Chapter 4


I swiftly punched each of the padded gloves in Mr. Liang's paws. "Good, good!" he said as I hit each glove repeatedly. "You are quick to learn, Meg Havers."

I stopped and caught my breath. "Whew! Mr. Liang, this is pretty tough. When will I be good enough to stop this... this... work?"

"When you jump onto that roof from here," he replied.

I silently groaned. I had been presented with the same command today as I had been yesterday, to jump onto the roof of the neighboring building. I managed to get out of it without being dismissed again, but that did not prevent him from showing his disappointment.

The sun was low in the sky. I wondered how long I had been practicing. I had been there since eight o'clock. What time was it now? My body ached all over from too much exercise.

"One more exercise before you go, Meg Havers," the old mouse said. He placed a small ball on his palm. "Take the ball from my paw."

I almost started laughing, but, remembering he was the teacher and I the pupil, I reached out for the ball. I was just about to grasp it when he swiftly withdrew it.

"Huh?" I said dumbly.

"You were not quick enough."

I saw what he was doing. "Can I try again?"

"Certainly."

I waited for a few moments, hoping to catch him off guard. My paw darted out, but he was quicker. "Too slow," he said. I tried several more times, but failed to grab the ball. "Try again, tomorrow," my teacher said as I left the room.

I looked at a clock in the hallway. Four o'clock! I had been gone for eight hours. I had sent Li Yan to get me a nice dress, but she would have been back hours ago. I ran to my hotel room to find Li Yan singing to herself. She jumped with fright as I barged in.

"Meesus Meg! Where you been? I so worried! I thinked-" Then she screamed.

It was my turn to jump. I whirled around, expecting a pirate behind me. "What! What is it?" I exclaimed.

"Meesus, you're hurt!" I gave her a questioning look. She pulled me into the room. "Your paw!" she exclaimed, pointing to a large cut that was dripping blood. "Pirate attack you!"

"No! Oh- I- I cut myself. I was- walking down the street and I fell, and I cut myself on a piece of glass," I lied as she began to bandage it up. It was a horrible lie, but her poor English wouldn't be able to see through it too much, I hoped. I had actually cut myself on a spear when I fell during the lesson. The other bandage I had had on must have fallen off.

I started to concoct a more believable tale to tell to Basil when the Chinese girl's next question threw me off guard again. "Meesus Meg, where you been? Why... why you wear a man's robe?" She seemed shocked.

I glanced down, horrified. I had on a blue silk robe Mr. Liang had laid out for me when I woke up today. It was so I could move about more easily. I now remembered I had worn a dress over it, but had left the dress up in the room above the hotel.

"Oh, I-I-I-" I stammered. "I- this- I- why all the questions?" I tried to change the subject.

Li Yan knew something was up, I could tell. "Pirates," she whispered, as if afraid someone might hear her. "Very, very dangerous. They- they- do dishonor to beautiful women like Meesus. Afraid for you."

I slowly exhaled, trying to calm my racing heart down. "Li Yan," I said, "these are my sleeping clothes. I took a nap while you were gone. I have a habit of sleep walking, and I ended up in another part of Shanghai."

"Sleep... walk?" I watched her slowly process the complicated phrase through her head.

"It's when a mouse may walk around while he is asleep. I walked in my sleep today."

"Oh! I know what you mean!" she said happily. "You woke up in city?"

"Yes," I replied. "But Li Yan," I added as she finished wrapping my paw. "Please don't tell Basil."

"Why not?" she said confusedly.

"Because he might be worried."

"We keep- a secret?"

"Yes, that's it. A secret."


(Several days later)

Basil leaned far over the stern anxiously. The black junk was just ahead of them. "How long will it be until we catch up with the junk?" he asked the captain.

"Quarter of an hour."

Basil produced a silver whistle from a chain around his neck and blew into it. "Jacques!" the detective called out.

A large sea gull swooped down and landed on the deck. "What service do ya need guv'ner?" he asked in a Cockney accent.

"I want to know whether Xing Ryu's other ships are near this harbor. You know what to do."

The big bird bowed elegantly. "Always's a pleasure, guv'ner," he replied as he flew off.

Fifteen minutes later, they sailed besides the massive ship. A pirate jumped onto the railing. "Wha' do ya want?" he snarled.

"Why, he's speaking English!" Dawson said.

"Yes..." Basil paced the deck. "He's British all right. This is very interesting... Excuse me, good sir. I wish you to return the children you unrightfully kidnapped," Basil said in a pleasing tone.

"Basil, you can't be polite to a bunch of scallywags such as these!" the doctor hissed.

"Part of the plan."

"What plan?"

"Wha', ye wants the liddle brats? Y' ain't gettin' any!"

"Can I have your word on that?" Basil asked innocently.

"Yeah, ye can have any word on tha'!"

Basil smiled disarmingly at the pirate. "What is your name, sir?"

The pirate looked daggers at the detective. "Why should I lets ya know?"

"No reason, really... just wanted to let Xing Ryu know who was responsible for the capture of five score of his pirates because he refused to cooperate."

"Ya damn fool, go 'way 'fores we blow youse ship outa th' water!" the pirate yelled.

"Where is Xing Ryu, old chap?"

"Y'ain't 'old chapping' me mister. I takes none of that. Besides, he's on th' Liu Xue right now."

"Damn!" Basil muttered under his breath. He regained his composure. "Surrender now, or face the gaol!"

"No ways!" Then he yelled to his fellow pirates, "Ready the cannons!" This command was repeated in several tongues to the other crewmembers.

Basil motioned to government ships, which were slowly circling the junk. "You have half a score of armed ships surrounding you. There is no chance of escape."

"FIRE!"


I woke with a start. It took me a few seconds to realize that someone was pounding at the door. As I reached to light a lamp, I checked the time. Quarter to five in the morning.

I cautiously inched the door open. A pair of green eyes stared back at me. I squealed, but then recognized the Inverness cape the mouse was wearing.

"Basil!" I hissed, pulling my robe more tightly around me. "What are you doing? Where have you been? Li Yan and I haven't seen you since yesterday morning!"

He ignored the question and pushed his way into the room. He turned toward me and grinned. "Meg, will you accompany me to Colonel Fremly's masquerade aboard his yacht?"

"You... What? I beg your pardon?"

"I am asking you to go to Colonel Fremly's party with me."

I was speechless. "Are you drunk?" I finally said.

"I am quite right in my mind, Madame. I need an answer soon, because I need to find another girl if I am refused by you."

I was flattered. "Why- I-"

"I believe that Xing Ryu may try to attack this ship, considering all the wealthy mice that will be on board," he interrupted. "I will be attending this party to try to defeat him once and for all."

The flattery faded there. "Oh," I said. "All right, I'll go. When is it?"

"Tonight."

He started to leave, but I called back to him, "Where have you been lately, Basil? I hardly know anything about what you're up to."

"Ryu's raided two villages since we've arrived in Shanghai. Unfortunately for him, we've captured two of his ships, liberating about three score slaves, most of whom are children between the ages of 5 and 15, not to mention acquiring more plunder than you've ever imagined in your life. He's furious with me." Basil looked extremely pleased with himself.


(Meg walks into room.)

Meg: Is JWJ off my phone yet?

JWJ: No.

Meg: (snatches phone away from him) You're wasting my minutes. (Shuts phone off)

JWJ: Doesn't matter. Ratigan's coming over anyway.

Meg: WHAT? (Runs out of room again)

JWJ: Sucker.