It was said that the steamer would not proceed at the scheduled hour, might be delayed until night. Disgruntled white passengers settled down, in berth and deck chair, to make the best of it. There was, it came vaguely to light, a little trouble up the river, an outbreak of some sort.
Rocky Kane, a flush below his temples, slipped stealthily along the corridor. At number four he paused; glanced nervously about; then, grinning, pushed open the door and softly closed it behind him.
The strange thin Miss Carmichael was combing out her black hair. With a confused little laugh he extended his arms. But she shook her head.
“Sit down and be sensible,” she said. “Here's the saké.”
She produced a bottle and poured a small drink into a large glass. He gulped it down.
“You're a funny girl. How'd you come to have this?”
“It was given to me. You'd better slip along. I can't ask you to stay.”
“But when am I going to see you, for a good visit?”
“Oh, there'll be chances enough. Here we are.”
“That's so. Looks as if we'd stay here a while, too. There's a battle on, you know, up at Wu Chang and Hankow. Big row. We get all the news from Kato. He's that Japanese that father has with him. The revolutionists have captured Wu Chang, and are getting ready to cross over. The imperial army's being rushed down to defend Hankow. Regular doings. Shells were falling in the foreign concessions this morning. Kato's got all the news there is. It's a question whether we'll go on at all. You see the Manchus own this boat, and the republicans would certainly get after us. There are enough foreign warships up there to protect us, of course.... How about another drink?”
“Better not. Your father will notice it.”
“He won't know where I got it.” Rocky chuckled. He felt himself an adventurous and quite manly old devil--here in the mysterious girl's cabin, watching her as she smoothed and tied her flowing hair, and sipping the potent liquor from Japan. “It's funny nothing seems to surprise you. Did you know they were fighting up there?”
“Wouldn't you be a little frightened if we were to steam right into a battle?”
“Aren't you even interested? Is there anything you're interested in?”
“Certainly--I have my interests. You must go--really.... No, be quiet! Some one will hear! We can visit to-night--out on deck.”