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

PAGE

He raised his wounded comrade from the water 210

"What are you doing here?" demanded the Russian officer 20

The stray shot was a most unexpected one 50

"We'll be run down!" cried Gilbert 99

"Hullo, Ben! Hullo, Larry!" exclaimed Gilbert 135

The runaways were bounding forward at a furious pace 170

It was hard, exhausting labor, with little of glory in it 238

The Chunchuses surrounded the Americans and compelled them to halt 277

UNDER THE MIKADO'S FLAG

A MATTER OF BUSINESS

"Then you have no idea what has become of this Ivan Snokoff, Mr. Chase?"

"Not the slightest, Lieutenant Pennington. I met him at Dalny about a month ago, but since that time I have not seen him."

"Can you give me any information concerning this trading company of which he was the head?"

"Perhaps," was the slow answer. Nathan Chase rubbed his chin reflectively. "Would you mind telling me why you put the question?"

"The answer is simple enough," replied Gilbert Pennington. "As you know, I am connected with the Richmond Importing Company, of the United States."

"Yes, I know that. They tell me you are one of the principal stockholders."

"I am a stockholder, although not the principal one. But I am also connected with the company as a selling agent. About six months ago our concern sold Ivan Snokoff five thousand dollars' worth of goods. We have been trying to collect the bill ever since."

"Phew! No wonder you are interested. Is the whole amount still due?"

"No, one thousand dollars have been paid. But it looks now as if we should have to whistle for the remaining four thousand unless I can lay my hands on Snokoff."

"I thought there was something crooked about Snokoff and his company from the very start," went on Nathan Chase, as he settled back in his office chair. "They didn't do business in the fair and square fashion of most Russian firms. They sold goods almost regardless of cost. No firm can do that and pay its debts. They claimed to be establishing trade, but trade established in that manner isn't worth having."

"I agree with you."

"The offices across the way were shut up ten days ago. Only a clerk and a porter were in charge. They have disappeared like them employer."

"Can you give me their names?"

"The clerk's name was Vanskynov. Somebody said he came to Port Arthur from Mukden. I know nothing of the porter."

"It's too bad." Gilbert Pennington drew a long breath. "I'd give a few dollars just to lay my hands on this Ivan Snokoff. I'd let him know what I thought of him."

"Have you reported the affair to the authorities?"

"Not yet. I have been hoping right along that I might spot Snokoff somewhere. Besides, matters here seem to be very unsettled just now."

"You are right there, lieutenant. And they may be more unsettled before long."

"Do you think there will be war between Russia and Japan?"

"It looks very much like it. How long have you been in Manchuria?"

"I came over from Nagasaki a week ago."

"Then you know but little of affairs here. Russia has been fortifying this port for several months, and our harbor is filled with warships."

"I saw some of the warships as our vessel came up the harbor. If war should come, Port Arthur may have a hot time of it."

"Exactly." There was a pause. "Anything else I can do for you, lieutenant? If not, I'll get at my desk work. My correspondence has been very heavy lately."

"Nothing more, Mr. Chase. I am much obliged to you."

"Not at all. I am always glad to do what I can for a brother American. Come in again and let me know how you make out."

"I will," answered Gilbert Pennington, and after a hearty handshake he left the main offices of the Anglo-Chinese Trading Company and walked slowly up the broad and well-kept business street of Port Arthur upon which the buildings of the concern were located.

Gilbert Pennington was a young man of Southern blood and strong military tendencies. He came from Richmond, Virginia, and upon the death of his parents had drifted, first to the West Indies and then to New York. This was during the opening of our war with Spain, and fired with patriotism, the young Southerner entered the volunteer service and became one of Roosevelt's Rough Riders, as related in one of my previous books, entitled "A Young Volunteer in Cuba."

From Cuba the young soldier shifted to the Philippines where, in company with his old-time chums, the Russell boys, he saw much active service under Generals Otis and McArthur, and the much-lamented General Lawton, many particulars of which are given in "Under Otis in the Philippines" and other volumes of the "Old Glory Series."

While the young soldier was in the Philippines he joined the regular army and shortly after this was sent to China, to aid in the suppression of the Boxer uprising and the rescue of many missionaries and others who had fled to the legations in Pekin for safety. As a lieutenant in the regulars Gilbert saw a good deal of hard fighting, the particulars of which have been set forth in "On to Pekin." In this volume are also related how the young soldier overturned a plot to cheat him out of his legal share of stock of the Richmond Importing Company, and how he at last came into possession of sixteen thousand dollars of stock which was then worth exactly twice its face value.

Since those strenuous days many changes had taken place. With the rebellion in the Philippines and the uprising in China at an end, the young American had left the army as speedily as possible and applied himself strictly to business. New men were now at the head of the Importing Company, and as Gilbert had a fair knowledge of Japan, Korea, and the eastern coast of China, he was made the selling agent in that territory. For over a year he had done very well at this receiving both a salary and a commission, with all expenses paid.

The first real snag had been struck when he had started to do business with Ivan Snokoff, who represented himself as the head of the Russian-American Importing and Exporting Company, with headquarters at Port Arthur,--a city leased to the Russians by China, and located at the extreme southern part of the Liao-tung Peninsula of Manchuria.

Snokoff could speak English fairly well, and he was one of the smoothest talkers possible to imagine. He said he had many relatives in the United States, and loved to do business with the Yankees because they were so straightforward and honest.

"I lof not the Germans or the Englees," said Ivan Snokoff. "It is them who are too sharp for the poor Russian, yes. Ivan Snokoff will trade with his friend Pennington, yes--then he will be safe," and he nearly crushed Gilbert's fingers with the warmth of his grasp.

Gilbert was too easy-going to see through such a wily schemer as Ivan Snokoff. He took the Russian's words in good faith, and a mere statement from several others that Snokoff undoubtedly had money was accepted without question. He also learned that a certain Captain Barusky had a share in the Russian company, and that the Baruskys were wealthy.

The first consignment of goods had amounted to four hundred dollars and the second to twelve hundred dollars. Both consignments had been paid for promptly, and Gilbert and the others connected with the Richmond Company had congratulated themselves on having acquired such a customer at Port Arthur, which was rather a hard city in which to sell American goods.

Then came the five-thousand-dollar order. "I have a great chance to make much money, yes," said Ivan Snokoff. "Send the goods quickly, and I will discount the whole bill. Do not delay, no--or my rival will get the order instead of me." And the goods were shipped as quickly as possible, Gilbert sending the order by cablegram. Ivan Snokoff was truly delighted and spoke enthusiastically of his profits. But the settlement was delayed from time to time, and then suddenly the Russian disappeared, the offices were closed up, and it slowly dawned upon Gilbert and the Company that they had been led into a trap and swindled.

At first the young American knew not what to do. He was in a foreign country, and his Russian rivals had never wanted him to do business there. Not one of them was willing to give him any information concerning Snokoff or his connections, and at the bank it was stated that the rascal had closed his account and not shown himself since. Even the customhouse officials could tell nothing. Gilbert had feared to go to the police, knowing that the police department of Russia is a wonderful and fearful institution, and that the officers might lock him up for having had anything to do with Snokoff in the first place.

"But I'm going to bring that fellow to justice somehow," said Gilbert to himself more than once. "He shan't escape as easily as he thinks."

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.

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