RIVER RAT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIV, Issue 20984, 12 March 1938, Page 14

RIVER RAT

By

NINA ROBERTS

Ihe icy winds of winter swept up the Yangtse River, whipping the yellow waters into angy turbulence, so that Ah Ching’s sampan rocked and bobbed like a cockle shell. Within the canvas shelter rigged on the foredeck he squatted before the charcoal stove, brooding on the unwelcome spectacle ot his wife being delivered of another child. Presently he r.f proached the heap of sacks where she lay. "What has been sent us this time ” he asked. “It is another girl-child, my husband.” Ah Ching shrugged. It was of no consequence. When darkness fell he would strangle the unwanted cne and drop her overboard—as he had done with previous female off.* -ring. But when he returned that night from a thieving expedition ashore he found his wife in a state of great excitement. “Look!” she cried, holding the baby upside down before his nose. "The little one bears the lucky omen. We must keep her. means that her hands will bring .js much wealth.” Ah Ching looked at the outstretched hand painly marked on the tiny buttock, and snorted contemptuously. "Nay! I have hearu such old wives’ talcs before. We have already four mouths to feed. We will not be burdened wi‘h another.’ But his wile continued to plead with him all through the night, citing instances where children so marked aad risen to be great and powerful :n the lai d. until Ah Ching began to wavci between economic necessity and .ngrained superstition. By morning superstition had won. He had c u >sen well From the beginning it was cleai that the tHtle Lu-lan was no ordinary child. Hei skin was fine and pale her little body straight an< strong, she as always gay and smiling and she brought them much luck. At the age of she had become the mainstay of her Ic'e family, so that it was no longer necessary foi hei father to go thieving and live in constant dread of the river »olice It happened this way When the great liners from the West came nosing up the Yangtse to anchor below Shanghai Ah Ch ng would manoeuvre his floating hovel alongside.

He would clamp a long pole to the deck of the sampan, and send Lu-lan swarming to the top. There she would cling with her skinny legs and clap her dirty little hands to attract the attention of the passengers leaning on the ship’s rail. When a sufficient crowd had gathered she would start her pertU mance —which was to give an uncanny imitation of the tricks and antics of a monkey. The ladies invariably turned away. But the men could usually be depended or. to roar with laughter and shower her with their small change. When this happened, she would conclude the turn by gaily displaying the birthmark. .’Leaching the age of twelve, Lu-lan saw the stupid’ 4 v of climbing a pole to amuse the white foreigners while her parents waited below to snatch every penny she earned. One night while they lay sleeping she took the day’s takings from under their mattress and ietly slipper overboard. Waking in the morning to discover his double loss, Ah Ching gave vent to his feelings by beating his wife and cursing his ungrateful child. "May she return to rot in the river where she should have been cast on the day she was born,” was the substance of his wrath. After swimming ashore and hiding for the rest of the night beneath an upturned boat Lu lan went the next day to the house ot Hionode, the Japanese, and asked to be taken into his service. Hionode scratched his shaven head. A little rat ot a thing, she looked—ragged, verminous and underfed. But as she stood smiling at him with engaging confidence, he astutely visualised hei aftei a good scrubbing and a few square meals. Cheap, she would oe, Loo-since there were no parents to be bargained with. Yes —he would take her. Lu-lan remained in the house of Hionode foi three years learning to be worldly wise Then, again, she grew restles- at the thought of working for another. One night she stole twenty dollars and made her escape from the house. The next morning she was on the train bound for Tientsin Travelling alone on the train was an old man. His yellow skin was like paper and his head shook upon

his stringy neck. But the mat-rial of his gown, and the amount of his baggage, stamped him as a man ol affluence. Lu-lan was very kind to the old man on the long journey. She fetched and carried for him; arranged his pillow and covered him with a rug when he wanted to sleep. Before the train steamed into Tientsin she had persuaded him that a thoughtful Providence had sent her to be the comfort and delight of his old age. Lu-lan was grateful for the haven of the old man’s house in the narrow street of the jade merchants. Here she could lie low for a while, and make plans for the future. She discovered that the dark little shop at the rear of the house was a veritable Aladdin’s Cave ol wealth. When the Old One was in a good humour he would open the safes and show her gleaming rubies, emeralds and sapphires, lustrous pearls and priceless jade. He taught her how to choose between base and precious jewels, and to judge the quality ol jade through the tips of sensitive fingers. Among his treasures was a great square emerald set in a ring of finest gold, which he told her had once be-

longed to the wife of the Emperor Kang-Hi; and a tiny Buddha, exquisitely carved from a piece of milky-green jade, to which no connoisseur had ever dared to put a price. From the appreciation of beautiful jewels Lu-lan passed to the realisation of her own flawless beauty. She would sit for hours placidly contemplating her reflection in a mirror. She saw that her body was. slim and straight as a wand; the skin of her face like ivory lit by an inner glow. Her full red lips had the texture of a rose petal at dawn. Above her long sliding eyes the drooping lips were as the split halves of a peeled almond. Her sleek black hair was like a ravens wing touched by sunlight. Lu-lan would smile a slow, secret smile, and dream of great power and riches. With lhe coming of Spring she was eager for action. She had long been bored with the Old One. impatient, of the jealous watch he kept on her comings and goings. To remain with him longer was unprofitable and a waste of her youth. One night while he slept, his mouth wide open in a gentle snore, she quietly slit, his throat. She took Hie keys from beneath his pillow, crept downstairs and ransacked the shopchoosing with line discrimination only that which was of greatest value. Before noon she was on the train speeding back to Shanghai. Lu-lan had no difficulty in disposing of the jewels in the dark shops

of the native quarter where no questions are asked. She sold everything but the ring with the great emerald and the tiny Buddha keeping the other as against the time when her beauty must fade and wither. She then took an apartment in a fashionable district of the city, and for the next six months went into strict seclusion. Here she summoned teachers to instruct her in the arts of conversation and correct deportment, the painting of her face, and the adornment of her body. At the end of the time Lu-lan emerged as a bright new star in the night sky of Shanghai. She was to be seen among the procession of Chinese and Russian "lovelies,” who regularly appeared at sundown to drive slowly to and fro along the Bund. Riding in a smart black car with a Japanese chauffeur, wearing a high-collared gown of olive-green satin, ornaments of jade stabbing her lacquered hair, and the great emerald flashing on her tiny hand, Lu-lan immediately challenged attention. Her success was instant and assured. In no time she had achieved the position where she could ch .ose with the airs of a little empress, whom she would and would not receive. One afternoon at the races she found herself sitting next to the tall Englishman. Lu-lan had no great liking for Englishmen. They were big and stupid, and laughed like asses. But this one intrigued her.

He had sat near her on three successive days, and in spite of his assumption of indifference, she instinctively knew he was interested. Yielding to a mischievous whim, she decided it might be amusing to bait the foreign fish. She left the stand before the last race. When the Englishman went to the park to collect his car he discovered her black car blocking his run-out. Lu-lan was profuse in her apologies. Her car had broken down and her chauffeur had gone to get help in moving it. She did so hope there was just enough room for him to get by. The Englishman said there was. As an afterthought he offered: "Can I give you a lift anywhere?” Lu-lan's eyelids fluttered. "1 should be very grateful for the kindness. Are you sure it will be no inconvenience?” "On the contrary, it will be a pleasure,” he said, smiling. Driving along Bubbling Well Road, Lu-lan exerted all her charm and intelligence; discussing the results of the day’s races and giving her opinion of the favourites’ chances for to-morrow. At the door cf her apartment she laid her little hand on his arm: "You will dine with me to-night?” she asked softly. The Englishman was looking at the great emerald reflecting little triangles of green light on his white sleeve. After a split second's hesitation, he said: "I should love to. What time?”

Her dinner had been excellent. Her brandy, served later on the balcony, the crowning touch of genius. Loundes was stretched comfortably in a long wicker chair, while Lulan lay coiled on a cushion at his side. As she placed another cigarette between his lips and lit it from the silver lamp his fingers closed gently on her hand turning it so that he might examine the great emerald. "This is a very beautiful ring you wear,” he remarked. She was flattered by his appreciation. "I have many beautiful jewels. Would you like to see them?” She rose and padded into the room behind. After returning with a sandal-wood box she sank to the floor again, proudly spilling the contents on his knees. Lying carelessly amid the collection of bracelets, car-rings and hair ornaments was the tiny Buddha of milky-green jade. Lowndes took it in his hand. "By jovc! But this is a beauty!’’ he exclaimed, holding it to the lemp and carefully scrutinising the minute characters carved on the base. Lu-lan nodded. "I have been told it is without price.” "From an admirer?” he asked. "All these are presents from my admirers,” she told him complacently. "Fitting tributes to your enchantment, Lu-lan. But it is only fair to warn you.” he added with an oblique smile, "you mustn’t expect any jewels from me.” She swept her treasures back into the box and laid it aside. "I have no need of jewels from you.” she said softly. Her hands slid over his shoulders, clasping behind his head, drawing his mouth down to hers. Lowndes’ laugh was not quite steady as he gently put her from him. He got to his feet, and said: "Let's try that new dance record you were telling me about at dinner.” Lu-lan rose obediently. As she moved across to start the gramophone he stepped to the rail of the balcony and looked down into the street. It was deserted save for his car parked at the opposite kerb. He suddenly took out his handkerchief and mopped his brow. The Chinese girl came and leaned her cheek against hi" shoulder. He turned and took her in his arms, and they began to dance to the music of the latest tango. Suddenly a servant appeared in the lighted doorway. "It is a visitor, madame.” she whispered agitatedly. Lu-lan paused to stamp her little foot impatiently. “Foolish one. did I not tell you I would receive no one to-night? Send his away.” “Yet madame . . . The police sergeant appeared behind the servant, and stepped on to the balcony. He saluted Lowndes who nodded a brief acknowledgment. Lu-lan’s eyes, sliding from one to

the other, came to rest on Lowndes. "What does this mean?” she asked. "It means, Lu-lan. that for some time I have been nursing the idea that you might be able to throw a little light on the murder of the old jade merchant of Tientsin. This.” he explained, drawing the tiny Buddha from his pocket, “and the emerald you are wearing rather clinch the motion.” The long, sliding eyes were veiled as Lu-lan shrugged her shoulders "Very well,” she said resignedly, "I will get my cloak and come quietly.’* As she moved towards the door. Lowndes’ hand shot out and closed on her slender wrist. "Your maid will bring the cloak,” he corrected. The sergeant took the wheel of the car, while Lowndes -and his prisoner sat in the back seat. After driving for some distance in silence, Lu-lan remarked sadly: “It is a pity that you must do this. He was such an old man. already near to the end of his days. What satisfaction can there be in taking me so young and full of lifce as forfeit?” "I’m sorry, Lu-lan. but I’m afrrffd my personal sentiments don’t count. I was told to get you—and my job is to do as I’m told.” She bent her sleek head and pressed her cheek to the hand that still gripped her wrist. “But need you have been in such a hurry?” she continued with gentle reproach. "The bird was safely trapped—would a little hour or two have made much difference?” Lowndes moved restlessly. The car had suddenly braked and stopped at the approach to Garden Bridge. “What’s the trouble, Rogers?” he called to the sergeant. “An accident. I think, sir. Looks like a ricksha boy has been run down. As Lowndes leaned forward, impatiently scanning the excited crowd that blocked the road. Lu-lan lifted her cheek and fastened her teeth into the back of his hand. Momentarily startled by the pain, he flung her off. cursing her for the river rat she was. The next instant the door was open and she had slipped through. He was after her immediately. As she dodged and threaded through the crowd. Lu-lan saw that he was gaining on her with every step. River rat, he had called her! Then like a hunted river rat she would make for her natural sanctuary. Reaching the pavement, with Lowndes but two strides behind, she took a flying leap on to the parapet of the bridge. There was a brief flash of the great emerald as her hands met above her head —then she dived. A junk, swinging silently out of the dark shadows beneath the bridge, broke the dive. Lu-lan’s limp body hung for a moment on the gaudilypainted prow. then slid side-ways into the water When, by devious routes, the fate of his daughter came to Ah Ching’s ears, he nodded with grim approval. It was well. His curse had been fulfilled. His folly in sparing a girlchild was now erased from the record