The Argosy, Vol. 76, No. 3 — page 116: what you’re looking at

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

586 it—what then? Ask him that, Innes? Suppose we don’t pay? ” Before the question could be put, Takayashi, still smiling, had answered it. “Ah! That is for the Honorable Meester. Oakes to decide. We are telling that the materials are been shipped, the plans made, the contracts signed an’ that—” ‘“Aye! Just so! Oakes. Wait a bit—’” | Then, turning to the still grinning Japanese, he asked as calmly as he could, for inwardly he was boiling: ‘Who will receipt for the money— you or Colonel Itasura?”’ “Oah! There is not of necessity for the receipt. When the fine is paid the coolies can be took to Chenampho. Is it not?”’ ““A check for how much?” asked Oakes in his most businesslike tones, drawing the check-book toward him. The Japanese grinned affably at him in reply. “ Eet ees not of checks at all that we do business. The cash mus’ been paid under the tack—” “On the nail, he means,” said Innes. “Of course we might have known that. Checks can be traced. Cash cannot be. I wonder how much rake-off our army friend is getting. Don’t you see it all, Oakes? It is the clearest case of hold-up I’ve ever seen. “ The Russians get onto the fact that the contract has been let to you. They notify the Chinese authorities to hold you up on account of the plague quar- antine and then these friends of ours decide to compromise with the Rus- sians. You've got to get these coolies in on time in order to begin work promptly on your contract. What do you stand to forfeit if you do not start on schedule time?” Oakes told him. “Tf you pay this hold-up, then you can. take your men in on time. If you do not pay it, you can’t. Even if you take them in you will probably find that Russia has another card up her sleeve, and that after you have gone There you are, THE ARGOSY. % to the expense of actually starting the work you will be held up on some other count. My friend, Russia does not mean to have Japan build that road. Mark my words.” ““ Suppose,” said Oakes carefully. “that I complain to the higher author- ities.” “No evidence. They won’t take your word against the word of an army officer, and Itasura’ll deny every thing till the cock crows thrice. Now, Mr. Takayashi, if the fine is not paid what will become of the coolies? ”’ “They will be keeped in the camps for the coolies who work on the rail- road away back of the town till the Chinese compradors have made them agree to work for them. Those who do not desire to work for the compradors will be sent to Swatow port again at the expense of the men who brought them here, an’ those who stay here will be keeped in camp at your expense till the steamer go south or till they begin work. The steamer will be held for damages.” “Sweet for my owners,’ mented Innes. “Im _ afraid youl go bust, Oakes. What’ll you do?” “Don’t know yet. I'll meet you here in a couple of hours, Mr. Taka- yashi,” he said presently. ‘“ When I return I will either have the cash with me or else I will let you know my decision.” Accompanied by the still smiling Takayashi, he and Innes went to the door, where their Oriental host bade them farewell in a series of genu- flections and stood watching them as they passed down the stairs and strolled out from the water-front. Oakes was angry. There was no mistaking that fact, also there was no denying that he saw the folly of los- ing his temper. The Japanese labor union, if indeed it was the work of a union, apparently had them firmly in its clutches, and Oakes was sufficiently familiar with Oriental business meth- ods to know that in such case they are a good deal like a child with an com- COMicdoo S CO@