T
THE METAL BOX
By THOMAS COBB.
(Author of "False Pretences," Mr. Pomeroy's Reputation, dej
CHAPTER L
Therein.
Foster Markwell was destined to experience several sarprises before he had finished with the black metal box which Miss Croom placed so mysteriously in his hands, but none more astounding than the suspicion that Theresa was aware of its contents..
whether I may not find it a wee bis slow after all."
"Not if I may relieve the mono- tony," he urged. "So I hope you will let nie look you up."
THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH.
thought how little would be left of her without it
'MONDAY, MARCH 5, 1928.
RIFLE SHOOTING.
DOUBLE WIN FOR HMS. TAMAR
A triangular match took place. at Stonecutters Rifle Range ont Friday afternoon, the Tamar and Carlisle shooting a friendly and both teams shooting their League fixture with the Queen's Regt.
She took him to the sitting-room behind the dining-room, where everything was exactly in its right | place. The white flowers under the glass shude in the middle of the oval | table had been preserved from his mother's wedding cake, but the first thing Foster always noticed was the enlarged photograph standing in a gill frame on the top of the black, entlaga, plano that was seldom opened. The portrait The result was a double win for represented a tall, exceedingly Tamar and a win for Carlisle. thin, weary-looking man in a white | Scores: drill suit with a suggestion "of uniform about it, and a large sun helmet with a puggarce.
This was the Into Mr. Croom, Cpl. Burriott Evelyn's father und Foster's | Mine, Counter grandfather, who had died fifteen. C. P. O. Gully
years ago.
frut
Total
}
1.M.S. Tamar.
200 00 600 Tol.
30
31 31 29 01 23 17 30 73 33 34 34 101 90 20 31 28 20 27 84 24-24 20 77 24 20 34 R7
20 28 20 77
218, 221 243 680
Plus 4% Open Sights 19
Grand Total
.690
H.M.S. Carlisle.
For some time he held F. O. Greening a post at one of the smallest but Sgt. Hillaby As she came to a standstill, wealthiest of the native Indian Sgt. Bishop leaning against the Laffrail, he courts, but falling health had driven A. B. Rigby wondered whether she was goir him back to England, where he Sgt. Riddler. to resent his audacity. For a few married woman considerably anxious moments she did not younger than himself, who died in speak, gazing into his perhaps too giving birth to her second daughter, Not only had she in some un-er face with a thoughtful ex-Fuster's mother having been the Imaginable way discovered what Pression on her own. these were, but, inconceivable as
"We-ell, you can ring me up, Mr. Croom had a reputation for It at first appeared, there could be anyhow," she said, with the very eccentricity and miserliness. Ill little doubt that she was doing her lightest trace of a drawl, though grandson always thought that he utmost to obtain possession of it was enough to suggest, quite looked as if he had committed a them. Foster could not have told agreeably, her nationality. If I crime and suffered ever after from the precise moment when sus don't feel like it," she added, "Icenseless remorse. A good many picion entered his mind. A num-promise to let you know."
people were astonished that he ber of apparently unimportant "With this he had to be content-left so little behind him, and, in incidents and allusions, had per-ed for the present, but after trying fact, his solicitor had advised Miss haps, cumulative effect, with the to be patient. he telephoned a few Croom to invest what there was in consequence that this charming, days after Christmas from his the purchase of a Government fair-haired girl with the most won-rooms in Upper Baker, Street: annuity. derfully dark blue eyes he had might he Lake her out to ever looked into the most attrac- lanchon?
|
By the side of the photograph lay a brown paper pareci, about fourteen inches long, eight wide, and four deep. It looked as if it contained something hard and an- gular-a box, for instance.
Mr. Chandler..... 32 34 33 09 C. E. R. A. Sellars 26 31 34 91 P. 6. King
23 29 34 82 23 27 10 66
A. B. Haines. Sgt. Woolward Sto. Forward Mno Masters Mnc. Mitchell
Total
.211 232 215 658
X
Plus 45% Open Sights
Grand Total
18'
.076
17. 24 26 66
25 29 18 72
430 20 80
28 26 29 83
The Queen's, Regiment.
Lt. Sullivan Miss Croom did not invite Fuster M. Hartridge sit down. She seemed to have S, M. Marchant forgotten in her obvious pre-Cr. Sgt. Handscombe
eupation. He stood talking Sgt. Lowes about the weather, and speculat Ple. Lenly ing on the probability of skating, Pte, Keen. when suddenly she darted towards Pte. Hutchings the piano, taking the parcel in
Total her hands
tive of her sux, whom he had Again, he fancied she was already determined to marry, if hesitating, imt eventually an she would have him; Theresa appointment was made for the fol- Feversham appeared as an adven-howing day. Reaching Treadwell . iuresa-a “crook," who, moreover, Mansion, it high, gloomy building must be working with a confe in a marrow street, near the em- derate,
bankment, at one o'clock, he made On leaving Skint Martha's Hos- his way up the stone stairs to the pital In the autumn of 1915 Poster third floor. He had forgotten how had served for a few months on charming she actually was. a destroyer, subsequently being) She was not very tall, slightly ordered to joif the army in the bells the average height, he near east. Akhough his father thought, and even the prevalent had left him enough money to fashion enuld not spoil her figure, purchase a prneticu or a partner- And she looked unequivocally ship, he sercely felt on his pleased as she offered her hand, demobilisation, the slightest in- clination do settle down. There inviting him to enter though shety, "I know I can trust you. was plenty of time. Even when was ready to set forth. his eyes were open to Thuresa's
"So you Hve here entirely dissimulation, he had only recent-alone." he suggested, standing by ly passed his thirty-first birthday.her side in the limited space of the
As, however, it was necessary ball.
to do something, unless he wish-
"There would be scarcely room ed to trench upon his modest for anybody else," she cried, lead- capital, he had already, taken ing the way to the sitting-room on several voyages in the capacity of the loft. "There's just a bedroom doctor in ships of the Yellow with a bathroom opponite, and Funnel Line, and he had in fact have you ever seen such a wee returned from New York aboard kitchen?"
As she spoke, she opened, a The 8.8.
Egeria shortly before
second door, to the right of the Christmas.
Foster Markwell looked as if he gas fire hidden by a heavy, green The kitchen was had some association with the sea, plush curtain," with his fair hair, wide forehead, scarcely more than a cupboard. and steady grey eyes. Above the average height and well built, he was not conspicuously handsome, certainly not plain, his mouth was firm and rather, wide, his nose, perhaps, a little too short.
1g for myself all day," she explained, and go out to dine every evening."
..
"What have you got there?" he breast. asked, as she held it against her
"My dear." she cried emotional-
would be very hard if i couldn't. There's no one else in all this world belonging to me. I sent Martha out expressly, though she will want to go again on Thursday as well."
"That sounds rather mysterious," "Not said Foster, with a laugh. quite like you, Aunt Evelyn."
"Ah!" she answered with a sigh. She was certainly unlike herself this evening. "How can one
form human being ever
the slightest iden what another's really like? My life was over and one with before your's well began, Foster," she addeil, draw- ing closer and looking up plain- lively into his face, 'Where's some- thing I am going to ask you to do for me. Something very, very im portant."
"You've only to tell me what," he said solemnly this time.
that xeemia
simple
He determined that henceforth he should not be allowed to ge often alone, and when he, locked; Although Miss Feversham had back sequently it seemed cer- not required his professional aertain that she had known nothing "I knew you would say that! I vices, he had tried to see as much of Miss Croom's treasure on this want you to take this box away of her as passible during the day of their first luncheon in Lon-and keep it with the greatest care, voyage, being astonished in them together. For his own part till I ask for it back
"Well, first place; that she should be he had not heard of the existence travelling entirely alone without of the black metal box. Ignorance enough," he said.
"Yes," she continued, "but you either a maid or a cluperón. Not was bliss, and Poster Markwell that it was possible to question was not enlightened till three days must understand this. If anyone her ability to take care of herself, before his hunt's murder.
should ever ask for it, you are lo It was the morning of Tuesday, say: "No." Have nothing what- and indeed her gaily irresponsible manner contrasted piquantly with January the eighth. He found a ever to do with him. Never mind her firmness in dealing with one letter on the fireakfast table how specious he may be or what men, entreating him to come to her sort of story he may tell, you are or two over-adventurous
Thoose nt Number 5, Baynton not to part with it till you put it whom Foster had begun to hale.
"Will you be staying long in Crescent, Haverstock Hat in my hands again." England?" he asked, pacing the seven the same evening. She saloon deck by her side on the wanted to speak to him "very evening before they expected to particularly."
land.
"You will probably be the first to sail again," she, answered.
"It's possible," he said with a laugh," may wait for your ship." "you would have to be patient," she said. I have taken a furnish-1 ed at for three months."
CHAPTER II.
A Serious Mission."
"You mustn't forget," urged Foster, "that sooner or later I shall be off on another voyage."
"When are you likely to soil?" demanded Miss Oroom.
“Oh well, I suppose I'shall stay ashore as long na the money holds
nad seen Miss Croom less than a Theresa Feversham, week ago, then she had been in a "All I can say is," exclaimed state of great agitation on account Miss Croom, "that you must have "Ailat he returned, thinking of a recent barglary, the third in care to give me as long notice as Then I can consider It remarkable that she was not the neighbourhood during the past possible.
month. He imagined she still fell what is the best to be dong." going to an hotel.
"I had a friend who came over nervous and wished to relieve her
With the air of purting with to study painting," Theresa ex-feelings
Of some precious possession, she plained. She took the flat-the course tiniest you can imagine-at Tread-fashioned, wel 'Mansion."
A confounded nuisance. Foster | dut," said Foster, thinking of
on the subject.
little
"woman,
she was a dear, old solemnly placed the parect in his his hands and though not very heavy, mother's younger sister, and he he had expected to find it lighter. Where is that?" asked Foster. always remembered to send her Miss Croom was obviously reluc "Oh, nothing would have in picture postcards from abroad, duced her to live anywhere but at when he came home, however, he Chelses, but after some months of found conversation difficult after il, she was seized by a desire to the first five minutes. attend a studio in Paris, and shej wrote to ask whether I knew any- one who would be likely to relieve her of her responsibility.""
"So, you stepped into the breach?" suggested Foster.
tant to part with it, and to his astonishment, she not only accom panied him to the hall, but across Le sinall front garden to the gate, She seldom read a newspaper standing there, peering this way and she lived out of the world in and that through the darkness, as hor one-storeyed, semi-detached though to satisfy herself there house, her only interest in life, were no lookers-on. apart from the Nonconformist As far as he could judge, the' chapel which she had regularly crescent was entirely deserted. "I had already promised," she attended for the past fifteen years, For a few moments he stood there, Baid, "to come to England with my being her carefully kept garden. listening to her exhortations to uncle later on-you may have Faster, having already taken take the greatest, cure of the heard his paume: Ellas Fevers-Theresa out two or three times parcel, then promising to preserve since the beginning of the now it from every kind of danger, he The name was known, Et might year, had intended to telephone walked away, glancing back, how- be said, wherever the English after breakfast his morning to ever, before he turned the corner, Janguage was spoken. Elias make an appointment to dine, but raising his hat with one hand, of now that would be out of the ques while he held the stout string with Faversham was the owner several newspapers in the United Lion. He would not get back from the other. States, and had the reputation of Haverstock Hill in time. Still, he being a multi-millionaire. This was toa good-natured to leave at the garden gate, leaning for- relationship was all that Foster Miss Croom in the lurch, though
white head. He little dreamed as knew about her, save that she was he grumbled freely as he got forth ward so that Foster could.sco her the most delightful woman in the this cold January evening.
he left Baynton Crescent that he world-about twenty-five years of To his surprise it was she who had looked upon her alive for the opened the door, instead of her age, he would have said.
last time.
ham."
"I thought," she continued, "it maid; a tiny woman with hair.
Miss Croom was still standing
(To be Continued.)
might be rather amusing to have already white and dressed with (The characters in this story are {--- a few preliminary weeks on my extrema cate. She always scomed own, and on the spur of the to wear a quantity of old lace entirely imaginary, and no refer moment I cabled. I don't know about her shoulders, and Foster ence to living persons is intended.)
27 26 25 77
22 26 23 71
20 20 32 90 20 25 30 B4
,201 214 208° 423
Plus 472 Open Sights Grand Total
25
.048
SHARE PRICES.
TO-DAY'S QUOTATIONS,
The following is the list of loca share quotations issued to-day:
Banks. Hongkong Bank, $1225 a. Chartored Bank, £211 b. Mercantile A. & B., £327 n. P. and O. £10 n. "East Asia, $671 b.
Insurances. Canton Ins., $647) b. Union Ins., $325 b.. North China, Ins., Tls, 143 n. Yangtsze Ins., $46) b... China Underwriters, $2.20 b. China Firos, $215 n. H. K. Firo Ins., $700 Shipping. Douglases, 143 5.
n
b.
11.
H. K. Steamboats, $27 b. H. K. Tugs, $2.80. Indo-Chinas, Prof.) $35 a. Shell Trans., 87, * n. Union Waterboats, $20
Mining. Bonguots, $21 Kailons: 66/- Langkats, Tis. $184. B. Shai Exploration, Tls. 2.70 Raubs, $41 b. Tronohs, 17/6 b.
8.
n.
FINDLATER'S
DRY
GIN
Double rectified and established as a firm favourite in many of the leading Clubs of the World.
INDIATEN
RYGIN FINDLATER MACKIE TODD & findlatar's Corner
LONDON
FINDLATER'S "DRY" GIN
is the Cocktail Gin.
Stocked by the Principal Hotels and Clubs.
Distributors-GILMAN & CO., LTD,
BREACH ACTION AFTER
THIRTY YEARS. TROUSSEAU THAT GOT OUT OF DATE.
A woman of 50, who suld she began to collect garments for her "bottom drawer" nearly 30 years ago, brought an action for, breach of promise at Leicester Assizes last month.
Damages of £1,000 were claimed by Miss Annie Mills from Mr. Frank Jesson, aged 53, a wheel. wright and dealer,··
Mr. C. E. Loseby, for Miss Mills, said the couple had been engaged for nearly 30 yenry,
At first Jesson said his father was brather peculiar, and would cut him out of his will if he got murried, and after his father died in 1916 he postponed the marriage because his sister was consumptive.
Docks, ele. Kowloon Wharves, $132. b. Whampoa Docks, $481 China Providents $5.95 BA, Hongkows, Tls. 166 b. Now Engindorings, Tls. 4.85 b. Shanghai, Docks, Tls. 98 b. Cottons.
Ewo Cottons, Tlx. $9 b. Orientals, Tis. 2.15 b. S'hui Cottons, Tls. 60 (old) b.
Lands, Hotels, etc.
H. and S. Hotels, $9. H. K: Lands, 8641-. B'hui Lands Tis. $137 b. Humphreys, $14). b Realtios, 28,90 5. Territorials, $11 n.
11:
Public Utilities, Tramways, $25.45 b. Peak Trams, (old) $14 'n. Star Ferries, $63 China Lights, (Comb.) $17,40 b. H'kong Electrics, $721 sa. Macao Electrics, $21 b. Telephonos $4.45b. China Buses, Tis. 6 Singapore Tractions, 11/9 b.
Industrials.
China Sugars, $10 40 b. Malabons, $27 n.
Canton Ices, 84 b.
•
n.
Comenta (Comb) $11.30 b. Ropes (Old) 892 Ha United Ashestos $10 B.
Stores &c.
Dairy Farms, $201 b Watsons, $12.40 b. Dor A. Wing, $58. Lane Crawfords, $3) b. Mackintosh, $22. Biborbe, $9 b. Wm. Powella, $5 n.
Miscellaneous, Amusements, $29) b. Constructions, $li'n. B'que Ind. G. Bonds, 60% H.K. G. Loan, 5% Prom.
J
Love And Rutions.
His sister died in 1917, and then Jesson said. It" was no time to get married. They could not live on rations. The wedding was Lecord- ingly postponed again, and it was only last year that Jesson broke it off.
Miss Mills began to keep a bottom drawer when they were first en- gaged, and all the things were now hopelessly out of date..
Mr. Henderson, for the defence, Bald he had not had sufficient time to consider the statement of claim. Mr. Justice Sankey: Perhaps, in that case, It would be better if the ease went. on to the next Assizes."
Counsel agreed, and the jury whe discharged..
The Judge: After all this time another couple of months won't make, any difference.
LETTER GOLF SOLUTION.
Here is the solution to the puzzle on another page:
S
SORT PORT PART HART HARD
1
Sale
Corsets
For Ladies.
$ Pair.
Silk Corset Covers"...$ each. Handkerchiefs
doz.
Cotton Vests
$ each. Shoulder Ribbon's ...$ for 3..
Bargains in
Week
For Children.
..$ for 4.
Colton Waist Liste Combinations...$ for suit. Cotton Shirts......$ each. White Cotton Socks. $ for 6 prs. Toweling Bibs..
..5 for 4.
ALL DEPTS.
Come Early!
Don't Miss this Opportunity
YEE SANG FAT CO.
EXPERT MASSEUR
Cures Rheumatism, Nervous- ness and all kinds of chronic ailments..
Madmae H. MORITA..
Madame E. AKAJL
23,. Wyndham St. Tel. 04855.
MRS. SEKAI
MASSAGE
yndham Street, 1st floor
Hongkong.