The Pagan Madonna - Page 18/141

Morning and winnowed skies; China awake. The great black-and-gold banners

were again fluttering in Nanking Road. Mongolian ponies clattered about,

automobiles rumbled, 'rickshas jogged. Venders were everywhere, many with

hot rice and bean curd. Street cleaners in bright-red cotton jackets were

busy with the mud puddles. The river swarmed with sampans and barges and

launches. There was only one lifeless thing in all Shanghai that

morning--the German Club.

In the city hospital the man Morrissy, his head in bandages, smiled feebly

into Cunningham's face.

"Were you mad to try a game like that? What the devil possessed you? Three

to one, and never a ghost of a chance. You never blew up like this before.

What's the answer?"

"Just struck me, Dick--one of those impulses you can't help. I'm sorry.

Ought to have known I'd have no chance, and you'd have been justified in

croaking me. Just as I was in the act of handing them over to you the idea

came to bolt. All that dough would keep me comfortably the rest of my

life."

"What happened to them?"

"Don't know. After that biff on the coco I only wanted some place to crawl

into. I had them in my hand when I started to run. Sorry."

"Have they quizzed you?"

"Yes, but I made out I couldn't talk. What's the dope?"

"You were in a rough-and-tumble down the Chinese Bund, and we got you

away. Play up to that."

"All right. But, gee! I won't be able to go with you."

"If we have any luck, I'll see you get a share."

"That's white. You were always a white man, Dick. I feel like a skunk. I

knew I couldn't put it over, with the three of you at my elbow. What the

devil got into me?"

"Any funds?"

"Enough to get me down to Singapore. Where do you want me to hang out?"

"Suit yourself. You're out of this play--and it's my last."

"You're quitting the big game?"

"Yes. What's left of my schedule I'm going to run out on my own. So we

probably won't meet again for a long time, Morrissy. Here's a couple of

hundred to add to your store. If we find the beads I'll send your share

wherever you say."

"Might as well be Naples. They're off me in the States."

"All right. Cook's or the American Express?"

"Address me the Milan direct."

Cunningham nodded.