Page:On to Pekin.djvu/57

Rh "He was here a few days ago. I think he sailed for Hong Kong yesterday."

"I wish I had seen him. Perhaps he could have given me some information."

"Not he—if he thought you were after some money due your father," returned Captain Ponsberry, with a sharp shake of his head. "The Polks are close-fisted to the last degree. You won't get a cent from them unless you wring it by main force."

"Then I'll wring it by main force—if I find that some money is really due me," answered Gilbert, with determination.

Captain Ponsberry now invited the pair to his cabin; and the three went below, and discussed the situation for the best part of an hour. During this talk, Gilbert learned that the affairs of the Importing Company were almost entirely in the hands of the Polks, who had forced out a man named Redmund and an old widow named Van Vechen, both of Richmond. Amos Bartlett was now the only outsider holding stock, and it was the captain's opinion that Nuggy Polk's sole reason for going to China was to get the old merchant to sell out his holding.

"An', if he won't sell out, he'll be squeezed out,"