H. Bedford-Jones

“ An error could be accurately measured in dollars, and the business of counterfeiting fine Chinese art was in full swing under the patronage of clever Nipponese, so that many a man went home to America poorer, but infinitely wiser.
Among them was no esprit de corps—keen envy and jealousy and hatred were rampant. Into this petty maelstrom had come Joan Thurston, most amazingly possessed of that sixth sense which defines an antique as real or faked. True, she had not been long in China. ”

“ The pipe had soothed him, put him in a mood of rare good humor. He slid from the bench, stood upright, and laid a slender hand on Gorgonza's arm.
“Tut, tut!” he said gently. “Come, let us examine our bird! Then I shall play fair with you. We shall toss a coin—eh? After all, shall a woman come between us?”
Gorgonza stood silent, his dark features sullen, until a smile touched his thin, Chinese lips.
“True,” he said, and nodded. He passed his hand within Dom Manuel's arm, and the two men came forward toward the ivory cell, peering at the girl within. ”

“ Even as she gazed, Joan heard Dom Manuel clap his hands. The first pipe was finished, and two servants responded to the call. She watched them approach the bird cage and take it from the pedestal.
“My word is my word, madame,“ said Dom Manuel, taking a second pipe. “The thing goes to your hotel. If you will inspect the ivory shrine, yonder, you may find it remarkable.”
The girl turned. Among the treasures which filled the place the predominant object was a large shrine of carved ivory figures, applied to a base of cloisonné bronze, which stood against the farther wall. ”

“ Only to save another person is murder lawful.”
“YOU mean”—Joan frowned thoughtfully—“that Gorgonza is influential?”
“He and Dom Manuel, yes. He corrupts people, and he panders to the taste of officials in many ways in ways not to be spoken of with beautiful ladies like you. In the Portuguese court I am helpless against him. In the Chinese court I am helpless against Dom Manuel, who is of old Macaense blood, but a very unworthy person; also, Dom Manuel is wealthy.”
“Very well,” said Joan, with her birdlike nod. “I shall come to your shop at nine in the morning, Lee. ”

“ At nine the next morning Joan Thurston came into the little silk shop, and Lee Kim bowed low to her. So far is paper profit was concerned, she accomplished a magnificent stroke of business, because under the circumstances Lee Kim took no advantage of her and was glad to get his investment back.
THE bird cage in question was a creation famed in tale and legend, a gift from the Emperor Kang H'si to a viceroy of ages past, and it was said to have consumed the labor of twelve great craftsmen during a space of three years. When Joan left the silk merchant's shop, she owned the bird cage—on paper. ”

“ Writing a brief chit, she called a boy and sent the chit to one Lee Kim, who sold silks in a shop near the boat landing.
THROUGHOUT the groaning, tormented bulk of inland China famine and pestilence had been succeeded by more bitter internecine war; and, because of this, the antique buyers were reaping an enormous, an incredible harvest. Heirlooms, cherished in the same family from remote antiquity, were on the market. The agonies of starvation forced men of high lineage, of historic family, to sell their choicest treasures. Most of these things went to America. ”

“ The native driver was stupefied by this command, for he knew the house of Dom Manuel very well indeed. Every one in Macao—and some elsewhere—knew it. That house had recently been the cause of certain official representations from the governor at Hongkong, which did not incommode the Portuguese authorities in the least, especially as the inquiries concerned nothing more important than a vanished Englishwoman. Dom Manuel had an interest in the opium factories, and was the owner of a splendid casino adjoining his residence grounds, and he was not a person to be troubled by inquiries. ”

“ It is written in the book 'Li Lou' that neither virtue nor law can put themselves into practice, however good they may be. I am afraid of Gorgonza and he is afraid of me. He dares not take the thing without a bill of sale, and I cannot obtain it from Dom Manuel. ”

“ He was a tall, spare man who conveyed an impression of brittle delicacy. His wasted features were painted and rouged, giving the lie to his brilliant, black eyes. Crowning his gray hair was a flat black cap, topped with a button of white jade. ”

“ Macao was beautiful, both in ensemble and in detail, and it was almost with an effort that the girl's eyes came back to this fatly smirking caller. Gorgonza produced a cigarette.
“With your permission, madame? Thank you. Now, let me state my position more clearly.”
Illustration: “Am I to understand, Mr. Gorgonza, that you threaten me?” asked the girl. Gorgonza smiled his oily, deprecating smile, his turgid eyes smoldering on her loveliness
AIRILY, Gorgonza lighted the cigarette. ”

“ Joan herself appeared quite indifferent to this action. Most dealers pick up their knowledge here and there; she had studied the Chinese arts systematically. Also, she bore letters from certain merchants of New York's Chinatown and that of San Francisco, which were of inestimable value to her.
On Sunday evening, the evening of.her first day in Macao, Joan Thurston received a visit from the silk merchant, Lee Kim. ”