New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-07-20
VII

l. Inspector Shorikl hurried to
police headquarters. There he was
ushered to a room in which sat
Chief Kaneyama, Sozo Watanabe,
the schoolboy chum and protege
Of Yamada Ken, and the member of
the government Department Of Agri-
culture and Commerce. They were
grouped about table, Yamada fac
ing Chief Kaneyama. Inspector
Shorilzi sat down. Yamada Ken
began his story, being brought to
halt now and again by the fervid
protestations of his friend .Watanabe.
Substantially the story was as
follows:
He had known of the millionaire
speculator, Benzo Suzuki, for several
years, but had met him formally
only year previously, when, at the
solicitation of the Yokohama broker,
he had included Suzuki's son, Yuzo,
as his companion on his mission
which was to so to India to study
agricultural conditions. Subsequent
ly Suzuki had declared himself deep
ly grateful to the young japanese
official for the inclusion of his son
on the India trip and it became
known that with the information
given him by his son as u basis the
rice Spectator had contrived to exc
cute a sensational market coup dur
ing the rice riots of 1913 that had
swelled his fortune.
In May, 1919, in an attempt to
speculate in the rice market, Yamada
Ken had lost 1000 yen (approxi-
mately $4,000 in American money!.
Badly in debt, knowing not which
way to turn, he had encountered the
millionaire Suzuki, who was visiting
in Toxic. From him Yamada asked
the loan Of $4,000 yen. Suzuki de
clared that while he had not that
money with him in Toxic he would
procure it, and Yamada could rest
assured the loan would be forthcom-
ing gladly.
On the Oath day of May Suzuki or
dered the branch manager of the
Suzuki establishment in Toxic to get
$4,000 yen, in 1O0 yen bills, which
he delivered in person to the young
government official in Namada's
home on Chojamaru. Two days
later Suzuki called again at the
Yamada residence and after an ex-
change of pleasantrics the million
aire declared, according 10 Yamada.
that because of their intimacy there
was certain knowledge which Yama-
da could safely supply that would
be of inestimablc value to him, Su-
zuki.
He had understood that the GOV
eminent was going to regulate the
price of imported rice, and if 50,
he desired to be apprised Of the fact
IN advance of the fiat, that he might
dispose advantageously of the tons
Of indian rice which he had stored
IN his Yokohama warehouses. Sec
ondly, 1t Was rumored that one rice
merchant was to be appointed a.
the Official distributor in the event
OF government control Of imported
rice and he, Suzuki, desired that
office. Thirdly, he wished authentic
information on the price regulation
or Rangoon and Saigon rice.
Yamada promptly replied that
these conditions had such an init
mate connection with his official
capacity that they were insulting.
"1n that event. said Suzuki,
shortly, according to Yamada, 81
will expect the immediate return OF
the $4,000 yen loaned you"
Yamada explained that he already
had spent 1000 yen in adjusting
pressing debts; that he never had
understood the loan was to involve
anything that compromised hi,
honor, and he could neither i'm.
mediately restore the $4,000 Yer
nor yet provide the information
Suzuki! sought.
''Then l shall have no commune.
ton in making public my loan tc
you," declared the millionaire
Spectator.
Yamada hesitated. Exposure
meant ruin.
"Come on the night Of May 81
and ! shall give you your money
he said, finally.
Suzuki left the Yamada home
with the promise-or thrcat-that
he would return en- the night OF
the 3lst.
THAT moment gave birth to m,
murder plot" Yamada confessed tc
the police.
Always Yamada had ooniidet
his plans for the future to his chun-
and protege, Sozo Watanabe. Now
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