1955-04-16 — Page 8

DID IT HAPPEN?

-N travelling home from Florence it is usual tò go to Pisa, and there change on to the Rome"Express. In fact, there is (or was) through coach from Florence, but you will be told that it is reserved for diplomats.

Too much notice should not be taken of this. Practically every seat in an Italian train is always reserved for diplomats or senators or men who lost a limb in the war or somebody. But very few of them ever seem to travel much, and personally I have never found the through coach from Florence so crowded with diplomats that it. could not accommodate me.

On the articular occasion of which I speak, it also accom modated Miss Bradley, who certainly did not look like a diplomat. She looked more like an out-of-work governess, and I only noticed her when passing down the corridor, because of her really remarkable plainness. She was a rather large, clumsy, crumpled-looking woman. of about 85, with a big, red nose. and steel-rimmed spectacles; and she had one of those unpleasant skin troubles which had covered her face with pimples. It is an essential part of this story that I really very much disliked looking at Miss Bradley.

It is equally an essential part of the story that later on, when I went to the dining car, Miss Bradley was already seated, and the attendant placed me opposite her.

Meals on the Rome Ex- press take a long time. This one seemed to go on for ever, and I could not help noticing that Miss Bradley made very heavy weather of it.

She-blushed

IF you are English, it is practically impossible ta speak Italian or French on these occasions, because the waiters are anxious to prac - tise their English on you. The waiter who served us spoke quite good. English. Yet Miss Bradley insisted on crdering her food in un believably bad schoolgirl

THE CHINA MAIL, SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 1955.

She was standing there saying “ Porter—1” rather feebly.

DOVER INCIDENT

U by SITE DE ARASIN

Nigel Balchin

Buste

man,

time "bal- fin" and best-selling

(The Smal?" Back Raam, Mine Own

porters was dividing round her and passing her by, like water dividing past a rock, in search of more pros-

· French, blushing to the perous-looking clients.. eyes as she did so, and obviously in agonies of embarrassment.

It was at this point that I positively thrust myself on Miss Bradley.

I

FIRST of ■ BUW series of

sterios hy famous, authors to

keep you gHURINE"

manner which Customs examin- tases.

asked him rather STS must practise night and irritably what he had been doing, „morning, and mid, "This is all

"It was her, he said briefly. yours?'

'Miss Bradley? Well, where is she and where's her luggage?"

he

I was not quite sure whether was addressing ine, or me and Miss Bradley, who was At hame she was a clerk in an standing slightly behind me, and insurance office. The work was it was on the tip of my tongue quite interesting, but travelling to say "Yes" for both of us. But to, and from the office was tiring, suddenly

worst the

bits of I do not suggest that any of snobbery in my nature rose to this in itself was more the surface at being asked to boring than most small tolk, but acknowledge those grotesque and somehow Miss Bradley contrived bulging old cardboard suitcase to make it so.

"with their wrappings of string, and I replied. "Well-mine and this lady's."

1 reflected that I should cer- tainly have to ace Miss Bradley safely of the boat at Dover and on to her train, and after that there would be no reason, short of rudeness, why we should not

travel to London together. That meant a solid four hours of it. T

My resources in gentleman-..

I had the greatest

I am quite sure that had difficulty in understanding what she said myself, and she been an even moderately the waiter soon gave it up attractive woman I should and brought her whatever not have done it. But, she myself I went along to the

''Next stop'

So ugly

even more

that what she wanted was My porter, without Calais Maritimne.

lines and Christianity were not equal to the prospect, so excus- Booking cffice on board the boat and booked myself a seat on the

shy conversation.

MONDAY:

Did it really bappen... ta

HANNOND

MNES ?

To the right

"But

HE examiner said,

you're together?"

"For the moment,” I said rather foolishly, smiling at Miss Bradley. I had a feeling that by disclaiming her luggage. I might have mart her feelings.

"Yes," said the Customs man patiently. "But are you travel. ling together? Is this, your joint luggage?"

"She's

The deplorable part of this story is that had I only been a nicer, kinder and more patient person, and really set out to see Miss Bradley sately to London, or had not been too snobbish to alim ber luggage as mine, it would almost certainly have been casually passed with mine or, i

It had been opener, I should have had Some

remarkably awkward explaining to do. Ia fact, I seem to have fun out of Christion charity and reverted to, my normal nature just about in time. But I have aften wondered whether when Miss Bradley stood so forlornly on the platform ut Calais she had already selected me as the person to come to her reset, Ur whether she was just quietly confident that somebody would,

Looking back I am fairly sure that she selected me, though exactly how. I have never been clear. I am quite sure she never made the slightest move to make my acquaintanca, But then a conjuror can spread out 52 cards in front of you and make you draw the 10 of diamonds when you are quite sure that the choice was entirely your oWIL

WORLD COPYRIGHT RESERVED

THE MAN WHO MAKES NEWS

By

BERNARD RONALD

HO is. Italy's most popular personality

WHO

Milan.. No,

you are wrong.....it's not Gina Lollobrigida, Silvana Pampanini or any other glamour girl from Rome's Hollywood-on-Tiber.

Nor is it Premier Mario Scelba, for politicians are as likely to earn boos as bouquets in this post-Mussolini age of free speech for hecklers..

The idol of Italy has definitely no sex appeal, though signorinas swang around him and fight to get his autograph. He lacks the gift of the gab, yet invitations to speak at dinners up and down the country pour into his day.

home every

His name la Fausto

Coppi, and it is a name that is chalked on tens of thousands of walls. A name that starts fights if anyone is as unwise as to criticise him. A name that even Lollobrigida cannot compete with as a drawing card for millions line the roads to cheer him and, theu- sands more climb bleak mountain passes to get a ten-second glimpse of him.

What's his line? Riding a bicycle --- and getting paid over £20,000 a year for his penalling.

Fausto is, as he himself admits, no glamour boy. But when he is riding in a race, all Italy stops to hear the special radio news fashes giving his position at the various stages.

Cycling is more than Italy's national sport-it is a fever that makes every man, woman, boy and girl run a tempera- pure. Coppl is the national hern. And the los and outs of his form play havoc with Latin emotions.

Coppi can out-pedal any road-racing cyclist in the world. And the Italians know it. When he rocketed away from the opposition to win the 1953 world championship by over eeven minutes, fans

got se hysterical that Fausto had to have special police protection for a week.

What there is in his scraway, bony-kneed legs that him up the stiffest mountain climb way ahead. of everybody else is a secret, that baffles scientists as well as his opponents.

NOW, did Nigel Balchin make this story upor did it really

shoots him still there," said the happen to him? Make a note bey grimly. "And will be for whether you think story No. 1 is some time, I reckon. Going FACT or FICTION and compare through her proper."

with the anawer on Monday. "But why?"

Well, they'd found forts watches when I came away and that was only the start, so I thought maybe you wouldn't want me to wait."

By

DID IT REALLY ́ ́HAFFEN?' No. 1: Dover incident

YES

JOHN HYNAM

NO

STRICTLY IN

A

He has those legs instired for a fortune. They are the most famous legs Italy has ever known. They interest the Latins far more than the legs of any Roman film star Songwriters may tell us that "It's a woman's world” but this does not apply to Italy.

Every Italian is Coppi-conscious. signorinas too.

+

CONFIDENCE

deal

and carefully, as though talang make the most of a petit nothing like this in Caen."

"Ah!" said Armand to in-

"What

as a present, and Miss Bradley's examiner ignored me. He was un two pieces of ancient cardboard already X-raying the man on the

Normally, passengers for the right. Golden Arrow are dealt with by

A prod

answer ite came in

The telephone crackled with

the words coming from the

other end.

ના

maq.

An

ar-

The signoras and

SATURDAY SHORT STORY

"But,

I have won?”

of

a spoke in

he had at hand. One was was so grotesquely ugly, and forced to conclude that Miss she looked so forlorn and Golden Arrow, Bradley was not only helpless standing there with

Miss Bradley was travelling by

RMAND GRISSAC, LARGE. STATEMENT FROM story with an easy charm, “was pathetically ugly but pathe. her luggage tied together the ordinary ban was this

proprietor of Le THE PRESIDENT OF THE a temporary loam to tide him with string, bleating would mean that we should part

over until today. Then he tically shy and stupid also. "Porter!" that my heart at Dover. I went back to bliss

Magot Vert, peered BANK OF FRANCE." "Well, no. Not exactly. We're

out at the man sit Grissac, at his most courteous.

"Good day M'sieu." This was ranged to meet you here and to

"Two cognacs!" commanded repay the loan." I think we may have ex- smote me-a thing which it Bradley, who told me about the flat in Balbam that she shared

just sharing a porter,"

ting at the table at the end

Laroche, "Big ones. Ah, my dear" "Good day,

M'sicur Je The eyes of the other man friend, how can I thank you.... changed half a dozen words seldom does.

with another girl from the office. which

"Then if you'll point out

terrace, The patron. What a fine little cafe opened in wide astonishment. at dinner, when passing one

Armand did not hear the rest It was quite nice and only five said the examiner very slowly man certainly knew how to you have here.

are your things, sir," of the little

They have "But Msieur, he exclaimed, of his words, but he knew the another the sugar or the

minutes' walk from the buses

"how could you know that?” way, this one went. Well, this bread. It is difficult to dine

with bock.

Name of a pipe! thought Ar- was where he We reached. Dover

child, "I'l withour to a

put a judge of mand, but It goes smoothly. their wheel. He went to A interminably opposite some-

incident 35d without inter them"

"Three hours!" he growled character I am! A. Norman I How old do they think I am? drawer behind the

the zinc-covered body without a few polite APPROACHED Missruption of Miss Bradley's flow of

1 pointed my cases out. 1 bad to Gustav, his orly waiter. said to Guaster, and I was He addressed the bewildered bar, and extracted some notes of monosyllables.

I But they

nothing to declars, and declared "But for three hours does right, Bradley, and beaming at

denominations. latge

Then, were certainly all we ex:

I hired on it. Without asking me to open this type sit there, and read

"M'steu is waiting for scane- "I am Afty-five years old," carrying the drinks he returned. changed, and after we left her with a warm and plea-

of the crew to them, the examiner chalked the

ope?" enquired Grissac, "M'sieu he said, and in that time I have to the terrace, and placed them sant sense of Christian

carry our lug cases and then, instead of mov- our papers and smoke, and has been here a long time," he been to many places, seen many before the two. The Norman the dining car, I did not see

gage, which ing to my left and dealing with look up and down the street added meaningly.

things. Above all, I know a greeted him boisterously. Miss Bradley again until we virtue, said: "My porter has

consisted of a barrow. If you would care

Miss Bradley, moved rather like a lost dog."

The paysan did not seem to confidence trick when I see one. "Well, patron, I have told of reached Calais.

two rather for him to put your cases on

Gustare vas about, to venting notice the hint in the last re-. And you, M'sieur, have been a your wager, Do you agree that pointedly to the right, and be- snobbish-look-, came involved in a man whose

mark. It seemed to Armand victim of one." it too?" Miss Bradley

a remark, when the telephone that the man was troubled; he ing and im luggage took up a solid seven

**You mean...." turned and looked at me.

convenient feet of counter.

and Grissac went rang

sat there in the bright sunshine, "I mean that you will never The conversation addling with his glass.

course," replied raw hide suit-

Miss Bradley sald "Oh

see your fine Monsieur Laroche Grissac. He was chuckling in- She was even more

CASES which dear-

scraps to the waiter, I started to but it scunded pretty sharp. "mildly.

"Yes,"

the came

hesitant again, How much did you lend wardly. They still thought they had once say:

"Look-could you do the

reply, "I am waiting for a hím?”

were the great confidence trick- "....I tell you was then trying very repulsively ugly than I had SHE

bean given me lady's, too, so that but the

I have no Hard to get out at Calais thought, and her blush made

fear. It can be done. Even if gentleman, A gentleman," he

"Seventeen thousand francs; sters, at a thousand francs a But I am sure repeated impressively.

that you are time! I burn them....." Ville,, where the train had her acne

wrong, His manner, his whole Laroche said: "My friend here stopped for a moment, and sightly. She said: "Oh

superb, bearing, was

ex was betting on a certainty, you the cart attendant was try. thank you. It is very kind

major of Spahis.....

know." Armand nodded seriously, his the Customs first, as the train

"He told you that?" A sigh ing equally hard to explain of you.

"Ah!" stopped Armand, three chains and the waggling of came from Armand and he leaves 20 minutes before the or-

„ferme ta gucule!" And he his fine moustache adding dignity shook his head and closed his great dinary boat train. When the

slained down the receiver. He to his gesture of understanding enthusiasm, added her luggage boy asked if we were going on

His keen brain behind

"Grissac shrugged. He smiled a rejoinni Gustav,

"Ah, yes. A gentleman. They those eyes was working along bit to show that he could take to mine, and in a few minutes the Golden Arrow, 1 hesitated THE boy swung my cases off "What is he doing now?" This time, I positively we found ourselves on board the and then said. "Yes.".

rare these days. You are different lines, however. He was a loss, and then he asked the "counter. More were The miserly customer put sure that he is a gentleman?" -SUKO that this was spoke to Miss Bradley.

the old diffidently: "Could either of you Channel ferry,

promptly dumped in the space down his paper. our juzgage It was too complicated to

of course. He dressed routine: in that case...

gentlemen oblige me with some said, "It's the next stop. slowed side by side, and Miss explain that one of us water and and her owner gave me a stated

"Ah, ha!" said the proprietor, so exquisitely that there was no "I tell you, he repeated with thousand trane notes for these prod. in the back. I hesitated This is Calais Town." And Bradley and myself naturally one of us wasn't, and anyhow it for manmcnt, but thers did not uning his paucis in reflective doubt; and his cultured accent great emphasis, that you will of five thousand? This business Miss Bradley said, "Oh, I showed side by side also. would get Miss Bradley through seem to be much point in stand- should say,

country type, I and his charm. Oh yes, I can not see this swindler again." of change is a constant problem.” A Norman, by the assure you, M'sieur le patron, Thank

the Customs quickly. Now that you,"

there waiting for Miss I hope it will be agreed that I was going to get away from Bradley

Mway he throws his money there is no

Laroche offered to do so, and mistake, Monsieur blushed..

up to this point 1 had acted like her, some fragment of my warm- to part, as I said, "Well, I investigate this. Where does he man

when we were about about

going to Laroche was indeed a gentle-

counted out twenty-five thou- The man from Normandy rose. sand one franc notes for the ive And then when we reached a Christian and a gentleman, if heartedness, and sense of respon- good-bye now and go and and think he is in the garden of was and a man of honour, I

"Have a care sir," he replied, bills presented by Armand Then Calais Maritime,

perhaps, at no great personal sibility for Miss Bradley was my train. I expect he'll come his maternal aunt?"

proud to

make his ac- 41 would stake all I have that they left. The money in his hand inconvenience. I returning. sacrifice "and

The brek and do you next,

quaintance.** acquaintance really began,

this Monsieur Laroche will meet Geissac scooted to his telephone say I hope it will be agreed,

Again Armand used his por- me here and repay the loan. In He must tell the Artist that and it began purely on my because there is no doubt that

porter will stay and bring our

fendous nod.

•fact.....

"I will the first lot were gone now, and initiative. There were from this point onward my more Customs Hall I explained care. luggage up to the trains when

you're through. Good-bye”

"May I be so bold is to eager you plenty of porters, and I usual and deplorable qualities fully to her that my train ten

betore hers,

"Done!" Miss Bradley said "Obman with practised deference, long standing?" (Why was ho

cried hailed one from the window began to take control.

Before the boat had been see her through the Customs; the good-bye and thank you so One had to be polite unul one standing here bandying words by. Why should he not be dialled the number and waited of the train without

under way

for 10 minutes 1 boy would then take the luggage much." We shook hands and I was sure. The man was ́ some-

country cod, he prompt, indeed? Did he not He caressed the bundle of poten difficulty. But as I alighted realised that Miss Bradley, quite to our respective trains, and she left with some relief, mixed with where between forty-five and wondered?).

know all the fine points of the I saw Miss Bradley standing apart from her physical haud could sit comfortably in hers a feeling that

till departed. Miss Bradley slightly rude.

I was, being fity, clad in ill-fting clothe no. It was but two days this comedy? He dived his hand thousand forgeries gone now! part be was expected to play in his hand All the flye on the platform. She had caps; was a really notable bore. said "Oh, thank

that were obviously the product.

at distributor, he wäst two large very old fibre suit-Shyly and hesitantly,

He would selection of small I found my seat in the Golden of some country tailor, and one 980, in the Jardin des Plantes. I in his pocket and produced a He would show what a good absolute persistence,

am here on holiday,you see. He

and grubby cases, one of which seemed about nothing and made no

began to read. who was not particularly good was looking

sad and the laid the money on

counting off The boy, of course, had dump. Twenty minutes later I suddenly at his trade. He had a town, miserable when I met him, and

ot show.. the right to be held together by thick worth-while comment on it. ed our suitcases together on the realised that the train was due lined face,

ack a slow and suon

table. His companion pro-

He stared at the hotel ta string.

I learned that she had been in counter, and Miss Bradley and I to leave in five minutes and that watery eye.

we were in conversation the He looked up. I pressed him to tell me the Kin

note for a thousand sudden frenzy. He dropped the She was standing there Italy a fortnight visiting her went, and stood before them. In the porter had still not brought Armand, laying down his paper

trancs, and fr his Satcow,

and,

it beside receiver, he was holding and. sister, who was married to an de course the Customs examiner my luggage. I was just setting as he did so.

put at saying 'Porter" rather Italian. Sine had never been out reached us, looted at the four off to look for him when hofthe

rughed, fearfule, to the Hohtë, Armand caught length, after much persianfon Armer's stake. feebly, and the stream of of England before.

"Whom shall we have to hold Yes, no, YES! These were for "COUNTER- 1 dia so. It was a terrible suitcases in that human X-ray appeared, panting, with my sit-FEITERS STILL AT.

the money of this little wager?" geries, too! So he had made no story of disaster after daily astoed the proprietor of Le proft our of the two swindlers disaster, woe upon woe, I as Magot Vert "I know that my after all!- sure you, M'siew, that I wept money is safe, but at the same great tears of compassion. for time I think we should do this this poor unfortunate gentleman." thing properly."

see.

J

and

our

JOHNNY HAZARD

}AS JOHNNY'S MOMENTUM CARRIES {HIM OUT INTO. SPACE, HE REACHES

OUT DESPERATELY...

As we went towards the

but with she talked

mach"

AND JUST GRABS “A FINGER TIP

HOLD ON THE OPPOSITE LEDGE!

.

but that I would

7cu very

AITON and

By Frank Robbins.

***

I

Grisenc went out on to the terrace,

and

headline,

are

*Bat

gyes.

Lining rancs that he could do with some mista.

int at

orce.

He wriggled with

approached the quire if he is an acquaintance of that he will be rissac prompt delight and impatience, as he

his situation calls for a

San

Miguel

with this

reason

very

Q

There was a movement' near, At this point a third figure him and a gline of metal. He joined them. A tall, handsome looked up and found", bimselź Little bells were beginning to man, soldierly of bearing imma gazing down the barret of an ring in the far corners of the culately dressed. He took the automatic, held unwaveringly brain of Armand Grissac, he bands of the countryman in his in the delicate hand of M. was an astute man, and yet he "My dear, dear fellow he Laroche

Been

had listened thus far and had tried show desolated I am that convinced. This was a should have kept you waiting

peasant from Caen Įgenildə Norman peasant to so long. Can you, will you for- stepped forward and clicked, a whom he was talking or was give me?

pair of hazicuffs over Grissa's

Mad Monsieur Laroche! The

· “Happily. ** * continued the

turned. countrymen countryman, his family fortunes who looked astounded U to Armany bad turned, the corner at last.

Detective Inspe gue of the Surete

him,

In two days, he said, the wille He was expected to look Gastounded. Ventra bien! Did thin of an old uncle in Meroces pair think he was born yester would be cleared up, and he day? He watched Larache - seat would be quite solvent again ilmselt, produce a bulging note lend them you to acces din-

And mu be weeded cone case with a flourish, and coing treating

These confidence- talelor

partator

Armand taking up, the on his dros con

the other mYLETE)