He walked slowly toward the case and saw the sign.
Of course it wasn’t for sale. It was his — stolen from him.
“Mr. Chau?” Madame Chen was standing behind him. “Welcome to my show.” She was wearing a red gown and two diamond ear rings hung just below her tightly groomed hair.
He turned. “Thank you.” He quickly regained his composure. “Are you sure that green emerald is not for sale?”
“I’m sorry. I couldn’t part with it. It’s been in my family for years.”
“Is it from China?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“May I examine it more closely?”
“If you wish.”
She opened the case with a small key and took out the satin lined box that held the gem. “There was a chain attached to it at one time but it was lost.” She held out the box.
Their eyes met and their hands touched as Lee’s fingers circled the box.
It must have been her eyes because Lee suddenly realized that this old woman was the same little girl who had stolen the elephant — and almost plunged a knife into his chest! If he hadn’t awakened when he did — he would never have awakened. She must be the daughter of that shapely young woman he’d caught — the memory flooded back for an instant.
None of this emotion showed on Lee’s face. He smiled and ran his fingers over the surface of the elephant just like he used to do so many years ago. The evil one with the green elephant, they used to call him. As his fingers fondled the gem surface he felt young again — like Sing Li used to feel.
“I will give you ten thousand dollars for it,” he heard himself saying.
She smiled. “It has no price, Mr. Chau.” She gently removed the box from his hands and put it back in the case. “I’m sorry.” She closed the case and locked the door. “You look pale. Are you feeling all right?”
“Oh yes,” Lee said, wiping a few beads of sweat from his forehead. “The beauty of the gem — as they say — got to me. You are certain that it isn’t for sale?”
“Quite certain, Mr. Chau.”
Lee had the feeling that further talk concerning the elephant would be useless. She wouldn’t sell it so he would simply have to take it. “I trust you keep this gem in a safe place at night.”
“Oh yes — I keep it in my office under lock and key. Would you care for a cup of tea? Then perhaps you might like to see my jade collection.”
“It would be a pleasure.”
He followed her through the crowd and into the office. A moment later, a girl brought tea and rice cookies and they sat down, she behind her desk and Chau in a chair.
After a sip of tea, Chau looked at her. “May I ask what part of China you are from?”
“I call Hong Kong my home. I came here to escape the war and decided to stay. It is a fine country.”
“Yes. It is,” agreed Lee. His mind was still on the green elephant. How could he get it? The young Sing Li would have just taken it but the old Lee Chau was lucky to move, much less steal something.
She looked at him closely. “I have the feeling that we have met before.”
He shook his head. “I doubt it. I have never been to Hong Kong. Perhaps we had better look at the jade collection. I must get back to my hotel soon.”
“Certainly.”
As he made comments about the jade collection, his mind still pondered the green elephant problem. He couldn’t steal it personally so he would have to hire a thief. But who? If he hired one locally, all details of the theft would be common knowledge within a few hours. He would have to hire someone from New York — and he knew just the man.
“Well,” she said finally, “that is my jade.”
“A beautiful collection and I may buy some — that is, if it’s for sale.”
“The jade — yes — the green elephant — no.”
He rose and bowed. “I’ll return in a day or so. Thank you.”
“You are welcome, Mr. Chau.” She held out her hand.
He clasped it briefly and left.
Bradford Winchester arrived in San Francisco the next night at eight and immediately reported to Lee Chau at the Mark Hopkins. Winchester was a tall, slim, distinguished looking man of forty-five who could pass for a doctor, lawyer, college professor or just about any type and during his twenty year span as a con man or scam operator he had played all the roles mentioned and more.
He found Lee in the Tap Room sipping wine and smoking a cigarette. Lee bought him a scotch and soda and then told him about the green elephant leaving out some of the more violent details.
“Winchester, I want you to steal it for me.”
“Sounds easy,” Winchester said, sipping his drink. “How can I case Madame Chen’s shop?”
“I will take you there tomorrow. You are an old friend and wish to see the green elephant you have heard so much about.”
“Fine,” said Winchester. “What name shall I use?”
“Whatever.” Lee shrugged.
Winchester thought for a second. “Nolan... Croft. That’s good. And I’ll present myself as a gem collector.”
Lee nodded. “Just don’t lay it on too thick. That woman is no dummy. She probably knows more about gems than most gem collectors.”
“I’ll be careful. Now, let us discuss money.”
“Five thousand dollars,” Lee said.
“Six thousand plus expenses.”
Lee took a sip of his wine. Winchester was probably the best in his field. “I agree.”
“Good.” Winchester picked up the menu. “I think I’ll have a steak dinner. I’m hungry.”
Lee sighed. “Be my guest.”
The next morning at ten, Lee Chau and Winchester walked into Madame Chen’s shop and found Madame Chen in her office reading a Chinese newspaper at her desk. She looked up as they stood in the doorway.
“Mr. Chau — and friend. Come in and sit down.” She removed her reading glasses.
After the introductions were made, Winchester — or Croft — went into his act.
“I have heard a great deal about you, Madame Chen, and it is a pleasure to meet you at last. I must show you my gem collection sometime.”
“I would love to see it,” she said softly. “Mr. Croft.”
He cast a professional eye toward the green elephant glowing in its case. “Mr. Chau was telling me about this particular gem” He put on his glasses and peered into the case. “A fine example of emerald that appears to be common to certain parts of China.”
“Would you care to examine it more closely?” she asked.
“Yes. If you would be so kind.”
She rose and went over to the case. A moment later, she carefully placed the gem on the desk in front of Winchester and Lee.
Winchester then extracted a tiny magnifying glass from his coat pocket, bent down and peered at the gem through the glass for almost a minute. Lee and Madame Chen, their faces devoid of any expression, watched. Finally, he straightened up.
“I’ll give you twenty thousand for it, Madame,” Winchester said.
Lee’s eyes flickered slightly while Madame Chen’s eyes narrowed.
“I’m sorry — Mr. Croft. Your offer is quite flattering but — I cannot sell it.” She picked up the gem and put it back into the case.
Winchester smiled. “I don’t blame you. I trust you keep it under lock and key at all times.”
“Oh — I do,” smiled Madame Chen. “Would you be interested in seeing some valuable jade?”
“Of course,” said Winchester.
Lee Chau sighed. As Number one son might have put it, Winchester was a crock.