Wi
WATSON'S
WATSON'S
THE
"E"
PREMIER!!
SCOTCH.
DISTINCTIVE IN
FLAVOUR, WELL MATURED,
MELLOW.
A. S. WATSON & CO., LTD.
WINE AND SPIRIT MERCHANTS. Telephone No. 616
-Powell
TELEPHONE 346
NEW SEASON'S
LADIES'
WHITE FOOTWEAR.
CANVAS-
SUEDE
STYLE
COMFORT
THREE OUTSTANDING
KID.
DURABILITY.
FEATURES.
AND' ESSENTIAL
WE NOW HAVE A COMPLETE BANGE OF COTTON VOILES
·PLAIN AND FANCY.
We Specialize in
THE CHINA MAIL.
HONGKONG BUSINESS
TYPES.
NO. THE TAIPJN.
last kanger. The use of improvisend weapons is another master. Let the lads remember that if they fight with ban fists, they are still crim. inals. Where weapons of any sort are used. Finckle dusters, battles, or what not, they expose them. selves to the risk of much more in the Colony whither he has come, When the young Britisher arrĪVES serious charges than that of dis- onderly viour or breach of his fortune in a year or two, de is nursing the secret intention of making "Intent to do grievous assailed at the first street corner by Bodily harm may come in. Is it the cry worth it? I most certainly is not,inquires as to the meaning of the Cumshaw Taipan." He These las, both American and phrase from the firm's assistant who British, have decent folks at Home. is usually seat to meet him, and What world they feel if anything learns from that sophisticated r unpleasant resulted, us so easilysident that the begging children are might? And what is it all about, asking for charity from the great, anyway? There can be no reason-mighty, and wealthy one.
in the habit of using the same mode of address to the youngest Portuguese clerk in the Colony. The beggars in fact are keen psychologists wishing to touch us all in our weakest spot, dar susceptibility to praise
+
L-THE PHANTOM SCIMITAR.
BY SAXE ROHMER.
(Continued from yesterday.)
(COPYRIGHT, 1916.)
Professor Deeping, famous Orientalist sole Mohammed's skyper sad fed with it to England. Latar be was found murdered, in a room with door and windows locked on the inside. And the scimitar that killed him was found, wes with his blood, in a small opened box beside him. How did it get there? Who dered him? How did the murderer get away? Read this and the other weird adventum atories in this remarkable series 10-kam of the my aterions fate that passed everybody who touched the stolen shipper,
DII.
"
"To me," I added," having read him the rate, it seems to mean nothing. I take it that you under stand better than I do."
你
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 1921,
-- Yes! Yes! Who is this?" "This Boris mopënable by ordie "Deeping! I have rung up the nary means?" cried Bristol, fabalfe- palice, and they are sending someone. I have to smash it 1""" But I wish-
At his words, I joined him where His voice mailed of. The sound the knelt on the floor. Mysteriously of confused and singular uproar the chest had defied his efforts.
"There's pick-are in the gardén, R volunteered Lester.
"Shelf I bring
came to me.
"Hello!" I cried. Hello!"
A shriek, like anything human,it?" and a distant dabbling alone answered *** Yes."
the. There was a crash: Clearly, I see the key is safe," said Bris Deeping had dropped the receiver. I tol. Possibly the letter may throw suppose my face. blanched.
What is it?" asked Bristol, anxiously.
some light upon all this.**
"Let us hope so," I replica. * You might read it."
"God knows what it is!" I said. He took the letter from my hand, Deeping has met with some misstepped up to the table and by the
hight of the lamp read as follows :- Aleppo""My dear Cavanagh:
hap"
Then "Hassan of came a dying whisper to my ear
Hassan of Aleppo-
IV.
It has now become apparent to me that my life is in imminent dan ger. You know of the inexplicable "You had better wait for us," said ward journey and if this letter, akiteng oumiges which marked my home- Bristol, to the taxi-man.
to your hand it will be because thes have culminated in my death. W
St. Paul's are spots to which, with but its significance is singular. Te is clings the aroma of former days. This the Hashishin warn those whom they the persistence of Damascus attar, said to be one of the devices whereby iron gateway before, as was such a have marked for destruction, and is spot.
called in the Eist, The Scimitar of
Just within stood a plain-clothes Hassan." man, who saluted my companion re spectfully.
"I understand very well, Cavan- aga!" he replied. You will recallously. my story of the scimitar which Bashed before me in the darkness of my
imaginative man; I had always be I have seen it again! I am not he said. lieved myself to possess the scientific mind: but I can no longer doubt that as the object of a pursuit which
This is attributable to two things.
We passed him, entering the study.
first glance it looked as if some wild locked the slipper in my safe and to thing had run amuck there, disorder was indescribable.
The you entrust the key. I append parti--
culars of the lock combination; yet I warn you do not open the sofa. their wrath be visited upon you, your possession of the key may prove
safeguard.
**Touched nothing, of course 2" asked Bristol, sharply, of the officer
duty-
able enunity between them. They While he considers that the de- aught to be the best of mates, talk signation is perhaps a trifle pre- ing the same language, having pre-mature, yet be generally yields to the cisely the same ideals, sharing the demand as the term may, he feels, same blood. Perhaps that is just contain something prophetic in it and it, that they speak the same lan in any case he has not been accus- guage, and are too free with their towed in the old country to such Prolessor Deeping could be reach- jibes, as first half jocular, then get-flattering requests But afterwards fod by telephone; so returning to my
"Very good, sir." ting hot and sore and serious, he discovers by experience that the rooms, where there still Ergered the chime in keeping with the loneliness, not new to me. This phenoarenon, A clock chimed out—an old-world "The idea of a pursing schmitisch What about a girani upon that slip. Chinese are adepts in the sycophantic faint perfume of my late visitor's pre-the curiously remote loneliness, of the which I-have now witnessed afte pery member, the tongue? Or even art and that all the local beggar are sence, I asked for his ruraber. He locality. Less than five miles from times, is fairly easy of explanation, a cultivation of the gentlemanly
preved to be at home. habit of courtesy? It seems to us it should be the easiest and most
Cavanagh," he said; for I was **Strange you should ring me up natural thing in the world for an
abour to ring you up." English sailot to compliment so
"First," I replied. "fisten to the American, and vice versa. These
There is seldom a girl's novelette I have received.”
contents of an anonymous letter which remarks are uttered largely in the: be that they may be repeated and that does not contain at least one
"The Hashishin were the members digested throughout the two feets: Duke. As there are many thousands
of a Moslem secret society, founded. but they are also especially for the of noveletter there would, you think,
"Professor Deeping." I began in-1090 by one Hassan of Khorassan. ears of the thoughtless civilians naturally be nearly as many Dukes
The man, with a simple gesture. There is a persistent tradition in ps Ltd. who make partisan remarks, and But the fact is that while the Duke
conveyed the dreadful news.
of the Orient that this sect still-Hour- foster bitterness where there should of romance is as common as the
"Dead! dead!" I cried incredulishes in Assyria, under the rule of a be laughter and handshaking.
beggar in China the "real Duke is
certain Hassan of Aleppo, the Sheikh If these lads fon both sides) are they say, some couple of dozen of indeed a rosa oris there being only
He glanced at Bristol.
aJebal or supreme lord of the Hash not amenable to reason, and per- them in the world. The Duke and Stateroom or the Mandalay'? Well, I ever had anything to do with, sir," at the time that I was preparing ma- "The most mysterious case I have ishin. My careful inquiries, however, sist in this unholy warfare, they the Taipan are alike in this respect must see that there can be on The street beggars are romancera
across the lonely grounds, entered the or such a group.
ter for my Assyrian Mythology, Wiled. one result. We cannot allow then fike the novelette writers with exactly
cottage, crossed the tiny lobby and
We went through the gate and to discover any trace of such a person to continue, and will have to per the same a in view viz, the acqui-
came to the study. A man, evidently be a myth Erst cousin to the linn. suade their officers (both British sition of money.
"I accordingly assumed Hassan to' jand American) to stop all shore The working girl likes to fancy commenced in Mecca: The happen- Deeping's servant, was sitting in I was wrong. He exists. And by g leave. at such times as we have herself the associate of Dukes, movings on the steamer prepared me for chair by the door, his head sunken in supremely rash act I have incr reason to fear these unseemly pro-ling in the highest circles, listening to this, in a degree. I perceived that his hands. He looked up. haggard his vengeance, for Hassan of Åle ceedings. At present, we suppose their noble phrases, and a similar the contents of a certain brown leather faced after all these recriminations in idea is cunningly suggested to the case were the cause of the crimes.".
is the self-appointed guardian of the Court, they will be eyeing each griffin's minds by the beggar's appel-
"My God: my God!" he groaned. traditions and relics of Mohammed. other askance for awhile. Those Flation.
I listened, in growing wonder. He was locked in, gentlemen? He And I have stolen one of the holy "It was not necessarily with the was locked in; and yet something slippers of the Prophet! of them who may see our point of their imagination many more Taipans object of stealing the bag that the murdered him?"
These rogues create from view, and have goodwill, will be than the Colony could possibly find hands were severed." resumed the
He with some of his servants, embarrassed. How to make # se for, while the true Taipans like Professor. "In fact, as-was-render tol.
"What do you mean?” said Bris- has followed me from Mecca to Eng- fresh start-with-more sensible and the real Dukes are always birds of ed evident by the case of the steward.
***Where were you?”
land. My precautions have enabled agreeable relations? We offer such great rarity. They are. also, it may this was apparently a penalty visited When I returned, the police were seen what late beleff all those others 1 was away, on an errand, sir.me to retain the relic, but you have a password: China Mail and be added, birds of passage. for they upon any one who touched it! You breaking the door down. He was who even touched the receptacle comm Fraternity," What's the matter fit to and from the Homeland and are thinking of my own immunity?" locked in with the China Mail? It's all finally migrate for good
"I am!"
taining it. right. Good lads! Stop being Our Taipans are like the Dukes
*If I fall a victim to the Hashishin, fools (and nuisances) and get to also in other respects. They are Those who seek to recover what by a lamp on the littered table. Ar fidant, will fare. Therefore, I have It was a museum-like room, lighted I am uncertain how you, as my con- gether like virile warriors. A Red usually born, not made at least have in the case feared that my death Indian would be ashamed to act so. not self made, and they are often en route might result in its being lost It is unusual, perhaps, but we born with a silver spoon in their to them forever. In the second place, feel that we should not close with-mouths. |
they are uncertain of my faith. I have out a respectful compliment to the They all, of course, live on the long passed for a True Believer-in-the Magistrate Mr. Landsail for the Peak, the Taipans that is there are East My death, however, has been conspicuous patience and fairness no Dukes on the Peak. So far no determined upon, whether I be Mos-on with which he handled the case. Taipan has ever been discovered in tem or Christian!"
Nothing, sir." It's just as we We wish it had occurred to him Kowloon This does not mean that "Why?"
found it when we forced the done.”
I wish to say that the gentleman to address a few friendly words of all those who live on the Peak are admonition, on these lines, from Taipans. The present writer for harsh voice over the telephone, of said that something or somebody had seek my life.
"Because," came the Professor's
Why did you force the door?"
known to you as Ahmad Ahmadeen is the Bench. Coming from hit, we, instange lives there on his three the contents of the brown leather got into the house. It was evident the
"He rang us up at the station and in no way connected with those wha
think the words right hare im- fifty a month,
case I will not divulge to you now
"Take the copy of Assyrian Mythor- pressed the lads on both sides.
in the early days of the Colony every might endanger you.
Stories are told to the effect that the nature of these contents-to know poor gentleman's nerve had broken gy. You will find in it all that I down, sir." He said he was locked in have learned respecting the Hashi- foreigner who came here made his is locked in my safe here, and the key, all in darkness but we thought we ated, it may aid you, if not in aveng But the case his study. When we arrived it was shin. If I am doomed, to be assassia- fortune with great ease and rapidity together with a full statement of the heard sounds in here." Instances are given of very humble true facts of the matter, is hidden individuals acquiring wealth of Tai-behind the first edition, copy of my
ing me, in saving others from my fate. I fear I shall never see you again. A panic propostions and retiring while book, Assyrian Mythology, in the of the door." he said. still young enough to enjoy it.
"Key is in the lock on the inside cloud of horror settles opon me like a But that was in the good old days,
Is that pal. Do not touch the slipper, not and now the seed of ambition in many
where you found it?"
the case containing it.
"Edward Deeping." Bristol returned the letter to me At a meeting of the Hongkong
without a word and, turning to Lester, Professor Deeping ity half under who had re-entered carrying a heavy way. Duelling is unlawful. Fight Thursday, April 7, 1921, at 12 2oors, qualifying for a Taipan's job and his know that my life is in real danger. I shall not attempt to describe it.
Legislative Council to be held on required to bridge it. He sees himself just dawned upon me," he said. * I the table, a spectacle so ghastly that pick-axe, he attacked the oblong box ing is unlawfOL. This idea of
settling differences.
with savage energy. The box, fell to the Hon. Colonial Secretary will first old age pension about the same date would give up what is demanded of man to
"Merciful heavens" whispered pieces.
"My Godt Lock, sir!" must be punished. Cannot report of the Finance Committee, and long before then. But he is neverthe-y strongest safeguard.”**
We Mrs. A. J. C. Taylor, P.W.D., somehow manage to get the lads to ing Facilities, and, then propose a he not conduce to the Taipan's great protect yourself?"
the report of the Committee on Bath-less in the scheme of things for does "What steps have you taken 19 piece. It was all so utterly, incredibly The box, I have said, was but three
Iclutched dizzily at the mantle Lester was the trembling speaker. see that it isn't worth while to resolution under the Rating Ordiness. Which brings us to the true Again the short laugh reached my death? The windows both were clearly defied poor Deeping's efforts, horrible. How had Deeping met his feet long by one foot square, and, had figure as criminals, as all must, who rance, 1901, Ordinance No. 6 of realisation of the Taipan's value. He ears.. are caught disturbing the peace, 1901.
is after all merely one instrument in "I'm afraid long residence in the latched and the door had been locked to open it. But a crescent shaped MAY-On the 5th inst.. at the Peak ignity," which is our old-fashion-will ask the following question —
ard offending the *Crown and
from within!. The Hon. Mr. H. E. Pollock, KC..the band the trombone or the big East has rendered me something of
knife, wet with blood, lay within. Hospital. Edward George Kcke-ed English way of saying that the
drum perhaps Tery necessary for a fatalist, Cavanagh: Beyond keep-
"Why!" cried my companion-sud-
(To be continued.) "The Professor has a chisel wich Sinclair May, of Messrs idea of civilization has been inst- and if so, what reason in his despatch piece as a whole, but capable of play- Steps whatever.
Did the Secretary of State give any, the production of the barmony of the ing my door locked, I have taken no Jardine. Matheson & Co. Ltd.. ed. that the commonsense of man-
fear I am quite
"Yes. I think he must have been son of Major-General Sir Edward kind texpressed in its legal contract on Constitutional Reform for noting alone only a very uninteresting accessible t May, aged 28. The funeral will to live together amicably) has been being convinced that any change
I had scarcely hung up the receiver, pass the Monument at 5.15 p.m. belittled, and must be vindicated.
The ideal Taipan is he who rises when, acting upon a sudden deter at ten, looks into office about eleven mination, I called up New Scotland Brawls between sailors have been so frequent, and have caused so
to sign the firm's name a few times, Yard, and asked for Detective-Inspec-box which lay upon the floor near much trouble to the agents of law
bas an early tin at the club, and tor Bristol, whoot I knew well. A few the murdered man. It was a small spends the rest of the day at Fanling words were sufficient keenly to arouse
packing-case, addressed to Professor Repulie Bay. If he keeps this up his curiosity; and he announced his Deeping and evidently had not been to keep the peace. There must be of which were fatal, were reported home fire a long string of crackers of the severed hand.
Five cases of smallpox, four ful staff will when he departs for ately. He was in charge of the case Bristol. during his tenure of office his grate intention of calling upon me immed-opened.
"When did this arrive?" asked penalties, or we should have no yesterday, also a non-fatal case of in his honour regardless of the wrath peace. This is the main issue, the paratyphoid fever and another of of the police.
I'made no attempt to resume work Lester, the Professor's man, who HONGKONG, WIDAESDAY, APEI 6, 1921. elementary fact, that " man, to man or otherwise, there must be
cerebro-spinal fever, all Chinese.
in the interval preceding his arrival. had entered the room, replied shak: When Rudyard Kipling visited I had not long to wait, however, ily: "It came by carrier, sir, just mole of this fighting, on the street or in the places where men go thement in another column announce the Peak, he was greatly struck by to confide in one so well equipped to Attention is called to an adver- princely hospitality of the Talpan at 1 hurried to the door, only too glad
Hongkong and experienced the ere Bristol was ringing my bell; and before I wear out." Yet perversely (in the case which ing that His Lordship Bishop D. the display of wealth, and their summ-analyze my doubts and lear. As he
"Was he expecting it?" "I don't think so." " Occasions these comments) quite Pozzoni has called a general meeting ptuous mode of living and afterwards seated himself in the armchair, with dragged the box fully into the light. Now let us all try to educate irrelevant circumstances, calculof the Catholic community of the!
Inspector Bristol and the officer those simple sailor men of both ated, if not intended, to embitter Colony, to be held in the Catholic Bowed that if he would not become out preamble I.plunged into my story. It was some three feet long by one sides, and to show them their the feelings of both sides, concern Union Hall at 5.30 o.m. to-day, to in Hongkong. fundamental error. It is not only ed, were dwelt on. The reporters consider proposals for assisting and But that again was in the good old Poet Laureate he would be a Taipan they who need such instruction, as represent the Assistant Crown extending the circulation of the two days, it is doubtful if he would make attentive reading of the police court Solicitor as saying in opening that Hongkong Catholic reports clearly shows. There was the assault was of a serious nature Religico e Pabid and The Rock.
the same choice now with business a large amount of debate as to from the point of view of the
all gone to the dogs and the Bank whether one side or the other was weight of numbers against the
rate at eight per cent. · For lodging 41 persons in excess
-R. D.-
Social and Business Stationery, Loose Leaf Binders and Books, Novelties for the Home and Office, Dennison's Xmas Decorations.
BIRTH.
INSPECTION. SOLICITED
DER A WING & CO.
60, Des Voeux Road, CENTRAL
JAYLOR,--AN" Conurie," Surrey,
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
TO-MORROW'S MEETING.
QUESTION BY MR. POLLOCK.
a young assistant's heart refuses to germinate when he visions the gulf
book-case-" interrupted.
Why do you tell me all this?" I
He laughed harshly.
to be crossed and the enormous efforts The identity of my pursuer has
Bristol turned.
"Yes, sir!" "Safe locked?" "Yes, sir!"
England, on April 3, zo Mr. and i man," involves breach of law, and table the Financial Minutes, the or possibly passing the Monument me, but I believe its possession to be Bristol. "He's nearly decapitated [” Į
- a son.
to-day.
DEATH.
The China Mail.
"PROTÉ, JUSTICE, PUBLIC SERVICE."
*BRAWLING SAILORS.
and order, that they can no longer
be met by binding both parties, over
desirable."
LOCAL AND GENERÁL.
monthlies,
is
sóla.
:
May I use your telephone?" he He listened gravely
asked when I had finished.
**Certainly," munication with the superintendent of
Very quickly Bristol got into com
denly..
in his hand!"
trying to pry open that box yonder when he was attacked."
Bristol and I looked at an oblong
Bristol, that the murderer stayed to foot square, and solidly constructed.
It is perfectly evident," remarked
search for
WHY
DO DRUG STORES HAVE. COLOURED GLOBES IN THE WINDOWST
thing in common with the barber's
In spite of the fact that the mo dern drug store is far removed from the pharmacy of other days and the wide variety of its stock ranging all the way from toys to hair nets and from books to picture post-cards- would amaze an apothecary of the old school, the majority of these establish- ments still adhere to the old cutpar of placing a red and a bine globe in shine through and inform those who the windows, so that the light may cannot even see the sign of the loca- tion of the drug dispensary,
There coloured globes have some
pole, with its red, and white stripes which originally symbolized the blood. and the bandages which followed the barber's operation of blood, letting. tion being that man to man that any assault of the kind, even the proprietor of a Boarding House be entitled "The American."--Ed Professor Deeping's house was sit- would have been fair and right. by one American-against ten. Bri-at No.270, Des Voeux Road Central C.M
time.".".
medicine to be seen in another, We happen to know that this is fish, or vice versa, would be in the was this morning fined $20 by
**I assure you,' the officer inter- fort to-day in the red lamps which common delusion held by the lads eyes of the law of a serious Magistrate Lindsell. Mr. G. G. N.
rupted, "that there was no living thing grace the outside of many a doctor's on both sides. Even the Assistant nature." He cannot have so in- Tinson who appeared for, the
Why said Bristol, hanging up in the room when we entered !", home in many parts of England. The Crown Solicitor might on one re-tended it, but the effect of such a defence admitted that there TP you want a clear head and good of inquiries, he lives in a sort of in horrified wonder.
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. the receiver after making a number Bristol and I looked at one another green globe was added, both as a inars attributed to him be suspect observation must have been to con- were 109 persons on the premises digestion you must not let your rambling cottage in extensive grounds. It's incomprehensible," he said. macy from the physician's office and means of distinguishing the phar ed of sharing it. The American vey to many minds, the implication at 11.30 p.m., on March 24, but urged bowls become clogged with poisons There's only one servant man" See if the key is in the place men- as an indication of the fact that the Tieutenant was trying to show that that if only eight had attacked eight that they did not all sleep there. case, when you brooms constipated servant, and he sleeps in a detached tioned by the Professor, Mr. Cavan- apothecary carried a stock of other the fight in the hotel was one (which the Americanis virtuously Sanitary Inspector Roylance said that Proper food, an abundance of water and fodge. If the Professor is really in a while break the box" man against one. The Assistant claimed was so) the offence would the premier were dimly lighted when piezer of outdoor exercise thesild keep danger 61 attack he could not well Crown Solicitor is reported to have have been leay. It would not. It he raided the boarding house of your bowels regals When that fair have chosen a more likely residence which the frantic searcher seemed to were really large bottles, filled with I went to a great, open bookcase, | home. · In the old days, these globes idIt doesn't make any differ would not have been any, the lese the 109 persons he counted, only two you should take Chamberlain's Tablets for the purpose ence if they used bludgeons."a crime in law, and in fact it might were awake and were playing cards bowels and are easy and pleasant to The telephone bell began to ring-
They cause a gentle movement of the There is no if about it. It have been much worse, for such an on the verandab. The others were take. For me by all chemists and I took up the receiver doesn't make any difference any isomeric brawl would presumably all lying down apparently asleep. Storekoop
"The key of the sale !!!.
Exactly, If the main really heard P Division. A brief delay, and to the sounds here, it would appear that the
included the road in Dulwich wherein
"outnumbered," the plain sugger-British." Surely he ought to know of the number allowed by his licence, The next article of this series wm telephone came the man whose beat assassin was still searching at that for the red globe is the symbol of:
nated
articles which might be osefat in the
have overlooked. Removing the bulky certain secret remedies, but to day. Assyrian Mythology, there, behind the they are usually made of coloured volume, layar envelope, containing glass, though their Egnificance ** Cavanagh |--is this Cavanagh?”; a key, and a letter?" -
remains unchanted.