"Look here," he said in a low tone, "mark ye this, there's going to be a fuss between these two countries. They are both trying to get ahead of the other, and I understand that Corea has a finger in the pie. That Japanese I told ye of—the man I pointed out to ye," he continued, addressing the mate—"ye know."
"Ay, ay; but he's not a Jap!"
"Not a Jap! What d'ye mean?" exclaimed the captain angrily.
"What I say, captain; he's no Jap! He and his pal are Coreans. I can see that. Look at his sleepy face under that 'bowler' hat—a disguise! He isn't a Jap; and he wants a secret passage, you say. Things are getting mixed all round. He's up to no good."
"Well, maybe ye're right, Rose," replied the captain. "But why do ye think the Corean men are cutting in against us?"
"I only know what I have seen; I've seen two Coreans searching for a vessel to-day—and on the sly, I hear. They are up to something; and it's all round queer, because they have a Chinese and a Japanese with them. Four together, and only the Jap looks honest."
"They can't hurt us, so no matter. I'd like to know what they are scheming, by the same token. There's war in it, and the Company's agent knows it. I'll fix it, and we may have to steam for Shanghai on sight. We'll get steam up, Mr. Rose; pass the word for Jenkins."
Mr. Jenkins was the "chief engineer," and he came to confer with the captain in due course.
I obtained leave for the evening. Fancying that I could clear up the mystery of the Japs and Coreans, I took a sampan, and went out on search through the harbour for the hired, secret vessel.