Summary Peaceable Smith mugs a sailor. He rifles the man's wallet, then gives it to Inspector Hobson as found property. The inspector tells him a cautionary tale of another Singapore rapscallion, a river pirate who drove Straits Settlement Rubber almost to ruin; the firm survived only because a businessman, Wu Chow, bought into it. But the elusive pirate found it wise to retire from Hobson's jurisdiction--Smith take note! Straits Settlement, though, wants Smith to deal with a new problem. The company needs Wu Chow's vote for "the S and M merger" but he's paralyzed by fear. Smith knows how "The Collector" frightens wealthy Chinese in Singapore, who pay to protect their relatives in Red China. But Wu Chow has no relatives there. Hobson's story of the pirate and his phantom sampan explain the situation. The Collector inadvertently dispenses justice. Hobson proves to be a very good shot.

• Adventure