SHORT STORY
BOOBY TRAP
THE real trouble," murmured Jerry ing in parting Uncle Sherlock from the was choppy.
Rhodes to himself, "is that Uncle bulky envelop nestling in his breast Sherlock thinks you're several kinds pocket of ass."
humorous.
At Victoria Station, he found
he
THE CHINA MAIL, APRIL 12, 1940
By Russell Heatley
Jerry's mirid surged with a dozen questions.
It was not very long before Uncle struck Jerry: as slightly Sherlock succumbed, completely: he This was so ridiculous that it must took off his glasses and his. red face be arranged for his benefit! Good God, turned a
sickly sort of grey-green, a man who wanted to take a wad of would Discretion demanded some sort of re papers from Uncle Sherlock laxation of Jerry's shadowing to spare not act in this melodramatic manner, Uncle Sherlock the agony of being although he had to admit that Jenni- watched in his hour of trouble. Only fer's Uncle looked convincingly ter- once when Jerry took a quick look ror-stricken...
At that moment he was the sole occupant of the little office which his had fifteen minutes to spare, and there six-foot one of manhood graced every was no sign among the crowd of the day as assistant to the firm of Holmes, rubicund features of his employer. Private Detectives, of Shaftesbury He lit a cigarette. Just time to Avenue. Uncle Sherlock-the nick- phone Jennifer. What a pity she name for a real life detective called couldn't come too! Paris-what a time. Holmes was irresistible!--was out. they could have!
It was extremely important that, sooner or later, the sooner the better, Uncle Sherlock should be impressed
worth with the sterling Rhodes, even if the latter had the pected uncle, during the trip. disadvantage of just having come least it'd give me the chance
"Hullo, Jennifer.”
"Hullo, Jerry, just off?". "Yes-Jennifer, darling. I
hope
did something strike him as queer. Well, for Jennifer's sake he must do A ridiculously villainous-looking the proper thing. Stall for time, that Southern European in a suit of Ameri- was the thing. See how this thing was can cut and an incongruous black felt meant to pan out.. hat seemed to be taking an unhealthy
Almost `automatically Jerry's ́hand
a paper
"Hands out of your clip. pocket please-Yes," commanded
the man from his
man
of Jerry half a dozen thugs set on your res- kind of interest in Uncle Sherlock. But fidgeted nervously in his pocket with
Jerry dismissed At
mind quickly, because, with the mole of
initiation into the mysteries of the ponsible scally-wag he thinks I am." eral bushy hairs, the man really look looked an impossible sort of gunman down from Oxford with no previous showing him I'm not quite the irres- on his nose from which sprouted seve Black Hat testily. Really the
ed too villainous to be a villain.
When they disembarked at Boulogne ait was getting dark and had begun to
detective business.
It was important, reflected Jerry, mainly, entirely, wholly because of Jennifer!
the
Absent-mindedly Jerry took a paper clip from the little store which he always kept in his pocket and flicked it idly but with remarkable accuracy at a fly which was crawling up window-pane. This was one of his little habits which particularly in furiated Uncle Sherlock, who had strong views on the subject.
There was always Jennifer. After all if it had not been for Jennifer, he would not be here. When he hinted to Jennifer that his hunt for work was not meeting with any marked success, she had miraculously produced Uncle Sherlock from out of the blue.
There was a moment's silence at the other end of the line. Then, "Don't be silly-Oh, Jerry." There was serious note in her voice which was snow. strange to Jerry.
"Yes, darling?”.
Jerry followed a short distance be- hind Uncle Sherlock,
.
with that sprouting wart and the American quarter inch of shirt visible between his trousers and waistcoat.
Couldn't Uncle Sherlock do better than this? Then a surprising thing who looked happened. Get out of here," said "Jerry-I don't know what makes shaky and white. Again in some Uncle Sherlock in a hoarse whisper, Uncle Sherlock "Get out, I tell you, You can't-" "Oh, me think so, but I've a feeling that miraculous manner there's something unusual about this had a carriage to himself in the Paris no, please," interposed Black Hat, trip. I think Uncle may be staging train,
something, just-you know-just to With a shouting of French porters sort of test you out. He's a darling which excited Jerry by its novelty the and so on. But it's just the sort of train moved off. Once again Jerry thing he might do.”.
Jerry turned the idea over in his mind. "Oh, I don't know," he answer- ed slowly, "I-,"
"Be careful, Jerry darling, Keep a good look out for booby traps. Good luck."
with
making a threatening, gesture his revolver, "My young friend must not leave until I have settled my ac- count with Mr. Detectif Holmes here. leaves; I took up his seat in the compartment Before my young friend next to the one occupied by Uncle too, must leave," he paused, and made Sherlock. Fifteen minutes later, Jerry a significant gesture towards the black- heard a movement in the next com- ness outside, partment and saw the huge bulk of Uncle Sherlock lumbering along the corridor, apparently in search of the restaurant car.
Jerry followed.
"In a moment the train he slows down, always here he slows down. Then I will shoot. That will be my Just in time- Jerry left the phone
account with Mr. Holmes settled. booth, and caught a glimpse of Uncle
› After, I jump out, and get away. Well It is true that when Jerry went to Sherlock's portly figure pushing its
He found his quarry sitting at a thought out, yes? Almost as good as interview Uncle Sherlock, that gentle- way through the crowd. In the crush man did not seem particularly im- at the barrier Jerry lost sight of him table with brandy and soda. Jerry your evidence which condemned my at another table and ordered a brother to death. I have waited a long pressed with his athletic achievements for a moment, but found him sitting sat during his University career.
comfortably in the corner of a first- whiskey. They sat there for about time for this moment, Mr. Holmes. It But the old boy, peering through class compartment which
and finally Uncle was a happy accident, meeting on the in some fifteen minutes, gold rimmed glasses out of a chubby miraculous manner he seemed to have Sherlock, looking very tired and mis- boat. Happy for me. But not for you,
Mr. Holmes." rubicund face, had been surprisingly reserved for himself alone. Jerry erable, heaved himself up, and walk- decent. Uncle Sherlock, in short, said hurried into a partly-filled comparted back in the direction, of his com
partment. he'd give Jerry a chance, though his ment, and sank into a seat. tone of voice rather implied some Why should Jennifer have said what doubt as to whether Jerry would be she did? It was deuced undiplomatic clever enough to take advantage of on her part to warn him; or had she considered the end justified the And although Jerry found the de-means? tective business curiously dull,
A booby trap? curiously unlike what he expected, he It would not be at all out of keeping was more than anxious to prove his with Uncle Sherlock's temperament, ability because Uncle Sherlock was Anyway, it would not do to let Uncle in a sort of way guardian to Jennifer, Sherlock out of his sight. and if there was anything in this world which Jerry wanted to do, it was to marry Jennifer.
it.
•
and
Jerry waited, lingering lovingly over his second whiskey, then, after about ten minutes, decided he had better be getting back.
Although it was still early evening, it was pitch black outside. As passed Uncle Sherlock's compartment; he noticed that the blinds were com- pletely drawn so that the interior was invisible from the corridor except for one tiny slit.
he
for
Black Hat glanced at his wrist. "In ten seconds, now, Mr. Holmes. It will be over for you very quickly. Just a little bullet. And a little jump me." He looked doubtfully at Jerry
- "Perhaps you had better join Mr. Holmes. Yes? It would be wiser. For you have seen more than
you
should have seen. It should be your turn first, yes?".
He raised the revolver, slowly.
Although it all seemed crazy, out of all reason, Jerry knew that the mo- ment had come for action, although. he felt curiously afraid. What ought. he to do? What was the logical, con- vincing course of action in circumstan- ces such as these?
He:
With a start, he realised that ten minutes of the journey had passed He peeped through, Uncle Sherlock without his having taken a look at was sprawled on the seat, only half That was three months ago.
his man. Uncle Sherlock, still in un- awake, apparently still suffering from So far, reflected Jerry morosely, his disputed possession of the next the effect of the crossing, Jerry sat chance of doing that one splendid deed carriage, sat with his head bowed on down once again in his own seat, and, which would impress Uncle Sherlock his breast, half asleep already, a copy probably due to the effect of the
Then he had an idea. The clip! had been necessarily limited by the of "Punch" dangling on his lap. whiskey, became very sleepy himself. narrowness of his duties, which seem- "H'm," said Jerry to himself. "Pos- Suddenly a familiar figure passed the When he had taken his hands out of ed to consist principally of saying sibly he isn't as sleepy as he appears door. It was the villainous-looking his pocket at Black Hat's command, he took up the clip too, and had been "Good morning” to a very motley to be. He's a wise old owl" Pur- gentleman with the wart on his nose. crew of callers, answering the phone, posely he banged against the door of Jerry watched him pass, then, all nervously fiddling with it during the and licking stamps.
Uncle Sherlock's carriage; and the at once, became very wideawake. For whole of this amazing episode. By this time the fly, having recover- swift glance which was his reward the man stopped outside Uncle Sher looked at Black Hat's eyes and saw
that they were fixed on his not on his. ed from the paper clip assault on the showed that Uncle Sherlock's somno- lock's compartment, and Jery felt sure
hand. window, had travelled to the office lence was largely illusory.
he heard him go in. Jerry thought door. Jerry took careful aim, but He went back to his own compart- swiftly. This might conceivably be Very carefully he poised the clip for while the clip was in mid air, the ment. Idly he watched the fields rush part of Uncle Sherlock's plan. If so flight, aiming at Black Hat's right eye door opened suddenly, and the clip by; occasionally taking a quick glance now was the time for him to show his under the beetling brow. He let ng struck the bulbous nose of Uncle at his employer, still in undisputed hand.
and at the same time lunged forward. Sherlock neatly and with considerable possession of the next carriage, still "All right, my friend," murmured pushing Black Hat's revolvér arm up--
apparently dozing..
Jerry grimly to himself. "But don't wards "Damn!" said Jerry.
Once when he touched the carriage blame me if you get hurt in the pro- There was a sharp report and the "Look here, you young idiot," blus- handle, Uncle Sherlock made no move- cess," Quickly and quietly he reach- revolver clattered to the floor. At tered Uncle' Sherlock. "Haven't you ment at all, and seemed to be sleep- ed Uncle Sherlock's carriage door, the same moment Black Haf gave anything better to do than this? Pull ing."Queer," thought Jerry-if that flung it open, and strode in.
Jerry a kick in the stomach which yourself together, man. I've got a package of papers is as important as He had a hurried glimpse of Uncle sent him flying across the carriage simple job I want you to do which he makes out. I wonder if that part Sherlock cowering on the seat. The towards the corridor, right on top of even you can't foozle'.
is all a big bluff, I wonder if he is next thing he knew was that the cold Uncle Sherlock, who had risen "from . The next day found him wondering staging something for me?" So obces- barrel of a revolver was pressing into his seat,
force..
..
Snowflakes” were swirling in through
if the job was so good after all. It sed did Jerry become with the pro- his ribs while the villainous-looking` When Jerry recovered himself, seemed silly.
blem that he found himself with one person in the black hat hissed some Black Hat had gone." He was to travel to Paris by the two of the inevitable paper clips in his thing about being quiet and rearran- o'clock train via Folkestone and hand ready to flip at the inviting bald ged the blinds so as to ensure that the the door whence he had made his Boulogne, Uncle Sherlock, travelling head of a miserable looking gentleman interior of the compartment would be separately, but by the same train, was opposite, and restrained himself just taking a very important package of in time. papers to a certain person staying at the Hotel du Rhône,
And Jerry's job? Simply, to keep an eye on him dur- ing the journey.
invisible once more to anyone pass
ing down the corridor,
"Mr. Holejaculated Jerry. "Stop or I will shoot both of you Both of you instead of one only. Yes, muttered Black Hat threateningly, cking towards the compartme door
thest
Nothing happened to mar the quiet- ness of the journey between Victoria and Folkestone. Assuming the exis. tence of the booby trap which Jenni- fer feared, Jerry felt almost a mali- Apparently... Uncle Sherlock antici- cióus delight in the sudden realisation ated an attempt at interference, al- that Uncle Sherlock, was among ing both Je
of
world's worst sailors the Channel covered with
beads of perspiration on his brow, "That was a narrow squeak, Jerry, I thought the fellow looked vaguely familiar on
exit. “My God," said Uncle Sherlock,
felt ver
lintered the