1954-03-08 — Page 4

The Girls Find Big Business On Ice

T

By JOHN

London.

HE girls who akim and pirouette, fairy-like, in the shimmering ico shows, are Big Business to- day.

For the amateur, the road to the top gets harder, and the first steps are the most difficult of all, as

Britain's Batchelor emiling known.

Erica

She has Jusi returned to England from the inter national championships in Norway with ॥ bronze medal in her pocket and fortune in show business

WILLIAMS

ing teachers. Clemma Cow- Ing is easier ley's father runa a green- quickly made.

In Brighton 262 A grocery sideline to radio repairing so that she may skate.

No wonder then that, among some of the foreign

"shamateurism" girls, rampant.

18

Just now, 80 many so- called amateurs are taking near-bribes that the N.S.A. and other governing bodies counter- are planning to attack.

Many amateur" skaters are going the rounds of the

that is, should she agree to Continental hotels for

turn professional.

the

THE CHINA MAIL, MONDAY, MARCH 8, 1954.

and fortunes ore

Even In 1030, Sonja Heule

300,000 dollars. was guaranteed

(more than £107,000) D quarter, Now she gets 20,000 for half an doliars (8,900) months in Europe last year she personally netted 800,000 dollars (£285,000).

hour отз television. In alx

That is becauso colourful lee shows

enter- 450 "universai tainment," as the tycoons say. They are killing ice hockey,

more spectators. drawing ever

Yet they require ille skal- ing skill-not a fraction of that demanded in exacting amateur competitions.

So why should the girls went

to go on worrying about limited six months of

year, amateur obviously living in luxury when beyond their legitimate al-

But taking the short view, she and her mother lowances. are at least £450 poorer since January 1.

They have been on the

figure skating

Money spinner

circus THE root of the problem is

through Northern Italy, that big-time lee shows

Switzerland

for 50 days.

Norway are a terrific money-spinni.g attraction. And show busi- agents, going the

ness

The trip cost each well rounds with the amateurs. offer the girls every induce- over £200.

ment to turn professional.

Erica received £45 ex- National penses from the

Until they do so, many of Skating Association. In the girls are really only hotels she got cut prices by training for the day when attracting customers who they will start to amass a wanted

Any fun they now her fortune. watch to training on nearby rinks get out of their six hours ice is a day work on the and skating in galas.

purely incidental. And now- adays a girl skater of 18 is a veteran.

No allowance

are reckoned

petitors

11 com-

expense allowances there anything from £2,500 a werk cround the corner in show business?

1250 17

The_NEW exploits of SHERLOCK HOLMES

C

ELIA

FORSYTHE lowered her head, and tears glimmered in her eyes. "Now, Mr Holmes, have been frank with you. I beg that you will be equally frank with me. What did you write in that letter?"

The question was so startling that I, for one, leand bacis in my chair. Sherlock Holmes's face was without expression. His long, nervous fingers reached out for the tobacco in the Persian slipper, and began to fill a clay pipe.

asked.

"In the letter, you any?" he stated rather than

"Yes! You wrote that letter. I saw your signature. That is why I am here!"

"Dear me!" remarkod Holmes. He was silent for several minutes, the blue smoke curling about him, and his eyes fixed vacantly upon the clock on the mantel-shelf.

"There are times, Miss For- "when

Maybe this is not entirely BUT travelling expenses

bad for the sport. Kids are travelling third doing double jumps and class by the shortest route. loops which Britain's Ceci-sythe," he said at lost, Hotel terms make lia Colledge and Megan Tay allowance for special train- lor. Norway's Sonja ing diets. No allowance is and Canada's Barbara Ann

made for grammes

no

altered

pro- extra days

Henie

Scot never contemplated.

But cash ambitions are spent training. And trainers driving amateur technique and accompanying relatives to the human limit. In a obtain no reductions.

desperate effort to hold her world title, America's tall, slender Tenley Albright fall- three gambits un- vd in

in women's precedented! skating.

Not all amateura have moneyed fathers, Nesta Davies and Paul Thomas, Britain's runners-up in th· pair dancing are shop RS- sistant and clerk. Erien No wond

the line to turn

Batchelor's parents are shat - professional as great. The sint-

CHINESE

CREEDS

and

CUSTOMS

by

'V. R. BURKHARDT

II LUSTRATED BY THE AUTHOR

HONGKONG

IDEAL GIFT

FOR FRIENDS ABROAD FOURTH IMPRESSION

$18.00

S. C. M. POST OFFICES

KOWLOON

one must be guarded in one's replies. i have only one more

question to ask

"Well, Mr

for Mr

"Did Lady Mayo st serve her friendliness Charles Hendon?"

"Oh, yes! She became quite More than attached to him.

I heard boy address him as Alce, apparently her nick- name for him." Miss Forsythe paused, with an air of doubt, and even suspicion. "But what can you mean by such ques- tion?

Holmes rose to his feet.

that I shall "Only, madam, be happy to look into this mai ter for you. You return 10 Groxion Low Hall this even- ing."

"Yes.

But surely you have more to say to me than this? You have answered not one my questions!"

of

ARSENAL

FC

NOTICE

MEETINGS, DISCUSSIONS,

CONFERENCES, DEBATES,

WILL TAKE PLACE

IN ONE MONTHS

TIME TO DECIDE!

IF WE SHALL ACCEPT RUSSIA'S INVITATION TO A GAME OF FOOTBALL

Windy

"That'll make 'em accept."

Continuing the Adventure of the SEVEN CLOCKS

WHAT HAS HAPPENED SO FAR

ono Into Sherlock Holmes's Baker Street rooms

Miss cold and foggy November morning comes Cotia Forsythe, a beautiful

She is cm- young girl. ployed by Lady Mayo as a companion, and sho talis Holmes a strange story:

While she and Lady Mayo were travelling in Switzerland a fortnight proviously, they met a Mr Charles Hendon, with whom they became friendly——— and with whom, indeed, Miss Forsythe had fallen in had an eccentricity love. Mr Hendon, however, which alarmed Miss Forsythe he could not endure he For no explicable reason the sight of a clock. had already smashed two clocks and had buried or hidden five others.

lotter arrived One morning a for him. After reading it Mr Hendon had turned deported with all his luggogo, palo and had then leaving no message..

ARE YOU ASKED

in

Already the first lamps were glimmering through the fog Baker Street, when my frien 's simple preparations were com- pleted. He stood at the door way of our sitting-room, tal and gaunt in his car-flapped travelling-cap and long Inver- ness cape, his Gladstone bag ut his feet, and regarded me with singular fixity,

One last word, Watson, Well,

well! I have my since you still appear to see no can light. I would remind you that methods, as Watson here (el) you. But if you could find Mr Charles Hendon cannot en-

dure the s-" It convenient to come here, say

bear the sight of

A

a week from this day, at ninc "But that is clear enough! He o'clock in the evening? Thank cannot you. Then I shall hope to have clock."

Holmes shook his head. some news for you."

"Not necessarily," said he, "I Palpably it was a

draw your al- Miss Forsythe rose to her feet, would further

"Be of good cheer,

dismissal.

madam!"

nicht. Miss Forsythe is to be there."

My wife drew back her hand.

"Then you had best be off ab once," said she, with a coldness which astonished me. "You are in Mr Interested always

£10

Sherlock Holmes's cases."

Puzzled and somewhat hurt, I took my hat and my departure. It was a bitter cold night, with no breath of fog, but with the roads lee-locked in mud. Within the half hour a hansom net ma down in Baker Street. With a thrill of excitement I observed Sherlock Holmes

had that returned his mission, The

from upper windows wore lighted, his and several times I now gaunt shadow pass and repass on the blinds.

Letting myself in with Д and looked at him so forlorly tention to the other dive clocks,

Jatch-key

I went softly up tho that I felt the need to interpose as described by the servant"

Charles Hendon did not stairs and opened the door of "Mr come word of comfort.

the

sitting-room, Clearly Holmes smash those clockel"

ony just raturned. "That is why I draw your had

Until nine his cape, his cloth cap, and his attention to them. o'clock this day week, Watson" old Gladstone bag were scatter- ed about the room in his cus- tomary untidy fashion.

I cried, gently taking her hand. "You may have every confidence and, in my friend Mr Holmes; if I may say so, in myself well."

19

was rewarded by a gracious and grateful smile. When the

door had closed behind our fair

A moment more, alone.

and

i was

Thank

scale map of Surrey? you" His volce grew more

horsh. "What's this, what's

this?"

"My dear fellow," I EX- postulated, "can you read villainy in a map?"

"Open

country, Watson. Fields. Woods. The nearest rull- three inlles way station fully From Groxton Low Kallt

groaned

Holmes

Forsythe, Mias Forsythe. you have much to answer for!"

The young lady fell back a step in amazement.

"I have much to answer tor?” she cried. "Can you credit me, sir, when I tell you that so much continued mystery has all but driven the wils from my head? Neither Charles nor Lady Mayo will speak a word,"

ARMED?

HOLMES

"You will be good enough to show me that envelope, my man,” he said.

London Express Servios,

he

"

"Of explanation?"

Loudon Express Servic

by Adrian CONAN

DOYLE and John DICKSON CARR

in

one hand on the mantelpiece to steady herself.

"Mr Holmest" she began, and then seemed to change her mind. "There are frequent trains to Groxton station, which, DE you say, is three miles from the Hall. Indeed, there is one twenty minutes." "Excellent!" "But we must not take " "Must not take it, madame?" "I have had no time to tell you, but Lady Mayo herself now appeals to you for help. Only this afternoon I persuaded her, Lady Mayo

that wa requests three take the 10.25, which is the last train. She will meet us

station at Groxton

with the carrings Mise Forsythe bit ter Lady Mayo, despite her kindness,

UP..

is-imperious.

Wo

must not miss that last train"

And yet we very nearly miss ed It. Having forgotten streets of frozen mud, and the crush of vehicles under blue, sputtering "Precisely!" She nodded her are-lamps we arrived at Water- head towards the servant,

loo only just in time. "Charles has sent Trepley to London

bo with a letter," to delivered by hand, and I am ita not even suffered to know contents."

the

"Sorry, miss," observed little man, gruffly but deferenti-

"That's orders."

an

For the first time I noted that Trepley, who was dressed more

than like

aman- a groom

pressed Eervant, jealously envelope Bat between his hands someone one as though he feared might snatch it away. His pale

the mutton cyes, framed in chop whiskers, moved slowly round the room. Sherlock Holmes advanced towards him, "You will be good enough lo show me that envelope, my man," ho

said,

I have often remarked that a stupid person is the most dog- gedly loyal, Trepley's eyes were almost those of a fanatic.

"Begging your pardon, sie, but I will not. I will do as I have been ordered, "come what

100

PRESENTLY,

the as

train emerged into open country, our dim-lit compartment took on greater quality of ecriness with cach click of the wheels. Holmes sat silent, bending slightly forward. I could his hawk-like profile, under the fore-and-aft cap, dear

-cut against the cold radiance of a full moon. It was nearly half- we alighted pest cleven when at a wayside station whose village had long been lightless and asleep.

Nothing stirred here. No dog barked. Near the station stood an open landau; without a clink of harness from the horses, Bolt upright sat the coachman, as motionless as the squat eld- erly lady who sat in the back of the landau, watching us

is not without wit. No sooner had he left Switzerland, than he must have divined that the false letter was a decoy to may!" trap him. But I lost him, "I tell you, man, this is no stontly as we approached, Where is he now? And be good time to hesitate. I don't wish enough to explain why you to read the letter, I wish mere should call him a scoundrel," jy to see the address

"I spoke, perhaps, in the heat front and the seal on the back. of the moment. Yet I cannot Quickly, now! It may mean your help disliking the fellow."

"Why?"

visitor I turned to my compan- becoming more observant at falling over him as he ripped "In one of doubtless exalted

ion with some asperity.

"I do feel, Holmes, that you hung over that poor young lady onming of the door he turned he bows too much! Ho makca

might have treated the young Miss: Forsythe, nor did I trust lady with more sympathy."

"Oh? Sets the wind in that either the too-handsome Charles Hendon or the enigmatic Lady quarter?"

Mayo.

"Holmes, for shame!" said I, flinging myself into my chair. "The affair is trivial, no doubt. But why you should have written a letter to this clock- brealding madman I cannot con- fecture."

Holmes leaned across and

master's life?"

on the

Miss Forsythe eagerly began to speak, but the elderly lady. who was wrapped in groy furs and had a good deal of nose,

hand to forestall her. raised

"Mr Sherlock Holmes7"

in a singularly doep and muflond volce, and this other gentleman,

I take it, is De

Watson, I

am Lady Mayo,"

or

sald

During the dreary week which followed, I occupied myself as best I might. I played billiards with Thurston, I smoked many pondered pipes of Ship's, and I

of over the notes in the case

Ono docs Mr Charles Headon.

some years E, stood at his desk, his back not associate for with Sherlock Holmes without towards me, and the Hght of than the green-shaded desk-lamp most. It seemed to me

sinister peril open envelopes, in a small pile position, a certain elaborateness some dark and

of correspondence.

At the of manner is permissible. But

She scrutinised us for a ma- ment with a pair of singularly scenes in public. He affects the

sharp and penetrating eyes. round, but his face fell.

Continental habit of addressing: Watson,

it is you. I had an English lady as 'madame,

he TREPLEY hesitated and moist- "Pray enter the landau," sho see Miss Forsythe intend of an hoped to

honest madam.

ened his lips. Gingerly, still continued. "You will find quite She is lato."

carriage-rugs. Holmes

it is all confoundedly gripping one corner of the en- a number "By heaven, Holmes! If un-England

velope, he held it out without Though I deplore the necessity those scoundrels have harmed

My

regarded mo releasing it. Holmes whistled of offering an open conveyance the young lady, I swear they strangely as though

"Come!" taken

sald

night, my 'conch- la on so cold shall answer to me!"

aback and was about to reply addressed to no less a persondge man's fondness for fast driv "Scoundrels?"

ing and she indicated the when we heard the clatter of a than Sir Charles Warren, the four-wheeler drawing up out Commissioner of Metropolitan driver, who hunched up his "has contrived to side our street-door, Less than Police. And the seair All Just shoulders, a minute later Colla Forsythe as I thought. You are engaged break the axle of the closed was in the room, followed by a to deliver this letter at once?" carriage. To the Hall Billingsl

"Yes, Mr Holmes,"

Make hastel" small hard-looking, dogged man in a bowler hat with a curly "Then off with you! But de- The whip cracked. With an swing of the reor brim. From his mutton-chop tain the four-wheeler, for the uneasy whiskers I deduced him to bo rest of us will want it present wheels, our landau was off at a Tropley, the manservant;

smart. pace along a narow road. Miss Forsythe's face was 2- He did not speak until Trepley bordered with spiky hedgerows "But I did not mind." .. mali glow with the cold. She wore a had clattered down the stairs, and skeleton troes.

upon Him.

Lady "Mayo,- "Looldadry, Mr. I am a dainty mull, kol na carrion: 4: But the old feverishness

very old "And now, Watson, you might Holmos! "Me Holmes" aho burst out. without preamble. "Charles is just look up the traina in woman. My youth was a time of and fast live in England!"

Bradshaw. Are you armed?" fast driv So I had already supposed. "My stick

im it alen a "For And where le ha?"

I

"I refer to Mr Charles Hen- laid his long, thin fore-finger N Wednesday, November 28, don na much about gives an my wife returned with the to say na much about a woman, upon my knee.

"Watson, 1 wroto no such welcome nows that our fortunes to Lady Mayo as well."

The harsh, eager Lines of his letter"

were in better order and that I

tace, softened. should soon be able to buy "Good old Watson!" said he, ""What?" I exclaimed,

"Tut, it is not the first time small practice. Her homecom-

That "Always burying to the res my name has been borrowed by ing was a joyous one.

And others! There is devilry here, night, as we sat hand in hand cus of beauty in distress.

mado Watson, else I am much mis before the fire in our lodgings, a pretty hash you have tairen."

I told her something of the of it, upon occasion."

"Then I trust," I replied with "You take it seriously, then?" strange problem before me.

spoke, of Mise Toray the touch- dignity, that your own mission, ing on her parlous plight, and on on her youth and beauty and re- finement. My wife did not re- ply, but sat looking thought fully at the fire,

It u distant chime of.

was the Big Bon striking the half-hour after eight which roused me.

By Jove, Mary cried 11 had all but forgotten!"

"Torgotten? repeated my Miss Forsythe, you know my wife, swim.#ilight startade

the Copy that leave for

For

the

the Continent tonight."

"For

Iccess?" the Continent? Switzerland?"

"No, no; what have we to do with Switzerland? Que trall

you go?"

lies further afield."

Then where do

"Surely that is obvious

"My dear Holmes!"..

"Yet nearly all the data are

before you, and as I informed

methods. . Use" them, Watsonl Use them!

Continent

NTAL

"A touch, Watsont Pray for give my outburst of nerves. No, my mimion was not a success. It seemed to me that I had a

te, acortala drvet summon European city whose name you will readily infer. I went there, and returned in what I fancy is record time."

short fur.

ก

ly."

ho

ין".

Was

ance, I fear, it may

"At Groxton Low Hall. I prove inadequate." And he dying?" asked my friend. Such should have sent a telegram opened the left-hand drawer of a death, for instance, as may yesterday, save that Lady. Mayo the desk table. "Obilge: me by overtake our young friend forbade me to do so ispalipping thle into your greatson, tonight?!

Tool that "I am!". ; sald: pockets: A320 Wablay Holmes striding his fist upon Hey Now 2 cartridges them dowYou spoke off lovey As the light termed, My Handon,...... Watson, isolation think, Watsonits will barrel, diy le MAIN BEFOST AT Line o'clock to is as badly frightened man, kes you can with, the largem Foraythe, uiténe

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