Hagen pushed his hat back from his forehead. The directions for finding the launch, angel. They were hoping you might be stupid enough to leave them lying around.
The fools, she exploded. What do they take me for? I know the position by heart.
Hagen said in a satisfied tone: One thing it proves. Tewak didnt talk. Suddenly Rose began to curse in the same fluent manner in which she had blasted the Russian clerk. Heh, hold on, Hagen said.
Oh, damn them! she said. Im beginning to get annoyed.
No tears? he said.
Theyre all used up.
He grinned and took off his jacket. Lets get started packing your things.
Why the hurry? she said in surprise.
You cant stay here. I think Id better take you to visit a friend of mine.
She shrugged her shoulders and started to pack the things in her cases as he handed them to her. Within twenty minutes they were leaving the room preceded by a couple of boys carrying the luggage. The Russian was scrupulously polite and remote when making out the bill. As they turned away from the desk Hagen suddenly shouted, Here, boy! and tossed a coin which the man instinctively caught. He stood glaring after them in fury and several people laughed. Hagen decided that the coin had been worth it.
As the taxi headed up into the residential part of Macao on the hill, Rose said curiously, What is this friend of yours like?
Hagen said casually, All right, I think youll like her.
Oh, a woman. There was a faint edge to her words. An old friend?
He laughed. Yes, in both senses of the phrase. He patted her hand. Dont worry. Shes very well known. All the best people go to her house. All the best men do, anyway.
It took several moments for the implication of his words to sink in. Rose gasped. You dont mean she keepsshe fumbled for wordsa house!
She certainly does, Hagen said. The best house in Macao. Even as he spoke and Rose sank back in her seat, crimson with embarrassment, the taxi turned into a side road and braked to a halt outside a pair of beautiful and intricate wrought-iron gates set in a high stone wall.
3
Hagen told the taxi-driver to wait, and he and the girl walked up to the ornate iron gates. He pulled on a bellrope and after a while a huge, misshapen figured shambled up to the other side of the gates. A flat, Mongolian face was pressed against the ironwork as the owner peered short-sightedly at them. Hagen reached through and pulled the mans nose. What the hell, Lee, he said. Dont you remember old friends?
The face split into a grin and the gate was hurriedly unlocked. As they passed through Hagen punched him lightly in his massive chest and said, Bring the luggage in when I tell you, Lee. The Mongolian nodded vigorously, his smile fixed firmly in position.
As they walked up the drive towards the imposing-looking house, Rose said: Hes so grotesque, like an ape Why doesnt he speak?
Hagen laughed. The Japs cut out his tongue. Hes the bouncer here. He could break the back of any man I ever knew. She appeared suitably impressed and he added: Just remember, angel. If you stay here that so-called ape will protect you when Im not around. Maybe that thought will make him look a little prettier.
A maid admitted them with a smile of welcome for Hagen, and showed them into a large reception room. Rose was fascinated by the incredible luxury of the room. There seemed to be a small fortune in Chinese objets dart. Somewhere nearby a loud voice could be heard and then the door was kicked open and the most fantastic-looking woman Rose had ever seen stormed into the room. Mark Hagenyou young hellion. Her voice was like a foghorn and she swept across the floor and crushed him in her arms.
She was wearing a gold kimono and black lounging pyjamas, and the colour scheme clashed terribly with vivid red-dyed hair. Clara, do you still love me? Hagen demanded.
No one else, handsome. She kissed him enthusiastically on one cheek, leaving a smear of vivid orange, and turned and boldly regarded the girl.
Hagen said: Rose, Id like you to meet Clara Boydell. Clara, this is Rose Graham.
Clara reached for a silver box and offered him a cheroot and took one herself. My God, Mark, she said, I wish I could find a few like her. Id make a fortune.
Rose coloured and dropped her eyes and Hagen said, Look, Clara, I need a big favour.
Clara flung herself down in an easy chair that protested loudly at her weight. Anything I can do. I owe you a favour or two. She straightened up and added, Anything except money, that is. She turned and explained to Rose: One thing I never do, honey, is part with cash. I need it all for my old age.
It isnt money, Clara, Hagen said. Id like you to put Rose up for a few days. There are a few people she wants to avoid in town.
The woman looked at him through narrowed eyes for a moment or two and then she smiled. Sure, why not? She rang a hand-bell. It wont cost me anything.
Hagen grinned. Theres just one thing, Clara. Ive a taxi waiting at the gates with the luggage. Im afraid Im flat.
She scowled at him ferociously and then, as the maid came in, her face broke into a smile. Okay, handsome. Just this once. She gave the maid an order in execrable Cantonese and said to Rose: Go with her, honey. Shell fix you up in one of the guest-rooms.
Rose smiled her thanks and as she went out of the door Hagen said, Ill see you later, angel.
And Ill see you now, Clara Boydell said. Hagen closed the door and turned towards her. She poured two generous measures of gin into glasses and said: Okay, Mark. Tell me what youre mixed up in this time.
Hagen dropped into an easy chair and relaxed. He was more tired than he had realized. Over the top of his glass he regarded Clara Boydell. In the past they had served each other too well for mistrust to enter into their relationship at this stage. He knew that this woman had a genuine affection for him. He told her most of what had happened and what he intended to do.
When he had finished she sat silently staring out of the window. She looked serious and he had never known her to be serious in the four years they had been friends. Well, what do you think? he said.
I think the whole thing stinks.
He jumped up and restlessly paced back and forth across the room. What the hell, Clara. I know its risky but you dont get anything easily in this world.
Im not just thinking of the risks, she told him. I like the look of that kid and youre going to swindle her.
For Gods sake, he said angrily. Im not throwing the kid to the sharks. Ill see that she gets a cut.
Who says shell want a cut and, anyway, shes in love with you.
Hagen laughed shortly. Dont be a fool. I only met her a few hours ago.
Yes, and saved her life. She was in a spot and you came along and pulled her out of it and since then youve taken charge of things for her. If she doesnt love you at the moment she soon will do. Hagen snorted and poured himself another drink and Clara continued: Dont be a fool, Mark. Forget about the girl and look at it from the other angle. If you go into those marshes the Commies will never let you come out alive. Theyll be watching every move you make. They may let you in. They may even let you do all the work, but in the end theyll strike. Its suicide, Mark. Are you that desperate for money?
Hagen laughed shortly. Dont be a fool. I only met her a few hours ago.
Yes, and saved her life. She was in a spot and you came along and pulled her out of it and since then youve taken charge of things for her. If she doesnt love you at the moment she soon will do. Hagen snorted and poured himself another drink and Clara continued: Dont be a fool, Mark. Forget about the girl and look at it from the other angle. If you go into those marshes the Commies will never let you come out alive. Theyll be watching every move you make. They may let you in. They may even let you do all the work, but in the end theyll strike. Its suicide, Mark. Are you that desperate for money?
Hagen walked to the window and spoke without turning round. Clara, Im sick of the life Ive been leading. Ive had enough. The years are rolling by and what have I got to show? Nothing. I want to go home with my pockets full before its too late. Is that a bad thing to want? He turned and looked at her and she shrugged helplessly. All right, he said, Ill put it plainly. If I dont take this chance Im all washed up. Just another bum on the beach. Maybe I will get killedso what? Id rather take the risk. If I dont get the gold Im better off dead anyway.
He walked over to the door and opened it. Okay, Mark, she said. Have it your own way.
He smiled sadly. I intend to, Clara. Tell Rose Ill be back to see her this evening, will you? She nodded and he closed the door gently behind him.
He had hoped at the back of his mind that Clara, properly approached, might be willing to finance the deal for him. That hope was dead now and he directed his steps towards the centre of Macao to start the rounds of the bankers and money-lenders. It almost seemed as if there was a runner ahead of him. Most of the Europeans didnt even bother to be polite. They had heard of him and he was a bad risk. On the other hand he found the Chinese money-lenders too polite. They offered him tea and fluttered their hands expressively but couldnt see their way to lending him the money. He even tried one or two merchants who in the past had not been above buying the odd cargo of contraband goods, but in every case he was politely shown the door.
It was late in the afternoon when he turned into Charlie Beales café. It was the one place where his credit was still good for a drink. He sagged down into a booth and, as he gratefully swallowed the cold beer the waiter brought him, someone sat down. Hagen looked across the table and saw Charlie Beale. Charlie smiled. Hello, boy! I hear youve made a proper cock-up of it this time and no mistake.
Hagen gave him a tired grin. You mean the boat? Ill raise the money somehow.
Charlie snapped his fingers and the waiter hurried over with a bottle of Scotch and two glasses. Have a decent drink, Mark, Charlie said. He raised his glass. Luck, and youll need it. The way Ive heard it youll be lucky if you can raise a brass farthing in this town. Somebody has put the word out. The shutters are up as far as youre concerned.
Hagen was interested. There wasnt much that went on in Macao that Charlie didnt know about. Who is it, Charlie? he said. Is it Herrara the Customs chief? I know that bastard would love to see me lose the boat permanently.
Charlie shook his head. Its a queer business, he said. From what I can hear its political. Are you in trouble with the Commies?
Hagen didnt answer because suddenly a wild idea was smouldering in his brain. Charlie, he said. How would you like to lend me ten thousand petakas?
Charlies eyes narrowed and his face became devoid of expression. He didnt laugh because he knew that Hagen must have some extraordinary proposition to make to him. You got something up your sleeve? he said softly, and the Cockney accent of his youth became suddenly more pronounced.
Something big, Charlie. Really big.
Charlie stood up and motioned Hagen to follow him. He led the way upstairs and into his office. We can be private here, he said. They sat facing each other across a wide desk. Lets hear it, boy, and it better be good.
He was now the complete business man. Facts and figures were all that interested him. He listened to what Hagen had to say and then sat smoking a cigarette and thinking about it. After a while he opened a drawer and producing a map unrolled it on the desk. Look at this, boy, he said. From here to the Kwai Marshes the coast is alive with gunboats and on top of them youve got the pirates. You wouldnt stand a chance.
Hagen nodded. All right. Its going to be difficult, but it could be done.
Charlie lit a cigarette thoughtfully and then said: Wouldnt you be better off in a motor sampan? Youd look like an ordinary fisherman from one of the coast villages.
Hagen shook his head and said decisively: No, I dont agree. This whole thing has only one chance of successspeed. Its got to be done so fast that were in and out with the gold before they know whats happened. To do that successfully I need a fast boat and mines the best on the coast, as nobody knows better than you.
Charlie Beale grinned. All right! So your boat saved my neck once. Ive paid for that favour a long time ago.
Hagen nodded. I know, but Im not asking for favours now. This is a business proposition.
Charlie shook his head. Is it hell a business proposition. Its a gamble, but on the other hand Im a gambler as well as being a business man. He studied the map for a couple of minutes without saying anything and Hagen sat with sweating palms praying for the right reply. What would you need in the way of equipment? he said at last.
Hagen had his answer off pat. Next to nothing. The boat is lying on a sandy bottom at a depth of twenty-five feet. The job should be easy. Ive got an aqua-lung. A block and tackle to haul up the gold is easily rigged. The main thing is the money to pay that damned fine so I can get my boat back.
Charlie nodded. Thats not so bad. The whole thing could be done for peanuts.
Hagen suddenly remembered something. One thing more, he said. Important! Ill need some good automatic weapons and possibly a few grenades. Charlie frowned and Hagen added, It would be silly to lose the gold simply because of an inability to defend the boat properly.
All right, Charlie said. That would be difficult, though. Its pretty hard to get that kind of stuff these days. Who would you take with you?
Hagen had the answer to that one, too. The girl, of course. She might get suspicious otherwise, and I need a deck-hand. OHara would be best. A Chinese boy might be a Commie plant.
Charlie Beale snorted. What good would that old rummy OHara be? He gets the shakes if he doesnt have his two bottles of rot-gut a day.
Hagen grinned. I know, but when hes sober hes a damned fine sailor and at least he can be depended on to keep his mouth shut. Besides, hes a friend of mine.
There was a long period of silence and a light breeze rattled the slats of the bamboo window-blind. Hagen lit a cigarette nervously and waited. Charlie studied the map and fiddled with an ivory-handled paper-knife. Suddenly he straightened up and put down the knife. Okay, Mark, he said. Come back tomorrow. Not too early, not too late. Ill think about it.
Hagen kept his face straight as he left the office and clattered down the stairs and out into the crowded street. A tiny finger of excitement moved inside him and his face broke into a broad grin. Charlie had bitten. The whole thing was set. A feeling of tremendous confidence and hope surged through him. Very soon now, perhaps in a matter of days, he would be on that ferry going over to Kowloon. Then there would be a plane winging its way across the Pacific and then suddenly he knew that he didnt want to go back to the States. There was nothing left there for him. He considered the point and a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. Ireland was the place. A country house with plenty of liquor and good horses.