THE NEAPOLITANS ARE POOR, BUT THEY ARE HAPPY
By Bernard Ronald
Arc
To
Little wonder the town Naples.
and duced a singer like Caruso, and UNSHINE, Hong
no wonder at all why Neapolitan alums, shared by huge songs
famous the world families, is the setting over. Nor, as one watches tho in Naples, this city of flashing-eyed signorinas twirling and life in the to the "Turautella", while man-
floats acros dolin music
romance →→
raw.
blooma
the
Bay, do
docs una wonder that The average Neapolitan, romance It would seem, is n freak of n
perennial flower? He is desperately
nature.
and
the
churches,
Naples Is a "must" for
THE CHINA MAIL, MONDAY, MAY 3, 1954.
The new exploits oi
SHERLOCK
HOLMES
By
ADRIAN CONAN DOYLE and
JOHN DICKSON CARR
M
Concluding:
THE ADVENTURE
OF
THE WAX GAMBLERS
"Holmes, my question con- offensive language in the pr cerned the answer to our sence of a indy. problem!"
"Becauso already I knew the should you aquiro information masage itself. You told it to of value. me"
"I told you?"
Instantly our guest turned round, and looked me up and down in a most insolent manner.
Tut, Watson. If these cards represent the letters indicated, "Who's this? Watson? Saw-
we have a double towards bones feller Oh." Suddenly he
face into the beginning of the word and thrust his beely red mine. "Know anything about a double 'a' at the end of it Tho first letter of the word, boxin'?"
we perceive, must be 'S', and "That is not there is an 'e before the doublo 's' at the end. No cunning 1s word required to give us the
Sheerneen.***
"No." said L
"Lady?
"At first the method acemed almost too ingenious. Indeed, I could not understand why you did not merely write to him, until when he arrived here learned
are stormed
Letter that even his
cardo apen, Tho the only possible way. But we have the evidence cow
were
"But what in the world has
you
will
my
up,
the
This is the answer to our problem."
Though I am the most long I protested suffering of men,
when he packed me strongly off upstairs to my old roar. like a here
believed that I should get no upon the rack of this In fact, it might be said to
ADAME Taupin's just deposited some hopelessly sleep
yet I slept heavily, against mystery, too intoxicated gentleman Is
"No, by God!" said Str Ger- exhibition
and it was nearly eleven much." poor (and 1 mean desperate be a special product of Naples
vose Darlington. "You've got and parcel of -ns much part
o'clock when I descended 10 ly) with little or no pros- the daily scene as the estclics of
well known to need his own door.
no evidence at alll" I was not worry to return to breakfast.
"Then see you don't get n pects of enjoying a reason is at the port, the tomatoes
any general descrip-
retorted Str Gervasa
His left hand, quick Lug a able standard of living. Yet growing on the hills or the vinetion. But I was unpleas the snug warmth of my friend's
Sherlock Holmes, who had lesson," Το
striking anelce, snatched Eitling-room, old
my dismay, world
the
again sat playfully, and roared with mirth
What lady?" Sheerness," I began risen already breakfasted,
As hud antly impressed by
Holmes
cards from Holmes' groep. however, this average Neapolitan is, yarda
spain. I was glad of
"Geographically, upon the solu
friend instinctively stood nevertheless, as
tableau called "The History from the couch. He was stand- happy as
ittle disconcerted, but directed and t towards the mouth of
the pain in his swollen The the proverbiai sundboy. Italian honeymooning couples, of a Crime."
scenes ing by his desk with the groen- my clean, fresh shave when I Seeing Miss Baxter, he looked a
deep conversa-
Thames, a killing ogle. "No lady, Sow- the
interrupted ankle making him bite back a The first thing I noticed when whether they come from Indus were most lifelike in both shaded lamp, eagerly studying found him
tion with Miss Eleanor, whose
"But it is also, you cry, Sir Gervaso open that trial Milan, ari-loving Florence,
lessened by his bones. But a fetchin' little ploce, Holmes I arrived in Naples was
name of A by God!" a crutch under his right arm,
informed me, the
hand drove into Holmes' ai duy
Lord Hovo horso owned by Neapolitan aings
or Rome the capital. It attracts effect and colour, with the an open atlas and supported hy
and sent him sprawling and the ald for wigs and small swords of young
"Enough, He sings as he cycles or walks the
Watson!" ha
"Sir Gervase," said "you Though this horse has been en-
on the sofa Yet something in the gravity are now warned for the last tered for the Grand National to his work, he serenades the dozens of British and American the eighteenth century, Had
You protests. wine in any oficera, from brigadier- in fact a glass of
my hand plars over
Good, of his face arrested envelopes?
you told me that little la ex- colonels and cap- the evening and, as he and his generals to
horse those mythical gambling good! Give them to me. Thank as I rong the bell for rashers
pected of it. But if tho inins, are living in suntly retire-
"One moment, Watson." inter- collengues make Merry
lapses charged upoon me you. In the hand of the older and eggs. ment in villas on the coast. and
gure with -timed sense gambler, the wax
posed the colm voice of Sherlock has been trained with the Hoinics, "You must forgive Sir smashing winner like watching touristy
The Neapolitans are the hap-by Holmes' the piest people in the world. They of humour, the display is back turned, were there not think that
Gervase Darlington. No doubt
Lady" also probably
Sir Gervase has not yet recover- might well have harassed nine carda?" supersulilous
"Holmes, this is Amazing
ed from the visit he paid throw of the my consclence. Their greatest fear is
days ago to the wax exhibition could you
have known with
of Madame Taupin," This "malocchio"-t
reputation of
was especially so that?" squint or with a
"Logic, my dear fellow, Nuw bringing bad luck to those who when we lowered our heads
under the iron railing, and let us see." cross his path.
two the approached
mimic the in gamblers
our
their mandolins
the
think (and do Neapolitans haven't the world.
£1
with
gullars, musi
Are rary in
Yet the average earnings the Neapolitan breadwinner are less than 24 a week--ubout 13 shillings a day-to keep families which, more often than not, run To keep more.
Into
double figures
what
them. country shillings a
where
↑
2 IL.
15 meat pound und
loof costs is 4.!
Four out of every ten net in liiton this port of over one Inhalttails
unemployed, And u steady jub
Ina
the mos!
Only Protection
with
room,
been gulity of silenced the
my
have
How
Salvatore, I spoke husky lorry driver. He had a huge pair of cattle hurns un
"Dratt, Nellie, don't touch the radiator of his truck and a brightly
Inscription: then cards?" cried Mr Baxter. painted "God save us from our odver-
much more testy and irascible. In his own domain. But his tone shines railes" on the cabin.
He told ine: The only pro- changed
to me. Jump-" as he spoke
There's," he malocchio"Look there, air! ngolost the in an office or factory because tection
"there's niñe there are too few industries in are horns, the bigger the better. counted slowly.
area where agriculture is If I did not have them, a man cards in the wicked wrong 'un's
with n squint would curse the main occupation.
'They cannot
Bubbling Over
Yet the Neopolitan is
signor, bubbling
If I just missed him in one of the narrow streets und that a gay would be the end of me and my over with the forry
I went into a bar. a sinile
There was Joy of living, wearing na broud as his suntanned face. a pair of horns by the till. "They does not keep the evil eyes of thieves Living in misery
stop him from being merry. Yet away," the barman told me. how many millions of
There other
tier the
life with
A
Europeans who are much better
oft до through
melancholy air, a
"onstantly on
wo
800 732203
Top of
arici
their faces?
white even tis friends wou'd start
gay ani car.1;.e
вес
closest
the-
hand. And sixteen in the young gentleman's,"
"Listen!" whispered
"Isu'l young lady. walking about upstairs?"
the
COMMUNE
"Drat, Nellie, It's only Bolt Parsnip.
would it Who else be?"
Be at his elbow
by the and nineteen
Funny card game,
my possession."
timidity was easy manner.
"Miss Baxter," said he, though there still remains an objection to my hypothesis, the has come to tell you time
importance. something of great But what the devil-P
WAN
Our door had suddenly dashed
it preciac, open. To be kicked open with a crash, But this had been done only as a just by the man who kicked for his loud, overfed burst of laugh- ter rang like a brazen trumpet.
Time"
the
•
most
secrocy
517
right
neck
back
Again that triumphant laugh rang out
ut- another
Bengal
"There would be a tremend- sald I, "for Any ous killing," gambler who could learn that well-guarded secret and back the horse!"
to
within A mile of
Mias hands.
"Gervase?" pleaded Baxter. wringing her "Please! Don't look at me so I
meant no harm!"
you
asks. Now damn you?'
should
astoni
Gervase," said I, rendy I have wamed you the last time."
B
"al- for
*Sawbonts interfering, ch"
I'11"
Sherlock Holmes held up the
"Oh, noi" said he, with fan of cards in his left hand. "One moment," I said firmly,
snicer on his brutal face. "No- brief silence thut In "You spoke enriler of a crutch,
no-o-o! Come here and betray "My dear Miss Eleanor Bax- followed, we could hear a coal but where could you have ob-
rattle in the grate and the eternal ter," crted he, with a sorrowful me, would you? Make me jump "why did you let when I see you, hey? You're no the windows. But our sternness,
ba talned one at such short notice? That is an extraordinary emulch.
Sir in the aperture stood a burly. rain on
Gervase Darlington per- better than It seems to be constructed
red-faced gentleman with
anybody guest could not be dismayed.
you? Your grandfather and I'll tell that to Stade lightweight melai, and some
aside, The Scotland Yarder, eh?" would not like to hear that you who where the rays of the shinning hat, a costly frockcoat
to exhibition the wax open over a white waistcoat to
he encered, "Who told you I was used show the diamonds on his watch-
message-telling Sir "Sir the single flaming at Madame Taupin's three days leave this guard, and
Gervaso what he wished ago?" ruby in his cravet.
know without even speaking "No one. But, from certain to him, writing to him, or ap Though not so tall as Heimes,
my possession, the in- proaching he was far broader and heavier; facts in
was obvious. Such him." Indeed, with a figure not unlike ference "Yes, yes, I already had it in my own. His loud laugh rang visit looked Innocent, did it not? out again, and his cunning little it would arouse no suspicion on of anyone who might eyes flashed, as he held up a the part
be following-some follower, for leather bag and shook it.
by that instance, employed "Here you
are, cully!" cried eminent sportsman, Sir Philcas hc. "You're the Scotland Yard Belch, who wished to make cer- had turned pafe and uttored a pose. Suffice to say Miss Box-
win another moan at secing Sir Gervase, ter screamed. man, ain't you? A thousand gold tain you did not sovereigns, and all youra for the fortune by secret information as was as nothing to the piteous
Despite the pain of his ankle look now in her stricken grey askint"
you did on last year's Derby."
byeo Swaying
fro, Sherlock Holmes again leaped on her she began to folter out a de- from the sofa. my "You don't interest me,
nial. man!"
"By Jove, Watson! A finer No, no!" said Holmes, gently. left on the mark end right to the head meyer witnessed! "It really will not do. Within a
be unconscious for few moments of the time you You've grassed him so hard he entered this room last night, I will
aware of your-your minules!” acquaintanceship with Sir Ger- vase here,"
"Already had 17"
aluminium, "It is made of and is the relle of a case be
came to fore my blographer I have glorify me.
already mentioned it to you, but have forgotton. Now be good enough to forget the crutch while you
these
Oh, chris. beautiful, beautiful!"
Were all the jewels of Gol- conda spread out before him, he could not have been more restatic. He even rejoiced when told him what I had scen and heard.
horns in were more restaurant and In the
do u
the cards on roaring
"As you said, garage. Shops
Demand the table them.
are not much dis semi-frown business with
If I so great they are always in arranged," I remarked, "Indeed, the small pile in front of your Muging at the short supply.
is not dis examine Most Neapolitan families live young gentleman' street in a voice in
Twelve cards Britain we think he is all his crowded together in any one- arranged at nil.
wroomed flats. Space Is at ມາບt
The police would
So the women take premium. probably keep a careful eye on
their washtubs outside and do
family
the laundry in to worry all
So do the artisans, the about his mental state.
wooden toys, Just why the Neapolitan Is so men who make
"Ah. shoes, picture fromes and other a que to things
The At home.
pave wrong 'un,
"What, you are still in the which delles the psychologists. It
ments re the business centres sir!"
dark? Then do you take these seems he is born with melody
of the
town. For everything and mirth. Just
is born o 23
I agreed and, curiously re- nine cards, Watson? Put them and black and anything is sold outdoors, with us ulive skin
from fruit to furniture, cutlery pulsed by the touch of waxen upon the desk in their order,
old clothing. paintings to Angers against my own, I put end announce the name of each this
the various sels this now and used motor cars.
of playing as you do so." white
into four marked eu- In this town of out-of-doors cards
"Knave of diamonds," sad houses, tanked by the grandeur activity, anything goes. People velopes, and hastened up from
the sky is of Vesuvius, where
do just what they like, dress the stuffy den, Miss Baxter and I, placing the cards under the lamp, "seven of hearts, ace of despite azure, the Mediterranean a very how they like, and sing as loud her grandfather, deep blue and the panorama and as long as they like. latter's horrified protest, I in clubs-Good heavens, Holmes bathed in bright, warm SUB- For in Naples te is in the sisted on sending home in a
"Do you see anything, then?" stray But life is fun at that.
cab whose driver had
"Yes. There are two aces of clubs, one following the other!" "Did I not call it beautiful? But you have counted only four cards. Proceed with the re- maining five."
curly hair. Certainly Food El curly spirits are
picturesque
ལ་
shine.
Infectimis
town of
raw
by
pect
tho
"Deuce of spades," "ten
Sherlock Holmes, though as tonished, regarded him with the utmost composure.
"Sir Gervaso think?"
Darlington, 1
Without paying the slightest notice of either Miss Baxter or strodo myself, the newcomer across and rattled the bag of colns under Hvlines' nose.
"That's me, Mister Detective!" said he, "Saw you fight yester-
One day, my man, you'll do. day. You could be better, but
make
prize-fightin' they may legal. Till they do, a gentleman's got to arrange a neat little mili in secret. Stop a bit, though!"
Suddenly, cai-footed despite his weight, he went to the win- dow and peered down into the street.
"Indeed? and yet, with your sporting proclivities, I feel sure you must be interested in cards,"
"Cards?"
"Playing cards," sald Holmes blandly, taking some from his dressing gown pocket and hold- ing them up fanwise. "In fact, these nine cards."
*
If
previously
Was
"Mr
Miss
Holmes, you have known it!"
Now, I am the first to admit that it Wig judgment,
luck rather though
than perhaps I may add that I am quicker on Baxter my feet than my friends sup-
Cannot
"I fear a Kindly observe ing
ten
"Yet I trust," said I, blow-
upon cracked
knuckles,
the small table at my left as I "that poor Miss Baxter hos
When sit upon the sofa.
you not been unduly distressed by me, there was the crash with which he struck approached nothing upon the table save a the floor? It would also grievo
to sheet of notepaper emblazoned mo alarm Mrs Hudson, with the somewhat conspicuous whom I hear approaching with
Sir Gervase Darling bacon nud ́eggs,” crest of
"Good old Watson!"
"What the devil's all this?" "It la a singular fact, Sir Gervase, that a casual visitor to ton." the Room of Horrorson passing the gambling tableau-can so the cards in the hand of a cer- tain wax figure without even giving them more than on in- nocent-dppearing glance.
"Oh, heaven help me!" cried the wretched young lady.
"Why do you smile, Holmes? Have I said something elan of a humorous character?"
"No, no. Heaven forbid Yet re sometimes I suspect that I may bo much shallower, and you
"Yot you were strongly affected. You looked fixedly at the table, as though in "Now some strange tampering cognition. When you saw my "Curse old Phileas Beich) He's was done one night with these eye upon you, you gave a start far more deep, than customarily had a man following me for eards. The cards in the hand of and changed colour. By months, Ay, and two blasted the other player, the young parently casual remarks, I manservants in succession to gentleman, had not even been elicited the fact that your em- sicum open my letters. Broke touched, as was shown by their ployer is Lord Hove, the owner the back for one of 'em, though." dusty and gritty condition. But of Sheerness said 1. Sir Gervase's shattering laugh some person, a certain person,
"And what do you deduce trom that?"
had removed a number of cards
Holmes' face seemed to change; from the hand of the so-called 'wrong'un,' throwing then down
"Nol Nol No!"
I am wont to belleve,"
"Your satire is beyond me. However, there is the evidence. But you must not publicly betray even Sir Gervaso Darlington, lest you betray Miss Baxter as well?""
of hearts merciful rang again. "Never mind!" powers, here is a third ace of
"It would have been easy for clubs, and two more knaves of but an instant later he was his
havo substituted the diamonds!"
on the table, and, further, had you to
"Humph! I have a score to cool, Imperturbable self as Sir added four cards from no less now cards for those already in
with that gentleman, the wax figure's hand. As your rattle Gervas Darlington turned back, than two extra packs,
grandfather flinging the bag of money on
said, there is a Watson. His offer to open for carter as a professional the sofa,
"Why was this done? It was wide door at Madame Taupin's men "Holmes, I think I see light.
In its "Keep tho
Scotland not because someone wished to which cannot properly be lock boxer I could not in honesty
it way, Madame
dibs, Taupin's is famous
play a practical joke, in creating ed. You could have made the resent,
But night, a great compliment..
to for its real-life effects. The Yarder, I don't need 'em. Now,
of the Illusion that wax dummies substitution secretly at then. In three months wo'll
confuse me, with A Scotland older
in reckless before you called formally were occupied wax figure is a brazer match you with Jem Garlick, the gam
home Yard detective! That was Ад gambler,
insult, I fear, which I can who is depicted as Bristol Smasher. Fight a cross, gambling. Had that been the escort your grandfather cheating the young man. By and I'll skin you; do mo proud, culprit's moilve, he would have in the morning.
helther forget nor forgive."! subile effect, they have shown hum as holding false cards for and I can be a good patron, With moved the imitation gold coins his winning hand."
an unknown feller like you, I as well as the cards. But the can get eight to one odds."
"Do I understand, Sir Ger-
coins were not moved.
"The true answer is simple
vase," said Holmes, "that you and Indeed obvious. There are "You might have destroyed wish me to box professionally in twenty-six letters in our the evidence before too late, is
"Hardly subtle, I fancy. Even so brazen a gambler as your self, Watson, would surely feel some embarrassment putting the ring?" down a winning hand which contattied no less than three kraves of diamonds and three nces of clubs?"
grand-
"Holmes, how many favours
alphabet; and twenty-six, twice on the first night your multiplied, gives us fifty-two; father had told you what was have I ever asked of you?" the number of cards in a pack, amiss in the museum. But ho
"Well, well, have it as you Supposing that we were arbit- did not tell you until the fol-
both he plouse, We shall keep the rarily to choose one card for lowing night, when each letter, we could caslly and Robert Parsnip were there, cards only as a last resort, and you could not be alone, should, that sleeping beauty *You're the Scotland Yarder, make childish, elementary However, I do not wonder you again misbehave. As for Misa ain't you? You comprey English, form of substitution-cipher don't you?"
"Yes, there are difculties," "Further. If you count oil the cards, both those in the hands and upon the table, you will
total observe that thair, number is fifty-six — which is four more than I, at least, am is this?".
accustomed to use in one pack.”
"When I hear it spoken, yes," "That's a joke, hey?, Well, so
"But what What
Playfully can it mean?
problem
deliberately, his
is the answer to our heavy left fat whipped out a round-arm which passed--as it
protested when he wished to
"I loved him!” cried the poor Sir Gervase Darlington's seo me. Later, as Doctor Wat- metal laugh blared shrilly,
Con quite unconsciously told young lady, passionately. "Ör- well, at least, I thought I did." me, you tried to Kiz and
Baxter scatter the cards in the wax figure hand."
“cried I..."énough "Holmes,"
"In any event, Miss Baxter, Watson ball remain siloot all long as
you like. He must
"Subalitution-cipher," Jeered to such torture The true cul not spook until some long, long the prit is not Mies Baxter, but distant date when you, perhaps was meant to pass just an inch, he, with his red hand at
who' stands, and De an unclent; great-granddam, in front of my friend's nose, by in his cravat. "What's this rumian Holmes did not
**pinti senile and give your insye, even blink that, hey? What's the food laugh at us Again Sir Gervase roared with
talkin' about?"
HALL my omitury ere thit, va you which would be betrayed, - "Balleve me Mise Backer, I will have a forgotten all about laughter.
howover," said Holmes, bould would not a sud Sir Gervase Darlington," "Mind your mannors, Mister a monage of only nine letters Holmos, "I have no doubt The silae lay upon the desk Detective, when you speak to a contain a double e, or a double learned by sccident of Sheer-Never! Never! Never! where Holmse had thrown it gentleman, I could break you in a Let: in Eimagine, therefore, nee's powes. Sporting down when I gave him the wo aver if you didn't have that the knave of diamonds, willie speelę multe Brons envelopes. Boatching up the had ankle, by God!” book, groaning as he staggered
and all, but fell on that sims Eleanor. Bakber, white- curious urufnis,.... herreagerly, fazed, itterød va liitla" "enoaning
tract, the book:
ery, and wourned to be Hathe:mputi
Verses horselt, azlinah the
slands for the letters and the when they hear only; 150: now of clube for the letter: 447fy Somcllcking;
from an adininin ki room