jamesclavell.noblehouse-第174章

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　〃I　don't　know；　I　don't　know　。。。　What；　what　did　Bartlett　ask？　For　the　coin？〃　Then　Phillip　cried　out；　〃It's　mine；　it　belongs　to　me！〃
　He　saw　the　uncontrollable　trembling　of　Phillip's　hands　and　a　sudden　tinge　of　gray　in　his　face。　There　was　brandy　and　whiskey　in　decanters　on　the　sideboard　and　Dunross　fetched　some　brandy　and　gave　it　to　him。　Gratefully　the　old　man　drank；　choking　a　little。　〃Than　。。。　thank　you。〃
　〃Go　home　and　fetch　everything　and　th…　〃　Dunross　stopped　and　stabbed　an　inter　button。　〃Andrew？〃
　〃Yes；　tai…pan？〃　Gavallan　said。
　〃Would　you　e　up　a　second？　I　want　you　to　go　home　with　Phillip；　he's　not　feeling　too　well　and　there're　some　papers　to　bring　back。〃
　〃On　my　way。〃
　Dunross's　eyes　had　never　left　Phillip's。
　〃Tai…pan；　what　did；　did　Bar…　〃
　〃Stay　away　from　them　on　your　life！　And　give　Andrew　everything　…　John's　letters；　Bartlett's　letters；　everything；〃　he　said；　his　voice　chilling。
　〃Tai…pan　。。。〃
　〃Everything。〃　His　head　ached；　he　had　so　much　rage　in　him。　He　was　going　to　add；　I'll　decide　about　you　and　the　House　of　Chen　over　the　weekend。　But　he　did　not　say　it。　〃Don't　get　mad；　get　even〃　kept　ringing　in　his　ears。
　*　*　*
　Casey　came　in。　Dunross　met　her　halfway。　She　carried　an　umbrella　and　was　again　wearing　her　pale　green　dress　that　set　off　her　hair　and　eyes　perfectly。　Dunross　noticed　the　shadows　behind　her　eyes。　They　made　her　somehow　more　desirable。　〃Sorry　to　keep　you　waiting。〃　His　smile　was　warm　but　he　enjoyed　none　of　its　warmth。　He　was　still　appalled　over　Phillip　Chen。
　Casey's　hand　was　cool　and　pleasant。　〃Thanks　for　seeing　me；〃　she　said。　〃I　know　you're　busy　so　I'll　e　to　the　point。〃
　〃First　tea。　Or　would　you　like　a　drink？〃
　〃No　liquor　thanks；　but　I　don't　want　to　put　you　to　any　trouble。〃
　〃No　trouble；　I'm　going　to　have　tea　anyway。　4：40's　tea　time。〃　As　though　by　magic　the　door　opened　and　a　liveried　houseboy　brought　in　a　silver　tray　with　tea　for　two　…　with　thin　buttered　toast　and　hot　scones　in　a　silver　warmer。　The　man　poured　and　left。　The　tea　was　dark　brown　and　strong。　〃It's　Darjeeling；　one　of　our　House　blends。　We've　been　trading　it　since　1830；〃　he　said　sipping　it　gratefully；　as　always　thanking　the　unknown　genius　Englishman　who　had　invented　afternoon　tea；　which；　somehow；　always　seemed　to　settle　the　cares　of　the　day　and　put　the　world　into　perspective。　〃I　hope　you　like　it。〃
　〃It's　great；　maybe　a　mite　too　strong　for　me。　I　had　some　around　2：00　a。m。；　and　it　certainly　woke　me　up。〃
　〃Oh？　You　still　on　jet　lag？〃
　She　shook　her　head　and　told　him　about　Peter　Marlowe。
　〃Oh！　What　bad　joss！〃　He　stabbed　the　inter。　〃Claudia；　call　the　Nathan　Nursing　Home　and　see　how　Mrs。　Marlowe　is。　And　send　some　flowers。　Thanks。〃
　Casey　frowned。　〃How'd　you　know　she　was　at　the　Nathan？〃
　〃Doc　Tooley　always　uses　that　place　in　Kowloon。〃　He　was　watching　her　closely；　astonished　that　she　seemed　so　friendly　when　obviously　Par…Con　was　trying　to　sabotage　their　deal。　If　she's　been　up　most　of　the　night；　that　accounts　for　the　shadows；　he　thought。　Well；　shadows　or　not；　watch　out；　young　lady；　we　shook　on　the　deal。　〃Another　cup？〃　he　asked　solicitously。
　〃No　thanks；　this's　fine。〃
　〃I　remend　the　scones。　We　eat　them　like　this：　a　big　dollop　of　Devonshire　clotted　cream　on　top；　a　teaspoon　of　homemade　strawberry　jam　in　the　center　of　the　cream　and　。。。　magic！　Here！〃
　Reluctantly　she　took　it。　The　scone　was　just　bite…sized。　It　vanished。　〃Fantastic；〃　she　gasped；　wiping　a　touch　of　the　cream　off　her　mouth。　〃But　all　those　calories！　No；　really；　no　more；　thanks。　I've　done　nothing　but　eat　since　I　got　here。〃
　〃It　doesn't　show。〃
　〃It　will。〃　He　saw　her　smile　back　at　him。　She　was　sitting　in　one　of　the　deep　high…backed　leather　chairs；　the　tea　table　between　them。　Again　she　crossed　her　legs　and　Dunross　thought　once　more　that　Gavallan　had　been　right　about　her　…　that　her　Achilles'　heel　was　impatience。　〃May　I　start　now？〃　she　asked。
　〃You're　sure　you　don't　want　some　more　tea？〃　he　asked；　deliberately　to　throw　her　off　balance　again。
　〃No　thanks。〃
　〃Then　tea's　over。　What's　cooking？〃
　Casey　took　a　deep　breath。　〃It　seems　that　Struan's　is　way　out　on　a　limb　and　about　to　go　under。〃
　〃Please　don't　concern　yourself　about　that。　Struan's　really　is　in　very　fine　shape。〃
　〃You　may　be；　tai…pan；　but　it　doesn't　look　that　way　to　us。　Or　to　outsiders。　I've　checked。　Most　everyone　seems　to　think　Gornt；　and　or　the　Victoria；　will　make　the　raid　stick。　It's　almost　a　general　thumbs　down。　Now　our　deal's　…　〃
　〃We　have　a　deal　till　Tuesday。　That's　what　we　agreed；〃　he　said；　his　voice　sharpening。　〃Do　I　understand　you　want　to　renege　or　change　it？〃
　〃No。　But　in　the　present　state　you're　in；　it'd　be　crazy　and　bad　business　to　proceed。　So　we've　two　alternatives：　It's　either　Rothwell…Gornt；　or　we've　to　help　you　with　some　kind　of　bail…out　operation。〃
　〃Oh？〃
　〃Yes。　I've　a　plan；　a　partial　plan　for　how　you　could　maybe　extricate　yourself　and　make　us　all　a　fortune。　Okay？　You're　the　best　for　us　…　long…term。〃
　〃Thank　you；〃　he　said；　not　believing　her；　all　attention；　well　aware　that　any　concession　she　offered　was　going　to　be　prohibitively　expensive。
　〃Try　this　on　for　size。　Our　bankers　are　the　First　Central　New　York　…　the　hated　bank　here。　They　want　back　into　Hong　Kong　so　much　it　hurts；　but　they'll　never　get　a　new　charter；　right？〃
　Dunross's　interest　peaked　at　this　new　thought。　〃So？〃
　〃So　recently　they　bought　a　small　foreign　bank　with　branches　in　Tokyo；　Singapore；　Bangkok　and　Hong　Kong：　the　Royal　Belgium　and　Far　East　Bank。　It's　a　tiny；　nothing　bank　and　they　paid　3　million　for　everything。　First　Central　has　asked　us　to　put　our　funds　through　the　Royal　Belgium　if　our　deal　goes　through。　Last　night　I　met　with　Dave　Murtagh　who's　in　charge　of　Royal　Belgium　and　he　was　moaning　and　groaning　how　bad　business　was；　how　they're　squeezed　out　of　everything　by　the　Establishment　here　and　though　they've　got　the　huge　dollar　resources　of　First　Central　behind　them；　almost　nobody'll　open　accounts　and　deposit　Hong　Kong　dollars　which　they　need　to　make　loans。　You　know　about　the　bank？〃
　〃Yes；〃　he　said；　not　understanding　what　she　was　leading　to；　〃but　I　didn't　realize　the　First　Central　was　behind　them。　I　don't　think　that's　mon　knowledge。　When　was　it　bought　out？〃
　〃A　couple　of　months　ago。　Now；　what　if　the　Royal　Belgium　would　advance　you　Monday　120　percent　of　the　purchase　price　of　the　two　Toda　ships？〃
　Dunross　gaped　at　her；　caught　off　guard。　〃Secured　by　what？〃
　〃The　ships。〃
　〃Impossible！　No　bank'd　do　that！〃
　〃The　100　percent　is　for　Toda；　the　20　percent　to　cover　all　carrying　charges；　insurances　and　the　first　months　of　operation。〃
　〃With　no　cash　flow；　no　charterer　set？〃　he　asked　incredulously。
　〃Could　you　charter　them　in　sixty　days　to　give　you　a　cash　flow　to　sustain　a　reasonable　repayment　schedule？〃
　〃Easily。〃　Jesus　Christ；　if　I　can　pay　Toda　at　once　I　can　slam　my　lease…back　scheme　into　operation　with　the　first　two　ships；　without　having　to　wait。　He　held　onto　his　hope；　wondering　what　the　cost；　the　real　cost　would　be。　〃Is　this　a　theory　or　will　they　really　do　it？〃
　〃They　might。〃
　〃In　return　for　what？〃
　〃In　return　for　Struan's　depositing　50　percent　of　all　foreign　exchange　for　a　five…year　period；　a　promise　you'd　keep　average　cash　deposits　with　them　of　between　5　and　7　million　Hong　Kong　dollars　…　one　and　one　half　million　U。S。　dollars　worth；　that　you'd　use　the　bank　as　your　second　Hong　Kong　bank　and　the　First　Central　as　your　prime　lending　American　bank　outside　of　Hong　Kong　for　a　five…year　period。　What　do　you　say？〃
　It　took　all　his　training　not　to　bellow　with　joy。　〃Is　this　a　firm　offer？〃
　〃I　think　it　is；　tai…pan。　I'm　a　bit　out　of　my　depth　…　I've　never　been　into　ships　but　120　percent　seemed　fantastic　and　the　other　terms　okay。　I　didn't　know　how　far　I　should　go　negotiating　terms　but　I　told　him　he'd　better　make　it　all　fair　or　he'd　never　get　to　first　base。〃
　An　ice　shaft　went　into　his　guts。　〃The　local　man　would　never　have　the　authority　to　make　such　an　offer。〃
　〃That　was　Murtagh's　next　point；　but　he　said　we've　the　weekend　and　if　you'll　go　for　the　scheme　he'll　get　on　the　wire。〃
　Dunross　sat　back；　nonplussed。　He　put　aside　three　vital　questions　and　said；　〃Let's　hold　this　for　the　moment。　What's　your　part　in　all　this？〃
　〃In　a　minute。　There's　another　wrinkle　to　his　offer。　I　think　he's　bananas　but　Murtagh　said　he'd　try　to　persuade　the　brass　to　put　up　a　revolving　50　million　U。S。　against　the　value　of　the　unissued　shares　you　got　in　your　treasury。　So　you're　home　free。　If。〃
　Dunross　felt　the　sweat　break　out　on　his　back　and　on　his　forehead；　well　aware　what　a　tremendous　gamble　that　would　be；　however　big　the　bank。　With　effort　he　put　his　brain　to　work。　With　the　ships　paid　for　and　that　revolving　fund；　he　could　fight　off　Gornt　and　smash　his　attack。　And　with　Gornt　bottled；　Orlin'd　e　back　meekly　because　he'd　always　been　a　good　customer　…　and　wasn't　First　Central　part　of　the　Orlin　Merchant　Bank　consortium？　〃What　about　our　deal？〃
　〃That　stays　as　is。　You　announce　at　the　best　time　for　both　of　us；　for　you　and　for　Par…Con　as　we　agreed。　If；　and　it's　a　big　if；　if　First　Central'll　go　for　the　gamble；　you　and　we　could　make　a　killing；　a　real　killing　by　buying　Struan　at　9。50　Monday　morning　…　it　has　to　go　back　up　to　28；　maybe　to　30；　doesn't　it？　The　only　part　I　can't　figure　is　how　to　deal　with　the　bank　runs。〃
　Dunross　took　out　his　handkerchief　and　unashamedly　wiped　his　forehead。　Then　he　got　up　and　poured　two　brandy　and　sodas。　He　gave　her　one　and　sat　back　in　his　chair　again；　his　mind　amok；　one　moment　blank；　the　next　crammed　with　happiness；　instantly　to　be　agitated　and　hurting　with　all　the　hope　and　fear；　the　questions；　answers；　plans　and　counterplans。
　Christallbloodymighty；　he　thought；　trying　to　calm　himself。
　The　brandy　tasted　good。　The　warming　bite　was　very　good。　He　noticed　she　only　sipped　hers　then　set　it　down　and　watched　him。　When　his　brain　had　cleared　and　he　was　ready；　he　looked　at　her。　〃All　this　in　return　for　what？〃
　〃You'll　have　to　set　the　parameters　with　the　Royal　Belgium　…　that's　up　to　you。　I　don't　know　accurately　enough　your　net　cash　flow。　Interest　charges'll　be　steep；　but　worth　it　to　get　out　from　under。　You'll　have　to　put　up　your　personal　guarantee　for　every　cent。〃
　〃Christ！〃
　〃Yes。　Plus　face。〃　He　heard　her　voice　harden。　〃It'll　cost　you　face　to　be　dealing　with　the　'yellow　bastards。'　Wasn't　that　what　Lady　Joanna　called　the　First　Central　people　with　her　big　fat　sneer　and　'But　what　do　you　expect；　they're　。。。'　I　guess　she　meant　Americans。〃　He　saw　Casey's　eyes　flatten　and　his　danger　signals　came　up。　〃That's　some　old　bitch；　that　one。〃
　〃She's　not　really；〃　he　said。　〃She's　a　bit　caustic；　and　rough；　but　all　right　usually。　She　is　anti…American；　sorry　to　say；　paranoid　I　suppose。　You　see；　her　husband；　Sir　Richard；　was　killed　at　Monte　Cassino　in　Italy　by　American　bombs；　their　aircraft　mistaking　British　troops　for　Nazis。〃
　〃Oh；〃　Casey　said。　〃Oh　I　see。〃
　〃What　does　Par…Con　want？　And　what　do　you　and　Linc　Bartlett　want？〃
　She　hesitated；　then　put　Lady　Joanna　aside　for　a　moment；　concentrating　again。　〃Par…Con　wants　a　long…term　deal　with　Struan's　…　as　'Old　Friends。'　〃　He　saw　the　strange　smile。　〃I've　discovered　what　Old　Friend　means；　Chinese　style；　and　that's　what　I　want　for　Par…Con。　Old　Friend　status　as　and　from　the　moment　the　Royal　Belgium　delivers。〃
　〃Next？〃
　〃Is　that　a　yes？〃
　〃I'd　like　to　know　all　the　terms　before　I　agree