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By Root 1180 0

his office and in the Mandarin Chinese they always spoke together, he said, “In two years I have taught you all I can about our business. I have decided the time has come for you to go to Hong Kong. Now we are ready to show the big hongs our power, to show them that we are here to stay and no longer need the crumbs from their tables.” He placed the deed to the plot of land in the expensive central district on the desk in front of Philip and said with just the faintest touch of triumph in his voice, “Now we will build our headquarters in white granite to match theirs, with our golden name showing proudly to all of Hong Kong. You are to sail on your namesake ship, the Philip Chen, next week and you will take with you all the responsibilities and honor of your new position as comprador of the company.” He looked affectionately at his son and smiled. “You will be the youngest comprador in Hong Kong. Many will try to scorn you and to cheat you, but I know that my trust in your abilities and your loyalty will not be misplaced.”

Philip’s voice shook with excitement as he realized he was to be the manager of the huge company. He thanked Lai Tsin and said, “Honorable Father, the honor you bestow on your lowly son is overwhelming. I will do everything in my power to uphold the interests of the company and to guard its face against the wiles of the big hongs and their jealousies. I will do my best to ensure that good joss remains with us and I will use my brains and my hands and as many hours of the day or night it takes to achieve the honor you have so generously given me.”

Lai Tsin nodded, satisfied. “Then let us go visit your Honorable Number Two mother,” he said, as the kindly Chinese woman with whom Philip had lived in the years following the earthquake was called. “We shall tell her of your success.”

Lai Tsin’s discreet black automobile with the Chinese driver was waiting outside to take them to Chinatown. Sammy Morris watched as their red taillights disappeared from sight, then he limped the couple of blocks to the nearest bar and placed a telephone call to the Mandarin’s residence on Nob Hill.

The Chinese houseboy answered the phone, took the message, and delivered it to Ollie. The Mandarin had requested Ollie to meet him at his office as soon as possible; he had something important to show him.

Ollie glanced up from his homework, pleased. He knew he should tell his mother, but she had not yet returned from Annie’s and there was no time to lose—the Mandarin had said as soon as possible. Flinging on his coat, he made for the door.

It was six o’clock on a cold February evening. Darkness had come early and already the moon was rising and the wind had swept the sky of clouds, leaving it clear and spangled with stars. Ollie hurried down the hill to the tram and from there he walked the last few blocks to the waterfront. He stopped for a few moments to admire the crowded merchant ships silhouetted against the sky before turning down the narrow street leading to the offices. He stared at it, puzzled; the building was in darkness, there wasn’t even a light in the Mandarin’s window. He tried the door but it was locked and he stepped back, wondering if he had come too late.

Sammy’s footsteps were as soundless as a barefoot coolie’s. Ollie did not hear him as he sprang from behind, thrusting an ether-filled pad over his nose and mouth, rendering him senseless in a mere few seconds.

Annie’s new hotel was small but very chic, with seventy palatial rooms and a dozen richly appointed suites. It had the comfortably old-fashioned feel of an English country house, yet everything was of the latest design, from the showers to the heating, the elevators and the lamps, and of course, the food was exquisite, a more cosmopolitan version of her good plain food using the best seasonal ingredients, perfectly cooked and presented.

For Annie, running it was child’s play. It was what she had always done, only more of it. Her days were busy and every night she enjoyed dressing in her best and going downstairs to personally greet her guests, sharing