t you forget it.” “T wonder what they'll do about the coolies? ”’ drawled Innes. ‘“There’s the answer to that.” Oakes pointed to a launch that puffed its way seaward in the stern-sheets of which were plainly visible the blue- and-yellow uniforms of the Chinese harbor police. Evidently a system of espionage was to envelop the Atlanta. “You'll have to hustle to get Miss Downs off. Take a launch and start for the landing as if you are taking her ashore and then when you get beyond the cordon of the police boat turn sharp off and make for the Futami Maru. I will not go near that grinning Ronin till I see you and Marjorie make your getaway.” ’So Oakes sat and watched till he saw Innes run lightly up the sea- ladder of the Atlanta, and when the launch shot around her quarter and headed for the Futami Maru, that was even then getting steam on, he went slowly back to the hotel and asked for Takayashi. He found him seated as before, ap- parently as immovable as the great bronze Daibutsu. at Nikko before which all pilgrims pray, though he welcomed the returned American with a yellow-toothed grin. “T see that the police have estab- lished a line about the Atlanta,” said Oakes by the way of an opening. ‘“A precaution merely, sare. Some coolies might escape, and the Atlanta being a plague ship—”’ ‘““No more a plague ship than you are an honest man,” began Oakes hotly. | ‘an’ if ze fine be nod paid in ze morning, ze coolies from Swatow vill be blaced in quarantine an’ let out to the compradors to work on the railroad of the Empire off China what need of coal so mooch. Is it of clarity so like the leetle glass?” ‘“Damned clear,’ growled Oakes. “TLet’s put it plainly, Mr. Takayashi. - THE ARGOSY. If I pay you sixteen hundred and twenty yen the Chinese government will lét the Atlanta sail to Chenampho with my coolies. “Tf I pay this money I will be es- tablishing a precedent which will allow every petty thief of an official in all Korea to take toll of our profits and we will be well robbed by every one from Shimonoseki to Mukden. “If I do not pay it, my coolies will be landed and kept in camp after they have been placed in quarantine, until they consent to work on the govern- ment railroads. Who have the con- tracts for that construction? ”’ “OQah! One Colonel Itasura has one contract and I—Takayashi—sup- ply the labor contract—’” Oakes’s lips twitched even in his wrath. He could not but see the grim humor in the situation. “You've done it up pretty well be- tween you. Of course I see now that you have known all along that Russia never meant that road to be built and that I would not be allowed to go ahead. “Also you have figured that you can get coolie labor very cheap this way, and you, of course, have to divide with your Russian and Chinese friends. “No, Mr. Takayashi, the firm of Burton & Oakes is a very young firm, and of course lacks capital, but it shall not start on its first big work by paying bribes to every yellow- faced thief from Saghalien to Sunda. It'll be better to let the Imperial Jap- anese forty thieves work out their own salvation—” . | As he talked he watched carefully the shipping till he saw Innes in the launch swing ‘ bows on’ to the Futami Maru’s landing stage. Even then the shore boats were clearing away and he saw another launch put hastily out from the Bund and shoot at full speed ‘across the quiet waters of the Roads. “Td just like to tell you, though, for your soul’s good, that you are kill- ing the goose that lays the golden egg. COMicdoo S CO@