1958-05-24 — Page 7

Page

ROLEX

THE CHINA MAIL, SATURDAY, MAY 24, 1958.

О

Disappointed

Hangman

by JOHN LUFF

tho

highlights of his macabre aside

JLA

"Only you and I can understand

this thing I do, Tho rope

shall join US for eternity.".

were

a faro

Two steps, and should

ha

ከሮ passed; that shudder that always came when the knot kit. career. He recalled how, as an prisoners would sit trembling the vletim felt

pinloned his In their cells; that the Gover- the flesh of the neck. assistant he had first case, and his stort of Bur- prise as the trap had leaped

His checks grow wan open.

that when

again he ved moment when a certain govez ror had complimented him upon his efficiency.-8e he passed the time, not unpleasantly, until the station was reached.

The journey to the counly town was quite short and Mr Crewle saw his assistant walt-

mine." He knew

no, unless he speelmen like the one who had pull the lever and release the Mr Crowie, would trap, or should he allow his praised

do it on this Crowle nasistant to "svold his cycs, Mr

Intoxicating atmo occasion? No. Two quick light seiffed the sphere. It etung the nostrils like steps, less than a second, a grip,

it wha as ex- a glimpse, and emstil siale incense;

A drug injected hilarating os Into the veins of a decadent aesthete; it was as airy as a vintage Champagne.

A knock, diffident in gesture,

founded on the door.

"Come in," said Mr Crowle in n kindly manner.

The Lines

For a moment a twingo of plly passed through his soul as He recalled the look of dis- appointment on his amistant' face when he met him at the

slation barrier. Never mind.

He stepped over to the lavor

舌

10

and tried the top. It fell. chicken-trariod governors, smoothly and easily, I sound rose and followed the officer."

Tomorrow The interview began in deadened by pads,

It would not be so, its dread most

S the clock of a Midlands town struck two, Creat the station barrier. He AS

the door of number twenty-two Kitchener did not fail to notice the as-

sistant's rather ungracious solu- A prison offer entered and Street opened and Mr Crawle stepped onto the tation but he jet it go, under- stood walling for Mr Crowie's the attention. Mr. Crewle looked up. street. He wore the dress he reserved for these standing, to some extent,

let him do a blt моте occasions, a well brushed bowler hat on his rather disappointment of the man. "I'll "16 all prepared?" he asked.

next large head, a drab Oxford-grey suit, the trousers une" thought Mr Crawle, "but

Frem now on, Mr Creelo's of which were a shade lighter than the coat and this moment waistcoat, and although it was warm, a dark grey explain to his nasistant the que lines would be suitable to the officer, his

He wore rather old fashioned ities of professional pride, for

the fellow was dull witted, at part he was to play, in this raglan overcoat.

д good drama, a vocabulary he had ne

the sensational boots which were highly polished and in his right his best he would be

technician but was altogether quired from hand he carried an attache case, the lock of which tacking in finesse, that quality iterature his children read. was apparently unsafe, for his first finger was which distinguishes the artist extended over the lid of the case.

Mr Crewle nodded, he de- plored this curiosity yet excused it in a sense the neighbour- hood had a legitimate interest in his departure on this

the casion. but somehow

-30

rumours

to

reached Mr

The Pace

home

It would be of no use trying to

from the artisan,

no stop

The warder nodded.

narrow

#

strange way.

stared directly

He

the

in10

ful thud would echo through Governor the prison, and would be the Mt Crewle's face. "I am pleased signal for this departure the to say," he began, "that we shall curtain fallen on an exquisha not be needing you this time," drama. He turned to the prison cue for his auxt no. "All is in under.”

The officer conducted the Hangman and his assistant to Mr Drewle's room. Now begna that most thrilling and Ex- quisite moment when he con-

upon

Mr Crowle felt an awful sen- sation as I all the blood hud been drained from his heart, He saw the Governor through a red mist;

the..

ho saw the Governor's month opening and closing but only overy other word could he hear. Reprieve; Medical: Evi-

The sickening red mist cleared aldered the physical peculiari dence; Home Secretary; and so on. before Mr Crewie's eyes. The ties at the condemned. The weight, the height, the nice pro- Governor pulled out his walch. Jurties of the rope where every late, you con stay lust inch allowed would depend night if you like, you and your.

weight, muscles, Rn3

man."

Stay the night? Mr Crewle thickness of neck.

His heart went out to the knew that he would rather die the night in this doomed man, there arose with- than spend In him a feeling of gratitude, he awful atmosphate. Even as he morning.

felt an insane impulse to seek signed the necessary document and out the murderer and talk to him and received his expenses he thus: "Only you and I of all the felt that dreadful relaxation go- of people here understand this

ing on all around him. Unless The rope shall join his Imagination talled him, he thing I do. us thus, you and I; the knol thought ho hoard a distant and shall He us together for eternity; whistlo coming the door for none shall understand us as we blithe breaker of regulations. his assistant, shall understand each other, you Nol it he walked the streets all

night, he would not stay here

so far with

and allowed the officer The Shock

from

some

He returned. to his room und picked up his case and threw Ju the odds and ends of his tollet materials and one or two personal objects of his office. is assistant, who had returned to his rough and ready beauty treatment, looked up.

"Come," said Mr. Crewle to Together they arrived at the his assistant and they followed

the ofcer prison goles, the assistant still a

into HIR appearance caused derer, he would back out and

hud the leave the store to his assistant little mulky. Mr Crowle Home excitement in

passage and stepped into would thus be able who

before, all room. No explanation was here twice operated street, for the curtains of maite his debut as a hangaan nonetheless he took

necessary and within a minute the windows of the adjoin-in his own right. Somehow without permission, In keeping it Crawle was observing un- with the finest traditions of alt observed the man who was lo houses were hastily these ing

rofessional consultants. curi. Crewle and put his back up.

They play the principal role opposite and aside drawn

next Crewle His professional pride was hurt,

were shown to their rooms and Mr faces followed his ho Hottcod ous

the questioning after washing themselves. sat Mr Crowle looked at his as street. faces of his follow workmen, he down to a col. Even now Mrxistant and said "right" progress down the

reference to although he knew the next part The lady at number twelve saw mon alancing over pint pots Crewle made no Limed her arrival at the when he went for his evening the case and his assistant, ro- of his journey, his sense

drink, he saw the women stop embering Mr Crewtes dislike etiquette permitted him to take door ነ Mr Crowle was gossiping when he turned into of any question about his plans no unprivileged steps.

made no enquiries, his way

The omeer returned passing, "I see you're off," his street on

TIDIA WORK. she said:

After eating they returned to dullfully opened Mr Crewle's room, and Mr Mr. Crewle and Crewle sat down to smoke his Although Mr Crowle knew the in the thrilling agony of death.

altempt any end I who travel did not His Injured pride was some est pipe of tobacco before the way ho

familiar movement. He stepped death and then return." repaired when he dreadful moment of tomorrow what approached his foreman, "Char- The action was almost ritualis ide

Mr

at Crewle gazed

his curious women robbed him of lie, I'll have to take a couple of te from the taking of the pipe to conduct him into the cham- on the harsh Ughts. "You're in ene hand and the tobacco in ber. He waited while the officer the digrily he felt was rightly days off next week."

assistant who was twisting his the other, the burning match and switched

was per- face before 1 small Yes, his memory

shaving his. By trade, Me Crewle was-doing It-then??!

Mr Crowle

pleased to the first cloud of smoke, all was then gazed around critically. a bricklayer's labourer bu; to-

"What's up?" he asked, entered, mirror and squeezing out black- The prisoner

Mr Crewle turned on him day and tomorrow he would be notice the look of horror and dedicated to all that was to fol-

therefore his assistant heads with his dirty fingernails. the foreman's low. And although Mr Crowle

savagely. "It's all of, that's working at his supplementary amazement

must hurry ahead, turn, sharp

"Here's the drop," be sold. profession, unyi his absence face. I'd sooner you than me knew that be would long for

left in that corner. and comic

The assistant jumped to life what's up: and I'm getting out,

now, wouldn't stay from work had been noticed by Crewle did not deign to reply circumstances

the foreman, Mr other smoke before the night

was out, he would under

Ho for his and started at Mr Crowlo up behind his man. He permit it.

Mr Crowle referred place." Mr Crowle macked his part would stand just inside obediently. Although the station was only

his Head and It into considerable excitement.

teu ninutes' walk

Mr eyed his assistant through the

this door and would move just to his greasy little exercise book bowler hat on from

cloud of smoke and

and cleared his throat. Some marched out in front of his he "He's doing it" had gone from

they in front of the condemned man

surprised adstant. He walked apart anti realised how far house to house with the spend of Crewle's house, and although le

He one knocked at the door, and halt Just at his side, a praitic fre. A few months the train did not leave

would, from that position, get strong arms steady knock. "Come in the office while ho Was signed out, then followed the brutal two-thirty-five, Mr Crewle left were in these things. a particularly

keeping with

of the doomed in." said Me Crewle. a side glimpse murder had taken place in the sharp at two in

man's eyes as he slipped the The prison officer entered. He escorting officer to the prisga next street but one and now the the timetable be had prepared

bag over his face. Then, while did not look at Mr Crewlo but gator. Out in the street his nerve lert him. he reeled murderer was to die and at the the night before. Mr Crowle con.

ne pulled the bay into position said. "You are to SEE the against the wall, all the hands of none other but Mr sidered it undignified to make

with his left hand his right Governor now.

strength gone from his body. any hurried movement on these Crewle of Kitchener Street,

would be left free to swing the Now? This was most unusual. He pulled himself together,

tile 'man's neck. Never before. Now

bad. he all Kitchener Street occasions. To run for a train and

fall panting into a third

re buttoned his coat, and stepped out towards the station Great knew that Hatcher tho mur- derer frequenied the same public Carriage would be positively in- to Death and Mr Crewlo Was He left band now being free ceived a summons at this hour.

and Probably the Governor was teurs began to fall down his steady It while he TILI the nervous type, anxious that face, his mouth was drawn with house as Mr Crewle, not that decent, thus it was he went his way in slow measured footsteps,

knot. In everything should bc over pain. One great tear fell upon they were friends for Mr

As was his custom when set

thimble against the

burst that position his knee could quickly. Well, Mr Crowle would his overcoat, and Crowle was rather an aloof ting out to keep his appointment

condemned touch the

man's not be flustered nor hastened by crystal fragments upon an over- with a fine sense of the with the condemned, Mr Crowle

that delicious any prison commission or coat button... dignity of his place in pubile allowed his mind to dwell upon ille, nevertheless, thought that knowing the mur-

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mate," said

was it

on

was

class

moment

110

Mr

This was the Crewle loved. The report that he was in the prison would now Soon all the pri-

and circulate,

the suners would know creadful hush would fail.

This was the moment sacred

vice-regent. Mr

s

Crewle

know that from now on unil he was gone, warders would talk in hoarse voices; that the verlest old tag would give no trouble; that men would leap

feet.

there,

nouse over

would

take the

log and foel ·

A

in

the

info

THE MEMORIES FILLED ST. PAUL'S

By DONALD EDGAR

There were shadows in St Paul's that day as the Queen walked up slowly to the new High Altar, proud, rich and lovely in its design, to present “a fair linen cloth” to cover it.

1

round in his formidablo

WAY

That day the Church was not and push that great noso into on assembly of shabby men some affair of "Boney's",

driving In pro-war cara or pedalling bicycles.

The Church was there in its majesty.

The great ones of the State were there....Prince Philip .....beside his wife, the Queen, Sum, erect, and handsome,

The Archbishop of Canter The Duches

Kent, as bury, Dr Fisher, mired and in, incredibly elegant as ever. Her pale green and cream, daughter, Princess Alexandra.

bf

The Princess Royal.

The Bishop of London, also mitred....the Canons, the Dean' Mr Macmillan, Lord Kilmuir, of St Paul's the Dean of for Lord Samuel, Mr Galtskell

digni Westminster...all tho taries of London....lo aky The ambassadors And, very blue, dark crimson, deep blue, important on this day, the High green and yellow.. Commissioners of the Dominions of the Empire.

With every step the Queen And thes0 meni who died They were not the

this glittering sacrificed themselves.... book shadows left between altar....which replaced the one seals which we believe pre

the Germans in those of Christ. the shafts of spring destroyed

the last war....with every step sunshine that came, de- the echoes of valiant courage

And whoever thought of this closer....repeated those thought well.

altar being in St Paul's also |licately. coloured, came through the windows.

great stories.

It was a splendid sight,

The congregation missed Sir There were humble men there For Bt Paul's became Canadians roddening the scar

Winston Churchill, the lion- too, men who had fought the They were the shadows off Dleppe.

Arcs of London...,men, who Canadians sweep. symbol of resistance in the last hearted of both warz, of 386,461 men in the Bri- Ing the Germans off the face war. The survival of her dome

of France, Australians blasher

beauty....and her It would have been good to tad protected the cathedral. tish Empire who died in cheming and praying as they traditions....was as much a have him there...the the survival of representative of the

[the two great wars of this threw Rommel out of Africa. miracle as

tortured century.

The echoes

They crowded the cathe

Australians tying in the murk Britain herself. of the jungle....along with Ir.dlans and Africans.

Thore

memories.

were

The great

KO many

The

ceremony

жда,

felt. their

Ilving great Britons who are menoried here ....not only Wellington, but Nelson, Gordon, Roberts, Kitchener, Jellicoe, Beatly. Lawrence of Arabia....all men who have "deserved well of symbolic of Christ their country." dral. They filled the min anal battle in the skies....10 Militant, It was not the galle Christ. It was not Christ the They were with the Queen, many from so many Dominions

curer of disease., her husband, Prince Philip, and Colonies. and tht great ones of the

land as they kneeled in prayer.

The pilots who fought

ndi

thosa

I

Ori

the

The voices

а

It was a morning and dedication to remember. And all done la' that fantastle. roma sance work of genious created by Christopher Wren

But

the

. The City was there in all its

And, so splendid, ie the now panoply... the Lord Mayor In It was

a dominant Christ Scarlet and ermine holding aloft high aliar with its baldacchino the pearl sword....the symbol or covering, of fantastic coluranı The Beaches strewn with the

...t galt....1ts angels polsed of the City's majesty which he of humanity accepting homage for

10% flight...its Dgure pliiful wreckage

of who had fought for Him.

had offered to the Queen when

Christ....that I think with the social

Wren ....the men

In himself would be plessed. They were uniformed soldiers she arrived earlier at dangerous joba. The man who They were such a vast con- disappeared entirely in a flash who exunded the Last Post oral Temple Bar.

eny case he didn't get round to course of those who have not

of shell.

the Rovellice. The calls sounded

The alderman, were in the designing the original altar, grown olk as those who are left-

a great boro in the vast apacts as They word

benches chols....sitting

all will grow old

apart from decorated by the miraculous Over 200,000 of them died taking part in the dedicallon of sigh and a great cry of joy.

In the new altar of St Paul's, The trumpets were sounding in the fent war.!.. AnZINY

as the Quess entered...they carvings of Grialing Gibbons, majesty, the glory, and the

Aldormeri

robes state, I shall remember in spuriol the barren fury of Gallipoll, Many did not worship our

Many did not belleve. flowed through the magnificent tried with fur. They could bearthly beauty" of the boys' Canadians,

Africans, God,

voices, ...rempte, · · removed;

Indian who

he organ fanfare have stopped out of a par was purely beautiful, and beautiful. died they Many would have laughed at splendour of the organ,

D5

Therer - Was

of the day. St Paul's itself was y pure, singing in memory of struggled to tho, mud

of the Ideals and areared at a com-

pliment that they had before the National Anthem....

those who died for this great" Western Ficon),

alawered the call".

that mingling of religion and consecrated, patriotism that only England The City Judges were there in Empire, the Russian Prayer And in this last war they

But hey did came again ta die in defence of Whoever thought of the Idea could make reasonable, that their lang wigs and black-Inced

"Glyo zest, O Christ, to Thy the great gowns....the City Marshal was the Idents of this

PETUNDAI VEIKhi Thy, minta: wher of remembering the dead of even the figures.of kingdoms.

those two wars in this, alter paintings of the dome soomed to. There in his scarlet, and brald: thought well.

came more to respeitarrow silds pain are Ho, niore sviride his horse, soerned to look day of the Optrots of Boglaid lasting #gr

South

So many died.

Island

So many who were young and Forlan allar is a sogno ot straight arid dipe.

the