"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 033 - The Living Joss" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

"Kwa is called the Living Joss. His power is great among those who believe in him. It is wise not to
speak too much of Kwa."
"The abode of Kwa is secret" - the added statement came from the second Chinaman - "and only those
who believe can see the face of Kwa. No one can name those who believe in Kwa, nor those who do
not believe in Kwa."

There was long silence. Not an expression appeared upon either yellow countenance. Yet the words, to
one who understood the Chinese temperament were filled with definite meaning.

KWA, the Living Joss! Was he a myth or a real dweller here in New York's Chinatown? A being
reputed by some to be almost a deity in human form, the followers of Kwa were a secret body who kept
their beliefs to themselves.

These merchants, apparently close friends, had retired to seclusion before they dared bring up this
tremendous subject. Even by themselves, they spoke in cautious tones. Neither one could be sure
whether or not the other was a follower of Kwa. In Chinatown, adherence to a cause meant more than
long friendship.

The merchants finished their meal. They left the restaurant still sober, and reserved. The sallow-faced
listener smiled. An American familiar with the ways of Orientals, he could understand the apprehensions
of the Chinamen, now that he had overheard the conversation.

For years, the powerful secret societies known as tongs had been a hidden influence in Chinatown, often
rising to the surface. But here was a power greater than that of any tong - a group controlled by an
unknown leader whose followers called him the Living Joss!

No wonder these merchants were perturbed. A being such as Kwa, if his claims were genuine, would
have a superhuman power which he could direct against nonbelievers. On the contrary, Kwa, a
pretender, could stir up fanatical underlings to a fever pitch. He could undermine the tongs themselves
and plunge them into new wars from within!

The American pushed the remainder of his dish aside and strolled from the restaurant. He walked back
toward the center of Chinatown. He did not see the black form that detached itself from the side of the
dark building, to travel in his wake.

Two Chinamen were talking at the door of a shop. They ceased as they saw a man stop to light a
cigarette; when they observed the sallow face of the American, they resumed their discourse, and the
man caught a few words in Chinese lingo.

"It is said that Kwa has returned and -"

"Those who believe in Kwa -"

"None can know except those who have seen the face of Kwa, himself -"

The sallow-faced man moved along. He glanced at his watch as he came into the light of a bright but
narrow street. He increased his gait to a swinging stride, but never ceased his alertness as he passed
spots where Chinamen were loitering.