Читать книгу Shanghai - Christopher New - Страница 6

BE WITH YOU IN A MINUTE.' Mason too was writing at his desk in his own, smaller, office. 'Got to finish off these damn reports. There's a paper over there, if you want to have a look at the local news.'

Denton sat down obediently in a cane chair beside the window and picked up the newspaper. The indemnity for the Boxer rebellion had definitely been agreed, the North China Daily News announced on its front page. The Dowager Empress had received the new German ambassador in Peking. In Shanghai, the American consul had given a reception in the international settlement to celebrate Independence Day.

Mason's pen scratched on while he grunted and sighed at his desk, occasionally muttering irritably under his breath.

'What does Bund mean?' Denton asked timidly when he saw Mason leaning back in his chair, sucking the end of his pen.

'What?'

'Bund?'

'Sort of embankment place. Indian term, originally. Got all the good-class buildings in it. Consulates and banks and the big hongs and so on. Not to mention the Customs House, of course.' He yawned, scratched his scalp with the end of his pen, examined it, and then leant forward to write again with a sigh. 'Shanghai Club, all those places. Bund is Hindi, actually.'

'Have you been to India?' Denton asked, impressed by Mason's knowledge.

'In my time,' Mason grunted, frowning as he wrote, as if to discourage further questioning.

Denton turned the page. Twenty-three pirates apprehended in Bias Bay had been handed over to the Chinese authorities. He read on quickly, to push away the blood-stained images that immediately leapt into his mind. Under Wanted Known, Ah Chew, ladies' tailor, announced immediate attention and promised 'instant visitings.' Church Services were listed in a solemn little ornamental border -

'Oh, that'll do for now,' Mason growled, shoving back his chair. 'Come along, let's go back to the mess. Time for tiffin.'