The Mystery of the Fire Dragon - Carolyn Keene [46]
Ned laughed. “There are plenty of people who have lived here a long time and still don’t understand it,” he said. “But actually it is quite simple. The whole area is a British crown colony.
“Hong Kong Island was ceded to the British when the Treaty of Nanking was signed in 1842. Then, in 1860, through the Convention of Peking, a tip of Kowloon Peninsula was added, as well as small Stonecutters’ Island.
“In 1898 more land was added to the colony. It was leased for ninety-nine years and became known as the New Territories. It includes the rest of Kowloon Peninsula and the hundred and ninety-eight islands in adjacent waters.”
“Thank you, Professor Nickerson.” Bess leaned back in her chair. “I’ll try to remember all that!”
“One interesting thing I’ve learned,” said Ned, “is that the word Kowloon means ‘nine dragons.’ It is named for the range of hills behind the city. In fact, it separates the city from the New Territories.”
George grinned. “We can’t get away from the dragons! Any more interesting stories?”
Ned laughed. “After that crack, I’m not sure I should tell you. But here is one. Out in the harbor there is an island called Lantao. On it live barking deer.”
The others broke into laughter and accused Ned of spoofing. But the young man insisted he was not. “If you’ll stay long enough, I’ll take you over there and you can hear them.”
Later, the girls and Ned started their ride up Victoria Peak on the tramway. They found it an exciting experience. The cable car stopped at stations on various levels, to let local residents get on or alight.
Streets stretched out in all directions on the steep mountainside, and houses nestled firmly among the rocks. The view from the top was magnificent and the girls could take in at a glance the enormous and bustling population on both land and water.
When they descended to the foot of the peak, the sight-seers returned by ferry to the Peninsula Hotel and drove to Ned’s college. The girls were greatly impressed. All the buildings were new and stood on top of a hill. In a valley to one side were the very large athletic fields.
When they pulled into the parking area, two young Chinese came to meet them. Ned introduced the handsome boys as friends of his. “Charlie Tsang, and this is Philip Ming.”
The two young men bowed low, then said they had arranged to eat luncheon with them in a private dining room usually reserved for faculty members. During the meal there was a constant flow of amusing banter among the young people. The Chinese students spoke excellent English and seemed to understand American slang and humor.
But finally the conversation took a serious turn when Charlie asked, “Ned, I do not wish to pry into your private affairs, but what have you been doing in Hong Kong recently?”
Ned grinned. “Just look at my companions and see for yourself,” he said.
“This is no joke,” Philip Ming spoke up. “Charlie and I were called from class to the president’s office yesterday afternoon. He told us two men had been here inquiring about you, Ned. They thought you should be ordered back to the college immediately because you were a menace in town.”
The Americans were astonished. “A menace!” Nancy cried out. “What do they mean?”
“I cannot imagine,” Charlie replied. “These same people also said that Ned’s mixed up in a smuggling racket, and that he’s being misled by unscrupulous persons. However, the individuals do not want to prefer any charges against you, Ned, but requested that the president insist you be made to remain here at college and not go into town.”
Ned and the girls were more astounded than ever. They now told the two Chinese young men a little about the case on which they had been working.
Nancy expressed the opinion that the two visitors to the college were part of the smuggling ring. “Naturally they’d feel Ned is becoming a‘menace’ to them, and want him out of their way.”
Ned suddenly laughed upon hearing