His Excellency Governor Wallace Read online

  It was not until the Château d’If in its rocky fastness, and with its memories of Edmond Dantes, was left far astern that he and his wife moved. Lady Wallace went below, while Sir Leonard strolled along to the smoking room. There he found Carter, and invited that young man to have a drink with him. One or two of the girls on board had already noticed the tall, well-knit, good-looking man with the bronzed complexion, wavy brown hair and patrician features; had probably decided that he would be a distinct acquisition as companion and playmate to help pass away the tedious hours of the voyage. Carter, catching sight of the inviting smile on the lips of one young siren, had promptly retired to the safety of the smoke room.

  ‘You know, sir,’ he said in reply to a remark of Sir Leonard’s, ‘there’s something about a boat which makes it dangerous for a mere man who puts his job before everything else. Women seem to acquire some sort of enchantment that is hard to resist. If I ever get married – which the Lord forbid – it will be because of the atmosphere on board ship.’

  Wallace laughed.

  ‘I’m afraid I cannot allow you to become romantic on this trip, Carter,’ he declared, ‘there is too much depending on it. I want a secretary with all his wits about him.’

  The happy-go-lucky nature of Tommy Carter came to the rescue. He grinned broadly.

  ‘You can depend on me, sir,’ he proclaimed. ‘Can’t think what made me talk such rot.’

  Sir Leonard watched the men thronging the smoke room, and calling loudly for drinks. Most of them, tanned by years spent under tropic suns, were easy to place. Members of the Indian Civil Service with their bored air of superiority, keen-eyed engineers, cheery soldiers were all among those present. Others there were whose occupations were more difficult to guess at, including specimens of that peculiar type of individual, so common in the East, who always seems to have plenty of money, is seen everywhere, yet has no definite employment as far as can be ascertained. Wallace finds a fascination in studying his fellow men. It is certain that he learns more about them in a casual glance than the majority of human beings would discover on fairly intimate acquaintance. Idly now he watched them as they sat at the small tables or crowded round the bar, waited upon by stewards or attended to by the barman and his mate.

  Suddenly he stiffened. A man had entered the saloon, stood looking round somewhat self-consciously as though he had come to seek somebody, but was not in his own part of the ship. He was of medium height, thin, and sallow, with almond-shaped eyes, and black shiny hair. He bore a remarkable resemblance to the little Philippino of whom Wallace had obtained a glimpse in the Charing Cross Hotel, though taller and slimmer. Sir Leonard felt certain that this man was one of the Gochuico brothers, and a feeling of satisfaction shot through him. The newcomer presently caught sight of the man for whom he was searching; edged his way towards a stout, prosperous-looking Chinaman dressed in perfectly fitting European clothes. But before he reached the latter he was turned back by a peremptory shake of the head. Wallace, watching without appearing to do so, saw the Philippino disappear from the smoking saloon, observed the Chinaman quickly follow him, and noted the covert glance that the latter shot in his direction, before he, too, went out. Carter suddenly became aware of the curious smile on his chief’s lips.

  ‘Has anything happened, sir?’ he asked eagerly.

  ‘We are just entering upon the second act of our little play,’ was the quiet response.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Enter Wun Cheng Lo

  Glorious weather favoured the Rawalpindi on her run to Port Said. The Mediterranean was at its calmest and bluest and, though the late August sun shone with fierce intensity, its heat was tempered by a slight head wind, strong enough and fresh enough to keep everybody comfortable and in good spirits. Deck games were quickly in full swing and, before long, Sir Leonard, mixing freely with his fellow passengers, and entering wholeheartedly into their pastimes, had proved himself extremely difficult to beat at deck tennis and quoits. He and Carter frequently partnered each other at doubles in the former game, and became known as the invincibles.

  Captain Taylor and the Chief of the Intelligence Service became very good friends. The former spent as much time as he could spare with Sir Leonard, though never obtruding. He repeated all the information he had obtained of affairs in Hong Kong to Wallace, none of it, unfortunately, adding very materially to the knowledge the latter already possessed. It became the usual thing for them to take coffee together in the captain’s cabin after dinner at night, when they would discuss the conspiracy that, like a canker, was eating away the security of Great Britain in the Far East. Sometimes Lady Wallace would sit with them, but was generally too much in demand on the promenade deck, where dancing was indulged in nightly. Both men took care never to refer to the subject uppermost in their thoughts in her presence.

  Inquiries elicited the fact that the stout Chinaman, who had roused Sir Leonard’s interest on the first day of the voyage, was a wealthy merchant of Kowloon. As far as could be ascertained, he was a man of unimpeachable character and integrity who, in many ways, had accomplished much of value in the social and economic life of the colony. But his behaviour in the smoking saloon and intimacy with a second class passenger, whom Wallace was convinced was one of the Gochuico brothers, made him suspect. Observation of the little happenings had, more than once, enabled the Secret Service man to discover events of far-reaching importance. From the moment that he had followed the presumed Philippino from the smoking room, the Chinaman was under observation. Acting on Sir Leonard’s instructions, Carter, in the most casual manner, began to cultivate his acquaintance. The Kowloon merchant, under the impression that it was he who had sought Carter’s company, would have been surprised to know the truth. In the same manner, though less subtly, Batty struck up a fair amount of intimacy with the Philippino in the second class. The latter’s name was down on the passenger list as Feodoro, he admitted to his nationality, and there were certainly no others of his breed on the boat. Nevertheless, Wallace felt certain he was one of the three who had been residents of the Charing Cross Hotel.

  It was while the ship was running at reduced speed through the Straits of Messina that Wallace first had any conversation with the Chinaman. The beauty of that delectable spot was somewhat marred by a slight mist, but the passengers crowded the decks, eager to drink to the full the charm of one of the loveliest panoramas in the world. Etna was completely obscured, but the neighbouring hills, with Messina itself nestling coyly at the base, were plainly visible. The gentle slopes of Calabria on the other side, with the white walls of Reggio appearing to descend until they were embraced by the softly lapping waves, were at times shrouded in the filmy vapour, at others glistening in the sunshine. Men and women, sitting precariously in small boats rocked by the swell caused by the passing of the liner, waved handkerchiefs, and smiled happily up at the crowded decks. An Italian ship, the Genova, bound from Bombay to Naples and Genoa, passed, it seemed, within a stone’s throw. A white-clad figure flourished his arms from the bridge. Captain Taylor waved back. He informed Sir Leonard afterwards that the man he had saluted was Captain Ferrara, one of the most genial and best liked skippers who had ever sailed east of Suez.

  Wallace noticed the exchange of friendly greetings, and focused his glasses on the bridge of the other vessel. He saw a stocky figure with fair hair and moustache whose round face was beaming with delight. A thoroughly good fellow, he decided, and turned away, little guessing that he was to meet the Italian under very different circumstances. The ferry was passing some distance ahead, and he was about to look at the long low boat carrying a train across the Straits, when his elbow hit a stanchion, and he dropped the glasses. At once a man close by stooped, picked them up, and handed them to him with a low bow. It was the Chinaman.

  ‘Permit, your Excellency,’ he said in perfect though somewhat flowery English, ‘this low-born hand to return the binoculars to your honourable keeping.’

  ‘Thank you,’ nodded Wallace. He was
about to turn away, but changed his mind. The man obviously was eager to have speech with him. Sir Leonard decided to give him the opportunity.

  ‘I presume you are destined for China?’ he smiled. ‘Is it Hong Kong or Shanghai?’

  ‘Hong Kong, your Excellency,’ was the reply. ‘I have the privilege of being an insignificant merchant of that jewel of the sublime British Crown. It is my humble desire to be of service to your Excellency.’

  ‘That is very nice of you, Mr—’

  ‘Wun Cheng Lo is the name bestowed on their unimportant son by his honourable parents, illustrious sir.’

  ‘Well, in what way do you think you can be of service to me, Mr Wun Cheng Lo?’

  ‘In Hong Kong the times are inauspicious for a change of executive. I know, of course, that the present high-born and eminent Governor, Sir Stanley Ferguson, is ill—’

  ‘Oh, and how did you know that?’

  The Chinaman shrugged his broad shoulders.

  ‘Even the humblest of your servants is acquainted with news that is common to all interested in Hong Kong.’

  ‘I see,’ commented Wallace. ‘I did not know that knowledge of Sir Stanley’s ill health was so universal.’

  ‘Your Excellency will pardon me, if I presume to remind you that, had the exalted Sir Stanley been in good health, there would have been no need for him to be relieved by your noble self.’

  His face remained entirely impassive as he spoke, but Sir Leonard caught a gleam that looked distinctly cynical in his eyes.

  ‘That is quite true,’ agreed the Chief of the Secret Service. ‘But in what way are the times inauspicious for a change of governors?’

  Again came a shrug of the shoulders.

  ‘Events are happening which it is unwise for a man of inquiring mind to investigate. Your magnificent reputation, your Excellency, will be known to the base dogs who live only for their own advancement to the detriment of the honourable nation they are supposed to serve. They will fear you, and with fear will go murderous designs.’

  ‘Look here,’ exclaimed Wallace sharply, ‘are you warning me against some imaginary danger?’

  ‘Not imaginary, your Excellency,’ Wun Cheng Lo shook his head solemnly. ‘I am afraid there are low-born wretches in Hong Kong who will seek your death to prevent your discovering their evil plots.’

  ‘Who are these people?’

  The Chinaman shook his head.

  ‘That valuable knowledge is withheld from me. But I return to Hong Kong hoping that I shall be able to put my humble service at your disposal. It is my desire to seek until I can uncover these vile plotters who are making the colony stink with iniquity. I fear for you, illustrious Sir Leonard, therefore I go to aid you as far as in this poor insignificant body and brain lies.’

  ‘Do you actually mean to say that you are going back to Hong Kong especially for that purpose?’

  ‘That is so, your Excellency.’

  ‘But why?’

  ‘Because, though humble and of no account, I am not without influence, and am a loyal subject of the majestic might of Britain. It is my duty to do what I can.’

  ‘You must know something of importance.’

  ‘I know nothing, most honourable sir, but that which is known to all. But I have means by which it is possible I may glean information. My wretched servants are many, my lowly operations widespread. Everything I possess will be at your honourable disposal. In order to do my poor best for you, I make but one request.’

  ‘What is that?’

  ‘When in Hong Kong, I beg that I may have access to you at all hours – day or night. It may be necessary, your Excellency, if I am to be of real service to you.’

  So that was what was behind all the assurances of loyalty and flowery protestation! Wun Cheng Lo wished to have access to Government House; to be able to come and go without question. He seemed to be rather transparent for a Chinaman. Yet, wondered Sir Leonard, would he have had any suspicions of the man, if he had not seen the incident in the smoking saloon? The expression on the Englishman’s face gave no indication of his thoughts; not a flicker of suspicion appeared in his eyes.

  ‘I appreciate your desire to be of help to me in the event, which I doubt, of help being necessary, Wun Cheng Lo,’ he observed. ‘But what you ask is rather unusual. Not being a member of my staff, it would seem hardly desirable that you should have access to me at any time. Then again what guarantees have I of your good faith?’

  ‘My name and reputation stand high,’ replied Wun Cheng Lo, forgetting to be flowery in his apparent earnestness. ‘Apart from that, your Excellency, I will always be alone, and members of your staff can be present when I have the honour of an interview with you.’

  ‘And you really think the position in Hong Kong is such that I shall require assistance from people who are as loyal as you?’

  ‘I know it, though my poverty-stricken mind has yet failed to suspect the direction from which danger will threaten your Excellency.’

  ‘Very well, Wun Cheng Lo, I will consider your offer. I am grateful to you for making it, and am disposed to accept. We will speak again.’

  The Chinaman, despite his bulky proportions, bowed almost to the ground, and departed. A little later Wallace repeated the conversation he had had to Carter.

  ‘If I do get assassinated,’ he chuckled, ‘it will only be my fault with all the warnings I am getting.’

  ‘But if, as you think, sir,’ commented Carter, ‘Wun Cheng Lo is on the other side of the fence, I can’t see why he should give away his party’s fears and suspicions concerning you. After all, he is putting you on your guard, and that seems to me the very thing he would refrain from doing, if he is antagonistic to you.’

  ‘Not a bit of it,’ disagreed Sir Leonard. ‘He knows very well – they all know – that I am not merely replacing Ferguson because he is ill. He realises that, with all the information concerning the situation in Hong Kong that must have been placed at my disposal, I am already as suspicious and on my guard as I am ever likely to be. If I am not very much mistaken, he also knows that I was present at the tragedy in the Charing Cross Hotel, and that I learnt a lot there. Therefore, he is not doing anything subversive to the interests of his fellow conspirators. On the contrary, by obtaining my trust and confidence, he is going a long way towards helping them. He will think that by warning me, and offering his services, I am bound to think he is loyal and above suspicion. He will argue that I should never suspect a man who did his utmost to put me on my guard. Then, if I accept the offer of his services as a kind of spy, he is in the unique position of being persona grata in Government House itself, and able to carry out any mischief his confederates care to hatch.’

  ‘What do you intend to do, sir?’

  ‘Accept his offer. If Mr Wun Cheng Lo is in the pay of the organisation that is wrecking Hong Kong – and I feel certain he is – he should be very useful to us. We’ll let him think that we have the most touching faith in him. As time goes on, we’ll even take him into our confidence, and tell him that I have really become Governor in order to investigate and smash the conspiracy.’

  Carter grinned cheerfully. He loved this chief of his who played the great game as though, in very truth, it were a game. He himself had been unable to find out anything of importance from the Chinaman. The latter had, however, cunningly attempted to pump Carter, much to that young man’s amusement. That had been the only cause for suspicion he had given, though at the time, Carter was disposed to look upon it as idle curiosity and nothing more.

  ‘Do you think he is likely to be a very important member of the organisation, sir?’ he asked.

  Wallace shook his head.

  ‘No; but I believe he is the henchman of an important member, if not of the head himself. We’re rather lucky, Carter. We don’t altogether start with our eyes shut. Mr Wun Cheng Lo and the Philippino on board between them ought to give us considerable assistance, though they won’t know they’re doing it.’

  ‘They
must have kept in pretty close touch with their principal or principals in China.’

  ‘Of course,’ nodded Wallace. ‘And I suspect that, now the Chinaman has left England, there will be no further cables of instructions. His job there has been accomplished. Every cable from Hong Kong since the murder of Baxter has been copied and sent to headquarters for examination to ascertain if it was in code. As there has been no wireless message from Maddison since we sailed, I presume nobody has been left behind for any reason. If there has, and instructions are sent to him, we’ll be told – Maddison will see to that.’

  The weather continued fine after leaving Suez, but it was appallingly hot in the Red Sea. Deck games and sports were confined to the evenings, and then only indulged in by the younger and hardier among the passengers. The majority lay about in deck chairs on any part of the deck where a breath of air could be obtained. Iced drinks were in constant demand, and the swimming bath became quite the most popular part of the ship. A general sigh of relief went up once Aden had been left behind, for it was much cooler in the Arabian Sea.

  Considerably more than half of the passengers disembarked at Bombay, while there were only a few fresh arrivals. In consequence, the ship appeared almost empty when she sailed for Colombo. There the Governor-elect of Hong Kong and his wife were given an official reception, and a tour of the district had been arranged for their benefit. They would have preferred to have done their sightseeing in a less formal manner. Sir Leonard, in fact, although appreciating the thought underlying the reception, felt distinctly bored at times, especially during a garden party held in the afternoon under the auspices of the legislative council. A drive in the evening through the avenues of beautiful trees, where the scent of the cinnamon was at times almost overpowering, to Mount Lavinia was, both to him and Molly, the most enjoyable event of the day. As the Rawalpindi was not sailing until the next morning, they stayed the night as guests of the Governor at Government House. A number of additional passengers embarked at Colombo. They were scrutinised carefully by Carter, and information respecting them obtained as far as possible from the purser, especially concerning those bound for Hong Kong. None of them seemed to be other than perfectly harmless travellers.