jamesclavell.noblehouse-第87章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


le　House　of　Asia！〃
　Gornt　nodded；　torn。　How　far　can　I　trust　you；　Mr。　Bloody　Raider；　you　with　the　key　to　Devil　Dunross？　He　glanced　out　of　the　window　and　watched　a　child　skulling　a　boat　among　the　junks；　the　sea　as　safe　and　familiar　to　her　as　dry　land。　〃I'll　think　about　what　you　said。〃
　〃How　long？〃
　〃Till　eleven。〃
　〃Sorry；　this's　a　raid；　not　a　business　deal。　It's　now　…　or　not　at　all！〃
　〃Why？〃
　〃There's　a　lot　to　do；　Mr。　Gornt。　I　want　this　settled　now　or　not　at　all。〃
　Gornt　glanced　at　his　watch。　There　was　plenty　of　time。　A　call　to　the　right　Chinese　newspaper　and　whatever　he　told　them　would　be　on　the　stands　in　an　hour。　He　smiled　grimly　to　himself。　His　own　ace　in　the　hole　was　Havergill。　Everything　dovetailed　perfectly。
　A　seabird　cawed　and　flew　inland；　riding　some　thermals　toward　the　Peak。　He　watched　it。　Then　his　eyes　noticed　the　Great　House　on　the　crest；　white　against　the　green　of　the　slopes。　〃It's　a　deal；〃　he　said　and　stuck　out　his　hand。　Bartlett　shook。　〃Great。　This　is　strictly　between　us？〃
　〃Yes。〃
　〃Where　d'you　want　the　2　million？〃
　〃The　Bank　of　Switzerland　and　Zurich；　in　Zurich；　account　number　181819。〃　Gornt　reached　into　his　pocket；　noticing　his　fingers　were　trembling。　〃I'll　write　it　down　for　you。〃
　〃No　need。　The　account's　in　your　name？〃
　〃Good　God；　no！　Canberra　Limited。〃
　〃Canberra　Limited's　2　million　richer！　And　in　three　days　with　any　luck；　you'll　be　tai…pan　of　the　Noble　House。　How　about　that！〃　Bartlett　opened　the　door　and　got　out。　〃See　you。〃
　〃Wait；〃　Gornt　said；　startled；　〃I'll　drop　you　wh…　〃
　〃No　thanks。　I've　got　to　get　to　a　phone。　Then　at　9：15　I've　an　interview　with　your　friend　Orlanda；　Miss　Ramos　…　thought　there　was　no　harm　in　it。　After　that　maybe　I'll　take　a　few　pictures。〃　He　waved　cheerily　and　walked　off。
　Gornt　wiped　the　sweat　off　his　hands。　Before　leaving　the　club　he　had　phoned　Orlanda　to　phone　Bartlett　and　make　the　date。　That's　very　good；　he　thought；　still　in　shock。　She'll　keep　an　eye　on　him　once　they're　lovers；　and　they　will　be；　Casey　or　not。　Orlanda　has　too　much　to　gain。
　He　watched　Bartlett；　envying　him。　In　a　few　moments　the　American　had　vanished　into　the　crowds　of　Wanchai。
　Suddenly　he　was　very　tired。　It's　all　too　pat；　too　fine；　too　easy；　he　told　himself。　And　yet　。。。　and　yet！　Shakily　he　lit　a　cigarette。　Where　did　Bartlett　get　those　papers？
　Inexorably　his　eyes　went　back　to　the　Great　House　on　the　Peak。　He　was　possessed　by　it　and　by　a　hatred　so　vast　that　it　swept　his　mind　back　to　his　ancestors；　to　Sir　Morgan　Brock　whom　the　Struans　broke；　to　Gorth　Brock　whom　Dirk　Struan　murdered；　to　Tyler　Brock　whom　his　daughter　betrayed。　Without　wishing　it；　he　renewed　the　oath　of　vengeance　that　he　had　sworn　to　his　father；　that　his　father　had　sworn　to　his　…　back　to　Sir　Morgan　Brock　who；　penniless；　destroyed　by　his　sister；　Hag　Struan；　paralyzed；　a　shell　of　a　man；　had　begged　for　vengeance　on　behalf　of　all　the　Brock　ghosts　on　the　Noble　House　and　all　the　descendents　of　the　most　evil　man　who　had　ever　lived。
　Oh　gods　give　me　strength；　Quillan　Gornt　prayed。　Let　the　American　be　telling　the　truth。　I　will　have　vengeance。
　
　28
　
　10：50　A。M。：
　The　sun　bore　down　on　Aberdeen　through　a　slight　overcast。　The　air　was　sultry；　ninety…two　degrees　Fahrenheit　with　ninety　percent　humidity。　It　was　low　tide。　The　smell　of　rotting　kelp　and　offal　and　exposed　mudflats　added　to　the　oppressive　weight　of　the　day。
　There　were　five　hundred　or　more　sullen　impatient　people　jamming　against　one　another；　trying　to　surge　through　the　bottleneck　of　barriers　ahead　that　the　police　had　erected　outside　this　branch　of　Ho…Pak。　The　barriers　allowed　only　one　person　through　at　a　time。　Men　and　women　of　all　ages；　some　with　infants；　were　constantly　jostling　each　other；　no　one　waiting　a　turn；　everyone　trying　to　inch　forward　to　get　to　the　head　of　the　line。
　〃Look　at　the　bloody　fools；〃　Chief　Inspector　Donald　C。C。　Smyth　said。　〃If　they'd　stretch　out　and　not　crowd　they'd　all　get　through　quicker；　and　we　could　leave　one　copper　here　to　keep　order　and　the　rest　of　us　could　go　to　lunch　instead　of　getting　the　riot　squad　ready。　Do　it！〃
　〃Yes　sir；〃　Divisional　Sergeant　Mok　said　politely。　Ayeeyah；　he　was　thinking　as　he　walked　over　to　the　squad　car；　the　poor　fool　still　doesn't　understand　that　we　Chinese　are　not　stupid　foreign　devils　…　or　devils　from　the　Eastern　Sea　…　who'll　line　up　patiently　for　hours。　Oh　no；　we　civilized　persons　understand　life　and　it's　every　man　for　himself。　He　clicked　on　the　police　transmitter。　〃Divisional　Sergeant　Mok！　The　chief　inspector　wants　a　riot　squad　here　on　the　double。　Park　just　behind　the　fish　market　but　keep　in　contact！〃
　〃Yes　sir。〃
　Mok　sighed　and　lit　a　cigarette。　More　barriers　had　been　erected　across　the　street；　outside　Blacs　and　the　Victoria　Aberdeen　branches；　and　more　at　the　Ching　Prosperity　Bank　around　the　corner。　His　khaki　uniform　was　ironed　sharp　on　the　creases　and　there　were　big　sweat　rings　under　his　arms。　He　was　very　concerned。　This　crowd　was　very　dangerous　and　he　did　not　want　a　repetition　of　yesterday。　If　the　bank　shut　its　doors　before　three　he　was　sure　the　crowd　would　tear　the　place　apart。　He　knew　that　if　he　still　had　any　money　in　there；　he　would　be　the　first　to　tear　the　door　open　to　get　his　money。　Ayeeyah；　he　thought；　very　thankful　for　the　Snake's　authority　that　had　unlocked　all　their　money　this　morning　to　the　last　penny。
　〃Piss　on　all　banks！〃　Mok　muttered　to　no　one。　〃All　gods；　let　the　Ho…Pak　pay　all　customers　today！　Let　it　fail　tomorrow！　Tomorrow's　my　day　off　so　let　it　fail　tomorrow。〃　He　stubbed　out　his　cigarette。
　〃Sergeant　Major？〃
　〃Yes？〃
　〃Look　over　there！〃　the　eager　young　plainclothes　detective　said；　hurrying　up　to　him。　He　wore　spectacles　and　was　in　his　early　twenties。　〃By　the　Victoria　Bank。　The　old　woman。　The　old　amah。〃
　〃Where？　Oh　yes；　I　see　her。〃　Mok　watched　her　for　a　while　but　detected　nothing　untoward。　Then　he　saw　her　scuttle　through　the　crowd　and　whisper　to　a　young　tough；　wearing　jeans；　who　was　leaning　against　a　railing。　She　pointed　to　an　old　man　who　had　just　e　out　of　the　bank。　At　once　the　young　tough　sauntered　after　him　and　the　old　amah　squeezed　and　squirmed　and　cursed　her　way　back　to　the　head　of　the　barrier　where　she　could　see　those　who　entered　and　those　who　came　out。
　〃That's　the　third　time；　sir；〃　the　young　detective　said。　〃The　old　amah　points　out　someone　who's　just　e　out　of　the　bank　to　the　tough；　then　off　he　goes。　In　a　few　minutes　he　es　back　again。　That's　the　third　time。　I'm　sure　I　saw　him　slip　her　something　once。　I　think　it　was　money。〃
　〃Good！　Very　good；　Spectacles　Wu。　It's　bound　to　be　a　triad　shakedown。　The　old　hag's　probably　his　mother。　You　follow　the　young　bastard　and　I'll　intercept　him　the　other　way。　Keep　out　of　sight！〃
　Divisional　Sergeant　Mok　slipped　around　the　corner；　down　a　busy　alley　lined　with　stalls　and　street　hawkers　and　open　shops；　moving　carefully　through　the　crowds。　He　turned　into　another　alley　just　in　time　to　catch　a　glimpse　of　some　money　being　passed　over　by　the　old　man。　He　waited　until　Wu　had　blocked　the　other　end　of　the　alley；　then　he　walked　ponderously　forward。
　〃What's　going　on　here？〃
　〃What？　Eh？　Nothing；　nothing　at　all；〃　the　old　man　said　nervously；　sweat　running　down　his　face。　〃What's　the　matter？　I've　done　nothing！〃
　〃Why　did　you　give　this　young　man　money；　heya？　I　saw　you　give　him　money！〃　The　young　thug　stared　back　at　Mok　insolently；　unafraid；　knowing　he　was　Smallpox　Kin；　one　of　the　Werewolves　who　had　all　Hong　Kong　petrified。　〃Is　he　accosting　you？　Trying　to　squeeze　you？　He　looks　like　a　triad！〃
　〃Oh！　I　。。。　I　。。。　I　owed　him　500　dollars。　I've　just　got　it　out　of　the　bank　and　I　paid　him。〃　The　old　man　was　clearly　terrified　but　he　blustered　on；　〃He's　my　cousin。〃　A　crowd　began　to　collect。　Someone　hawked　and　spat。
　〃Why're　you　sweating　so　much？〃
　〃All　gods　fornicate　all　pigs！　It's　hot！　Everyone's　sweating。　Everyone！〃
　〃That's　fornicating　right；〃　someone　called　out。
　Mok　turned　his　attention　on　the　youth　who　waited　truculently。
　〃What's　your　name？〃
　〃Sixth　Son　Wong！〃
　〃Liar！　Turn　out　your　pockets！〃
　〃Me；　I've　done　nothing！　I　know　the　law。　You　can't　search　people　without　a　warran…　〃　Mok's　iron　fist　snapped　out　and　twisted　the　youth's　arm　and　he　squealed。　The　crowd　laughed。　They　fell　silent　as　Spectacles　Wu　came　out　of　nowhere　to　search　him。　Mok　held　Smallpox　Kin　in　a　vise。　Another　uneasy　undercurrent　swept　through　the　onlookers　as　they　saw　the　rolls　of　money；　and　change。　〃Where'd　you　get　all　this？〃　Mok　snarled。
　〃It's　mine。　I'm　。。。　I'm　a　moneylender　and　I'm　collecting　forn…　〃
　〃Where's　your　place　of　business？〃
　〃It's　。。。　it's　in　Third　Alley；　off　Aberdeen　Road。〃
　〃e　on；　we'll　go　and　look。〃
　Mok　released　the　young　man　who；　unafraid；　still　stared　back　angrily。　〃First　give　me　my　money！〃　He　turned　to　the　crowd　and　appealed　to　them。　〃You　saw　him　take　it！　I'm　an　honest　moneylender！　These're　servants　of　the　foreign　devils　and　you　all　know　them！　Foreign　devil　law　forbids　honest　citizens　being　searched！〃
　〃Give　him　back　his　fornicating　money！〃　someone　shouted。
　〃If　he's　a　moneylender　。。。〃　The　crowd　began　to　argue　back　and　forth　and　then　Smallpox　Kin　saw　a　small　opening　in　the　crowd　and　he　darted　for　it。　The　crowd　let　him　pass　and　he　fled　up　the　alley；　vanishing　into　the　traffic；　but　when　Spectacles　Wu　charged　in　pursuit　they　closed　up　and　jostled　him　and　became　a　little　uglier。　Mok　called　him　back。　In　the　momentary　melee　the　old　man　had　disappeared。　Wearily　Mok　said；　〃Let　the　motherless　turd　go！　He　was　just　a　triad　…　another　triad　turd　who　preys　on　law…abiding　people。〃
　〃What're　you　going　to　do　with　his　fornicating　money？〃　someone　called　out　from　the　back　of　the　crowd。
　〃I'm　going　to　give　it　to　an　old　woman's　rest　home；〃　Mok　shouted　back　equally　rudely。　〃Go　defecate　in　your　grandmother's　ear！〃
　Someone　laughed　and　the　crowd　began　to　break　up　and　then　they　all　went　about　their　business。　In　a　moment　Mok　and　Spectacles　Wu　were　standing　like　stones　in　a　river；　the　passersby　eddying　around　them。　Once　back　on　the　main　street；　Mok　wiped　his　brow。　〃Dew　neh　loh　moh！〃
　〃Yes。　Why're　they　like　that；　Sergeant　Major？〃　the　young　detective　asked。　〃We're　only　trying　to　help　them。　Why　didn't　the　old　man　just　admit　that　triad　bastard　was　squeezing　him？〃
　〃You　don't　learn　about　mobs　of　people　in　schoolbooks；〃　Mok　said　kindly；　knowing　the　anxiety　of　the　youth　to　succeed。　Spectacles　Wu　was　new；　one　of　the　recent　university　graduates　to　join　the　force。　He　was　not　one　of　Mok's　private　unit。　〃Be　patient。　Neither　of　them　wanted　anything　to　do　with　us　because　we're　police　and　they　all　still　believe　we'll　never　help　them；　only　ourselves。　It's　been　the　same　in　China　since　the　first　policeman。〃
　〃But　this　is　Hong　Kong；〃　the　youth　said　proudly。　〃We're　different。　We're　British　police。〃
　〃Yes。〃　Mok　felt　a　sudden　chill。　He　did　not　wish　to　disillusion　the　youth。　I　used　to　be　loyal　too；　loyal　to　the　Queen　and　to　the　quai　loh　flag。　I　learned　differently。　When　I　needed　help　and　protection　and　security　I　got　none。　Never　once。　The　British　used　to　be　rich　and　powerful　but　they　lost　the　war　to　those　Eastern　Sea　Devils。　The　war　took　all　their　face　away　and　humbled　them　and　put　the　great　tai…pans　into　Stanley　Prison　like　mon　thieves　…　even　the　tai…pans　of　the　Noble　House　and　Great　Bank　and　even　the　great　high　governor　himself　…　put　them　away　like　mon　criminals；　into　Stanley　with　al