"It's all right to see him, but it will mean nothing." Norbert drank more brandy feeling better for the confrontation. "I know what Mr.Brock, a real tai-pan, and Sir Morgan would say: Tyler Brock would say, with a lot of blunt Anglo-Saxon, that the Admiral's the bleeder in the woodpile, William's an arrogant little bastard who won't change, that he'll see Stanshope personally who's an equal fool, and by the first post he'll write to our friendly Members of Parliament to raise holy hell." While he spoke, he lit a cheroot and said through the smoke, his voice sneering, "And he'll add, even though our friends are more powerful than yours and will do more than yours, meanwhile it's a bagful of fart because that'll take five or six months so he'd say, "get thy arse out of thy godrotting chair, thee's responsible, by God, thee's to solve thy problem or I'll be coming to the Japans and break heads."

Struan felt the wave of anger, and wash of latent fear, that always occurred hearing Tyler Brock's name, or when he read about him in the papers or saw him on the streets of Hong Kong or at the races. "Then what's the answer?"

"I don't have one. If I had I would already have done it, by God." Norbert belched rudely.

"Like your secret Jappo and his mining concessions you'll never get."

Struan and McFay gaped at him.

Two weeks ago Vargas had excitedly whispered that he had been approached by one of their silk suppliers, acting as an intermediary for a Lord Ota, who wanted to meet the tai-pan secretly Histo discuss granting Struan's an exclusive gold-mining concession in his domain that included most of the Kwanto, the area covering most of the plains and mountains around Yedo--the concession in return for trade: armaments."

"Perfect," Struan had said. "If this is bona fide it could be a major breakthrough for us! Eh Jamie?"' "If it's real, absolutely!"

"Here, look, here's their authority."

Vargas showed them the sheet of fine quality rice paper covered with columns of Chinese-style characters and sealed elaborately. "This seal is Lord Ota's, and this the seal of one of the roju, Lord Yoshi. There are two conditions: that the meeting is to take place in Kanagawa, and that everything is kept secret from the Bakufu."

"Why? And why Kanagawa? Why not here?"' "They just said that is where they have to meet, though they did say they would come by night to the Kanagawa Legation. The meeting could take place there."

"It could be a trap, Tai-pan," Jamie said. "Don't forget Legation Lun was murdered there, and those assassins..."

Malcolm's excitement shriveled, being reminded. But he put that away. "There are soldiers there to protect us."

Vargas said, "They guaranteed their officials would be unarmed, stressing only the need for secrecy, senhor."

"It's too risky for you, Tai-pan,"

Jamie said. "I'll go with Vargas who can interpret."

"Sorry, Senhor McFay," Vargas said, "but they want to talk to the tai-pan personally. It seems there's no need for an interpreter--they would supply one who could speak English."

"It's too dangerous, Tai-pan."

"Yes, but too good an opportunity to miss, Jamie, nothing like this has ever been offered to any one of us. If we can make such a deal, in secret all the better, we'll have made a giant step forward. What are the terms, Vargas?"' "They did not say, Tai-pan."

"Never mind. Accept their invitation and we'll meet as soon as possible. One condition: I also bring Mr. McFay. Jamie, we'll go by boat, arrange a palanquin for me at Kanagawa."

The meeting had been quick and untoward direct.

Two samurai. One, calling himself Watanabe, spoke a mixture of English and American slang, his accent American: "Lord Ota wants two prospectors. Experts.

They kin go anywheres in his lands--wiv guides.

No arms. He guarantees safe conduct, gives 'em good dry lodgings, food, wiv all the sak`e they kin drink and women to spare.

One-year contract. You's to keep half the gold they finds, you's to supply free all mining gear and overseers for to train his men if they makes a strike. You's to handle sales. If successful, he renews second year and third, and more--if Noble House plays fair.

Agreed?"' "They're to prospect only for gold?"' "Of course gold. Lord Ota says he has one small mine, maybe more nearby, eh?

You's to handle sales. Men must be good, must've been to Californi or Australi fields.

Agreed?"' "Agreed. It will take time to find the men."

"How long?"' "Two weeks if there are any in the Settlement--six months if we have to bring them from Australia or America."

"Sooner the better. Next: how many rifles you's for sale in here right now?"' "Five."

"Lord Ota buys 'em, and all the Choshu rifles you's a agreed, when they arrives.

Same price."

"Those are already promised. We can supply others."

"Lord Ota wants them Choshu rifles--he wants 'em. He pays same price. All Choshu guns, unnerstand? And all others you kin get. You sell to him only in Nippon, him only, unnerstand? Same wiv cannon and ships --all you kin get. He pays in gold. More you finds, more is yourn."

Neither Malcolm Struan or McFay could shift the man's position in any way. At length Struan had agreed and they had fixed another meeting in a month when Struan's would present a simple contract specifying their guarantees and also dossiers on the two men.

After the samurai had left they had congratulated each other and, "Jamie, you'll find them in Drunk Town. For God's sake hurry, and be careful, before Norbert finds out."

"Leave everything to me."

In days McFay had found two qualified men, an American and a Cornish tin miner both of whom had worked the gold fields near Sutter's Mill in California and the Anderson's Creek discoveries in Australia. Tomorrow the miners were to finalize their equipment needs and arrange the details of their contracts and now Struan and McFay listened appalled to Norbert saying, "I've done that deal, young Malcolm, it's done, you can forget it--and those mining scallywags too, they're contracted to Brock and Sons for five years."

"You've what?" Struan gasped.

Norbert laughed. "Early bird gets the wriggles, old son. I bettered your deal and I've already shipped them off to Yedo to samurai Watanabe. Where'd that bastard learn American English? Did he tell you? Never mind.

Fifty-fifty on any gold we find is a good deal." His laugh became even more scornful.

"As to William, I'll see him soon as he's back, no skin off my nose. Dmitri, you're welcome, I'll make the arrangements."

He looked at Struan, his upper lip curling.

"As you won't be here I'll take Jamie along."

"What?"

Norbert belched again. "Didn't I hear your mother ordered you back to Hong Kong on the next boat?"

Jamie flushed. "Now look here, Nor--"

"Keep out of this, Jamie," Struan snarled.

"Norbert, I'd advise you to choose your words more carefully."

"Is that so, my fine young feller? Didn't I hear correct that she wants you back, ordered you back right smartly, that your Captain was under orders to do just that?"

"That's none of your dammed business! I advise you..."

"Everything that goes on in Yokohama's my bloody business!" Norbert slammed back at him. "And we don't take advice from anyone in Struan's least of all a young puppy not yet dry behind the ears!"

McFay jumped to his feet and Struan jerked up his glass of brandy and threw the contents in Norbert's face.

"Christ Almighty--"

"Retract that, Norbert," Struan shouted, Dmitri and Jamie McFay stupefied by the suddenness of the escalation, "take it back or I demand satisfaction, by God!"

"Pistols at dawn?" Norbert jeered, the action even better than he had hoped.

Abruptly he yanked half the table cloth away to dab his face, sending the glasses clattering. "Pardon for the mess, but you two are witness I said nothing but the truth, by Christ!"