1954-02-13 — Page 6

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E

Pare

BRITONS LIKE THE CINEMA

By Vaughan Jones

London of a row of dingy little brick VEN the recent sub- houses, they pay decreasing in- zero temperatures failed terest to their homes. And they fall to develop their creative to disperse the customary instinet when le, Gd. allows them queues outside Britain's to escape into the_nøver-never 4,500 cinemas,

land for a couple of hours. For neither icy winds nor Not only this. Young couples, charms of frozen nosea.can break this viewing the screen

Rita Hayworth, Marilyn Monroe

nation-wide, cinema-going and Zsa Zsa Gabor and the brave

habit, which grips Britain tries of Alon Ladd, Marlon

youth like a drug.

Britons are the world's most become confirmed movie addiets.

They United States--with its Holly- pave

and

Gregory Peck, dissatisfied with their

own marriage partners and the And so it can of the home routine. like to think

the way towards

wood-na movieland,

But

Britons, in fact, go to the

einen E frequently than

in

the

diverto court.

A Tussle

the

START READING

TODAY

THE CHINA MAIL, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19,

THE NEW EXPLOITS OF

SHERLOCK HOLMES

M

Y wife had a slight cold, as my note- book records, when on that admit morning of April 12, 1888, we were introduced in such dramatic fashion to one of the most singular problems in the annals of my friend Mr Sherlock Holmes.

anybody else. Counting

country's

But the paychologists babes-in-arms and centenarians, equally that a certain amount of people dissatisfaction is useful. It cal million euch visit the cinema 28 times a ur young men to ear

money in order to approach the type of life they envy.

Britain's Afty

your.

And that is ve

times

more than the average American, who got 23 times, according to

muro

So it becomes a tussle in the the last avaliable figures. This subconscious: whether they will compares with the 19 visits paid be satisfied by the average New Zealander; into

wealth Ind

At that time, as I elsewhere recorded,

The

China Mail starts today

* sories of NEW mystories of Sherlock Holmes. These stories tirb bated on casas referred to in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's original works, but_naver before recounted. told by Adrian

Now the exploits are Conan Doyle, Sir

Arthur's son and literary executor, and John Dickson Carr, the mystery writer and a

leading authority ́on

Holmes.

The adventure

have

my

OF THE

in

with brief escape romance, or it in creation medical practice was in the in pioneering Paddington district. Belug

young and active, I was

17 by Canadians, eight by the whether they will stir them-

selves to achieve Japanese.

Of all Britons, however, the and countruction, young people ro the worst and travel.

addicts. Half thu scats

lied by people below the age of 28; those between 18 and 20

twice as often as their elders.

Rich Stay Home Certainly, lack of money in the home does not keep them in-

the

doors. Four-fifths of cinema crowds come from homes

where the wago earner has a pay packet of less than £600 a year, or under £12 a week.

Just now, they say, brief escape the habit of arising betimes; is winning in many.

and eight o'clock found me But there still remain enough with the old unassailable spirit downstairs, distressing the of the adventurers and pioneers, maid by lighting the fire in the scientists and the business the hall, when I was startled king's

to guarantee Britam's by a ring at the street door. future.

A patient at this hour could have come on no errand. And,

POCKET CARTOON

It

[by OSBERT LANCASTER

is just these homes which state that the

of living rising cont prevents them buying adequato food for the Thrflies,

The richer people, who could

easily afford cinema outings,

more often

ften prefer

their own homes.

the comfort of

Logically, the people i Britain's gloomy Industrial towna

In the north are the most con- Armed movie fans of all. They average 30 visits ench, as against 24 In the better-off southern counties.

a

And, reviewing these facts, compiled i

survey by the Hourd of Trade Statistical De- partment, leading psychologists and doctors have quite a lot lo

nd

The Welfare State, they admit. brings incalculable benefits in providing

against hunger and disease. But it rous masses of young people of initiative

With their enterprise,

living ussured for them, they want also their pleasures duled out.

Secking

and

escope the hum- Ilves in one

drum of their own

"As the Duke of Edinburgh's, speech seems to have escaped. the attention of Prendergaíst Ma., perhaps he will copy out 100 times: 'The day of the private adventurer in science is over??”

Coca-Cola Cc Call

So welcome at mealtime delicious Coca-Cola

When you ́serva Coca-Cola.

galety enters the scene. Hare is pure. sparkling, refreshment »

matchlass in Elavour, matchless

~~th the handy" da belle carton.

Bonfed under authority of The Coca-Cola Company by

HONGKONG BOTTLERS, Proud NE, VJET EROT

trivial

an

"Dr Watson?" asked she, raising her vell.

"I am he, madam."

"A seated

1954.

"Ona glimpse showed us Gcorge and Eleanor Warburton tying face

upwards."

SEALED ROOM

madness."

by ADRIAN 'CONAN DOYLE

and JOHN DICKSON CARR

"I sat there, Mr Holmes, with the cards in my hand, and as I waited in that silent room it seemed as though all the name- less feurs of the night gathered Bir wly round me, I remembered the glitter in Eleanor's eyes at. ginners I remembered the brown

face of native butler,

Chundra Lal, the

who

has seemed to gloat ever since the death- masle wng brought into the house. At that precise moment, Mr Holmes, I heard the two revolver shots."

In her agitation Cora Murray had risen to her feet.

Д

"Oh please, don't think I was mistaken. Don't think I was misled by sume other noise, or that these were not the shots which killed George and.

Again she paused; and, as I now know, she had hot been mistaken. Drawing deep breath she sat down again,

"For a moment I was abso- lutely petrified. Then I ran out Into the hall and almost collided with Major Earnshaw. He was muttering some incoherent reply my questions when Jack Lasher came out of the dining- room with the decanter of port in his band. You'd better stay back, Corn, Jock sald to me; there may be a burglar about. "The two men ran across to the door of the curto room.

to

''Locked, curse it, I remem- ber Major Earnshaw crying out. *Lend hand, my lad, and we'll have this door down.' Look here, s

said Jack. you'd

want

sloge - artillery woman, against a door like that. Hold and I am not being unkind when hard while I dash round and

ing in her beauti- you could both do with a little steady rray's grey eyes were we were all surprised when try the french windows."

room!"

she cried,

iler cry became a shriek which ran through the house, and then she collapsed on the hearth- rug in a dead taint.

Horrified, I poured some water from a care, dashed brandy into the water, and, after lifting my patient gently into a chair, persuaded her lo swallow it Scareely had I done so when "Pray forgive this early intru- the noise of that ery brought

Í have come to....I have sion.

and into come to....

H

and strong character: cu "Major)

from

a

As a

my saying

Cora "The fact is, Holmes," said I. upon himself and his wifein when we reached the consulting-

Murray paused for a was interrupted this the surto room, you said?-each time as though marshalling her room, "yot there is always the "That I possibility of a chill, unless the morning"

evening after dinner?"

then thoughts, and

began to be well sealed against oum

A sudden perplexity showed speak in a low but tense volce. "Quite so, my dear fellow,"

in our visitor's face. draughts.“

sold he, "as you were engaged "Good heavens, ho!" she THE effect of in your usumi practice of light answered. "I never thought of this remark was ing the Arb. Your left thumb 11,"

"Eleanor Warburton was my extraordinary, proclaims as much." Then he "SU, I fear it cannot affect best friend in India. She is an For

of Miss Murray's the sue. On the contrary, exceptionable beautifu moment caught sight when I had opened the

dry visitor stared grief-stricken countenance, and strengthens the indications of at me with the his harsh face softened. door to the clear April sun-

grey eyes widen- "But I think,” he added, "that Cora

to become stic conscitted light, I was struck no less

the result, all of us now.

wife of Colonel Warburton. He

"All of your an outside.... by the pallor and agitation ful face.

breakfast before we discuss the

"No one, Mr Holmes, is better was

was a soldier of distinguished

Earnshaw, Jack Lasher, than by

shock which this the youth and

young lady su aware of it than 1. If it had reputation and

Lal and myself. One Colonel Warburton's wish but not, I should judge, an easy glimpse through the been beauty of the young lady "Oh, my God, a sealed room!" obviously has had."

ncorest Not a word would he permit to destroy Eleanor and himself man with whom to share one's window showed us George and who stood swaying on my

10 speak until I bad con-

well, con

I deny he would have domestic

life.

He was Inclined Eleanor Warburton lying, faco humble threshold.

sumed rashers and eggs, though belted the door?"

to be fussy and short-tempered, upwards against the red Brussels Miss Murray could touch only

"If I may

say so, madam,"

especially about his large collec

carpet. Blood was sull flowing remarked Sherlock Holmes, "you tion of cup of coffee,

Indian

antiquities.

wound fn Eleanor's sald Holines, with a "Hum!" shade of disappointment

are a young lady of uncommon

Plense understand that I breast." on his good sense, Apart from his liked Go face after our

George well

"And then?" enough, else I fair client had Indian curios, would you say should not be here now. And, faltered out as much of her story that the Colonel was a man of though their te

was not with- as she had told to me. This

conventional habits?"

out its

fact, there is indeed a grievous tragedy, "Eminently 90. And yet.

was a quarrel last night-there madam.

But I cannot see what

"You may recall "You would speak of feminine was nothing, I swear, to account that the front garden is a rock vice I can render you. Intuition?"

for this present horror, certain Colonel Warburton goes

"Str,

garden?" What arc your own

they loft India, I mad; he shoots first his wife and boasted judgments but masculine accompanied them lo the house

I presume there intuliton?" then himself.

in Cambridge Terrace. ix né doubt of these facta?"

They are logic, madam! How we lived almost as though well. Calling out to the others ever, pray torgive my irascible were at a hill-station in India certain no burglar escaped, Jack temper of a morning."

even to the white-clad figure of picked

up a huge stone Misa Murray bowed her head Chundra Lal, George's native smashed a window. But there graciousky,

buller, in a house full of strange was no burglar, Mr Holmes. A The household was roused by gods and

strange in single perhaps

glance had shown shots, the two

she continued fluences, too.

that both french windows were after a moment. "When we "No matter: Last night, after still double-bolted on the inside. looked through the window, and dinner, Eleanor demanded to "Immediately afterwards, be- saw those two crumpled figures speak with her husband. They fore anyone had gone near the Lying on the floor and the light retired to the curio room, while door, I went to it and found the of the shaded lamps striking a Major Earnshaw and I were door locked on the inside, You cold blue glitter from the lapis- sitting in a Mley study called me, I think I

of

knew there could lazul eyes

that horrible the den."

be no burglar death-mask, I was seized with

moment," Interposed "You know ?" superstitious dread."

Sherlock Holmes, who had made "It was Geoge's fear for his HOLMES

a noto

collection," Mieg Murray lounging back in while ago you stated that the

answered simply. "Even the his arm-chair, his house had two rooms facing the fireplace in that room is bricked od mouse-ed- Colonel Warburton's curio room, scrutably at the hard blue eyes front garden, one of these Boing up. Chundra Lai looked in- loured

dressing was the other front room this of the deathmask on the wall, & own

drawn den?" about hi e

and Major Earnshaw's "No. The other front room is dicked the revolver shoulders, in a

"Be good enough to step into the consulting room," said I. leading the way with a vigorous step, and meanwhile studying the young lady closely. It is ns well for a medical man to imm. press his patients by deducing their symptoms, and hence their ailments, before they have spoken

at all.

"The weather is warm for this season of the year," I continued,

my wite downstairs the consulting-room.

"Good heavens, John, what in the world————__?" And here she broke

"Why, It's Сега Murray!"

oft.

**You kлW then?"

"Know herl do. I knew India Her were friends wrote to her

were married."

the young lady,

I should think I Cora Murray in father and mine for years; and 1 when you and

"You wrote to India?"

now.

MISS MURRAY

groaned.

Uahappily, none," repiled she. "Though at first

had We hoped it might be the work of

a burglar."

"You hoped it might be the work of a burglor?”

I was much annoyed by the "No, no; she lives in England acidity of Holmes's tone, though Corn is the very closest I could not help divining its friend

of Eleanor Grant, who cause. Ever

Ever since in the married that rather crotchety previous month he had been Colonel Warburton. Cora lives outwitted and beaten by Mrs with Colonel and Mrs Warbur- Godfrey Norton, nee Irene Adler, ton at some address in Com- his altitude towards the whole bridge Terrace."

female sex had become · more bitter than ever.

"Really, Holmes," I protested

W RE

When

There

on his shirt-cuff. A

"I made a mental note of it," "A rock garden with gravel

guard the adora' and 'make' **

with some asperity, "Miss Murray bored and discontented fashion. the dining-room. The den les George's hand.

meant

and

mo

foot

hear

only that the work of a "My dear Watson," said he, behind it and the two do not this,' sald Major Earnshaw;

business. As my wife finished speaking, our visitor opened her eyes. My burglar-murderer would have "you will and the cigars in the communicate. Major Earnshaw we'd better send for a

doctor, wife patted her hand.

saved Colonel Warburton's name coal-scuttle. Be good enough was holding forth rather wouri-

my story." from the stigma of suicide, to pass me the box; that is, if somely when Jack hurried in. That, I think, is all of my

For a time atter she had "Gently, Cbra," vaid she. " hoponsible

you will not hold her Miss Murry has no objection Jack...."

"A welcome arrival?" inter stood motionless before the fire, finished speaking Holmes still for an unfortunate to the smoke of a cigar?

posed Holmes. "I take it you his hand toying with the knife whose blade transfixed hig OUR visitor unanswered correspondence to raised her trank, the middle of the clear eyes.

mantel-shelf, "A very wel- "HUM" come arrival,"

saich our scarcely

was only telling my husband that you lived in Cambridge choice of words." Terrace with Colonel and Mra "An unfortunate choice of "The daughter of an Anglo- refer to Captain Lasher?” Warburton."

words, Watson, has hanged a Indian, Mr Holmes," murderer tre this. Well, well, fair visitor, "would "No longer!" cried Miss we shall not distress the young object to that." She hesitated, Murray wildly. "Colonel War- Indy! But is it possible, madam, biting her lip. burton is dead, and his wife so for you

Indeed, horribly wounded that she.

when Major Earn- bo explicit?" may To my surprist, a smile of shaw and Captain Lasher and I singular wistfulness as well as burst into that locked room, my the pale most distinct memory is the strength illuminated face of

of our visitor.

smell of 'Colonel Warburton's

be dying at this moment! When I saw them lying there under that terrifying death mask, 7

to

the evil thing itself had driven My Father, Mr Holmes, was cigar." Colonel Warburton mad.

the Sepoy He Captain Murray of must have been mad. Why else Mutiny. You will see whether I should he have shot his wife and can be explicit." then himself in a locked room?

she smiled. Then her face clouded. "He told us that

id

the

he. "And position now?"

mory

"Poor Eleanor, through the hall, recover,

though she he had heard the sounds of a badly

on his way

quarrel between his uncle and Eleanor.

distress you, would not

Poor

Jack, how

4

wooden

speak;

wounded nursing annoyed he was. 'Hure I've home in Bayswater. It will be This casual remark was fol- come all the way from Kensing days before she can And yet I cannot believe he wame, this is distinctly better

lowed by a moment of Intense ton to see the old man,' he cried. to the mortuary. Even when I George's body has been removed would have done this dreadful "Colonel War Burlon and his silence. Sherlock Holmes had and now I daren't interrupt loft action,"

wife," said she "lived at num- sprung to his feet, the cigar- them. What koops them

Cambridge Terrace, this bór mine Cambridg Terrace, box in his hand, and was staring quarrolling all the time?'

morning, with some wild hope of Grasping my wife's hand with Tou

DOPTI many down at Miss Murray,

enlisting your aid through -Dr. both of hers, she looked up at such prosperous, solid houses-in "I me with pathetic appeal.

"I protested that he was dong. Watson, the, police had arrived the Hydo Park. district. On

in the person Oh, Dr Watson,

of an Inspector Macdonald. .But what cats

Indeed?" ochood Holmes. But his deep-set eros. gleaned, and he Bfted the knife and brought it down Uke a "Still-Irumector Minel What is weapon against the envelopes. much better. I could not have endured Lestrade or. Gregion

two franch, windows,

"Colonel Warburton and

motionless before the fire.

may

this

will

what,

morning. If the

119 young lady forgive me while I don cost. and hat, we shall

Just

round to Cambridge Terrace,

"Holmes," cried, I in protest

I did to either side of the front door, be madam, but are you quite sure them an Injustice. hope you would help! Is there hind a small strip of rock what you say?" Holmes," "Well, I hate rows,' he re- do?" nothing your friend Mr Sher- garden, there is a room with retorted the

"I am not in plied, and I do feel, if only for tock Home ein com

You may well believe that my

the habit of meaningless speech. uncle's salon, that Elosdr might wife and I listened with amaze- dear Eleanor were alone to my I remember even the incongruous make more effort to get on with

the thought flashing through my

family!! tale of domestic rooth to the left of the front mind that Incense would have uncle, I said, and, at for sour- ment to this

She is devoted to tragedy.

door, called the curio room.

The bocn

more suitable than "But you tell me that Colonel time was just after dinner last smoke in a room giflimmering self, it is only that she feels as Warburton, is dead," I demurred night. The door of that goom with

ith brasswork and wooden we all do that you live your gently

was locked on the inside. Each Idols and rose-coloured lamps." life too reckioskij.” Yet the shadow remains on of the french windows wes For moment Holmes, stood his naita. Oh, is my errand double-bolted on the so hopeless?"

though the

· is;poksibit that there "Nothing is aver hopeless, undrawn.

beundred and forty-frat "When Major Earnshaw suit would be monstrous to al Come wald me wife, Johm. "No other person was there or sort," he observed thoughtfully, gested three-handed whist whog

shall you do?"

hidden there; nor was there any "As the same time, Mis Murray, two-ponce a point, I'm afraid

false hopes in Miss "Do?" cried I, icing at my

access to the room.

I should. lice to hoaf a Intlo Jack wasn't very courteous, watch. Why, a hansom-cab to pistol luy at the Colonel's right more, of, what happened. For he must be reckless he mild, he My friend looked at me in his Baker Street at once! We shall hand. There had been no tam example, you mentioned a Major proferred to drink a glam of coldly imperious fashion just catch Holmes before break pering with any toll, or fasten Earnshaw and a Captain Lasher, port in the dining room. 1,500. dear Watson, I neither. Last"

avid 1:1 settled encourage hope nor do I d down to a game of bezique courage it. I diamine evidence,

Yot T

that he slipped his-lens into his pocket; and, že was radodily silent, Liking me hin Up, as four-wheeler carried t through the street, 10737

-As I hhid - wipěttad, Sherlock Bolmes www.moodity, awaiting.

fast, », the room | merid

Then táó Poods was locked like"

Were Lidde

#Major Earnshaw, has been a

Mr at the Bentlemen also guests Major Bárbahnw *Holmes, you may kocortest for orne Limb, yes. But w lónve- this room after

facts,'

Captain, Lasher-whit my sa fancy, or did a blush linen Coca

delther you or, Major Volta o iscedi

Und

Murray's tube, at the mention of the Major i did way 1um now able to: the Captain name? -- pantain about, i fetching | Tis-,

Murray spoke the Latier merely paid a brie, call, stom upstairs!)

HWurkizykami' circumstarving Tatinotly the mors Con

"only" relative In Murray might have Wald, Holmen, grube, fast, and, ladda muois - younger rushed out, hamist: his long thing" furthers too than, Major. Karrisha.nr.

Min kabit to 10ll, the door nistit, madami

lest could

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