1951-01-31 — Page 5

THE CHINA MAILS WELLNESIJEKA,

Blind Voyage

W

By

MILDRED SNOW

She reached for Charis' band, HEN Teddy groped towards the steward, standing

the doorway. feeling the need of some one to anxiously in back to conscious-

Then she decided she might as cling to, ness she was 80 well let him hear what had hap- weak and sick pened. that, for a few minutes, she was unable to

"Sometime between three and three-thirty this morning." Todd, and close the Denis told her as gently as he could. "According to our plan, we had been meeting at half- hour intervals all night. Up to three o'clock, when I lost met him, neither of us had seen any- thing, and nothing had hup- pened. Then, at three-thirty,

pointed meeting place." he failed to show up at our ap-

"Come in, move or quor..... think. Her head was aching

He and Charis listened in

as she told her story. as though a thousand ham tently

Anished, Todd was mers pounded in it, and she When she had no idea when she was scowling.

"That prowler is going to or what had happened. All she knew was that she was prowl once too often he said

between clenched teeth, lying en the floor some- where, in the darkness.

flooding Then memory came

ran Л shudder back, and through her. She reached out a She felt shelves hand, and must still be in the linen closet. she lain there. How long had unconscious?

Clutching at the shelves she struggled to her feet, and, fight- ing down the faintness that threatened to evecome her, the tried the door. It was locked.

She sant back to the floor After a while, with a groan. however, a little more strength returned, and pulled herself upright. She be gan banging on the door, Arst feebly, then

with more vigour. She continued to pound at in-

tervals.

she once

more

"It was just before three that I ran into the--the person in the hood." Teddy whispered. "Hemu "You'd better go back to your

or she guessed that I was look- him. Teddy told

ing for Hugo, That may have work now."

sure to keep this to sent the the prowler looking "But be yourself for the present. And for him, too."

Teddy covered her face with her hands. "It and many thanks."

it's my fault. I was a fool!"

When he was gone Charls turned her attention to Teddy's head, examining the injury care- fully.

"A nasty bump," she said, ut not much of a cut. I don't think you need see the doctor unless you want to- I can take care of it. But you had better stay in bed."

GLEASON

JANUMRAN A

WHAT HAS CONE BEFORE:

Teddy (Theodors) Baynor and her boy friend, Horo Albright, go on a craise, la the luxury yacht, Gaiden Gull, The cruise has been arranged through Dr Bmitting's unvei sgenvy, but the sponsor-keeps mysteriously in the dark. Denis Graham, also passenger, revenia to Teddy and Hugo that the Golden Qull was the name of a charitable

he secret society founded by her late father,

waspects and the cruise has something to do with It. The siewardess, Mario Galgan, tries to sell important Information to Teddy. Bho falls, however, to turn up at a secret rendezvous with Teddy, and mixt morning is found murdered in her cabin. night the ship's engines suddenly stop. The mystery is deepened when someone wearing a long black hood Is seen prowling around at night. Here and Deals agree to keep watch all night for him, Teddy, anxious for their safety and unable to sleep, leaves her cabin to look for them when she is attacked by the hooded terror.

1

-- NOW READ ON

Somehow, we've slipped up. He's got to be aboard, I toll you!" Iterating that he was a sea cap. He spoke emphatically, and not detective. Find yet, it seemed to Teddy that tain, your murderer and. I'll clap him there was a note of doubt in his in irons, but you have got to and voice. hid don't know how,' was his attitude"

Д

do

he "But surely

could something about helping you to And Hugo!" Teddy protested.

"Oh, yes he did. He detailed of the crew to two members help me. We combed the ship ception of the cabins." pretty thoroughly with the ex-

*

"You didn't And me," Teddy pointed out,

Teddy accom- After dinner, panicd Charis to her cabin, do- termined to keep vigil with her. Every so often Deals stuck his head in. The hours dragged by.

-

Finally, toward eleven o'clock Teddy was so overcome by ex- haustion that, despite hor an xiety, she could wait up longer. As she rose, to leave, She was a faint knock sounded.

She suddenly could sland tho strain no longer. She gave way to fears, and buried her face in the pillow. Charis and Denis did their best to comfort her, but to little avail. ready now to belleve only the

worst.

"Buck up- he'l} turn up." Denis tried to reassure her. "Look here-how about getting dressed and coming up for lunch? I think it would do you Food

you feel well enough." Teddy dried her eyes, and got "Todd had already let you out by the time we reached the control of herself.

"All right," she agreed list- linen closet.'

Anything was better 'lessly. he than staying shut up here, just

worrying.

"If he's nowhere else, then

Teddy was silent a moment. must be bidden in one of the cabins."

me.

was

same.

"Good" said Denis. "And if any one asks about Hugo, just say that he isn't feeling quite at..

Teddy, however, had to tell about Hugo. She her aunt found Aunt Eiste in their cabin, wondering about her long ab sence, though Charls had given a vague explanation earlier in

"Now, now!" Denis soothed, "Don't take it that way. What-

"It would seem so, but the ever happened, probably would

rather nervous anyway. Be captain have happened,

He's afraid for sides, we don't even know that about giving me permission te Hugo ren afoul of our my search them. sterious friend. You mustn't his own skin, if you ask me,

the

The worry. He may have got track However, I'm going to search of something and be lying low them just

steward has promised to help for reasons of his own."

He can lot me know when "I certainly don't want to see

their occupants are

aut Smiting!" Teddy laughed faint-

Denis glanced at his watch. ly. "But I don't mind staying "You know you don't believe

"It's time to meet him now. in bed... Charis, do you think that." Teddy sald miserably. Hugo and Denis are-all right?" you're just saying it to cheer I'll come back as soon as I can I do, I hope to -oad when Not have good news. Meantime"

little pat as soon as I'm dressed, I'll go with Hugo possibly....possibly he gave Teddy a

"Now you stop worrying! But me up. Well, you can't.

She got out the last keep a stir upper lip." ....dead. look up Denis.

word with difficulty.

She got through lunch seme- When

he had gone, Charis

mind how, and then through the long "Oh, I'm sure it's not as bad tried to get Teddy's

afternoon. She know that as thal Denis said quickly. off Hugo by talking of other Denis was desperately continu- "I don't believe that their things, but it was useless. Teddy ing his efforts to find der is the object of this plot could think of nothing else, and trace of Hugo, but, at dinner- There's some other reason be she lay there, imagining all sorts time, he had nothing to report of possibilities and walling Im- except failure along Every patiently for Denis to return.

At last she heard a key be- But in the lock. ing turned then,

"Would you also see if Aunt S sudden, terrifying Elsie is awake and if she's wor- thought smote her. Suppose it ried about me? If she is, make was the masked prowler coming any excuse, but don't tell her

back!

the truth."

Charis nodded. "Leave it to hind it." me."

She attended to Teddy's head, then dressed quickly, and de- parted.

She held herself tensely, ready to try a dash for it, if necessary. However, as the door opened, she found herself staring into the astonished face of the stew

Todd. ard.

She was so re- she

back lleved that

angged

Teddy closed her eyes and against the shelves.

tried to rest. At first, a jumble "Miss Raynor!" The steward of thoughts made that impos- sible, but anally weakness over- sounded horrified.

came her and she fell asleep.

"...I've had a slight ac- eldent, Todd," Teddy said weak- ly. "What-what time is it?"

"Seven o'clock, miss." Seven o'clock! She had been unconscious hours!

for

almost four

"Help me to Miss Winslowe's cabin," she said. "And. Todd, please don't say anything about this..

"You can trust me, miss,” he promised.

He was obviously consumed with curiosity, but as he gave her his arm and helped her to Charis' cabin, he asked no ques- lons. They met no one on the way.

A knock brought Charls to her daar. She had apparently just awakened, as she was in her dressing-gown.

Her eyes widened. What's happened?

like a ghost!"

"What about Marie Galgan?" Teddy reminded.

"That's different, Marie knew

became den 100 much-she gerous. But I don't believe her death was originally planned- it was forced."

It was two hours before he finally came back, and then, one glance at his face told her his search had been unsuccess- ful.

"Went through every cabin," "Have-have you looked for he grunted, sinking into a chair. Hugo?"

"Not a trace."

"He......you don't think he could have been......thrown overboard?" Teddy asked, her voice trembling.

"Of course I've been looking ever since three-thirty."

When she awoke Charla and Denis were bending over her, and she saw that Charls had brought her some tea and toast.

"Well, young lady!" Said "I had a Denis: "So you've been up to this morning, but he kept re- mischief?"

He spoke lightly, but Toddy! know that he by no means took! her accident lightly.

"Where's Hugo?" she asked, "Tell me about last night."

"Later," Denis murmured. "I don't want to tire you now...."

Teddy caught a quick look that flashed between him and Charis. She sat up, a dreadful fear sending a chili down her spine.

"Have you told the captain?" Denis made a weary gesture. talk with him early

"No." Denis passed a hand over his forehead. "I can't be- lieve that! He must be aboard!

no

Thinking it was Deals again, she opened the door, then step- ed back with a smothered cry, Hugo, looking half dead, stag- gernd in and collapsed at her foot..

was

Teddy's first reaction overwhelming relief that Hugo was alive. But, instantly, this was supplanted by anxiety over his condition. She sank to her knees beside him.

She saw that his clothes were torn, and that there was a nasty, discoloured lump over his left eye. Charle, who had closed and locked the door, got a glass of water and joined her at his alde.

His eyelids flickered.open, fle ooked up at them blankly for a second, then made an effort to

rise.

"Lie still," Teddy said gently. "And don't try to talk Just yet." She cradled his head in one arm and held the glass of water

al or

asked

then

the morning. Teddy, conegal to his lips. He gulped grate- Ing her own adventure of last

managed to sit up. pretended that Hugo's

eat?" he night,

anything to weakly disappearance had been the only cause for her absence.

much," said Charis. "Only crackers and fruit."

He was hungrily munching on crackers, when Denis was heard outside, softly calling to be let

line.

some in.

Not

When

him

Charis admitted "But I'll get results tonight," and he saw Hugo, he gave a volver in his pocket. "I'm go- "Hugo! Thank heaven! You he said grimly, angering the re- tremendous gasp of relief. ing to patrol the ship again, and don't know how glad I am to I'll catch that prowler if it's the see you, old man!" last thing I do!"

"Don't try it alone, Denis," Charis begged, her eyes clouded with fear, Take come one with you."

be

"Not half so glad as I am to Hugo here,"

mumbled. "Help me up, will you I'm a bit weak. Been tied up, with nothing to eat or drink for I "No-it's got to he alone. don't know how many hours."

Denis helped him into There is no one I can trust."

"Take your time-walt "All right, then-I'll sit up all chair. night!" Charls told him. "And a bit before you try to tell us you've got to report to me every about it." hour. If you fail to show up, I'll spread an alarm!"

MORE TOMONDÓW

Even Suzanne shuts down

in Nutland capital

L

at

A

It is hard to reckon what is Food for morale at a time like this, when more jobs turn up their toes as another activity is run down.

Sir

But it would help if OOKING as mild as a

Erle, with the help of his two curate.

Sir Eric From JOHN REDFERN: Kongwa, Tanganyika.

hend men hero tall, energetic Coates, 53-year-old

Guy Hughes, to 150,000-has affected few so quick-thinking "Where's Hugo?" she demand- £5,000-a-year chairman of (nearly the area of York- acres in the three regions, then George Raby, ex-colonel, and ex-Control Commission, could far. ed again. "Tell me at once!" the Overseas Food Corpora- shire), 450,000 acres

explain how impossible it is to 60 Last October, said tion, flew into Kongwa at Kongwa alone-is cut down

ground set overy man's mind at Denis hesitated, then

week-end, and the to 24,000 acres for agricul-

nutters were told that they at this transition stage. "Teddy! slowly. "We don't know where the

groundnut folk were grate- ture and 66,000 for grazing would be redundant. inside six look he is he has disappeared." You

For an instant Teddy thoughtful for something fresh to going to faint. The talk about in their dreary room whirled before her eyea day.

She caught hold of Teddy's she was arm and assisted her to the bed.

Teddy sunk back on the pil- lows. "I came here because I didn't want to frighten my aunt."

Then, with an effort, she pulled

....calm....

herself together. She mustn't As he landed, the accoun- go to pleces, She must be calm tants at Hogoro, the new village 30 miles out where "Tell me about it," she said the

headquarters As Charis waited for her to faintly. "When....when did he

operated, bunged the last go on, Teddy glanced doubtfully disappear?"

suitcase into a lorry and departed for Kongwa, leav-

SIDE GLANCES

area

By Galbraithing 25 houses and not

COFK., 1999 BY MEA BERVICH, WO, T. JA, NIEO, A I. PAT. OFF.

"No wonder he looks successful-ho owes more money

than any other man in town!" ·

soul in them,

A

Hogoro is the first spot of the rash of Food Cor- poration shut-downs

now.

that there is going to be only £6,000,000 in the kit- ty-after the expansive

days when £86,000,000 was spent.

Inevitably rumour - which alone crops well on this hard brickish bush soil -is spurting again. Many

6d. BEER

Retreat and retrenchment,

months. Some ore still here, twin ghouls, arc prowling in the tin-roofed houses with round the

of the graveside

the surrounding red carth re- super-scheme. Yet, considering lieved by shoulder-high marya- THE Africans, not the long-drawn-out funeral rites, there is a wondrous of activity about.

lot

The top men keep chugging round; out in the fields

10 IN 299 300 MILES

AFRICA

KEANDA

NORTHERN

RHODESIA

KONGWA

KENYA

TANGANYIKA

MOZAMBIQUE

rest

always Africa, the big

given a break la na bushes.

are coming through That was just the start. Last shrink with less difficulty than

was talking the bwants. November Coates the of a 40 percent reduction

Kongwa area the In the throughout the nut lands. With black labour force of 2,180 has

to the the coming transfer

now dropped to 1,700 but this Colonial Office, which has

fall includes 320 men trans- many jobs own men for

now ferred to other regions. Over- handled by groundnut all about

Ave

percent have move specialists, the number of Food

gene, and as machines Corporation chaps will be just out and muscle work comes in about halved by next October. the demand for unskilled Atri- The trouble is March keeps cans is likely to remain good. bursting out all over. March And the welfare activities is when the next lot of ground- for African workers wil nutlers to be axed will know kept running-"at all coste, the worst. That will be the right to the last," as one off.. day.

cial said.

CLUB JOKES

IN the cosy Kongwa

here believe that Sir Eric tough men are sweating blood your chale while the room

is not only here to give a right now

pop planting,

few hints about tho sibilities under the reduc-

On

tho

dreary,

ها

be

are

BRAATHENS

to

The

•A•F•E

Way

Europe

NORWAYS PREMIER AIRLINE

· HONGKONG - OSLO via AMSTERDAM

BOOKINGS ACCEPTED FOR ALL EUROPA

Braathons S.A.F.E. Alsteamsport A/S

FLIGHTS EVERY FRIDAY 9 AM EVERY BECOND FRIDAY IN CONJUNCTION WITH QA Book Plesagen & Freight Through Your Travel Agost or

Agents: temasya pilih trije svima dia WALLEM & COMPANY LIMITED.

Hongkong & Shanghal Bank Building Tel: 38041-5

FOR THE

FINEST DIAMONDS

TÀI HÀNG JEWELLERY

Bole Agents for LIBERTY DIAMOND WORKS LTD.

Johannesburg,

Room

7th Floor,

Bank of East Asia Uko

Telephone 21386

RUGS

SPECIAL PRICES

on

OLD STOCKS

PEKING ART RUG CO. 221A Nathan Road, KOWLOON. Tel: 59049

Don't let MORNING

MISERY

become all-day

misery

When late hours, too much good eating and drinking, ruin your morning with headache, fatigue and upset stomach... don't let your entire day be spolled, und quick relief with Alka-Seltzer. Take is on arising, again – if needed - later in the day.

By combining several medicines effective against these discom forts, Alka-Seltzer acts two ways ...relieving headache and net- tralizing excess gustele meidity. Not a laxative--you can take Alka-Seltzer any time.

They include special control- led-price shops, social centres, well-directed "halls" Club, and

where Africana can drink

the another Nksen hut, but made to measure with comfort, At, da pint the rombeybeer made from millet-husks and the types foregnther nightly un- der a notice: "Do not leap from sugar) they love.

Others not doing badty

the Disposalo in

Department season's in motion." With impetus from here. They have

£3,000,000 knock after knock, it is turn- worth of finished-with

atur ing upside down and no one from tractors to bolts, to sell. But the times

Chez

because Buzzano's kes the sensation,

Some comes to them tion of the groundnuttery what with

(formerly voted for egg

"Redundancy" produces plenty of the end of clearing an only partly chips up to 11 pm.) closed

club

Jokes. But each tions; other goods do not mechanised experimental with Dash's Joint, s

feeble flat joke is really a any more because of the development, but that he sun-up decked for dancing and proxy for the anxiety now shrink.

East African Governments under many 0 may be here to sing his food, about to finish, and too tucked away

have that pick, then, agents, many men worrying about their bush shirt.

then ordinary buyers who good for Jobs for it to be

I met one fellow I remom- range from Addis Ababa

to Addiscombe En ber as a great "better" Kongwa is just a ghost town

Then he camo

£135,000 worth old here TEW methods, new bossce The lights sild blaze in "Mil- years back.

to liking Kongwa, final- mound

hand - always! a profit of £2,500 was made.

to

swan song.

TWIN GHOULS

•

and Nisson

of

two

орета

At

bid

ja

Now that the Colonial lionaires-row where the lays to moving it. Now he says. But the big numbers are to Offico has taken over from green hill. There is a percepe but I may be in the next. And come. tho Overnons Food Corpora- tiple movement inwards of now. g I'm not, I'll start worrying Thanks to the world war Government official about the third dot."

worries prices are good, There new ca tion) so once again

from # Dares-Salaam on the men are expected.

court, where various depart- There was the idea of pick- are hopes that the fleet or SOD caterpillar tractors soon to be The magnificent venture mente are bursting at the ing out a kind of ourps d'ellio that was originally, design- sonme.

and telling them that they were slapped on the counter

yield a. pront of £250,000, afe from the sople, so carTY ed to drape the African But another notable import on chaps. It was dropped which would be quite a lưng bush 8,260,000 food-pro is thoughtful facts. The big bed for the morale of the men for the poor old nut men. ducing acren: «altogether, shrink,"first down 10, 200,000 when joka, seg not made.)

-{London, Express Serrigh).

will

Drop one or two tablets into glass of water. Watch it spark. into a refreshing, pleasant-tasting solution--then drink it, Quick acting Alka-Seltzer will "save tha day" for you. Keep a supply on

Alka-Seltzer helps

CALLING ALL SECRETARIES!

We have largo stocks of the following:- LOOSE LEAF FILES CARBON PAPER

TYPEWRITER RIBBONS STAPLERS & PUNCHES PENCILS & PENS

STAMP PADS & DATERS INK & GUM ACCOUNT BOOKS &c. Gre. &c.

NO. 1, DUDDELL STREET

YE. OLDE PRINTERIE, LTD. STATIONERY DEPT. Telophone 36966

The Hong Kong Countryside Throughout The Seasons

by

G. A. C. HERKLOTS

$25

On salomat

millions daily Kelly & Walsh, Ltd.

Alka-Seltzer

and

5. C. M. Post, Ltd. HONGKONG & KOWLOON