"Corto, what are you doing outside? I was thinking of leaving." "Venice makes me lazy." "That's what Venice is for." "How about a glass of Rosolio? Rosolio? I didn't know it still existed." "Say, Ear Mouth, when did you come to Venice? I came here in 1300 with the cabalist Mancello Giudeo." "Ah, yes... ...we were friends with Dante back then." "You only have to open that door in order to leave or go back in time... ...like in a fairy tale." "It would be nice to live in a fairy tale." "Your life is a fairy tale, you just don't notice it anymore." "As soon as an adult enters the realm of fairy tales, he can never leave again." "Did you know that? We might already be too late." "Today is December 34 and it hasn't been New Year yet." "That's right... But Christmas was on the 27th." "The years in Venice always last a little longer. "You first make thieves and then punish them." I've never been able to finish that book." "Don't bother, Corto, you can't spare the time." "Your horoscope predicts a long, adventurous journey awaits you." "Indeed... You're sleeping... HONG KONG" " February 15, 1919 Through transformation the 9 becomes... ...becomes a moving line." "A strong line can change into a weak line... ...and then we get... I can't remember." "I'm getting old." "Oh, yes!" "The sign of the Nubile Girl." "The Nubile Girl says: "New acts of heroism bring bad luck"." "Hey, Corto Maltese!" "Are you sleeping? No..." "I was thinking about Venice and Ear Mouth." "You said girls don't want to marry adventurers?" "Too bad... That means I'll never marry." "Everything is a joke to you, Corto." "But I'm not kidding." "We're living in dangerous times." "The Russians are fighting up north, the Japanese in the east." "Religious sects are becoming political societies." "They unite against the foreigners." "The White Lotus with... And what are you doing, Long Life? Red Triangle is awaiting Black Diamond's message to give it to Pink Square, who'll inform White Rectangle... Sounds like a geometry class." "Corto, Corto... ...when are you going to get serious? But I already am, Long Life." "What do you think of me?" " Splendid! The girls in Hong Kong will love you. "Brother of the Night" greets and thanks you." "The Triad will watch over you, Corto Maltese." "The war in Europe is over!" "It's continuing in Siberia, Mongolia, Manchuria... The war in Europe is over! Good evening, Rasputin." "What are you doing in Hong Kong? As far as I know, Hong Kong isn't reserved for you." "That rain coat makes you look very elegant... A present." "Do you like her?" " Who? That junk over there... Are you bored?" " I'm never bored, you know that." "Come, let's try to find a drink somewhere." "Still living in a dream I see." "You're probably right." "You know, it's the perfect moment to do some business." "With all those wars between the Bolsheviks, the White-Russians, the Mongols, the Chinese... there's a way to get rich." "That's something for vultures, Ras." "I could kill you." "Kill me some other time." "There's blood at your feet, sailor! Where's that man who was with you?" "Where are you going? Is this a riddle? The current situation is far from simple, it's even utterly confusing." "The city is crawling with Russian refugees... ...adventurers... pirates... ...like that person accompanying you... ...that "captain Rasputin"." "We've been trying to find him for months." "Today we finally spotted him again..." "in your company! Fate or coincidence? Probably both, lieutenant Barrow." "I know a lot about you, Corto Maltese." "You've been in China in 1905, in 1913... You've been a pirate in the South Seas." "You've even joined a secret Chinese society." "I didn't know I was so popular with the police here." "A police officer must suspect everyone, commander Maltese." "Can I go now? "You first make thieves and then punish them." I've never been able to finish that book." "Finally you're back, that's great." "I'm glad you're here." "Me too, Hu." "Did you receive everything I send?" " Yes, Corto." "But money isn't everything." "We must see each other now and then... This morning a letter was delivered for you." "It's perfumed... "Remember that morning filled with butterflies and that afternoon filled with wild flowers?" The Red Lanterns are looking for you." "Who are they?" "Another secret society? The Red Lanterns are very brave girls." "They oppose all other secret societies." "If I were you, I would listen to them." "Rasputin! What now, Ras?" "You lost the hang of it? You used to be a great knife thrower." "And I still am." "Otherwise you wouldn't be standing here, but you'd be dead." "Why did you disappear this afternoon? You were surprised? And those trails of blood?" " I wanted to play a joke on you." "I cut myself while you were talking... ...to make you believe something had happened to me." "We haven't been on any adventures for years like the one with that monk or with Fortuna Principesca, the islands Escondida and Santo..." "Do you remember? Ras, you're crazy!" " I could kill you." "Don't you get tired of repeating yourself all the time? Here, take your knife back." "That's not my knife! Isn't this your friend's knife? Yes, that's my knife! Someone tried to kill you?" "! The Red Lanterns greet you, Corto Maltese." "The Red Lanterns would like to make you a proposal." "Are you willing to listen to us? You've saved my life, so... Ever heard about admiral Kolchak's train in Siberia? A train full of gold... the tsar's gold! Last year, after the execution of Nicolas II, admiral Kolchak took hold of the imperial treasure in name of the contra revolutionary government." "He transports the gold in his armoured train." "Up until now, no one has succeeded to intercept the train." "The warlords are very interested in the imperial gold, the Manchurian bandits, the allied forces in Siberia and the secret societies..." " Including yours? We'll supply the manpower and finance the enterprise." "But we need someone to lead the expedition." "We were thinking of you, Corto Maltese." "Do you know she's here in Hong Kong? Who? You know very well." "She's here, but we don't know where." "If you want, we could track her down." "We can use these stupid Lanterns to get the gold ourselves." "I accept you as a partner." "Have you finished?" "If we accept... If we accept, everything east of Moscow will be after us." "You think you can find us a junk? Finally!" "I knew it! This is the Corto I know!" "The Corto of... ...all time! Here are the instructions for the Red Lanterns of Shanghai who'll help you reach Kharbin in Manchuria." "This envelope contains 1000 gold pounds for the first expenses." "I'll only take the instructions." "If the enterprise succeeds, we'll split the profit and the expenses." "I'm your associate, not your employee." "Is that clear? As you prefer." "Didn't you say one associate was one too many? I said I didn't like an odd number of associates." "One is not enough and three is too many." "We must leave." "We'll send someone for the corpse." "Maybe she's still here." "Maybe she's expecting you." "It's an old story... ...one that shouldn't matter anymore." "You may not know this, but I was in love once too." "A girl from Nikolajevsk who took care of me when I was little." "I never knew my mother." "She died the day I was born." "Probably died of fear when she saw you! One more word about my mother and I'll kill you." "Calm down, Ras." "I have nothing against your mother, except her responsibility... But your boat is fantastic, captain Rasputin! It's true, I was lucky." "I got this junk for close to nothing." "Your friend was too lucky." "What do you mean?" " The crew is on the payroll of the Red Sunset society." "They must eliminate you before we get to Shanghai." "The Red Sunset? A secret society." "Their tradition only allows them to be active the first hours before sunset." "Red symbolises blood." " Nice, those traditions... They've installed a machine gun on the afterdeck." "Leave now, they're watching us." "Weren't you seeking adventure?" " What? The crew... I'll let you handle the captain." "Ras, where are you?" "! Corto Maltese!" "I'll take the machine gun... Hey, you! Were you on that junk?" " Are you the only survivor? Apparently..." "But can you lower that gun? You're coming to Shanghai!" "General Tchang will decide your fate! Come, sailor, general Tchang wants to speak to you." "What were you doing on that junk? Were you planning to immerge yourself in exoticism? Most occidentals look down on our junks." "Or didn't you have enough money to sail on a better ship? Did you know we have a common friend here in Shanghai? You surprise me, general." "Mister Song, the billionaire." "Mister Song... Or should I say, his daughter... ...miss Wee-Lee Song? They talk a lot about you in Song's house, commander Maltese." "Did you return to China..." "because of her? No, rest assured." "Miss Wee-Lee Song is not related to my visit." "If it's not a woman granting us "the honour of your presence"... ...maybe it's a train." "A Russian train, for example... ...full of gold? I don't know what you mean." "How strange... These days many people die without knowing why." "Ah, tea! One of the rare pleasures in this world." "And One Ear makes very good tea." "Thank you, One Ear." "One Ear is a Tibetan monk." "He overheard something he shouldn't have so they cut off one of his ears." "But he makes excellent tea." "I'm blind, deaf and mute, general... ...just like the three monkeys." "That was someone who didn't know the story of the three monkeys." "You can go, commander Maltese." "Why did you let him go, general? Because he'll lead me to the train full of gold." "Another victim of this madness I see!" "The more the merrier! Do you always come into the sauna with a gun and a cigar? Yes." "Because I'm Jack Tippit..." "of the American air force." "And my cigar isn't lit, these fine "Connecticut Cigars" always go out." "And the hat? I don't know actually." "And you? What about me? Who are you? You've asked me two or three questions too many." "Are you an anarchist?" "Bolshevik?" "Or one of those romantic revolutionists? You ask too many questions yourself." "I can only tell you a good knife stab always goes from the bottom to the top." "Calm down, I'm not looking for a fight." "I'm just tired, very tired even." "Then rest." "I can't." "I keep thinking about that woman, with her train full of cossacks and murderers." "If you knew the duchess... You've probably noticed this war couldn't exist without the trains." "Incredible!" "The only thing they know, is that in the shelter of their wagons some hope to escape the conflict, others hope to control it." "They transport everything in their trains, even their country! Even the gold of the sacred Russia! You still haven't told me what you're doing in Shanghai." "I'm just passing through." "I have to get to Kharbin in Manchuria." "That's were I'm going too." "If you want, there's a spare seat in my plane." "You've never flown before? No!" "And I don't feel like trying it either." "That helmet suits you." "You look like my aunt." "I won't say what you look like! Only two more days to go, including stops." "Oh shut up! There's a plain following us." "Why do you think it's following us? I'm bored, Spatzetov..." "I'm bored to death." "Give me the newspapers." "Unfortunately they're already a week old." "Impossible to find any others." "That's major Tippit." "Tippit? Be nice and shoot him down! Are you alright? Corto, let me introduce you to one of the biggest sons of bitches in the world... ...major Spatzetov, of the Ussuri cossacks." "I'm sorry, major." "We thought it was one of those bolsheviks." "How can I make it up? Hopefully you're not too upset? Hope all you want, duchess... but with that US government you might as well give up." "They don't like their planes being shot down." "Those late afternoons in Siberia seem like nights." "How are you, duchess? Fine, thank god." "I've thought about you, Tippit." "Your friend is hurt? Please do me a big favour and keep me out of your affairs." "Your friend has a bad attitude, Tippit." "He likes to act tough." "But he's a brave kid." "What's his name? Corto Maltese." "The duchess expresses her pleasure to meet you." "In don't believe in that friendship with the allied forces." "If our cause won't benefit them, they'll immediatly run out on us." "You're right." "We'd better follow Von Ungern and together with him and Semenov organise the battle against the bolsheviks... ...even though Von Ungern is a madman! Yes, maybe." "He imagines a new horde of elite warriors will come from Mongolia." "He dreams of establishing an Asian empire to conquer Europe." "He's convinced of being the reincarnation of Genghis Khan! That's all so wonderfully romantic! But it's true, we're not organised well enough." "What side are you on, Spatzetov? Yours, your Excellency." "You're the most amazing woman I've ever met! How long have you known her? Since last summer in Vladivostok." "A welcome party for the American troops... all that worldly nonsense... ...the usual stupidities... They were generous with caviar, champagne... ...and duchesses." "I'd like to get off at the Manchurian border." "Manchuria is dangerous." "I have to get to Kharbin." "I'll try to help you, Cortushka... ...but the Siberian border is under control of baron Von Ungern-Sternberg." "Who's that? An immediate descendant of the Teutonic knights." "His family was liquidated during the revolution." "Could you...? My necklace... It's feeling warm." "Yes, I've been dancing and drinking with my men." "Sometimes you have to be able to party." "Especially if you can pray afterwards to seek forgiveness from Our Lord." "There's Semenov, leader of the Baikal cossacks, general of the Savage Division... Mostly known by his reputation as a murderer." "My dear Marina, did you have a good journey? Sergey Semenov, my friend... ...the passage through Manchuria went fine." "The Chinese and Japanese love you." "They don't like me, they use me... Why don't you introduce your friends." "Commander Corto Maltese and major Tippit of the American air force." "Semenov... Who only believes in armoured trains." "You should also believe in them, Marina." "Come see what the Japanese gave me." "You too, gentlemen." "I'm sure it will interest you." "Let me introduce my "Destroyer"." "I can hold off any bolshevik army with this." "My trains and cannons are powerful... They are heavy, and slow... Didn't they ever tell you "Into a closed mouth no fly will enter"." "Corto Maltese... Your name rings a bell." "Or maybe it's your face." "I must have seen it somewhere before." "That's impossible." "My face has never left it's place." "I've always got it on me! Sergey, you know I have to continue my journey." "Kolchak won't wait." "That's true." "And you're the only one the admiral still trusts." "Our future will soon be in your hands, Marina." "Major Tippit will travel with me." "Corto Maltese has to get to Kharbin in Manchuria." "Can you help him? I'll take care of it." "How exactly? Don't worry, Marina, nothing will happen to your sailor." "I hope to see you again... someday." "Me too." " Don't trust Semenov." "See you, Corto." "See you, Jack." "General Semenov ordered me to kill you as soon as you crossed the border." "Corto Maltese... Welcome to Manchuria! Semenov thinks you're antipathetic." "I don't think you're sympathetic either." "Welcome, Corto Maltese." "Have we met before? I've helped you on the junk." "I had a friend on that junk." "A friend? Do you know something about him? Maybe." "But come, you're expected." "The moment has come, Corto." "I didn't expect to find any Red Lanterns so far up north." "The road of our interests knows no end." "Right." "The wars in China and Manchuria are ruining our people." "We have much to learn from the Russians." "They have electrified the whole country, and soon they'll be freed of illiteracy." "Nice, but you didn't ask me to educate the people." "Where is that fabulous train? Were you able to localise it? Kolchak has sought refuse in Irkoutsk." "But he wants to leave, and Semenov is ready to attack him." "Who's singing? A Russian officer." "His name is Nino." "Welcome, sailor!" "Do you want a drink? Not yet." " Why not? Sooner or later we'll be drinking together anyway." "Destiny wanted us to love the same woman." "A very difficult woman." "She has stolen my soul." "You're telling yourself a story." "Maybe... ...but a story is all what's left for me." "With this snow even the Russian and Manchurian guards stay inside." "How should I call you? Call me Changa?" "Li." "I'm ready." "Why are you wearing that parade uniform? Because, my dear friend, I'm still part of the military madness." "Remember? She loved uniforms." "But who knows who she gave my soul too? Nino, don't start about that again! We must warn general Tchang." "Corto, you need a disguise." "Or Semenov will recognise you." "Semenov..." "I've got something to say to him." "Semenov is the worst enemy and the worst friend you can have." "How did you get to know him? Duchess Marina Seminova introduced me to him." "Is she pretty, the duchess? Yes..." "I would say she is." "What did you say? I said yes." "If you're near her, it's like you're near something warm, something soft... Merry Christmas, Corto! Corto, Corto, my friend..." "Merry Christmas! But today is not Christmas? So what? Us, adventurers, celebrate Christmas when we feel like it." "I found you again, Corto!" "How nice to be able to repeat your name... Rasputin, is that really you? Yes, who else?" "Your aunt? You disappeared near Shanghai... and now I find you again, in Siberia." "You always underestimate me." "That's your mistake." "Caviar and vodka, Corto! Only things from my country... ...just like the gold we're going to steal." "To the gold of Russia! That won't be so easy, with that Semenov... I had two friends with me." "Where are they? You've got only one friend, and that's me." "Understand? Let's occupy ourselves with that Semenov." "Commander, the Americans are controlling the railway near Tchita." "The Americans? I thought it were the Japanese." "Either way... ...what's important for us, is the railway junction of Karymsky." "That's where we'll wait for Kolchak's train." "Check if the railway is clear for our return." "At your orders, commander." "And don't disturb me again! Why are you looking at me like that? You're looking at me too! Hey, you two!" "Do you belong with the masks for the theatre? What masks? What theatre are you talking about, idiot? We're officers of the Venetian marine, send as military advisors for the Siberian and Mongolian cossacks." "And why not Marco Polo and his uncle on his way to Cathay? Show me your papers! One moment, captain." "I can vouch for these two officers." "You can go." "At your orders! You shouldn't mock him like that." "He's not an imbecile." "We didn't know you cossacks lost all sense of humor." "Because of Semenov everyone that still had some left, lost it." "What happened that night? You disappeared in that blizzard." "I always disappear in blizzards." "I can't help myself." "Is that the duchess?" " I believe so." "Not a moment too soon." "Finally we can get out of here." "To go where? Your Excellency, the bolsheviks have taken Irkoutsk." "Our regiment was decimated." "We've pulled back, but we can't wait much longer." "And the admiral? Admiral-baron Kolchak was betrayed by the Czechoslovakian legionnaires." "The bolsheviks have executed him and thrown his body in the Angara river." "We must leave, your Excellency." "Transporting the gold would take too much time." "Ride with your troops in our train." "The honour to get the imperial gold to safety is yours." "His Excellency the admiral-baron would've wanted it that way." "Sergey, how are the Americans? The Americans?" "They are Zhids... ...nothing but jews from Wall Street." "Ungern is right in saying the Zhids want to divide the world." "But not only the bankers are Zhids." "Lenin and Trotsky are Zhids too... ...subversive and bolshevik jews... My family is also jewish, Sergey." "I saved your family from a pogrom." "Have you forgotten that? No!" "I just thought... You're starting to think, Masha?" "! General..." " Don't disturb me, I said! Get me another girl." "When an object wants to become a subject... ...it becomes useless." "You want to go down the same road? Are you a freethinker also? I've just arrived..." "with one of your officers... ...captain Jaroslav." "Ah, Nino! That fool who lost his soul." "Now and then he disappears to go look for it and then he returns without success." "Someday I'll sew one on his bare skin." "Come here." "Get down." "You're rather far up north for a girl from Shanghai." "What are you looking for here? Don't you know you die here before finding something? I'm looking for a golden dragon." "A golden dragon? You must be really crazy." "But who knows what lurks behind your madness? Now caress my head... I want to sleep." "I am like I am and I couldn't care less about politics because I chose a life of money, beautiful women and other pretty things." "That's why I have to steal." "But... you're a thief." "Of course I'm a thief." "But everything I steal, I immediately spend again." "I let the money roll! Lots of people owe their lives to the stolen money I spend." "Kolchak's train!" "It's coming! Man your stations!" "Hurry! That young girl..." "Changa?" "Li..." "Where is he? She's on this train too." "And ready for the big moment, just like us! All things considered, it might be the best way to die, killed by one of ours... That Semenov is a magnificent guy!" " A butcher, yes! He's done all the work! Have someone detach the wagon containing the gold!" "Quickly! I'm going, commander! Traitor! She was about to kill you! We'd better keep our minds on the gold." "And stop thinking about that woman! After the revolution we'll be rich and the world will be overflowing with Russian duchesses in exile! Ah it's you, Nino." "What's happening? Got your soul back? No Semenov, I haven't found my soul yet but I'm going to kill you." "Not for the gold... ...but because you're a murderer, not worthy of the army." "Look out! They have a black dragon in the palm of their hand." "It must the Triad." "No, it's not the Triad." "The Black Dragon is a sect to which general Tchang belongs." "Where did Semenov go? To the locomotive." "That leopard skin suited you better, my little Changa?" "Li." "I no longer have the leopard's skin... ...but I still have its claws! Faster! I don't understand." "That .45 however is very clear! The gold in this train will serve the Asian revolution." "Russia has exploited my people for too long." "It's only fair the occidentals have to pay for that." "If you want to stay alive, jump of the train." "Girl, Russia has made a lot of mistakes, that's true." "But I'm a Russian officer and therefore I have to defend everything belonging to Russia." "As far as I'm concerned, I might as well die." "Girl?" "! I've never heard such ridiculous reasoning! "On the blue summer evenings, I shall go down the paths, Getting pricked by the corn, crushing the short grass." "In a dream I shall feel its coolness on my feet." "I shall let the wind bathe my bare head." "I shall not speak, I shall think about nothing." "But endless love will mount in my soul, And I shall travel far, very far, like a gipsy, Through the countryside - as happy as if I were with a woman." What's on your mind, Corto? Arthur Rimbaud, a French poet." "On such moments I think about nothing else." "You are prisoners of Baron Von Ungern-Sternberg's Asian Cavalry! You have pretty hands... ...but small." "When you were a child, they must have been chubby and white." "Leave my hands alone and tell me what you see." "Your life will be short, Von Ungern..." "very short." "Maybe two more years... no more." "And lot's of blood... Two years... That's should be enough to complete my task." "What else do you see?" " I only see blood... blood." "Shall I triumph? All I see is that you'll kill a lot... ...and shed buckets of blood! We found them in the mountains, near the Three Border Lake." "What were you doing between Mongolia and Manchuria? You won't believe me, but I'm trying to forget someone." "You look like a gipsy or a sailor, yet you're wearing an officer's cap." "The cap was a gift." "Well?" " Well what? I'm waiting!" " What for? We came to this beautiful country to steal Kolchak's gold which also Semenov tried to get himself." "And how does the story end? No idea." "I can only tell you Semenov failed." "Good! Good! Considering this, I'm not going to execute you... ...at least not for the time being." "Concerning that Chinese girl, tomorrow she can have a look in the military brothel." "She'll provide some distraction for my soldiers." "And you resembling that vile Rasputin... What's your name?" " Rasputin, your Excellency! You must all be a little crazy." "Pardon me, your Excellency... ...but the only madman here is Corto Maltese." "You were lucky." " Stay out of this, Mongol! Ras, you really are impossible." "Go inside." "At least you'll be warm there. "In Xanadu did Kubla Khan A stately pleasure-dome decree:" "Where Alph, the sacred river, ran Through caverns measureless to man Down to a sunless sea." "So twice five miles of fertile ground With walls and towers were girdled round:" "And there were gardens bright with sinuous rills, Where blossomed many an incense-bearing tree;" "And here were forests ancient as the hills, Enfolding sunny spots of greenery." I doubt you wanted to discuss Coleridge with me? Why not? Poetry and sword often go well together." "Poetry and big cannons... ...not frequently." "Do sit down! I have a proposition for you." "In 3 days my division will march to capture Ourga." "From there I'll continue to battle Tchoibalsan and Sukhe Bator." "I know neither." "They are subversives." "I have to stir up a new religious war, a contra revolution... ...even more terrible than the revolution." "It's time to fall back on our ancient beliefs." "War ethics and shamanism shall be our only religions." "From the Japanese Sea to the Finnish Gulf, the yellow sun will fight the red star." "Come with me." "If I admit the need to believe in something, then why should I choose Mongolia... ...over a courtyard in Venice, the "Courtyard of Secrets"? Because no man is at peace with himself." "I'm offering you a new empire! I have turned down so many things." "This is first time someone has offered me an empire." "But I refuse." "I don't force anyone to follow me, Corto Maltese. "No" is such a beautiful word... ...but only if you say it first, and you've had the courage." "A toast to our future! Your Excellency, here's the Mopa." "Homage to Buddha." "In the language of the gods, the Naga, the people and demons I shall read the holy word." "He's a Tibetan fortune-teller." "He'll reveal the secrets of life and death to us." "The "Tree of Destiny" has millions of leaves and on each leaf the fate of one person is written." "Each time someone dies, a leaf falls down." "And I saw yours." "There's a black dragon in your life." "A twisting black dragon." "But anyone who knows to live like you, Corto, would even feel at ease in hell." "And now, goodbye... Remember Corto, a twisting black dragon." "The Black Dragon?" "That's a Chinese military sect... ...however it also symbolises the river Amur." "Maybe he was suggesting you should go there." "To the Amur river? Too far away." "Leave now... take your friends." "Goodbye, Corto Maltese." "That was a great adventure, don't you agree? No I don't! That's not enough for me, I want my share of the gold! If you want the gold, you'll have to dive into the Three Border Lake yourself." "Stop your childish behaviour, it's no longer amusing! I don't understand why the baron let us go." "The shaman advised him." "He also said I should watch out for a twisting black dragon." "Ever since his train was immobilised, his men are dying of hunger and cold and Kolchak's gold is yours, general." "It's waiting for you..." "in the Three Border Lake." "It's not that simple." "The Red Lanterns have got a formidable ally now." "That sailor, Corto Maltese? No, no... The Red Lanterns will dispose of him now that the gold is where they want it.. ...in the Three Border Lake." "The region is under control of Sukhe Bator." "He's their main ally." "But general-baron Von Ungern is still around to fight Sukhe Bator." " Could be... ...but not at this moment... ...and not for the gold." "Yes, we'll have deal with Sukhe Bator." "Sukhe Bator, my friend!" "I'm Changa?" "Li." "Remember me? Yes, and I also remember you had another name." "But you probably had a good reason to change it." "Who's that Russian officer? He's neither an officer, nor Russian." "His name is Corto Maltese." "Is he your husband? No... he's a loner." "General Tchang's train! He's entering the valley! The warlord has never ventured this far before." "We must stop him." "We'll soon arrive in Bolkang-Nor, general." "We'll stop for a few hours." "The soldiers are in need of some entertainment before we leave for Mongol." "Let them visit the women." "But be on the look-out for deserters." "You there!" "Are you sure you're in the right wagon? Are you talking to me?" " Yes, you." "I've never seen you before." " I haven't seen you before either." "Corto..." " Yes? Do we have a reason for doing this? Any moral objections?" " No, I'm just asking." "Listen... we've been friends long enough to ask you for help on this adventure." "Anyhow, it was you who wanted an adventure! You can also shoot if you want!" " What? What do you really think of me?" "Be honest! What do I think of you?" "What's the catch? I just want to know." "I'd love to have some friends, but it never works out." "Why is that? Am I not like everyone else? Of course you are... actually no... ...maybe not... stop asking all these questions! Now you're attacking me, while I'm just explaining myself." "I just want frie... General, mutiny among the artillerists!" "They're firing at each other! Excellent work, comrade Changa?" "Li!" "We're proud of you! I'm sorry... ...but we can't check if they've survived." "We have to get back to the Three Border Lake." " I know." "Are you crying?" " Me, crying?" "! You're mistaken! Besides, that's my business! You have a bad attitude, comrade." "But that's your business too." "At that moment I thought I'd never see him again." "Later I learned that Corto had survived... ...he was one of the few survivors of that disaster." "You'd almost believe a God is watching over sailors! They had taken him to a military hospital in Kharbin... ...together with one of his friends, a certain Rasputin." "Corto's eyes were hurt." "A few days later he was doing better and I could help him leave for Hong Kong." "He absolutely wanted to go there." "When we were talking about the duchess... ...I got a feeling he was hiding something." "Corto Maltese arrived somewhere during March." "I was happy to see him again." "It were rough times... ...but apparently he was the only one who didn't realise that." "He knew... ...Tchang had survived and was hiding in Hong Kong." "The Triad had decided to eliminate the warlord." "So we helped Corto to find him." "It had become a personal affair for him." "But I'll try to be more precise:" "A certain night... I heard from a friend in the Triad that you were still alive." "It was a nice adventure." "What was that girl's name again? Changa?" "Li." " Changa?" "Li? Sounds like the title of an American operetta." "Yes, lieutenant? In name of His British Majesty I arrest you." "What am I accused of? Pillaging, armed mutiny, murder, arms trade, treason." "One Ear, you can bring the tea." "Thank you, general, but there's no time." "Major Osborne and colonel Rand are waiting for us." "You're still in Hong Kong?" "Didn't you leave? I left... and I came back." "His tea was poisoned." " The servant! He was just following his master's orders." "Maybe, but it's still murder." "One Ear, you'll need a good lawyer." "I'll take care of it." "I thank you." "I thought you were mute." "There." "That's all I can tell you." "He left for the Kiang-Si region." "What for... ...I don't know." "Who are those girls? Red Lantern apprentices? Yes, but currently they are taking lessons at Kiang's new school." "I'm their teacher." "You want to know what happened to the gold? We were able to retrieve from the Three Border Lake." "It'll be used to build a large hydroelectric plant." "Asia and the weak Red Lanterns thank you." "The "weak" Red Lanterns? How's your friend Rasputin? He stayed with me for a week in Hong Kong and then disappeared with my Gauguin painting." "But as compensation he did something he'd never done before." "He wrote me a letter! That's Ling over there, an agricultural engineer." "Ling is my husband." "I'm was curious to meet you, Mister Corto Maltese." "Second Beauty has told me a lot about you. "Second Beauty" is my first name." "I know you've met during a revolutionary operation in Manchuria." "She did great! But you were great too! Tonight the students and the farmers would like to perform a theatre play in your honour." "I'll leave you now." "You probably have a lot to talk about." "Ling is a great husband." "I didn't want... Where are you going? I don't know." "Goodbye, Changa?" "Li."