GILBERT LEARNS SOMETHING
The winter had been long and severe in Manchuria, and even now, early
in February, it was biting cold and with a touch of snow in the air at
Port Arthur.
Close at hand was a shop where refreshments of various kinds could
be had and to this place Gilbert led the way making certain that the
Russian followed. He saw at a glance that Nicholas Vanskynov was a
fellow of small caliber and could readily be handled if given a little
money. Sitting down to a table he ordered a cup of coffee and some
fancy cakes for himself and asked the other what he would have.
“Since you are so kind, I will take a glass of _quass_,” was the
answer, _quass_ being a sour beer much used by Russians.
“Now, what can you tell me of value?” asked the young American, after
the refreshments had been brought and Vanskynov had partaken of the
liquor with apparent satisfaction.
“Let us first speak of the reward, sire.”
“How much do you want?” demanded Gilbert sharply. “Remember, I can hand
you over to the police, if I desire.”
“The police!” At the threat the young Russian grew pale, for the police
department is a terror to all who live under Russian law, its findings
being generally final and absolute. “How so?”
“For aiding Ivan Snokoff to get away without paying his just debts.”
“I did not aid him, no, no! When he went I thought all was right—I did
not learn the truth until later. I have lost much myself, for I thought
I was to have a steady position with him.”
“How much do you want me to pay you?”
“Not much, sire, no. Surely you will never miss ten _rubles_,” went on
the young Russian, mentioning a sum less than eight dollars, a Russian
_ruble_ being worth, at the present time, 76 to 78 cents.
“Can you give me information of value?”
“I think I can.”
“Then tell me what you know, and if the news is worth anything you
shall have your money.”
“Ah, I knew the American would be generous to a poor Russian—the United
States is a great country.”
“What do you know?”
“It is of Captain Barusky that I would speak—he who comes of a most
honorable family.”
“The same captain that had an interest in the trading company?”
questioned Gilbert quickly.
“Yes, the same. He and Ivan Snokoff are great friends—I have heard that
they have been in many business ventures together.”
“Do you know where Captain Barusky is?”
“He was out of active service for several years, but now he is once
more in the army. Since it looks so much like war with Japan the Czar
has called upon all our country’s defenders to take their proper places
in the army and the navy.”
“And where is this Captain Barusky stationed?”
“He was at Mukden, but I have heard that he was seen at one of the
forts of this port only day before yesterday.”
“What fort?”
“That I cannot tell, but I think it was the one nearest to the dry
dock.”
“I am glad to know this,” said Gilbert slowly. He was wondering how
he could get hold of his man. “Do you know for a fact that he was a
partner in the company?”
“Yes, for I once saw the papers. Besides, he once lent Ivan Snokoff six
hundred _rubles_ with which to pay off certain bills for goods, and I
know he shared in the profits. They were a pair of sly foxes. Were I
you, I should have this bold captain held by the authorities. It may be
he will then reveal what has become of Ivan Snokoff.”
“I’ll certainly do something—if I can find him.” Gilbert was silent for
a moment. “Give me your new address,” he continued. “I may want you
again.”
“And the _rubles_——”
“Here they are,” and the young American counted out the amount in
Russian scrip, for silver _rubles_ are now but seldom seen. “I’ll give
you a good deal more, if you’ll aid me to get back what belongs to our
company.”
“Nicholas Vanskynov is at your service, sire. Here is the address,” and
it was written down in a notebook which Gilbert brought forth.
After this the young American questioned the Russian clerk closely
concerning Ivan Snokoff’s methods of doing business. He learned that
all the goods sold had been shipped out of Manchuria, so that to trace
them farther was next to impossible. Beyond a doubt Captain Barusky was
hand-in-glove with Snokoff, and the pair had cleaned up a good many
thousand dollars by their nefarious actions.
After parting with the Russian clerk, Gilbert attended to various
matters of business for the balance of that day and also for the
morning of the next. While he war near the railroad station he saw a
long train come in from the north packed with soldiers.
“This certainly looks like war,” he reasoned, as he watched the
soldiers leave the train and march off to a temporary barracks. “And
those chaps look as if they meant business, too,” he continued,
noticing how well the body was drilled. “I declare, it arouses my old
fighting blood just to look at them!” And he drew himself up as of old,
when he was a lieutenant under Old Glory.
War talk was everywhere, and Russians and foreigners of all sorts
filled the streets and discussed the situation in subdued tones. The
Japanese said but little, and the Russians gave them the blackest of
looks as they passed by.
The strained situation between Japan and Russia was of long standing.
In a work of this kind it is not necessary to go into all the details
which led to the great war which was so close at hand. Sufficient be
it to say that Japan objected strongly to having any part of China or
Korea held by Russia, and viewed with alarm the strong fortifications
of Port Arthur, the building of the great Trans-Siberian railroad from
the frontier to the port itself, and the occupation of other Chinese
towns by the Russians.
“In but a few years more Russia will claim both Manchuria and Korea,”
said the Japanese, “and then our own safety will be menaced.” Which was
certainly true, for the islands that make up the kingdom of Japan lie
directly to the southeast of the territory named, with nothing but the
Sea of Japan between. More than this, the occupation of Manchuria and
Korea by the Russians would interfere seriously with Japanese trade—a
commerce that amounted to many millions of dollars annually.
This was the Japanese side of the story. On the Russian side, that
country claimed it was not occupying anything for which it had not
paid, and it was merely establishing itself in Manchuria to preserve
peace and order.
“If we leave the Chinese to themselves in Manchuria no foreigners doing
business there will be safe,” said the Russians. “The railroad is bound
to come sooner or later, and we may as well build and own it as to
leave the work to somebody else.” This was fair talk, yet the world
at large felt that the whole scheme was one meant to enlarge Russian
territory and power, and do it largely at ultimate expense to Japan.
Port Arthur is a commercial city of considerable size, located at the
base of a series of hills overlooking the sea beyond. The entrance to
the harbor itself, which is directly in front of the city, is long and
narrow. On each spur of land are several forts, and beyond those on
the right, as the harbor is entered, is a large basin, with a single
dry dock. On the left is what is called West Port. The inner harbor is
somewhat oval in shape, two miles wide from east to west, and a mile
wide north to south.
As already mentioned, the fortifications were strong, yet the Russian
authorities were doing all in their power to make them stronger. They
were likewise bringing into the city vast quantities of supplies, for
what purpose the foreigners could only imagine. Every mile of the
railroad was being closely guarded, so that the Chinese natives, known
to be friendly to the Japanese, might not tear up the tracks.
Gilbert knew that there were four forts located at the entrance to the
harbor, and he determined to visit these before going to the other
strongholds about the city. He understood very well that he would not
be permitted inside any of the forts, but thought there would be no
objections to his making inquiries about Captain Barusky.
“Those higher in command will certainly want to know what sort of a
man he is,” thought Gilbert. “I don’t think they’ll endure anything
crooked, even though they don’t want us Americans to take away Russian
trade.”
His visit to the first fort was a failure. He was halted while still
some distance off and asked his business.
“I am looking for a certain Captain Barusky,” said he. “Is he located
here?”
The guard did not know.
“Can you find out for me?” was Gilbert’s next question.
“Not at present. Come in two hours. I shall be relieved then.”
This was all the young American could get out of the guard, and he was
told, if he remained where he was, he would be arrested. Hearing this,
Gilbert lost no time in hurrying away.
Some time later he was in the vicinity of the second fort. A great lot
of extra stores had arrived and all was in confusion. Some Chinese
coolies were handling the stuff and now some Russian soldiers came out
to assist them, grumbling loudly because toe Chinese could not do the
work alone.
Gilbert was greatly interested in the work of the coolies. Evidently
they had to carry their loads to the very heart of the fort, for each
was blindfolded and had to take hold of a rope, the front end of which
was in the hands of a Russian sergeant. The sergeant brandished a whip,
and if a coolie did not move to suit him, he would give the fellow a
cut with the lash.
“This is certainly tough on the Chinamen,” thought the young American.
“It’s a wonder they don’t revolt. If they wanted to, they could make
matters warm for the Russians.”
The coolies having disappeared for the time being, the Russian soldiers
came up for their loads. With them were several officers, one of whom
eyed Gilbert narrowly.
All unconscious of what was taking place, Gilbert drew a little closer
to the stores. Then of a sudden he felt a hand on his shoulder.
“What are you doing here?” demanded the Russian officer.
Gilbert was slightly startled and drew back. But the grip upon his
shoulder was not relaxed.
“Tell me what you are doing here?” repeated the officer.
“Not very much,” was the young American’s answer.
“I saw you at the other fort a while ago.”
“That is true. I was——”
[Illustration: “WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?” DEMANDED THE RUSSIAN
OFFICER.—_Page 20._]
“Don’t try to explain here. Come with me. We allow no spying around
here, I can tell you that. You are an American, I believe.”
“Yes.”
“So much the worse for you. Come with me.”
And somewhat against his will Gilbert was marched off to one of the
buildings inside of the fortifications.