Noble House

"In one," Dunross interrupted firmly, enjoying himself. "So sorry your group won't share in our huge profits from that minor section of our immense expansion plans. Do have some tea in the box, sorry, I just have to make a phone call." He took Murtagh's elbow and firmly led him out of the door, shutting it after him.
In the kitchen Murtagh was staring at the closed door, the happy clatter of plates and Cantonese obscenities from the twenty cooks and helpers a vast din. "Jesus," he muttered in near panic, "eight minutes? Shit, are the goddamn Swiss horning in on our client?" He tottered away.
Inside the room Dunross was on his private phone, listening to the ringing tone. 'Weyyyyy?"
"Mr. Tip please," he said carefully in Cantonese. "This is Mr. Dunross calling."
He heard the phone put down with a clatter and the amah shriek, "It's the phone! For you, Father!"
"Who is it?"
"A foreign devil."
Dunross smiled.
"Hello?"
"Ian Dunross, Mr. Tip. I was just concerned that your illness wasn't worse."
"Ah, ah, yes, so sorry I could not arrive. Yes. I, I had some pressing business, you understand? Yes. Very pressing. Oh by the way, that was bad joss about Noble Star. I just heard on the wireless that Pilot Fish won by a nose after an objection. What was the objection?"
Patiently Dunross explained and answered questions about his General Stores takeover bid, delighted that that news had already reached him. If Tiptop, then all newspapers. Good, he thought, waiting Tiptop out but Tiptop outsmarted him. "Well, thank you for calling, tai-pan."
At once Dunross said, "It was my pleasure, oh by the way, confidentially, I understand it may well be possible that the police have discovered one of their underlings has made a mistake."
"Ah. I presume the mistake will be corrected immediately?"
"I would presume very soon, if the person concerned wishes to resign and take advantage of permission to travel abroad."
"How soon might very soon be, tai-pan?"
Dunross was picking his words carefully, deliberately vague though formal now. "There are certain formalities, but it is possible that it could be quickly achieved. Unfortunately VIPs have to be consulted elsewhere. I'm sure you understand."
"Certainly. But the mighty dragon is no match for the native serpent, heya? I understand there is one of your VVIPs already in Hong Kong. A Mr, Sinders?"
Dunross blinked at the extent of Tiptop's knowledge. "I have certain approvals already," he said, disquieted.
"I would have thought very few approvals were necessary. True gold fears no fire."
"Yes. Is there somewhere I could call you this evening—to report progress?"
"This number will find me. Please call me at 9:00 P.M." Tiptop's voice became even drier. "I understand it might well be possible that your last suggestion about banking might be serviced. Of course any bank would need proper documentation to secure an immediate half billion Hong Kong dollars in cash, but I hear that the Victoria's chop, the governor's chop and yours would be all that's required to secure the loan for thirty days. This . . . minor amount of cash is ready, for a limited time, whenever the correct procedures are entered into. Until that time this matter is confidential, very strictly confidential."
"Of course."
"Thank you for calling."
Dunross put the phone down and wiped his palms. "For a limited time" was branded on his mind. He knew, and he knew Tiptop knew he understood that the two "procedures" were absolutely interlinked but not necessarily. Christ Jesus I love Asia, he thought happily as he rushed off.
The corridors were filled, many people already crowding the elevators to go home. He peered into his box, caught Gavallan's eye. "Andrew, go down to the members' stand and get hold of Roger Crosse—he's there with a fellow called Sinders. Ask them if they've a moment to join me in my box! Hurry!"
Gavallan took off. Dunross hurried along the corridor past the betting windows.
"Tai-pan!" Casey called out. "Sorry about Noble Star! Did y—"
"Be back in a minute, Casey. Sorry, can't stop!" Dunross called back on the run. He noticed Gornt at the winning window but it did not take away his happiness. First things first, he thought. "How do you want the 10,000? Our bet?"
"Cash will do very nicely, thank you," Gornt said.
"I'll send it around later."
"Monday will do just as well."
"Later tonight. Monday I'll be busy." Dunross walked off with a polite nod.
In the packed Victoria box the uproar was the same as everywhere. Drinks, laughter, excitement and some cursing about Pilot Fish but already wagers were being placed on next Saturday's race. As Dunross came in there were more cheers, condolences and another volley of questions. He fielded them all casually and one from Martin Haply who was jammed beside the door with
Adryon.
"Oh, Father, what rotten luck about Noble Star. I lost my shirt and my month's allowance!"
Dunross grinned. "Young ladies shouldn't bet! Hello, Haply!"
"Can I ask ab—"
"Later. Adryon darling, don't forget cocktails. You're hostess."
"Oh yes, we'll be there. Father, can you advance me my next mon—"
"Certainly," Dunross said to her astonishment, gave her a hug and pushed his way over to Havergill, Richard Kwang nearby.
"Hello, Ian," Havergill said. "Bad luck, but clearly Pilot Fish had the edge."
"Yes, yes he did. Hello, Richard." Dunross gave him the copy of the photo finish. "Damned bad luck for both of us." Others crowded to see it.
"Good God, by a whisker . . ."
"I thought Noble Star . . ."
Taking advantage of the diversion Dunross bent closer to Haver-gill. "Is everything signed?"
"Yes. 20 cents on the dollar. He agreed to and signed the provisional papers. Formal papers by the end of the week. Of course the rotter tried to wheedle but it's all signed."
"Marvelous. You did a terrific deal."
Havergill nodded. "Yes. Yes, I know."
Richard Kwang turned around. "Ah, tai-pan." He dropped his voice and whispered, "Has Paul told you about the merger?"
"Of course. May I offer congratulations."
"Congratulations?" Southerby echoed, coming up to them. "Damned bad luck if you ask me! I had my bundle on Butterscotch Lass!"
The tempo of the room picked up as the governor came in. Havergill went to meet him, Dunross following. "Ah, Paul, Ian. Damned bad luck but an excellent decision! Both of them." His face hardened nicely. "Ne'xt Saturday will certainly be a needle match."
"Yes sir."
"Paul, you wanted to make a formal announcement?"
"Yes sir." Havergill raised his voice. "May I have your attention please …" No one took any notice until Dunross took a spoon and banged it against a teapot. Gradually there was silence. "Your Excellency, ladies and gentlemen, I have the honor to announce, on behalf of the directors of the Victoria Bank of Hong Kong and China, that an immediate merger has been arranged with the great Ho-Pak Bank of Hong Kong …" Martin Haply dropped his glass. ". . . and that the Victoria totally guarantees 100 percent of all Ho-Pak depositors and . . ."
The rest was drowned out with a great cheer. Guests in the nearby boxes craned over the balconies to see what was happening. The news was shouted across as others came in from the corridors and soon there were more cheers.
Havergill was besieged with questions and he held up his hand, delighted with the effect of his announcement. In the silence Sir Geoffrey said quickly, "I must say, on behalf of Her Majesty's
Government, that this is marvelous news, Paul, good for Hong Kong, good for the bank, good for you, Richard, and the Ho-Pak!"
"Oh yes, Sir Geoffrey," Richard Kwang said, jovial and loud, sure that now he was a giant step nearer his knighthood. "I decided—of course with our directors—I decided it would be good for the Victoria to have a major foothold in the Chinese community an—"