“Oh, we paid ’em to get out; but not too much, understand? We’re shrewd, me and father, when it comes to real business.” Nuggy Polk gave a lurch which landed him on the grass of the roadside. “Say, but that tumble made me weak in the legs!” he declared. “Better rest here, and see if your friend comes back,” suggested Gilbert. “I’ll stay with you; and, if he doesn’t return, I’ll see to it that you get back to Manila in safety.” “Will you? That’s mighty kind, lieutenant, and I’ll stay; and I’ll pay you for all you do for me.” And the young man pulled from his pocket a roll of bank bills. “I reckon bills go with you, even if the confounded natives won’t accept ’em.” “I don’t want your money--” “Don’t grow offended, lieutenant. I’m all right, and you’re all right. We understand each other, don’t we?” “I hope we shall, if not now, then later on,” replied Gilbert, with an emphasis which was entirely lost on the befuddled young man to whom the words were addressed. CHAPTER IV OFF FOR CHINA The young lieutenant felt utterly disgusted over the speech and actions of the young man before him; yet he did not feel inclined just yet to part company with Nuggy Polk. There is an old saying that, “when the wine is in, the wit is out”; and Gilbert felt certain that by judicious “pumping” he could learn a good deal concerning the Richmond Importing Company and the Polks’ peculiar method of transacting business. Gilbert could readily see that Nuggy Polk was a “high-flyer,” or, in other words, a fast young man, and one who was inclined to spend his father’s money much faster than the parent had made it. Yet the young man did not look like a hard drinker; and his present condition, Gilbert concluded, was an unusual one. “May I ask if you have been in Richmond lately?” said Gilbert, after a pause, during which Nuggy Polk had closed his eyes, as if on the point of going to sleep. “Came from Richmond to ’Frisco, an’ from ’Frisco here,” was the unsteady answer. “’Bout four months ago--came on mail steamer. Going to China--do the country in ’bout six weeks, and then go home again. This don’t suit at all. Richmond is good enough for me.” “I suppose you’ll have a good deal of work to do in China for your company.” “A little, lieutenant. You see, I don’t believe in killing myself with labor.” Nuggy Polk tried to laugh, but the effort only ended in a hiccough. “Main object is to find a man named Bartlett, a fellow who owns a little block of stock in our concern.” “Going to buy him out?” “You’ve struck the head on the nail--I mean--er--the nail on the nai--no, the nail on the--the head--yes, the head. Don’t want Bartlett in the company any more. He’ll make too much money if he stays in.” And Nuggy Polk gave a chuckle. “Supposing this Bartlett won’t sell out?” “He’s got to, or we’ll--er--we’ll squeeze him, same as we did the others.”