H. Bedford-Jones

“ Toptit had an unfortunate knack of getting his business done in remarkably short order—and there were usually complications. It does not always pay to hurry in China. People take things for granted.
Kang Ho was just now taking something very much for granted. There was no way of changing his mind, either, without provoking unpleasant possibilities.
"There is a man with whom I have a feud," said Kang Ho, after his twenty-fourth cup of wine. "He is Ngig Po Tui, from the Yellow river, and he has no business on this river at all. So I shall make him eat gold, and you shall help me." ”

“ The only consolation is that I have the tiger hilt in my pocket. This proves that I am not dreaming. I think Kang Ho would be an excellent subject for an epic poem, or at least an ode in the epic style."
For ten minutes he swam hurriedly, then a heartfelt curse broke from him. He perceived a small, swift craft bearing down to pick him up, and from the flags at the stern saw that it was one of the patrol cutters under jurisdiction of the Chang-tu mandarin.
"A thousand dollars reward—strictly sub rosa—for the foreign devil!" murmured Toptit, philosophically. ”

“ He perceived that he was in for some throat-slitting.
"I would suggest," he said calmly, "that you remember I have enemies."
"Ah!" Kang Ho emptiest another cup and grinned. "Enemies are sent to make life interesting for such men as us, my friend. Come, let us go." ”

“ Kang Ho rowed steadily up the river for a space. Then, passing again, he completed his tardy information.
"Ngig Po Tui is a son of many devils," he announced. "It is understood that if you are given passage to your ancestors somebody at the yamen will pay a thousand dollars. So Ngig Po Tui came to me and we agreed to divide the reward. Another five hundred dollars was offered for the bronze object now in your pocket. You will understand that I am taking you and the bronze object to Ngig Po Tui, who offered immediate payment on my half of the reward on delivery. ”

“ One of those at the junk's rail made answer. The first alarm was rapidly quieting.
"That is good, Kang Ho. Come aboard."
"Well said, but ill done," responded Kang Ho, chuckling. "I do not come aboard. Meet me on the bank with the money and the foreign devil is yours. But bring only one man with you. Shoot the foreign devil as soon as you like—after the money is in my hands!"
"Very well," came the response.
Two sampans lay alongside the small junk. Into one of them dropped a man. Presently Ngig Po Tui followed him, bearing a bundle—which was evidently "silver-shoe" money. ”

“ HIS boatmen, who were quite reliable, would locate the craft of Kang Ho and put him on board. After that his fate was in his own hands.
"At the best my fate is none too good. Business isn't what it used to be." reflected Toptitt with a sigh, after failing to find any rhyme for Chengtu. "The interior decorators back home have educated the public up to relish being faked. The real stuff is going out of fashion. Fortunately, we always have markets with museums and collectors. I hope this Kang Ho chap will appreciate poetry. ”

“ Undoubtedly——"
"Undoubtedly that was well done," interrupted the consul, who could be just as bland as any yellow man going. "I shall report your zeal at the yamen. You will be rewarded."
"A man of your excellency's position should not be troubled with drowned bodies," said the officer. "If you will turn over the man to us, we will bring him to Chengtu with all due respect and——"
"He is not drowned, and he is a friend of mine," said the consul. "The matter shall be duly reported at the yamen, so say no more. ”

“ He'll probably be up at Chengtu in the morning to get a present I promised to give him. I'll introduce you."
"I think," observed the consul, regarding him gravely, "that you're lying, Toptit!"
Toptit chuckled. "Of course. I am. Everybody lies to a consul. Of course, if you weren't in an official capacity——"
"Oh I understand." The consul dropped into a chair and produced cigars. "Here—my boy is getting out some dry clothes now. Tell me while——"
Toptit told his story. He told the exact truth and produced the bronze tiger hilt to prove his words. ”

“ Chinese gentlemen have no particular regard for dealers and agents who seek antiques, old rugs, or fake Han bronzes, but they have an unqualified respect for poets, whose nature they understand thoroughly. ”

“ Toptit had left his partner, Jim Hanecy, back in Chengtu, and was wandering forth on his own.
"Wandering" is the correct word. He was seeking the floating home of a river pawnbroker and pirate by the name of Kang Ho, who was in possession of a tiger hilt. Toptit had no idea what this tiger hilt was: he was operating on purely verbal information. ”