Passage of Arms by Eric Ambler Read Free Book Online Page B

particularly active at present."
    "Oh yes." Yam Heng spoke indifferently. "The Indonesian rebels are trying to buy. They have several purchasing agents there."
    "Several?"
    "There is one from Sumatra, one from Java, another from Celebes. They are united only in their opposition to the Central Government."
    "They compete?"
    Yam Heng shrugged. "They must. There is not so much to buy. It is not easy."
    "How do they pay? Rupiahs?"
    "Nobody would take rupiahs. Pounds or dollars, I suppose."
    "Dollars U.S.?"
    "Straits or Hong Kong dollars, I would think. Why?"
    "Cash?"
    "I suppose so."
    His brother nodded approvingly. "I would think this a very satisfactory business."
    "No doubt it is."
    "These agents you speak of—you know them?"
    "I know who they are, yes."
    "Have you not thought of taking an interest in the business yourself?"
    Yam Heng smiled sourly. "The pedlar cannot do business with an empty tray."
    "And if the tray were to be filled?"
    Yam Heng hesitated. His brother was not in the habit of making idle remarks. "That would require capital," he said cautiously.
    "Not necessarily."
    Siow Mong went over to his private safe, got out the piece of paper Girija had left with him and handed it to Yam Heng.
    "That was brought to me by a man who wants a buyer for those goods/' he said.
    Yam Heng read the list through carefully. His expression did not change. When he had finished he glanced up at his brother. "It says that delivery must be taken in the vicinity of Kuala Pangkalan. What does that mean?"
    Siow Mong told him about Girija's visit and summarised the conversation they had had.
    Yam Heng listened without interrupting, and then read through the list again. He spoke as he read.
    "This is dangerous, Siow Mong?” he said.
    "Yes."
    "Is this Indian to be trusted?"
    "I think so. If he gets what he wants."
    "I know very little about this market. Are these prices realistic?"
    "I was able to make only one inquiry. There is a dealer in machinery here who used to import sporting rifles. Naturally, I had to be careful how I asked, but from what I was able to learn I would think these prices are three times what they should be. But in a sellers' market, who knows?"
    "I could find out in Singapore." Yam Heng paused. "What is your proposal?"
    Siow Mong sat down behind his desk and leant forward across it. "You are a gambler, brother," he said pleasantly; "and you know what I think of that. Especially as, in the game you play, you cannot win. I am inviting you to try a different one."
    "Selling arms is no game."
    "It can be very profitable." Siow Mong's smile faded. "Let us have no misunderstandings. I have a good business here. I do not like risks. I do not have to take them. If you can find a way to handle this transaction without personal risk to me, I will help you, for a small handling charge of ten per cent. But I must know exactly what you intend to do first. If I agree with your plan I will put you in contact with the Indian. Is that understood?"
    Yam Heng had been listening absently and did not reply to his brother's question. "There are two problems here," he said slowly. "The first is to get the goods out of the country. That is a matter of careful organisation. The second problem is more difficult. They must be made respectable."
    Siow Mong waited. Yam Heng might be a fool in many respects, but he could sometimes be shrewd.
    "You see," Yam Heng continued after a moment or two; "if / were to sell these goods in Singapore, I might never receive payment. They would deal, yes; but these are not normal business dealings. There is no trust. 'Payment on delivery,' they would say. But when I had delivered they could give me a five thousand dollar tip and tell me to go to the police for the rest. What could I answer in such a case? You say that these are not stolen goods, and no doubt you are right. But I would be as helpless as if they were, if I had to deal illegally."
    "What is the alternative? How do you make such property