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SHORT STORY
T: THE CHINA MAIL FRIDAY SUPPLEMENT, AUGUST 9, 1940
YOU HAVE 'EM AT HOME By Richard Anthony
owners
time to change."
Coldair for 1940
THE BRITISH ELECTRIC REFRIGERATOR
DESIGNED for HONG KONG
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the
ANNON, veteran newspaper-morrow, you'll take over the new newspapermen would drink less, guffawing at his clownish man-is a Norchester boy, so the locals
Jœuvres, were of the same type, cannot complain. man, emerged from the prl-feature page we are developing, you would be far better."
"Major O'Mara of the County Francis flushed. He had an al-but not quite so big. One of them vate offices of the owners of the You'll deal with features, Norchester "Courier," with a slight you'll have to provide some local most girlish complexion and look-was a middle-aged man with a Constabulary is as stupid as Roach, which, hung worse if anything, for he knows smile on his face. He had just ideas as well as choosing stuffed absurdly young even for his grayish moustache
[nothing about police work: and is been appointed editor, although he from outside contributors and the two-and-twenty years. "You've down at the ends. had served but a few months with agencies. But we'll talk about that never seen me tight, Cannon. I
The little blonde struggled, and too old and too darned pighead- What do you say, this flourishing daily newspaper. later. Here, I have a note about just have an occasional round her persecutor began to lose his ed to learn.
Boss?" temper. "Hey, you stop, that," he Smalle, the former holder of the you from Wright of the Crazy Cat. with the boys."
"Goʻto it, my ancient, splash it "I know, I know. I should be said, and grabbed her with his
Use diagrams to post, had been offered a position They've a special show on there as leader-writer on one of the to-night and he wants you to the last one to talk, but you see other hand. He gripped her so on the page. more sedate London dailies, and turn up, dinner Jacket it possible; am giving you the benefit of my hard that he hurt her considerably show the increase in crime and do Cannon, who had been officiating He's a stout fellow, Wright, Old experience. It cost me a lot, the and she kicked out, catching him not spare your adjectives. I'll
on the knee.
have Cartwright, our tomo law-... as chief sub-editor of the "Courier" pal of mine, but that's between dickens of a lot to learn."
durselves. You're on the early
"You little That night, Francis Cliffe, duly
"said the big yer, 'vet your copy in case of libellous accidents. By Jove, yes, had attracted the attention of the
by virtue of his wide turn, so you'll be able to get away arrayed in dinner jacket and trim-man, now in a blaze of temper il put the cartoonist on to it." knowledge both of people and of
mings, sát at a special table near Francis jumped to his feet, but
And next day, there appeared events. So they had allowed Thanks awfully, Cannon. In the stage of the Crazy Cat Road Wright pushed him back into his
tonished the sedate citizens of Smaile to depart "without the jolly glad you've got the job. Not House, owned by Denis Wright, chair so hard that the lad almost an article with diagrams that use usual notice, and Cannon was to just because you've given me the that tall, dark, imperturbable fel- fell over backwards. step into the editorship that very features departiment, but because low who had mystified the good "This is my war, laddie," said Norchester and infuriated the local you're one of us. Mr. Smalle was people of Norchester. He had Wright and he slid, that is the rank and file of the police and county police authorities. But evening.
He strolled into the large news-always a little bit above us com- built up a place where you could exact word, right up to the table highly approved of if. On the op- room where a boyish-looking mon news-hounds."
get good fun at a reasonable price. where his entertainer was being posite page, the staff cartoonist of sitting on a "Undigested education, my dear His shows young fellow was
were clean and he held by the big fellow.
He struck with the edge of his the "Courier" had done his best
.and worst. dilapidated, ink-stained table, fellow."Terrible things a Univer-
His stuff."
second-in-command, hand on the man's right wrist
Letters of congratulation, came swinging his legs and smoking alsity training can do to an other-would not tolerate any "rough large pipe.
persecutor of innocent wise perfectly nice fellow. Ally Nolan, formerly of the Royal Navy and the
pouring in, but the reporters of "Hello, Francis," said Cannon, way, he thought very nicely of had a way of dealing with dis- damsels, let go his grip with the Courier" who were on police.
no difficulty in tubbers of the peace which was sound almost like a howl.
work received no official assis- "Regard your new boss. And to you, and I had
The girl wrenched herself away, tance. Orders had gone out from think that, six months ago, I was getting the directors to see my swift apri efficient. Wright himself
any trouble-and Wright pulled the man out} sitting on the beach in two senses way. We are going modern, you
maker.
of his chair, seizing him by the Higher up' that they were not to be granted those unomictal pri- of the word in Shanghal. Such is know, live Bction, illustrations and could also handle
a reporter's Fate, such is the way of news-all that. Wheeler is leaving and The proprietor and manager of lapel of his coat to do so.
I'm putting Bradley in bis place. the Crazy Cat moved with the
"Now, Mr. 'Red' Calter, you're vileges that make papers."
"Do you mean to say Smaile is "That's good, Bradley is a bright
is confronted with offelaldom. going?" "He's gone!"
"Carry on the attack", was Can- lad and he can write. "I know pase and grace of a trained athlete, for it," said Wright, white with work so much more easy when he non's laconic order. Within seven The new editor, a tallish, alert he can, but he can also get news. He looked perfectly fit. He was of anger. He drew back to give the middle-aged map with a youth-That's why I'm making him chict that dark type which you find in other man something of a chance, ful smile and a very quick eye, reporter. Many men can write, but parts of England, put which is then he hit, so fast you could not days, the new chief of the city patted Francis Cliffe on the shout- Barned few can get news even' in quite distinct from the Latin. see the punch. Caller crashed back golice took ever the control. He was a quiet, young-looking man Clean-shaven, white-toothed and over his chair, upsetting the table der. "I've got a new job for you, these days of cheap publicity. Now humorously courteous, the ladies and subsiding into an unconscious with very observant grey
He had joined the police instead me lad. You're going up one, so run along and give Wright my love of Norchester adored him, but lie mass.
His two usual
allies disentangled of going to a University when his to speak, but it you let me down, and tell him not to give you too
beyond his never went
and family had been caught in I'll break your execrable neck. To- much to drink. If you young courtesies, although many a fair themselves from the table
mald would have thrown her bon- rushed at Wright, who side-step-financial tidal wave that swept ped one of them and knocked him parts of England in the nineteen- net over the mill for him.
He had been trans- The Crazy Cat attracted not only flying. The third man was caught twenties. the good citizens, their wives and from behind by Nolan in a gripferred to the Criminal Investiga- then had families, of Norchester, but a large to which that of a grizzly bear tion Department and
mere love-done a special course at the Police number of motorists from other would have been a
College. He was, as a matter of places. The fame of the place had hug:
Out with 'em, Nolan," ordered fact, the youngest detective-in- even spread to London, and, fre-
a rasp of anger in his quently merry parties motored up Wright,
spector of the C.I.D., but had wel- from the metropolis to praise the voice.
comed the prospect of control in Two stalwart waiters came up Norchester, where he had been good cooking, excellent cellar, and amusing shows which were to be to aid the assistant-manager and born and raised, and where he
the three trouble-makers
certain found at the Crazy Cat.
were proposed to bring about
reforms. He had had his eyes on Like Cannon, Wright had ad-flung into outer darkness. ventured in many lands, but his Wright jumped onto the stage, the crime-wave which had broken past life was as a sealed book. and lifted his arm to command at-out in that city before he actually
left the Yard. It was obvious that he knew the tention.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he said, world and had been used to the
It was that same day that Denis good things thereof. He wore we have just had a little spot of wright sent for Francis, who had evening clothes with a grace that trouble, but it is all over. Please heen telephoning the hospital re- friend, cannot be learnt, and his staff think no more about it. I do not gularly for news of his worshipped him, for he never wish
the matter to be bruited and who had left fruit and flow- raised his voice or even gave a abroad, as I want to keep the re-ers for him when the wounded brusque order. Moreover he treat-putation of this place clean. We man had recovered consciousness. cd them generously.
have never had anything like this By Wright's bedside, Francis Francis had arrived early, and before and I hope we'll never have saw one of the most beautiful wo- а direct men he had ever seen; Wright made him have dinner and it again." sat at his table talking about many
The audience clapped him and contrast in pulchritude to Evelyn the waiters began to clear the floor Summers, the pretty blonde en- things.
Somehow
tertainer with whom the young the conversation for dancing.
But when Wright sat down at newspaperman was now fast reached the topic of gangsters, ow- ing, no doubt, to some atrocity his table, his face was grave. He friends.
"I The woman Francis now beheld which had been reported that day told Francis in a low voice, from New York.
hope there will be no more trou- was tall, dressed in very stylish and there "I wish I had a chance to go ble, but I know that there will be. black, relieved here
She there," said Francis. "I'd like to That hound I hit is 'Red' Calter. with points of white lace.
magnificent fellows and He comes from this neighbour-wore one
diamond see these gangster really delve into their lives, get hood and he is a damned bad lot. ring. She was dark and of dell- Ah, here comes Jerry McCoy!" He cate white complexion, a white the right angle on them."
excellent "You have 'em at home," said introduced a neatly-built, well-indicative usually of Wright. "They do not use guns and clad, merry-eyed youngish man health.
She turned to the youth with a. you must not shoot them, more's to the reporter and said, "I want the pity. The gangster is the same you two to come into my office." most charming smile and said, in all over the world. Cruel and He sent a waiter for Nolan, and excellent English, "So this is the cowardly, worse than a wolf. But the three made their way to the lyoung gentleman. I am so pleased you must excuse me, There's a private office, which was situated to see you. Denis has told me bunch just arriving from Town, on the second floor, just back of much about you. Come and sit and there's my old friend, Jerry a balcony that overhung the large down."
Francis felt absurdly self- McCoy. He may be going to give dining and dancing room
Without wasting any time, conscious, but Denis put him at me a hand with the shows here. I've a new number to-night and Wright said, "In case of my being his ease.
"You need not be shy, old lad. you'll probably fall in love with ill or absent, I want you, Jerry, her. If I was not immune, I would. to take over management of this This beautiful lady, whom I see She's the sweetest little thing place. Nolan will be your assis- that you worship already, is my tant. He knows all about catering. wife. I know you can't imagine imaginable, but I must run.
The new number was every-I have a power of attorney all why she picked me, but she did. thing that Wright had said about ready for you. Please sign this as I've never got over wondering at her and then some. Not too tall, a witness, Francis. Jerry, you will it myself." not too short, delightfully blonde handle all moneys that are taken Then Francis recognised who What a and fresh-looking, unsophisticat- here and carry on in the usual Mrs. Denis Wright was. IMPORTANT ed tou, not in the "Innocent-baby" way, paying the salaries, includ-fool he had been not to recognise There is trouble her before. She was Valerie Sanz, style. of a certain type of gold-ing your own.
famous actress most ' Unfavourable
In Ex -
digger, but really and truly un-coming for me. I know it. I always the
Do you remember that France! change does not nf-worldly. And she had a delight-know it.
you we were Denis was recovering rapidly, ful voice and stage manner, night when I told feet Coldair prices-Francis, in spite of a certain feel-going into danger?" Jerry nodded though it had been touch and go, it is cheaper to BUYing that as a journalist he should very soberly. "I do. There are and he was allowed to have uncanny, visitors and talk to them. In fact BRITISH
therefore not betray any emotion publicly, times when you are
Denis."
the specialist who had attended clapped till his hands were sore.
When she came down from the Early next morning, Denis him said it did the man good, as stage, she walked over to the table Wright was found unconscious it kept his mind active.
He had where the young reporter was sit-outside the Crazy Cat.
It was while they were having ting and where Wright had joined been stabbed in the back, and the tea, that Valerie Sanz told Francis him once again.
knife was still in the wound, that Denis had married her in
have been a may. Before she could reach them, a which
good Paris where afterwards he lost most of his money. He packed up man sitting at a table adjacent to thing. that of Francis's, reached out and "Have you noticed the extra-and returned to England, rather caught her by the arm..
ordinary increase of crime in our than be dependant on his wife. "Baby, come to Uncle," said this fair city, Boss?" asked Francis of His lawyers saved him something. important being. The girl opened his editor a few days after the from the wrack, and be had open-
of Denis ed the Crazy Cat her eyes a little wider than they attempted murder
"He is crazy, himself," said Va- were naturally. "Do you mind, Wright.
He wont on, "I do not wish to leric, "I have oceans, of money. I please? I am just, off to have some
appear too sensational, but I think jam. a. clever business woman, Just- suppor."
"Stay here," said the uncouth we really should do something think, I never should have known the chief of that, ho was lying, here helpless if person who revealed himself as a about it. Roach, lurge, powerfully-built individual police here, is an old fool. He's the good Nolan hnd not telegraphi with a loose mouth and cruel eyes, due, to resign, this week anyhow, ed me. I flew from Venice where He was dressed rather too well, and I hear they are appointing at was playing in opera-comique'
(Continued on Page 0), His two companions, who were smart laddo from the Yard. He
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