The Call of the Thunder Dragon Read Online Free Page B

cities of Assam. They asked the porter to
find a cab or rickshaw. Falstaff reassured Zam that his shopping
list was entirely due to their urgent need for decent clothing and
some equipment essential to their journey. ccclxvi
    While Zam went back to
the Manor house, Falstaff had the porter call a car and then left
immediately to attend to the Caproni. ccclxxi
    Falstaff was impatient
to start the on the Caproni. There was no sign of Gibbs or his
mechanics so he stripped the Caproni down, removing the cowlings
and covers. ccclxxiii
    Bushido, the way of
the warrior. 559
    Moon light on the
ruined castle, an old Japanese folk poem; Kojo no Tsuki one of the
most famous Japanese songs ever made. Music composed in 1901 by
Rentaro Taki. It is very possible Falstaff heard an ‘Enka’,
Japanese Jazz version and learned the lyrics. 559
    Gaijin, foreigner, or
literally any non-Japanese person. 559
    Zam had not had a
minute’s peace all afternoon. It had taken nearly an hour to get
rid of Mrs. Anderson. Whom she found to be a frightful bore intent
on getting as much fresh gossip as she could. Having pumped Zam for
details about Falstaff and their remarkable journey from China.
Mrs. Anderson talked of nothing more than her own puerile
activities pursued simply to avoid her own husband, whom she openly
detested. ccclxxxiv
    The pressure on his
neck was suddenly was gone. Falstaff opened his eyes and pushed
Ono’s apparently unconscious body off his back. ccclxxxvii
    They watched the
police take the Assassin away. He had remained mute, refusing to
give his name. He’d said nothing, nor stirred since he’d been woken
by a bucket of cold water. ccclxxxix
    Back at the Manor
house, Falstaff found the small dose of morphine Doctor John gave
him helped him through the most painful step of his recovery; that
of scrubbing the oil and dirt off. The scratches and scuffs were
minor, but there were many of them, these stung until the drug
started to ease the pain. cccxci

Chapter
Eleven – The Gymkhana Burns cccxcviii
    The tea rooms were
already buzzing, many of the guests and long-term residents or
visiting tourists were there preparing for the Burns’ Night at the
Gymkhana club. cccxcviii
    The doctor picked them
up early, especially employing a local driver for the evening.
Doctor John was wearing a hideous orange and green tartan kilt,
with a shiny black velvet dinner jacket, with a white silk ruffled
shirt. He made a point of showing Zam his handkerchief and shoved
it like a dandy in his top pocket. cccxcix
    The time passed
quickly over Gin and Tonic or Whiskey and water. Zam was taught how
to play trumps by Doctor John. She smartly beat Falstaff, Gibbons
and their new friends at the club twice in a row. cdi
    It was commonly
reported that the Japanese would be unable to fly well, due at an
unbalance resulting from being carried on their mother’s backs.
559
    Quiff 1920’s Slang A
promiscuous woman a prostitute. 559
    Thalmann Battalion
International Brigade in the Spanish Civil War on the side of the
nationalists. Named after the German communist leader Ernst
Thalmann, included approximately 1,500 people, mainly working class
Germans, Austrians, Swiss & Scandinavians. More than the better
known ‘volunteer’ Condor legion of German Luftwaffe pilots fighting
for the fascists. 559
    The Irrawaddy Flotilla
Co. ran a virtual monopoly that put many Burmese out of business.
However, the development of waterways and land played a vital role
in the development of Burma. The Flotilla was put out of business
by the Japanese invasion. The British destroyed all boats and
barges to prevent them falling into Japanese hands. Japan is now a
major investor in the Burma economy and land development; benefits
of are seen as both positive and negative. 560
    Deputy Inspector
General Wititterly shook his head and shut the door off his office;
he hoped for the last time. He blew out his breath, held in
exasperation. Having spent most of the day and the previous