earlderrbiggers.thehousewithoutakey-第35章

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e　was　John　Quincy　shut　up　in　a　little　room　on　the　fringe　of　the　River　District　with　a　husky　sailorman　who　leered　at　him　knowingly。
　The　old　Chinese　man　returned　with　two　small　glasses　into　which　the　liquor　had　already　been　poured。　He　set　them　on　the　table。　The　red…haired　man　lifted　one　of　them。　〃Your　health；　sir；〃　he　said。
　John　Quincy　took　up　the　other　glass　and　raised　it　to　his　lips。　There　was　a　suspicious　eagerness　in　the　sailor's　one　good　eye。　John　Quincy　put　the　glass　back　on　the　table。　〃I'm　sorry；〃　he　said。　〃I　don't　want　a　drink；　thank　you。〃
　The　great　face　with　its　stubble　of　red　beard　leaned　close　to　his。　〃Y'　mean　you　won't　drink　with　me？〃　said　the　red…haired　man　belligerently。
　〃That's　just　what　I　mean；〃　John　Quincy　answered。　Might　as　well　get　it　over　with；　he　felt；　anything　was　better　than　this　suspense。　He　stood　up。　〃I'll　be　going　along；〃　he　announced。
　He　took　a　step　toward　the　red　curtain。　The　sailor；　evidently　a　fellow　of　few　words；　rose　and　got　in　his　way。　John　Quincy；　himself　feeling　the　futility　of　talk；　said　nothing；　but　struck　the　man　in　the　face。　The　sailor　struck　back　with　efficiency　and　promptness。　In　another　second　the　room　was　full　of　battle；　and　John　Quincy　saw　red　everywhere；　red　curtain；　red　hair；　red　lamp　flame；　great　red　hairy　hands　cunningly　seeking　his　face。　What　was　it　Roger　had　said？　〃Ever　fought　with　a　ship's　officer　…　the　old…fashioned　kind　with　fists　like　flying　hams？〃　No；　he　hadn't　up　to　then；　but　that　sweet　experience　was　his　now；　and　it　came　to　John　Quincy　pleasantly　that　he　was　doing　rather　well　at　his　new　trade。
　This　was　better　than　the　attic；　here　he　was　prepared　and　had　a　chance。　Time　and　again　he　got　his　hands　on　the　red　curtain；　only　to　be　dragged　back　and　subjected　to　a　new　attack。　The　sailor　was　seeking　to　knock　him　out；　and　though　many　of　his　blows　went　home；　that　happy　result　…　from　the　standpoint　of　the　red…haired　man　…　was　unaccountably　delayed。　John　Quincy　had　a　similar　aim　in　life；　they　lunged　noisily　about　the　room；　while　the　surprising　Orientals　in　the　front　of　the　shop　continued　their　quiet　game。
　John　Quincy　felt　himself　growing　weary；　his　breath　came　painfully；　he　realized　that　his　adversary　had　not　yet　begun　to　fight。　Standing　with　his　back　to　the　table　in　an　idle　moment　while　the　red…haired　man　made　plans　for　the　future；　the　boy　hit　on　a　plan　of　his　own。　He　overturned　the　table；　the　lamp　crashed　down；　darkness　fell　over　the　world。　In　the　final　glimmer　of　light　he　saw　the　big　man　ing　for　him　and　dropping　to　his　knees　he　tackled　in　the　approved　manner　of　Soldiers'　Field；　Cambridge；　Massachusetts。　Culture　prevailed；　the　sailor　went　on　his　head　with　a　resounding　thump；　John　Quincy　let　go　of　him　and　sought　the　nearest　exit。　It　happened　to　be　the　door　at　the　rear；　and　it　was　unlocked。
　He　passed　hurriedly　through　a　cluttered　back　yard　and　climbing　a　fence；　found　himself　in　the　neighborhood　known　as　the　River　District。　There　in　crazy　alleys　that　have　no　names；　no　sidewalks；　no　beginning　and　no　end；　five　races　live　together　in　the　dark。　Some　houses　were　above　the　walk　level；　some　below；　all　were　out　of　alignment。　John　Quincy　felt　he　had　wandered　into　a　futurist　drawing。　As　he　paused　he　heard　the　whine　and　clatter　of　Chinese　music；　the　clicking　of　a　typewriter；　the　rasp　of　a　cheap　phonograph　playing　American　jazz；　the　distant　scream　of　an　auto　horn；　a　child　wailing　Japanese　lamentations。　Footsteps　in　the　yard　beyond　the　fence　roused　him；　and　he　fled。
　He　must　get　out　of　this　mystic　maze　of　mean　alleys；　and　at　once。　Odd　painted　faces　loomed　in　the　dusk；　pasty…white　faces　with　just　a　suggestion　of　queer　costumes　beneath。　A　babel　of　tongues；　queer　eyes　that　glittered；　once　a　lean　hand　on　his　arm。　A　group　of　moon…faced　Chinese　children　under　a　lamp　who　scattered　at　his　approach。　And　when　he　paused　again；　out　of　breath；　the　patter　of　many　feet；　bare　feet；　sandaled　feet；　the　clatter　of　wooden　clogs；　the　squeak　of　cheap　shoes　made　in　his　own　Massachusetts。　Then　suddenly　the　thump　of　large　feet　such　as　might　belong　to　a　husky　sailor。　He　moved　on。
　Presently　he　came　into　the　parative　quiet　of　River　Street；　and　realized　that　he　had　traveled　in　a　circle；　for　there　was　Liu　Yin's　shop　again。　As　he　hurried　on　toward　King　Street；　he　saw；　over　his　shoulder；　that　the　red…haired　man　still　followed。　A　big　touring　car；　with　curtains　drawn；　waited　by　the　curb。　John　Quincy　leaped　in　beside　the　driver。
　〃Get　out　of　here；　quick！〃　he　panted。
　A　sleepy　Japanese　face　looked　at　him　through　the　gloom。　〃Busy　now。〃
　〃I　don't　care　if　you　are　…〃　began　John　Quincy；　and　glanced　down　at　one　of　the　man's　arms　resting　on　the　wheel。　His　heart　stood　still。　In　the　dusk　he　saw　a　wrist　watch　with　an　illuminated　dial；　and　the　numeral　two　was　very　dim。
　Even　as　he　looked；　strong　hands　seized　him　by　the　collar　and　dragged　him　into　the　dark　tonneau。　At　the　same　instant；　the　red…haired　man　arrived。
　〃Got　him；　Mike？　Say；　that's　luck！〃　He　leaped　into　the　rear　of　the　car。　Quick　able　work　went　forward；　John　Quincy's　hands　were　bound　behind　his　back；　a　vile…tasting　gag　was　put　in　his　mouth。　〃Damned　if　this　bird　didn't　land　me　one　in　the　eye；〃　said　the　red…haired　man。　〃I'll　pay　him　for　it　when　we　get　aboard。　Hey　you　…　Pier　78。　Show　us　some　speed！〃
　The　car　leaped　forward。　John　Quincy　lay　on　the　dusty　floor；　bound　and　helpless。　To　the　docks？　But　he　wasn't　thinking　of　that；　he　was　thinking　of　the　watch　on　the　driver's　wrist。
　A　brief　run；　and　they　halted　in　the　shadow　of　a　pier…shed。　John　Quincy　was　lifted　and　propelled　none　too　gently　from　the　car。　His　cheek　was　jammed　against　one　of　the　buttons　holding　the　side　curtain；　and　he　had　sufficient　presence　of　mind　to　catch　the　gag　on　it　and　loosen　it。　As　they　left　the　car　he　tried　to　get　a　glimpse　of　its　license　plate；　but　he　was　able　to　ascertain　only　the　first　two　figures　…　33　…　before　it　sped　away。
　His　two　huge　chaperons　hurried　him　along　the　dock。　Some　distance　off　he　saw　a　little　group　of　men；　three　in　white　uniforms；　one　in　a　darker　garb。　The　latter　was　smoking　a　pipe。　John　Quincy's　heart　leaped。　He　maneuvered　the　loosened　gag　with　his　teeth；　so　that　it　dropped　about　his　collar。　〃Good…by；　Pete！〃　he　shouted　at　the　top　of　his　lungs；　and　launched　at　once　into　a　terrific　struggle　to　break　away　from　his　startled　captors。
　There　was　a　moment's　delay；　and　then　the　clatter　of　feet　along　the　dock。　A　stocky　boy　in　a　white　uniform　began　an　enthusiastic　debate　with　Mike；　and　the　other　two　were　prompt　to　claim　the　attention　of　the　red…haired　man。　Pete　Mayberry　was　at　John　Quincy's　back；　cutting　the　rope　on　his　wrists。
　〃Well；　I'll　be　damned；　Mr。　Winterslip；〃　he　cried。
　〃Same　here；〃　laughed　John　Quincy。　〃Shanghaied　in　another　minute　but　for　you。〃　He　leaped　forward　to　join　the　battle；　but　the　red…haired　man　and　his　friend　had　already　succumbed　to　youth　and　superior　forces；　and　were　in　full　retreat。　John　Quincy　followed　joyously　along　the　dock；　and　planted　his　fist　back　of　his　old　adversary's　ear。　The　sailor　staggered；　but　regained　his　balance　and　went　on。
　John　Quincy　returned　to　his　rescuers。　〃The　last　blow　is　the　sweetest；〃　he　remarked。
　〃I　can　place　those　guys；〃　said　Mayberry。　〃They're　off　that　tramp　steamer　that's　been　lying　out　in　the　harbor　the　past　week。　An　opium　runner；　I'll　gamble　on　it。　You　go　to　the　police　station　right　away　…〃
　〃Yes；〃　said　John　Quincy；　〃I　must。　But　I　want　to　thank　you；　Mr。　Mayberry。　And〃　…　he　turned　to　the　white　uniforms　…　〃you　fellows　too。〃
　The　stocky　lad　was　picking　up　his　cap。　〃Why；　that's　all　right；〃　he　said。　〃A　real　pleasure；　if　you　ask　me。　But　look　here；　old　timer；〃　he　added；　addressing　Mayberry；　〃how　about　your　Honolulu　water…front　and　its　lost　romance？　You　go　tell　that　to　the　marines。〃
　As　John　Quincy　hurried　away　Pete　Mayberry　was　busily　explaining　that　the　thing　was　unheard　of　…　not　in　twenty　years　…　maybe　more　than　that　…　his　voice　died　in　the　distance。
　Hallet　was　in　his　room；　and　John　Quincy　detailed　his　evening's　adventure。　The　captain　was　incredulous；　but　when　the　boy　came　to　the　wrist　watch　on　the　driver　of　the　car；　he　sat　up　and　took　notice。
　〃Now　you're　talking；〃　he　cried。　〃I'll　start　the　force　after　that　car　to…night。　First　two　figures　33；　you　say。　I'll　send　somebody　aboard　that　tramp；　too。　They　can't　get　away　with　stuff　like　that　around　here。〃
　〃Oh；　never　mind　them；〃　said　John　Quincy　magnanimously。　〃Concentrate　on　the　watch。〃
　Back　in　the　quiet　town　he　walked　with　his　head　up；　his　heart　full　of　the　joy　of　battle。　And　while　he　thought　of　it；　he　stepped　into　the　cable　office。　The　message　he　sent　was　addressed　to　Agatha　Parker　on　that　Wyoming　ranch。　〃San　Francisco　or　nothing；〃　was　all　it　said。
　As　he　walked　down　the　deserted　street　on　his　way　to　the　corner　to　wait　for　his　trolley；　he　heard　quick　footsteps　on　his　trail　again。　Who　now？　He　was　sore　and　weary；　a　bit　fed　up　on　fighting　for　one　evening。　He　quickened　his　pace。　The　steps　quickened　too。　He　went　even　faster。　So　did　his　pursuer。　Oh；　well；　might　as　well　stop　and　face　him。
　John　Quincy　turned。　A　young　man　rushed　up；　a　lean　young　man　in　a　cap。
　〃Mr。　Winterslip；　ain't　it？〃　He　thrust　a　dark　brown　object　into　John　Quincy's　hand。　〃Your　July　Atlantic；　sir。　Came　in　on　the　Maui　this　morning。〃
　〃Oh；〃　said　John　Quincy　limply。　〃Well；　I'll　take　it。　My　aunt　might　like　to　look　at　it。　Keep　the　change。〃
　〃Thank　you；　sir；〃　said　the　newsman；　touching　his　cap。
　John　Quincy　rode　out　to　Waikiki　on　the　last　seat　of　the　car。　His　face　was　swollen　and　cut；　every　muscle　ached。　Under　his　arm；　clasped　tightly；　he　held　the　July　Atlantic。　But　he　didn't　so　much　as　look　at　the　table　of　contents。　〃We　move；　we　advance；〃　he　told　himself　exultantly。　For　he　had　seen　the　watch　with　the　illuminated　dial　…　the　dial　on　which　the　numeral　two　was　very　dim。
　
　CHAPTER　XX　
　The　Story　Of　Lau　Ho
　
　EARLY　SUNDAY　morning　John　Quincy　was　awakened　by　a　sharp　knock　on　his　door。　Rising　sleepily　and　donning　dressing…gown　and　slippers；　he　opened　it　to　admit　his　Aunt　Minerva。　She　had　a　worried　air。
　〃Are　you　all　right；　John　Quincy？〃　she　inquired。
　〃Surely。　That　is；　I　would　be　if　I　hadn't　been　dragged　out　of　bed　a　full　hour　before　I　intended　to　get　up。〃
　〃I'm　sorry；　but　I　had　to　have　a　look　at　you。〃　She　took　a　newspaper　from　under　her　arm　and　handed　it　to　him。　〃What's　all　this？〃
　An　eight…column　head　on　the　first　page　caught　even　John　Quincy's　sleepy　eye。　〃Boston　Man　has　Strange　Adventure　on　Water…Front。〃　Smaller　heads　announced　that　Mr。　John　Quincy　Winterslip　had　been　rescued　from　an　unwele　trip　to　China；　〃in　the　nick　of　time〃　by　three　midshipmen　from　the　Oregon。　Poor　Pete　Mayberry！　He　had　been　the　real　hero　of　the　affair；　but　his　own　paper　would　not　e　out　again　until　Monday　evening；　and　rivals　had　beaten　him　to　the　story。
　John　Quincy　yawned。　〃All　true；　my　dear；〃　he　said。　〃I　was　on　the　verge　of　leaving　you　when　the　navy　saved　me。　Life；　you　perceive；　has　bee　a　musical　edy。〃
　〃But　why　should　any　one　want　to　shanghai　you？〃　cried　Miss　Minerva。
　〃Ah；　I　hoped　you'd　ask　me　that。　It　happens　that　your　nephew　has　a　brain。　His　keen　analytical　work　as　a　detective　is　getting　some　one's　goat。　He　admitted　as　much　in　a　letter　he　sent　me　the　night　he　took　a　few　shots　at　my　head。〃
　〃Some　one　shot　at　you！〃　gasped　Miss　Minerva。
　〃I'll　say　so。　You　rather　fancy　yourself　as　a　sleuth；　but　is