jamesclavell.noblehouse-第102章

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　〃I　really　don't　want　to　go；〃　he　snapped　back　at　her。　〃Shitee　T'Chung's　a　bore　and　now　that　he's　Sir　Shitee　he's　a　double　one。〃　Years　ago　Shi…teh　had　adulterated　down　to　bee　the　nickname　Shitee　to　his　intimate　friends。　〃Anyway；　it's　hardly　eight　o'clock　and　dinner's　not　till　9：30　and　he's　always　late；　his　banquets　are　always　at　least　an　hour　late。　For　God's　sake；　you　go！〃
　〃Ayeeyah　you've　got　to　e。　It's　a　matter　of　face；〃　she　replied；　equally　ill…tempered。　〃My　God；　after　today　at　the　stock　market　。。。　if　we　don't　go　we'll　lose　terrible　face　and　it's　sure　to　push　the　stock　down　further！　All　Hong　Kong　will　laugh　at　us。　They　can't　wait。　They'll　say　we're　so　ashamed　the　House　can't　pay　its　bills　that　we　won't　show　our　face　in　public。　Huh！　And　as　for　Shitee's　new　wife；　Constance；　that　mealy…mouthed　whore　can't　wait　to　see　me　humbled！〃　She　was　near　screeching。　Her　losses　on　the　day　exceeded　100；000　of　her　own　secret　private　dollars。　When　Phillip　had　called　her　from　the　stock　market　just　after　three　to　relate　what　had　happened　she　had　almost　fainted。　〃Oh　ko　you　have　to　e　or　we'll　be　ruined！〃
　Miserably　her　husband　nodded。　He　knew　what　gossips　and　rumormongers　would　be　at　the　banquet。　All　day　he　had　been　inundated　with　questions；　moans　and　panic。　〃I　suppose　you're　right。〃　He　was　down　almost　a　million　dollars　on　the　day　and　if　the　run　continued　and　Gornt　won　he　knew　he　would　be　wiped　out。　Oh　oh　oh　why　did　I　trust　Dunross　and　buy　so　heavily？　he　was　thinking；　so　angry　that　he　wanted　to　kick　someone。　He　looked　up　at　his　wife。　His　heart　sank　as　he　recognized　the　signs　of　her　awesome　displeasure　at　the　world　in　general；　and　him　in　particular。　He　quaked　inside。　〃All　right；〃　he　said　meekly。　〃I　won't　be　a　moment。〃
　When　he　got　to　the　door　the　phone　rang。　Once　more　his　heart　twisted　and　he　felt　sick。　There　had　been　four　calls　since　around　six。　Each　had　been　a　business　call　decrying　the　fate　of　the　stock；　and　were　the　rumors　true　and　oh　ko；　Phillip；　I'd　better　sell　…　each　time　worse　than　the　last。　〃Weyyyy？〃　he　asked　angrily。
　There　was　a　short　pause；　then　an　equally　rude　voice　said　in　crude　Cantonese；　〃You're　in　a　foul　temper　whoever　you　are！　Where　are　your　fornicating　manners？〃
　〃Who's　this？　Eh；　who's　calling？〃　he　asked　in　Cantonese。
　〃This　is　the　Werewolf。　The　Chief　Werewolf；　by　all　the　gods！　Who're　you？〃
　〃Oh！〃　The　blood　drained　from　Phillip　Chen's　face。　In　panic　he　beckoned　his　wife。　She　rushed　forward　and　bent　to　listen　too；　everything　else　forgotten　except　the　safety　of　the　House。　〃This　。。。　this　is　Honorable　Chen；〃　he　said　cautiously。　〃Please；　what's　。。。　what's　your　name？〃
　〃Are　your　ears　filled　with　wax？　I　said　I　was　the　Werewolf。　Am　I　so　stupid　to　give　you　my　name？〃
　〃I'm　。。。　I'm　sorry　but　how　do　I　know　you're　。。。　you're　telling　me　the　truth？〃
　〃How　do　I　know　who　you　are？　Perhaps　you're　a　dung…eating　policeman。　Who　are　you？〃
　〃I'm　Noble　House　Chen。　I　swear　it！〃
　〃Good。　Then　I　wrote　you　a　letter　saying　I'd　call　about　6：00　p。m。　today。　Didn't　you　get　the　letter？〃
　〃Yes；　yes　I　got　the　letter；〃　Phillip　Chen　said；　trying　to　control　a　relief　that　was　mixed　with　rage　and　frustration　and　terror。　〃Let　me　talk　to　my　Number　One　Son；　please。〃
　〃That's　not　possible；　no；　not　possible！　Can　a　frog　think　of　eating　a　swan？　Your　son's　in　another　part　of　the　Island　。。。　actually　he's　in　the　New　Territories；　not　near　a　telephone　but　quite　safe；　Noble　House　Chen；　oh　yes；　quite　safe。　He　lacks　for　nothing。　Do　you　have　the　ransom　money？〃
　〃Yes　。。。　at　least　I　could　only　raise　100；000。　Th…　〃
　〃All　gods　bear　witness　to　my　fornicating　patience！〃　the　man　said　angrily。　〃You　know　very　well　we　asked　for　500；000！　5　or　10　it's　still　like　one　hair　on　ten　oxen　to　you！〃
　〃Lies！〃　Phillip　Chen　shrieked。　〃That's　all　lies　and　rumors　spread　by　my　enemies！　I'm　not　that　rich。　。。。　Didn't　you　hear　about　the　stock　market　today？〃　Phillip　Chen　groped　for　a　chair；　his　heart　pounding；　and　sat　down　still　holding　the　phone　so　she　could　listen　too。
　〃Ayeeyah；　stock　market！　We　poor　farmers　don't　deal　on　the　stock　market！　Do　you　want　his　other　ear？〃
　Phillip　Chen　blanched。　〃No。　But　we　must　negotiate。　Five　is　too　much。　One　and　a　half　I　can　manage。〃
　〃If　I　settle　for　one　and　a　half　I　will　be　the　laughingstock　of　all　China！　Are　you　accusing　me　of　displaying　a　lamb's　head　but　selling　dogmeat？　One　and　a　half　for　the　Number　One　Son　of　Noble　House　Chen？　Impossible！　It's　face！　Surely　you　can　see　that。〃
　Phillip　Chen　hesitated。　〃Well；〃　he　said　reasonably；　〃you　have　a　point。　First　I　want　to　know　when　I　get　my　son　back。〃
　〃As　soon　as　the　ransom's　paid！　I　promise　on　the　bones　of　my　ancestors！　Within　a　few　hours　of　getting　the　money　he'll　be　put　on　the　main　Sha　Tin　Road。〃
　〃Ah；　he's　in　Sha　Tin　now？〃
　〃Ayeeyah；　you　can't　trap　me；　Noble　House　Chen。　I　smell　dung　in　this　conversation。　Are　the　fornicating　police　listening？　Is　the　dog　acting　fierce　because　his　master's　listening？　Have　you　called　the　police？〃
　〃No；　I　swear　it。　I　haven't　called　the　police　and　I'm　not　trying　to　trap　you；　but　please；　I　need　assurances；　reasonable　assurances。〃　Phillip　Chen　was　beaded　with　sweat。　〃You're　quite　safe；　you　have　my　oath；　I　haven't　called　the　police。　Why　should　I？　If　I　call　them　how　can　we　negotiate？〃
　There　was　another　long　hesitation；　then　the　man　said；　somewhat　mollified；　〃I　agree。　But　we　have　your　son　so　any　trouble　that　happens　is　your　fault　and　not　ours。　All　right；　I'll　be　reasonable　too。　I　will　accept　400；000；　but　it　must　be　tonight！〃
　〃That's　impossible！　You　ask　me　to　fish　in　the　sea　to　catch　a　tiger！　I　didn't　get　your　letter　till　after　the　banks　were　closed　but　I've　got　100；000　cash；　in　small　bills。　。。。〃　Dianne　nudged　him　and　held　up　two　fingers。　〃Listen；　Honorable　Werewolf；　perhaps　I　can　borrow　more　tonight。　Perhaps　。。。　listen；　I　will　give　you　two　tonight。　I'm　sure　I　can　raise　that　within　the　hour。　200；000！〃
　〃May　all　gods　smite　me　dead　if　I　sell　out　for　such　a　fornicating　pittance。　350；000！〃
　〃200；000　within　the　hour！〃
　〃His　other　ear　within　two　days　or　300；000　tonight！〃
　Phillip　Chen　wailed　and　pleaded　and　flattered　and　cursed　and　they　negotiated　back　and　forth。　Both　men　were　adept。　Soon　both　were　caught　up　in　the　battle　of　wits；　each　using　all　his　powers；　the　kidnapper　using　threats；　Phillip　Chen　using　guile；　flattery　and　promises。　At　length；　Phillip　Chen　said；　〃You　are　too　good　for　me；　too　good　a　negotiator。　I　will　pay　200；000　tonight　and　a　further　100；000　within　four　months。〃
　〃Within　one　month！〃
　〃Three！〃　Phillip　Chen　was　aghast　at　the　flow　of　obscenities　that　followed　and　he　wondered　if　he　had　misjudged　his　adversary。
　〃Two！〃
　Dianne　nudged　him　again；　nodding　agreement。　〃Very　well；〃　he　said；　〃I　agree。　Another　100；000　in　two　months。〃
　〃Good！〃　The　man　sounded　satisfied；　then　he　added；　〃I　will　consider　what　you　say　and　call　you　back。〃
　〃But　wait　a　moment；　Honorable　Werewolf。　When　wil…　〃
　〃Within　the　hour。〃
　〃Bu…　〃　The　line　went　dead。　Phillip　Chen　cursed；　then　mopped　his　brow　again。　〃I　thought　I　had　him。　God　curse　the　motherless　dog　turd！〃
　〃Yes。〃　Dianne　was　elated。　〃You　did　very　well；　Phillip！　Only　two　now　and　another　hundred　in　two　months！　Perfect！　Anything　can　happen　in　two　months。　Perhaps　the　dirty　police　will　catch　them　and　then　we　won't　have　to　pay　the　hundred！〃　Happily　she　took　out　a　tissue　and　blotted　the　perspiration　off　her　upper　lip。　Then　her　smile　faded。　〃What　about　Shitee　T'Chung？　We've　got　to　go　but　you'll　have　to　wait。〃
　〃Ah；　I　have　it！　Take　Kevin；　I'll　e　later。　There'll　be　plenty　of　space　for　me　whenever　I　get　there。　I'll　。。。　I'll　wait　for　him　to　call　back。〃
　〃Excellent！　How　clever　you　are！　We've　got　to　get　our　coin　back。　Oh　very　good！　Perhaps　our　joss　has　changed　and　the　boom　will　happen　like　Old　Blind　Tung　forecast。　Kevin's　so　concerned　for　you；　Phillip。　The　poor　boy's　so　upset　that　you　have　all　these　troubles。　He's　very　concerned　for　your　health。〃　She　hurried　out；　thanking　the　gods；　knowing　she　would　be　back　long　before　John　Chen　returned　safely。　Perfect；　she　was　thinking；　Kevin　can　wear　his　new　white　sharkskin　dinner　jacket。　It's　time　he　began　to　live　up　to　his　new　position。　〃Kevinnnnn！〃
　The　door　closed。　Phillip　Chen　sighed。　When　he　had　gathered　his　strength；　he　went　to　the　sideboard　and　poured　himself　a　brandy。　After　Dianne　and　Kevin　had　left；　he　poured　himself　another。　At　a　quarter　to　nine　the　phone　rang　again。
　〃Noble　House　Chen？〃
　〃Yes　。。。　yes；　Honorable　Werewolf？〃
　〃We　accept。　But　it　has　to　be　tonight！〃
　Phillip　Chen　sighed。　〃Very　well。　Now　wh…　〃
　〃You　can　get　all　the　money？〃
　〃Yes。〃
　〃The　notes　will　be　hundreds　as　I　asked？〃
　〃Yes。　I　have　100；000　and　can　get　another　hundred　from　a　friend　。。。〃
　〃You　have　rich　friends；〃　the　man　said　suspiciously。　〃Mandarins。〃
　〃He's　a　bookmaker；〃　Phillip　Chen　said　quickly；　cursing　himself　for　his　slip。　〃When　you　hung　up　I　。。。　I　made　the　arrangements。　Fortunately　this　happened　to　be　one　of　his　big　nights。〃
　〃All　right。　Listen；　take　a　taxi…　〃
　〃Oh　but　I　have　a　car　an…　〃
　〃I　know　you　have　a　fornicating　car　and　I　know　the　license　number；〃　the　man　said　rudely；　〃and　we　know　all　about　you　and　if　you　try　to　betray　us　to　the　police　you　will　never　see　your　son　again　and　you　will　be　next　on　our　list！　Understand？〃
　〃Yes　。。。　yes；　of　course；　Honorable　Werewolf；〃　Phillip　Chen　said　placatingly。　〃I'm　to　take　a　taxi　…　where　to？〃
　〃The　triangle　garden　at　Kowloon　Tong。　There's　a　road　called　Essex　Road。　There's　a　wall　fence　there　and　a　hole　in　the　wall。　An　arrow　drawn　on　the　pavement　of　the　road　has　its　arrowhead　pointing　at　the　hole。　You　put　your　hand　in　this　hole　and　you'll　get　a　letter。　You　read　it　then　our　street　fighters　will　approach　you　and　say　'Tin　koon　chi　fook'　and　you　hand　the　bag　over。〃
　〃Oh！　Isn't　it　possible　I　can　hand　it　to　the　wrong　man？〃
　〃You　won't。　You　understand　the　password　and　everything？〃
　〃Yes　。。。　yes。〃
　〃How　long　will　it　take　you　to　get　there？〃
　〃I　can　e　at　once。　I'll　。。。　I　can　get　the　other　money　on　the　way；　I　can　e　at　once。〃
　〃Then　e　immediately。　e　alone；　you　cannot　e　with　anyone　else。　You　will　be　watched　the　moment　you　leave　the　door。〃
　Phillip　Chen　mopped　his　brow。　〃And　my　son？　When　do　I　ge…　〃
　〃Obey　instructions！　Beware　and　e　alone。〃
　Again　the　phone　went　dead。　His　fingers　were　shaking　as　he　picked　up　the　glass　and　drained　the　brandy。　He　felt　the　warm　afterglow　but　it　took　away　none　of　his　apprehension。　When　he　had　collected　himself；　he　dialed　a　very　private　number。　〃I　want　to　speak　to　Four　Finger　Wu；〃　he　said　in　Wu's　dialect。
　〃One　moment　please。〃　There　were　some　muffled　Haklo　voices；　and　then；　〃Is　this　Mr。　Chen；　Mr。　Phillip　Chen？〃　the　voice　asked　in　American　English。
　〃Oh！〃　he　said；　startled；　then　added　cautiously；　〃Who's　this？〃
　〃This's　Paul　Choy；　Mr。　Chen。　Mr。　Wu's　nephew。　My　uncle　had　to　go　out　but　he　left　instructions　for　me　to　wait　until　you　called。　He's　made　some　arrangements　for　you。　This　is　Mr。　Chen？〃
　〃Yes；　yes；　it　is。〃
　〃Ah；　great。　Have　you　heard　from　the　kidnappers？〃
　〃Yes；　yes　I　have。〃　Phillip　Chen　was　uneasy　talking　to　a　stranger　but　now　he　had　no　option。　He　told　Paul　Choy　the　instructions　he　had　been　given。
　〃Just　a　moment；　sir。〃
　He　heard　a　hand　being　put　over　the　phone　and　again　muffled；　indistinct　talking　in　Haklo　dialect　for　a　moment。　〃Everything's　set；　sir。　We'll　send　a　cab　to　your　house　…　you're　p