The Shanghai Bund Murders by Van Wyck Mason

Author:Van Wyck Mason [Mason, F. Van Wyck]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: mystery
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
Published: 2018-12-11T21:36:00+00:00

CHAPTER XIV

THE THIRD CASH

In Captain Hugh North’s ears lingered those deadly accents heard over the phone. Certainly there was nothing subtle or halfway about Michael Smith. He had been as brutal and outspoken as—well, as brutal and outspoken as war-toughened General Steel. Two powerful men; each ambitious and unscrupulous enough to please the great Machiavelli himself. A nice pair to buck!

As he drew near the paper-decked door of Chao Ku’s residence in an alley off Swatow Road, he slowed his quick stride. He’d like to know a bit more about those half-expounded ideas of the mercenary. Was success to be found by strategy in that direction? As a result of that talk Hugh North found he entertained more than a doubt of Marshal Wu Feng-pei’s being entirely aboveboard with his allies both in Shanghai and in Wang Kung’s camp. He would have to think more about that later, but now the matter of those inexplicable cash needed attention. He hoped the shrewd little Chinaman within could offer some reason for their existence in the problem.

He was glad, the Intelligence Captain realized, as he set foot to a rickety stair, to see Chao Ku for reasons aside from duty. He presently discovered that humble and eternally cheerful philosopher at the door of a stuffy little two-room apartment which he occupied with his wife, eight bright-eyed children, and a drove of mongrel puppies.

To one who knew anything of China, Captain North’s reception would have been highly informative of the relations existing between the Chinese detective and the American Intelligence Captain. Chao Ku, before the American could stop him, bowed nine times so low that his forehead all but touched the floor, in the most respectful of salutes known to China—the traditional kao-tow such as is rendered only to the great of the land and before the shrine of an ancestor.

North, a smile lurking on the wide mouth beneath his short military mustache, held out his hand.

“Glad to see you again, Chao,” said he with genuine warmth. Then, despite his gnawing anxiety, took time to add, “Your family is well?”

“Kwan yin has been good beyond my deserts; there is rice in kitchen and man children are well. But enough of insignificant affairs. Doings of evil men grow great, pu tso?”

North at a gesture from his host seated himself on a low k’ang.

“Yes, Chao Ku. Because of them I need your help.”

“That elephant should need help of ant is unthinkable, Tajên2 but of what help can be this person of infinitesimal importance?”

“First, tell me all you can about these cash.”

His shining moon face quite impassive, Chao Ku intently regarded the cash North gave him a moment, then got up and began to untie the red silk cord securing a pigskin box in a far corner of the room. Presently he came shuffling back, his felt house slippers making not the least noise. Without a word he held out his hand and instead of two there were now three identical cash exposed upon its plump, pale yellow palm.

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