Dr Nikola Returns | Page 9

that man and an old Buddhist priest, with whom I spent some time
in Ceylon, that I learnt the tiny fact which put me on the trail of what I
am now following up. I have tracked it clue by clue, carefully and
laboriously, with varying success for eight long years, and at last I am

in the position to say that I believe I have my thumb upon the key-note.
If I can press it down and obtain the result I want, I can put myself in
possession of information the magnitude of which the world--I mean
the European world, of course--has not the slightest conception. I am a
courageous man, but I will confess that the prospect of what I am about
to attempt almost frightens me. It is neither more nor less than to
penetrate, with the help of certain Chinese secret societies, into the
most extraordinary seat of learning that you or any other men ever
heard of, and when there to beg, borrow, or steal the marvellous secrets
they possess. I cannot go alone, for a hundred reasons, therefore I must
find a man to accompany me; that man must be one in a thousand, and
he must also necessarily be a consummate Chinese scholar. He must be
plucky beyond the average, he must be capable of disguising himself so
that his nationality shall never for a moment be suspected, and he must
go fully convinced in his own mind that he will never return. If he is
prepared to undertake so much I am prepared to be generous. I will pay
him £5,000 down before we start and £5,000 when we return, if return
we do. What do you say to that?"
I didn't know what to say. The magnitude of the proposal, to leave the
value of the honorarium out of the question, completely staggered me. I
wanted money more than I had ever done in my life before, and this
was a sum beyond even my wildest dreams; I also had no objection to
adventure, but at the same time I must confess this seemed too
foolhardy an undertaking altogether.
"What can I say?" I answered. "It's such an extraordinary proposition."
"So it is," he said. "But as I take it, we are both extraordinary men. Had
you been one of life's rank and file I should not be discussing it with
you now. I would think twice before I refused if I were you; Shanghai
is such an unpleasant place to get into trouble in, and besides that, you
know, next Wednesday will see the end of your money, even if you do
sell your watch and chain, as you proposed to yourself to-night."
He said this with such an air of innocence that for the moment it did not
strike me to wonder Low he had become acquainted with the state of
my finances.

"Come," he said, "you had better say yes."
"I should like a little more time to think it over," I answered. "I cannot
pledge myself to so much without giving it thorough consideration.
Even if it were not folly on my part it would scarcely be fair to you."
"Very good then. Go home and think about it. Come and see me
to-morrow night at this time and let me have your decision. In the
meantime if I were you I would say nothing about our conversation to
any one."
I assured him I would not, and then he rose, and I understood that our
interview was at an end. I followed him into the hall, the black cat
marching sedately at our heels. In the verandah he stopped and held out
his hand, saying with an indescribable sweetness of tone--
"I hope, Mr. Brace, you will believe that I am most anxious for your
companionship. I don't flatter you, I simply state the truth when I affirm
that you are the only man in China whose co-operation I would ask.
Now good-night. I hope you will come to me with a favourable answer
to-morrow."
As he spoke, and as if to emphasize his request, the black cat, which up
to that time had been standing beside him, now came over and began to
rub its head, accompanying its action with a soft, purring noise, against
my leg.
"I will let you know without fail by this time tomorrow evening," I said.
"Good-night."
CHAPTER II.
Nikola's Offer
After I had bidden Dr. Nikola good-night in the verandah of his house,
I consulted my watch, and discovering that it was not yet eleven o'clock,
set off for a long walk through the city in order to consider my position.
There were many things to be reckoned for and against his offer. To

begin with, as a point in its favour,