Read Ebook: Under the Mikado's flag by Stratemeyer Edward Shute A B Illustrator

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Ebook has 1799 lines and 64150 words, and 36 pages

Mr. Nathan Chase was an American merchant who did business both at Port Arthur and at Tien-Tsin. Gilbert had met him once at the latter city, while the young American was still a soldier. The merchant had just come back to Port Arthur after a trip to Pekin, and as soon as Gilbert heard of this he made the call which has just been described.

Gilbert knew that a war between Japan and Russia would greatly complicate matters. He had heard about this at Nagasaki, and could now see that preparations for resisting an attack had been going forward in and around Port Arthur during the entire winter. All the forts had been strengthened, and the city was filled with soldiers from Russia. Many of the Chinese and Japanese residents of the place were leaving, and the railroad station was crowded from morning to night.

Gilbert's thoughts were interrupted at this moment by the appearance of a young man who was hurrying along the street, a bundle in each hand. A second look at the fellow convinced the young American that the individual was Ivan Snokoff's clerk.

"Hold on!" he shouted, and running forward, caught the clerk by the arm. The fellow stopped, looked at the young American in alarm, and then tried to jerk away.

"Let me go," he said, in Russian.

"I wish to talk to you," answered Gilbert, who had picked up a smattering of the language.

"What do you want?"

"I want to know what has become of Ivan Snokoff."

"I know not."

"You worked for him. How came you to close up the offices so unexpectedly?"

"Do you know he owes our company a great deal of money?"

At this the young Russian shrugged his shoulders.

"What have I to do with that? You made your bargain with him, not with me."

"That is true, but if you are honest you will not mind telling me where he is."

"But what?"

"Sire, I am a poor man, and I have a wife and two children to support."

"You are too young to have a wife and two children."

"No, sire, it is true. I was seventeen when I was married, and Ulma, my wife, was but fifteen."

"Do you mean to say you need money?"

"It is true. Ivan Snokoff left me without work, and owing me money. I have next to nothing saved. To-day I am moving my family to poorer quarters. In another two weeks my money will all be gone."

"What has all this to do with me?"

"'Tis plain enough, sire. You need information, Nicholas Vanskynov needs money. Let us make an exchange."

"You will tell me something of value if I will pay you for it?"

"Yes."

"How much do you want?"

Again the young Russian shrugged his shoulders.

"Then come to some place where it is warm and I will tell you all I know," returned Nicholas Vanskynov.

GILBERT LEARNS SOMETHING

The winter had been long and severe in Manchuria, and even now, early in February, it was biting cold and with a touch of snow in the air at Port Arthur.

Close at hand was a shop where refreshments of various kinds could be had and to this place Gilbert led the way making certain that the Russian followed. He saw at a glance that Nicholas Vanskynov was a fellow of small caliber and could readily be handled if given a little money. Sitting down to a table he ordered a cup of coffee and some fancy cakes for himself and asked the other what he would have.

"Now, what can you tell me of value?" asked the young American, after the refreshments had been brought and Vanskynov had partaken of the liquor with apparent satisfaction.

"Let us first speak of the reward, sire."

"How much do you want?" demanded Gilbert sharply. "Remember, I can hand you over to the police, if I desire."

"The police!" At the threat the young Russian grew pale, for the police department is a terror to all who live under Russian law, its findings being generally final and absolute. "How so?"

"For aiding Ivan Snokoff to get away without paying his just debts."

"I did not aid him, no, no! When he went I thought all was right--I did not learn the truth until later. I have lost much myself, for I thought I was to have a steady position with him."

"How much do you want me to pay you?"

"Can you give me information of value?"

"I think I can."

"Then tell me what you know, and if the news is worth anything you shall have your money."

"Ah, I knew the American would be generous to a poor Russian--the United States is a great country."

"What do you know?"

"It is of Captain Barusky that I would speak--he who comes of a most honorable family."

"The same captain that had an interest in the trading company?" questioned Gilbert quickly.

"Yes, the same. He and Ivan Snokoff are great friends--I have heard that they have been in many business ventures together."

"Do you know where Captain Barusky is?"

"He was out of active service for several years, but now he is once more in the army. Since it looks so much like war with Japan the Czar has called upon all our country's defenders to take their proper places in the army and the navy."

"And where is this Captain Barusky stationed?"

"He was at Mukden, but I have heard that he was seen at one of the forts of this port only day before yesterday."

"What fort?"

"That I cannot tell, but I think it was the one nearest to the dry dock."

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