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Astor House Hotel,
Shanghai. Jan 23rd, 1911.

Dear Colonel Hecker -

Your good letter of Decem. 19th, with copies of your correspondence with Thayer and Mr. Lyster's letter came a few days ago; the $9000 also was received promptly.

Today I have qired you asking for $7000.00 additional -- don't consider me an incurabel spendfhrift! Just wait till you see what I am getting for my money ! ! From the interior excellent paintings are arriving after having been run down by my men.

Here, Pang Lai Ch'en, the greatest natice picture collector, is selling in order to settle his rubber losses,on the Chinese New Year February 1st.

An ancient native family who lived very close to Li Hung Chang, and who afterwards pledged their bronze collection as collateral for advances made by Sassoon and Co. must pay interest by February 1st, and from this collection I am buying a few marvels of early bronze. So, although money slips rapidly through my fingers, its equivalent will be hung on to.

China is an exciting country, never dull, never failing to keep her visitors keenly awake.  Following the adjournment of the sensational Assembly, came news of the breaking out of the Plague in north Manchuria - and now, unfortunately, it is spreading south and westward into Chili. Even here in Shanghai the foreigners are quite worried and already some are preparing to leave. I hope to close up matters here early in February, and am now thinking of not venturing on to Hongkong and Canton, but instead go to Kioto for a few days, then to Yokoyama and Tokio and then back home. x

Nothing further can be done in the interior while the plague threatens, and I would greatly dislike being quarantined at Hongkong.

Furthermore, whilt no further discomforting news comes from Kingston, I shall feel more comfortable as soon as I shall have turned my face homeward.

With all good wishes to you and to your family,
Very sincerely yours,
Charles L. Freer.