OUTPOST IN CHINA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 July 1940, Page 10

OUTPOST IN CHINA

PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.

COPYRIGHT.

By

VAL GIELGUD.

Author of “Africa Flight” and Part Author of “Death at Broadcasting House.”

CHAPTER XX. (Continued.) “I fear,’’ he said slowly, “that Mr [ Havelock was insufficiently grounded in the important science of economics at his English University. As you know, I paid great attention to that branch of my studies both at Canton and San Francisco. The matter is really one hardly worth the consideration of virtuous persons—like you. Mr Dale,'and myself. It concerns the entirely petty sum of some thousands of dollars. My own economic unit is at’ present starved of funds. There is a superfluity at the disposal of your firm’s representative in Tan Fu. You will agree that it is the merest economics common sense that an appropriate transfer of purchasing power should be made?” Leslie Dale made no immediate reply. He observed with satisfaction that the General had waved his guards out of ear-shot at the beginning of their conversation; and that tnereforr he need not be bound by face-savinc considerations of good manners on Wu’s account. “General,” he said, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, “I’m going to talk straight to you. You know that I tell you the truth. You know that in the past you've been able to trust my word. I’ve given you a straight deal. And, until I left Tan Fu, you gave Harwood and Greer the same straight deal. Young Havelock has been a fool. He’s paid you money. In doing so he may have done what you demanded. He’s also misled you. His appointment is cancelled. I've come back as agent-in-charge, and you know that you won’t get a penny piece from me!” Wu held up a deprecating hand, but Dale went on: “No, listen to me, General. You can of course cut my throat here this morning. I’m practically unarmed —and I’m much too tired and hungry to put up a scrap or try to bolt for it. Then you can attack Tan Fu. You can probably take the place. But you’ll get nothing out of it!” "The contents of your firm’s godowns are of value," murmured Wu. “Very considerable value,” Dale agreed. “That is precisely why my last orders were that in the event of any attack being opened by your men. those go-downs should be fired. Their charred ruins will hardly benefit your —er economic necessities. I might add that Mr Patrick James—whom you also know as a man of his word —will see to the effective carrying out of those orders.” The General twisted his long moustache meditatively. “There is much good sense in your words,” he said at last. ? ’lt would distress me greatly should any evil befall you, Mr Dale. Men of virtue and intelligence are rare in China, notably among foreign devils.” Dale drew a long silent breath of relief. It looked as if his bluff had worked. He felt suddenly almost too weary that he still could not possibly afford to relax. He was not yet out of the wood. “And what would you propose, Mr Dale?” inquired the General. “In return for my forbearance in this matter of Mr Havelock?” Leslie Dale smiled. The trap was wide open at his feet, and he had not the slightest intention of walking into the same. “I propose nothing, General,” he said firmly. “Between friends there is no bargaining. Either .you value my friendship, or you do not. I represent a firm and a nation which can display power, and can afford gratitude. It is foi’ you to decide whether you wish that power to be exercised against you, or that gratitude displayed in your favour, in the months to come. That is all I have to say.” And he leaned back in his chair and fumbled for his cigarettes. From beneath lowered lids the bandit's eyes watched Dale’s face, lit by the flare of the match. In spite of the hollows under the Englishman’s eyes, his unshaven cheeks, his obvious physical exhaustion and travel-worn clothes, there was no hint of weakness in the set of his lips and jaw; no tremulousness about the fingers that held the cigarette. Great Britain might not be quite the Power she had been. But the gunboals still flew the White Ensign along the river. And the individual Briton who held the outposts remained the same: not perhaps shattering’ly intelligent, but profoundly, almost crassly, wedded to two ideas: the Square Deal, and the conviction that if it came to a show-down he could cope with any number of opponents. The General stood up with dignity, and held out his hand. Leslie Dale shook it, and Wu beckoned his guards. “Bring food and drink for my guest.” he said curtly. And Leslie Dale knew that he had won. CHAPTER XXI. It was a little after seven o’clock that same morning, when Sheila Havelock woke in her chair. She sat up with a start, wide awake in an instant. Iler hands flew automatically to her hair. Her glance to the shattered remnants of the mirror on the wall. Then she remembered —and looked at her husband. Gerald was slumped in his chair, a most unattractive spectacle. His mouth was slightly open. The suspicion of a snore came from between his lips. At some time during the night lie had torn open his collar, and he gave that curiously debauched impression common to all men who combine not having shaved with a loosened tie. His right hand lay sprawled over the side of his chair, the pistol still frozen in its grip. He looked young and helpless, and above all. flabby. For a moment Sheila watched him, with a look oddly compounded of pity.] contempt, and irritation. Then she stood up and tip-toed to the door lead-

ing to the servants’ quarters. One’s boys, of course, knew everything. That much at least she had got to know, and even put up with. Which presumably explained why none of them was stirring. She put a couple of kettles to boil on the stove, lighted a cigarette, and wished that she did not feel quite so cold. She was still in the kitchen when Gerald woke up in his turn. For a moment he hardly realised where he was or what had happened. His head was aching consumedly, there was an evil taste in his mouth, and he was diabolically stiff all over. It was the realisation that the chair facing was empty which pulled him together. What had happened? He sprang to his feet and dashed to the windows. But the shutters were still bolted and both bedroom doors were still locked. He was trying the handle of the second, when a door banging behind him made him jerk round, raising the pistol. Sheila stood in the doorway from the kitchen, a brass watercan in each hand, a faintly scornful smile on her lips. “I’m afraid I can’t put my hands up, Gerry,” she said. “What are you playing at?” growled Gerald. “Playing? I’m working. Or would you prefer the house boys to come in and find us like this? I must wash, you know. And you’d look more pleasant for a shave!” Gerald fingered his chin uneasily. “It’s a score for you all right,” he muttered. “I couldn't even keep awake.” "Then, admitting that, why not drop this silly bluff, Gerry? You've deprived us both of a decent night’s sleep. Isn’t that enough for you?” “I don’t know what, you mean by •bluff,’ Sheila. I'm still waiting for Dale.” Sheila crossed the room to her bedroom door. “Then you must wait alone, Gerry,” she said. “I'm in no state to receive visitors like this. I propose to wash and change. It would be nice, you know, to find you in a human state of mind when I come back.” “You’re pretty cool,” muttered Gerald. “Cold, but not the least pretty at the moment,” retorted his wife. “No, Gerald. You can shoot me if you like. But if you don’t I’m going to put a comb through my hair. If you want any food you'd better get it yourself. I don't want any breakfast.” Her hand was on the door handle, but Gerald stopped her. “Sheila ” “Well?” He bit his lip, and flushed. “I suppose,” he muttered, “I made a pretty average fool of myself last night.” “You did,” agreed Sheila cheerfully “Well above the average.” “I suppose it’s the morning after—or sometjiing —but somehow —well, I don’t feel the same way about things this morning," he stammered miserably. ‘-Look here. Sheila, even now. couldn’t we ?” "No good, Gerry. I’m sorry. I must change.” Gerald found himself alone. He stuffed his pistol into his pocket, refingered cheeks and chin with acute distaste, and slouched across to the sideboard. With a certain air of defiance he mixed himself a stiff drink; swallowed it, coughed violently, then picked up the second can of water which Sheila had left beside his bedroom door, and carried it in. Jealousy, decision, had alike died out of him in the cold grey morning light. He hardly bothered even to wonder what could have happened to Leslie Dale . . Sheila had been waiting for the sound of his door closing. The moment she heard it, she tiptoed back into the sitting-room, and ran out on to the verandah. The distant hills were shrouded in mist. The road was bare and empty. Sheila stood, her hands pressed to her breast, her heart thudding painfully. The sudden appearance below her of a single walking figure made her gasp. But it was Patrick James, wearing a singularly shabby raincoat, and an expression almost ludicrously anxious. Sheila put her fingers hurriedly to her lips, and waited for him to climb the steps before she spoke. "I’ve been worrying about you all night,” said James hastily. “Janet sent me over the moment I woke up. What's happened? - ’ "Nothing,” said Sheila indifferently. "I told you not to worry.” "I’m immensely relieved to find you all right. Where’s Gerald?” S-heila smiled. “Shaving, I devoutly trust,” she said. “Has your wife forgiven me?” “I don’t think,” said Patrick James, "that she has anything to forgive." Sheila laughed outright. “You know. Mr James, one of the best excuses for sinners is that good people are so exasperating!" "And vice versa, surely?" suggested the missionary. "D'you know. I never thought of that!” “Sure there’s nothing I can do for you. Mrs Havelock?” Sheila hesitated. "It’s awfully kind of you—Leslie Dale’s bound to- pass your place on the road back. If you could just warn him about this silly altitude of Gerald's —I mean if you could persuade him to stop with you for the time being ” "I'll try by all moans. But, knowing Leslie. I’m afraid it won’t be the least good. He can take care of himself, you know.” "Thanks awfully," said Sheila. “You’ know. Mr James, I do appreciate your kindness, really 1 do. Just as inside me I really like Janet. It's this beastly place. I don’t belong. I know that now. So it's brought out all the worst in me. just as it’s brought oulj all the best in you and Janet." . (To be Continued).