Suddenly the doorway was blocked.

"Thort I didn't see you eh? Wot'cher doin?" the scavenger rasped, heavy with menace.

Slowly Hiraga straightened. His hand was on the small pistol in his pocket. Then he saw the knife appear in the clawlike fist and the man thrust forward viciously. But Hiraga was faster and caught the hand and chopped at the scavenger's throat. He squealed like a gutted pig and went down. At once the other two looked up and hurried to investigate.

They skidded to a stop. Now Hiraga was in the doorway, the gun in one hand, knife in the other and he stood over the man who writhed, choking in the dirt. Knives came out and the two men attacked. Hiraga did not hesitate and lunged at one man who darted away, leaving him the opening he needed. He was through the slot quickly, running for Drunk Town, not wanting to waste time fighting. In moments he had reached a side street but in his haste his hat had fallen off.

He looked back and saw one of the scavengers had grabbed it up with a shout. In seconds the other had a hand on it too and they began a cursing fight for possession.

Chest heaving, Hiraga left them to it.

Another look at the sky. Be patient. When they've gone you can go to the well. You must not reveal it, it's essential for the attack. Be patient.

Buy a hat or a cap. What's gone wrong?

"Well, where the devil has he gone?"

"Can't be far, Sir William," Pallidar said. "I've men at both gates and on the bridge into the Yoshiwara. He's probably in one of the Inns. A matter of time before he appears. You want him in irons?"

"No, just here, unarmed, under guard."

"What about this fellow?"

Akimoto was sitting, his back to the wall, a soldier nearby. He had already been searched.

"I'll decide that when I've talked to him.

Ah, Andr`e, come in. Settry, no need for you to wait. I'm dining with the Russian Minister, when you've got Nakama come and fetch me."

Pallidar saluted and went out. "Andr`e, sorry to bother you but we can't find Nakama. As Phillip's not here could you interpret for me, ask this fellow where he is?"

He watched while Andr`e began questioning Akimoto, trying to contain his irritation and wishing Phillip Tyrer was here and not with Babcott.

Hope that goes well. Damn it, if Nakama's not caught Yoshi will be irritable indeed, rightly so.

"He says he doesn't know," Andr`e said.

He had not taken off his topcoat. Sir William's office was always freezing even on the coldest day, his coal fire mean. "He seems dim-witted, mumbles Nakama who, Nakama could be anywhere, the Yoshiwara, perhaps Kanagawa."

"Eh?" Sir William was shocked. "He's not supposed to leave the Settlement without my express approval. Ask him... ask him when did Nakama leave?"

"He says he doesn't know, doesn't know Nakama, if he's left or where he is, doesn't know anything."

"Perhaps a night in the brig will refresh his memory. Corporal!" The door opened at once. "Put this man in the brig overnight, or until I give orders to the contrary. He is to be well treated, understand?"

"Yessir."

"He is to be well treated."

"Yessir." The Corporal jerked a thumb at Akimoto who backed out of the room bowing. The brig, used for rowdies, and servicemen subject to military discipline, was down the street, a low brick building with a dozen cells, flogging triangle. After the Club, it had been the second structure built, a normal British custom for most Settlements.

"Merci, Andr`e."

"De rien."

"Have you any idea where he could be?"

"No, Monsieur, other than what the man said. See you at dinner." Andr`e smiled and left and began walking down the High Street, the wind whipping the leaves and papers and debris. Not much light was left in the sky.

Glad we're not responsible for finding him, he thought. Where would he have gone? If he has any sense to Kyoto or Nagasaki, or stowed away on yesterday's merchantman to Shanghai if he knows Yoshi wants him. Surely he must have known--no secrets in the Bakufu, or here. Great meeting, good for us too for we have the edge with Yoshi but damn Phillip, he's getting too good. Surely the patient will be Anjo. He spat irritably. I should have had the chance--after all it was my idea, Raiko and Meikin must have planted the thought somehow. Mon Dieu, they've more power than I imagined.

An icy current went through him. Raiko had asked him to see her urgently tonight. What now?

Had to be trouble.

"Evening, sir," the Struan guard on the front door said.

"I've an appointment with Madame Struan."

"Yes sir. She's expecting you, in the tai-pan's office along the corridor.

Excuse the mess in the hall, sir, but Mr.McFay's packing. Terrible, he's going, isn't it?"

"Yes, but let's hope th--" The signal gun at the Harbor Master's cut him off.

Astonished, both men glanced seawards for no ship was expected or overdue. Movement on the crowded High Street stopped and then a murmur of excitement went through Yokohama. Rounding the distant headland was a clipper, all sails set and the bit between her teeth. They saw puffs of smoke from her cannonade salute to the flagship, then heard the following boom and the flagship's answer.

Too far distant to see her flag. "She's one of ours," the guard said proudly. "Has to be, like in the old days... oh, evening, sir."

Jamie McFay came out of the door fast and focused his binoculars. "Hello, Andr`e, just want to make sure... Prancing Cloud!

Hallelujah!" The implications would be clear to everyone. She had been scheduled to sail on to London. Returning here, and so quickly, meant she carried urgent news--or passengers. Good or bad.

"Hallelujah," Andr`e echoed. He saw Seratard with a telescope on the steps of the French Legation, Sir William at his window with binoculars, and next door, Dmitri stood at Brock's entrance, a short telescope to his eye. As Dmitri lowered it he noticed Jamie, hesitated, then gave him a thumbs-up. Jamie waved back then refocused. The clipper was beautiful charging for her moorings.

Andr`e said softly, "Perhaps she's aboard?"

"I had the same thought. We'll soon find out."

"Signal her."

"By the time I get the Harbor Master to put up the flags the light will have gone. Anyway it's not up to me now, that's Mr. MacStruan's decision." Jamie looked at him. "We'll know soon enough. You're seeing Angelique?"

"Yes."

"No need to worry her, until we know.

Eh?"

"I agree, mon brave." Andr`e looked back at the clipper. "You'll meet her?"

"The ship?" The same hard smile. "Wouldn't you?"

They went into the foyer together. Coming down the staircase was Albert MacStruan, half dressed in evening clothes, tie undone but elegant. "Prancing Cloud?"

"Yes," Jamie said.

"Thought so." The strange eyes narrowed.

"'evening, Andr`e. How are you?" MacStruan said.

"Fine, thank you. See you later."

Jamie waited until Andr`e had knocked and gone into the tai-pan's office that was now MacStruan's. "You'll meet her?"

"Oh yes." MacStruan walked down the last step but now the bounce gone from his stride.

"Please join me."

"Thanks, but that's your privilege now.

I've sent Vargas for the Bosun, the launch will be ready in five minutes."

MacStruan said kindly, "Come aboard with me, meet the ship like you used to, should still be doing."

"No, time to move on, it's all yours now.

But thanks."

"I hear Zergeyev's banquet tonight will be grand as Angelique's accepted. Change your mind, join the party."

"Can't, not tonight, I'm still not finished packing."

Jamie smiled at him, then motioned down the corridor. "Angelique cleared using your office with you?"

"Oh yes, glad to oblige, and better than having visitors upstairs in her suite, especially him. Can't say I like him."