Think Fast, Mr. Moto Page #5

- Will you explain why, please?

What is it?

- It's me, chief.

- Tang. Unlock it.

Young Hitchings is

in Tanya's dressing room...

- and she told him to lam!

- How long has he been in the club?

Just a few minutes.

Come in with some other people.

- There was a Japanese guy with 'em.

- Why didn't you tell me that before?

Well, I didn't have a chance.

I was watchin' them!

You finish this. Have it ready to load

on the launch in half an hour.

Come on, Boris.

No, I won't go until you tell me

what you're doing in a place like this.

All right. I'll tell you,

if you promise to go.

My real name is Tanya Barov.

I'm a White Russian.

We lived in Harbin, until a year ago.

My father was killed mysteriously,

and I escaped to Shanghai.

- Got friends here? Someone you knew?

- Only Marloff, the owner.

He's also from Harbin. He was kind to me.

Hired me as an entertainer here.

- Even though I knew nothing of that kind of work.

- What were you doing in Honolulu?

- Why'd you use that phony name?

- I was traveling on a forged passport...

that Marloff secured for me.

- He sent me to find out why you were going to Shanghai.

- What? But why?

I am afraid you have already told your friend,

Mr. Hitchings, more than he should know.

- Who are you?

- I am Marloff.

May I ask who is that Japanese gentleman

in your party tonight?

- Friend of mine. Any objections?

- I'm not certain yet.

- But you, unfortunately, will have to be detained.

- For what?

In order that I may learn what happened

to a certain employee of mine.

- What are you talking about?

- Do you remember a steward named Carson?

- Yes.

- Certainly.

- Carson was on the Marco Polo to keep an eye on you, Tanya.

- To spy on me?

Last night, he sent a message...

saying you had fallen

in love with this young man.

He was then to search your stateroom

for some information...

- I was anxious to obtain.

- Oh, my father's letter to Wilkie.

- I'm beginning to understand now.

- However, Carson was not...

aboard the Marco Polo

when the ship arrived this morning.

The reports are, he disappeared

sometime during the night.

- You killed Carson when you found him in your room!

- I did not!

- I didn't even know he was there.

- I want to talk to you, Tanya.

Oh, leave her alone.

She hasn't told me anything.

I wish I could believe you.

Show Mr. Hitchings

our fan-tan room.

Oh!

That was very foolish of you!

Take them both downstairs.

I'll be right down.

124, 125-

It's wonderful, Mr. Moto.

I don't see how you keep from spoiling it.

Patience, my dear Miss Liu,

is the most useful of virtues.

Well, good evening,

Mr. Wilkie.

I beg your pardon?

Oh, excuse me, sir.

I forgot you don't know me.

I've seen you around the city

so many times, Mr. Wilkie.

- Permit me. I am Marloff.

- You're the proprietor here.

- At your service.

- Miss Liu, may I present Mr. Marloff?

- How do you do?

- And I am Mr. Moto, Mr. Marloff.

I am delighted to welcome you

to the International Club.

- I am honored, sir.

- I hope you are enjoying yourselves.

We're waiting for my guest to return.

Mr. Robert Hitchings,

the son of our president.

He went out to speak to your... singer.

Met her on the ship.

Oh, yes. That is the young man

I saw going into her dressing room, then.

I wish he'd come back.

Oh! I'm so sorry.

If there is anything I can do

to make your evening more pleasant-

- I've heard of, uh, gambling?

- I think we can supply almost any game.

Would you like

to come along, Mr. Wilkie?

- I never indulge in games of chance.

- You should try it, Mr. Wilkie.

- I find it very exhilarating.

- No, thank you.

Uh-

What is that you wrote, Mr. Moto?

Oh, this?

An ancient Japanese poem called haiku.

Must be exactly 17 syllables.

Very difficult.

Very nice sentiment.

You won't mind

if I desert you for a short time?

- No, no. Indeed.

- Perhaps you might persuade Miss Liu to dance?

Shall we go, Mr. Marloff?

Shall we dance?

Wise man protects himself

against inquisitive visitors.

The chief s comin'.

Here we are.

- A little quiet tonight, isn't it?

- It's too early...

- for the play to start yet.

- Oh, so?

And, what game do

you favor, Mr. Moto?

Fan-tan, roulette, faro, dice-

Those are games for people

who play at gambling.

- I'm sure we can oblige you, Mr. Moto.

- I prefer action when I gamble.

I like the quick turn of a card.

- We can cut for high cards, if you like.

- Excellent.

Muggs. Deck of cards.

- Oh.

- What's the matter?

My dress. Just look.

I'll have to go somewhere and fix it.

- I'm sorry.

- I'll hurry back.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

- Will you cut first?

- After you, sir.

A king.

- Let it ride?

- With pleasure.

Your turn.

After you.

Pardon me, please.

I could have sworn

you had a jack of spades.

That's a king, all right!

- That is strange.

- What?

Oh, I am very much interested

in that tiger symbol, over there.

- On the wall.

- Yes?

- I am familiar with a similar one.

- Huh?

- San Francisco?

- San Francisco?

In a certain curio shop,

just off Grant Avenue, in Chinatown?

Will you cut?

I never had such luck!

There's a saying that

ill fortune at gambling...

is often a sign of success

in other fields.

- What other fields?

- Oh, business, perhaps?

Certainly, your establishment

appears prosperous.

On the other hand...

it is possible that business

alone is not enough.

If one had, uh... a sideline?

Would you mind explaining that?

Is it well to speak

confidentially before so many?

All right.

- Boys, wait outside. Muggs will call you.

- Okay, boss.

I am awfully sorry, Madame.

I really am awfully sorry.

The police department. Quickly.

Shanghai Police! The Chief?

Hello? I'm calling for Mr. Moto.

We're at the International Club.

Hello?

Hello?

Take a squad car. Hurry to the International

Club. Notify the River Division also.

You see, Mr. Marloff, I have

access to certain merchandise...

- upon which we could both profit.

- I'm interested in profits.

Precisely. But mutual trust

is the basis of a successful partnership.

Partnership?

And on what basis?

Oh, equality.

Equality?

And this merchandise you speak of?

- The same in which you're already dealing.

- Yes?

And, uh, other merchandise also.

I see.

And how am I to be certain that

you are what you pretend to be?

My dear sir-

I know what happens

to one who tries to deceive you.

I remember the gentleman

in the curio shop in San Francisco.

The gentleman in the wicker crate.

Am I a fool to take

such a risk, unless, uh-

Unless what?

Unless I am what I claim to be.

Shall we trust each other, Mr. Marloff?

What is your connection

with young Hitchings?

I too was following him to discover

why he was on his way to Shanghai.

The United States government is beginning

to be too much interested in smuggling.

We are both in the same business,

Mr. Marloff.

Shall we not combine forces

for our own protection and profit?

I think we shall get along together, Mr. Moto.

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