The Cotton Spies
Page 34
CHAPTER 33
Washbrook guessed back in India that Edrich had no intention of becoming the consul in Kashgar and now they were in this bleak city he could see why. Initially annoyed at the change of his role he changed his attitude as he realized there were opportunities here to his benefit. Whenever Washbrook had the chance to visit the town on his own, he took it. On these visits he paid particular attention to the local Indian merchants and discussed with them: their trade; their families; their connections in Turkestan and India; most importantly, how they transferred money to India. On the day after Washbrook was told he was now the British Consul in Kashgar, he went into the town and visited a merchant he had identified earlier - Pandit Chandarasaker.
‘I know your cousin Mr Chandarasaker.’ Washbrook was squatting with the man at the back of the latter’s shop.
‘Yes, Major Washbrook. He told me that I might make your acquaintance and that we might discuss various matters of mutual interest.’
‘Indeed we may. Do you remit money back to India?’
‘Of course, most of my family is there.’
‘Do you remit it for yourself only or do you combine with other merchants?’
‘Myself only. Whenever possible I use gold rupees rather than Chinese silver tanga.’
‘I have become the consul here for an indefinite period. I will want to discuss with you matters of finance not today, but soon.’
Chandarasaker smiled broadly. ‘My cousin said that you were a man who had the best interests of merchants at heart.’
‘Quite so,’ Washbrook’ tone dropped an octave, ‘I assume you trade over the border into Tashkent. You have family there perhaps?’
Chandarasaker sat back and spoke slowly, ‘yes I do regularly. I have another brother and his family in Tashkent.’
Washbrook ducked out of the shop and slowly walked back to the consulate thinking about gold and silver coins – whoever said “Every cloud has a silver lining” should have said “Gold”. He began to look forward to the departure of the others to Tashkent.