1914-06-20 — Page 10

SHORT

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH.

FIRST EXTRA

STORY.

THE HEAD OF CAESAR, 'BY

GILBERT K. CHESTERTON.

[Admirers of Mr. Chester-consciousness of the fact that the ton's writings will find this a red-haired lady had left her own most interesting story. It is table and had sat down opposite one of the author's latest him. At last she leaned over and products, and has recently mid in a low, strong voice: appeared in Me.Clure's "Why do you say that? Magazine. It is one of the do you know it's false ?"

length and changeless continuity.

small one. There is a sort of mowa between two of the tall mansions, a mere slit like the crack of a deor by comparieon with the street, but just large enough to permit pigmy alc. house or eating-house, still

Any one passing the play on

How

HONGKONG, SATURDAY JUNE 20, 1914

ted. "This man, I think, wears sure you, but for the story; for

it because his real noes is so much nicer."

"But why?" she insisted.

noso,"

know.

He was

You eco, adam," be said

never go into such places from choice, except-”

"Well?" she repsited.

•

.

14

14

nost in his will.

?

►

two listeners. Bat

bess of a travelling bulles, it was the cause of a very curious

on most occasions) seemed to led soream that any man but "I can't tell you the sense of snap. He turned suddenly, Arthur must have heard. coincidence,

monstrosity and mitsole I had (saying, 'Go back. I can't talk to For it was not a thumb

any "One sommer afternoon, when when he thus eilently burst the you now.' And, as the man more than it was a snail. It was What is the nursery rhyme ?" I had promised to go shrimping barrier between land and water. hovered and opens his mouth, the tip of a crooked nose crushed observed Brown absent-mindedly along the sande with Philip; I wan as if he had walked Philip struck him a buffet on it against the glass. It looked There was a crooked man, and was waiting rather impatiently straight off a cliff and still that sont him flying from the top white with the pressure; and the he wont a orcoked mile. That in the front drawing-room, watch- marched steadily in mid-air.of the tallest sand-mill to the bot-atering face and eyes behind it mar, I fancy, has gone a very Arthur handle some packets of He was only walling his boote; tom. I saw him orawling oat were at fleet invisible and after- orooked road by following his coins he had just purchase and but he seemed to be a below, covered with send.

wards grey like a ghost, I slowly shunt them, one or two at demon disregarding a law of "This stroke comforted me, slammed the shutters together "Why, what's he done?" she a time, into his own dark study nature. He seemed to look so somehow, demanded. Father Brown quiet and museam, which was at the much at me alone as not to well

though it might somehow, rushed up to my rooin, increase my ly: "but I think you awuld sell back of the house. As soon as I notice the ocean. Philip was Bat Philip showed none of his as I passed, I could almost swear peril, and looked myself in. But, even me more about that than I can board, the heavy door close on some yarde away, with his back usual elation at his own prowess. I saw a second black window tell you."

bim finally, Imado a bolt for my to me, bending over his net. Though affectionate as ever, be with something on it that was her feat as if about to stride away; and wis just going to slip out, stood within two yards of me, the before I could ask him anything

The red-haired girl sprang to shrimping-net and tam-o'-shanter The stranger came ou till ho still seemed cast down; and, like a snail. then she sat down again.

"It might be best to go to "I will tell you everything,"

when I saw that my brother had water washing half way up to fully, he parted from me at hia Arthur, after all. If the thing

Then left one coin behind him, that his kness. she said,

he asid, own gate, with two remarks that was orawling close all round the except why I am lay gleaming on the long bench with a clearly modulated and struck me as strange. He said house like a cat, it might have telling you; and that I don't by the window. It was a bronze rather mincing articulation: that, all things considered, I purposes worse even than black. coin; and the colour, combined Would it discommode you ought to put the coin back in mail. My brother might cast me "Father Brown "`eorios.] He lifted his rather heavy isn't snobbery as well as what man nose and something in the with

"You look as if you know what with the exact curve of the Ro-to contribute elsewhere a coin the Collection; but that he him out and oarse me forever; bathe eyelids, which flustered in con- is; and when I say that ours is very lift of the long, wiry neck, superscription?"

somewhat different self would keep for the pre- was a gentleman and would There is somewhere in Bromp-siderable embarrassment, Bia

Bent.' And then he added, quite defond me on the spot. After ten good old family, you'll under-mide the bead of Queser on it the ton or Kensington, an intermin-ruminating eye roved to the girl's stand it is a necessary part of the almost precise portrait of Philip we nothing defaably abnormal ia back from Australia?***

With one exception, there irrelevaulty: You know tiles minutes' curious thinking, I went ble avenue of tall hours, rich light canvas sleeve, round the

dowa, knocked at the door, and story. Well, my same Christa Hawker. but largely empty, that looks like wrist of which ran a very slight bol Carstairs; and my father remembered Giles telling Philip were not really opaque, bat of and the gigantic shadow of the worst night.

Then I suddenly about him, Ha tinted glasses | The door of the tavern opened, then went in to see the last and a terrace of tombs. The very thread of artistic pattern-just was that Colonel Carstairs you've of a coin like him, and Philips blue kind common enough investigator Flambeau fell across steps up to the dark front doors enough to distinguish it from the probably heard of, who made the wishing he had it. Perhaps you nor were the eyes behind them the table. Father Brown pre- and he was obviously out. But seem as steep as the sides of working dress of a common famous Carstairs Collection of an

"My brother's chair was empty, to knock at a door, lest it should working dress of a lady art describe my father to you: the went round. It seemed to me lang or wild; but he looked es, mentioning his knowledge and with his hat still calently on his pyramide; and one would hesitate an and make it more, like the Roman coins, I could never though with which my head is dark beard was not really alight, persuasive style of speech-the man with the crooked nove

fancy the wild, foolish shifty, but regarded me ateadily. seated him to the lady in his own

was sitting waiting for his return, yet moore depressing. feature in food for thought in this; bat his earest I can say is that be was test if I could only run away rather hairy, basase the beard sympathy in such cases; and, head, and actually' reading one be opened by a mummy. But aiudent. He seemed to find much

very like a coin

as handsome and us like a wild sort of wedding-ring, just under the cheek bones. His girl was soon reiteraung her of my brother's books under my genuine and as valuable and as it would be a bond between us complexion was neither allow story to

brother's lamp. His face w The pilgrim walking down, it "from outside the place looks-metallic and as out-of-date. He for ever; I felt a thousand such nor livid, but, on the contrary, } Flambeau, as he bowed and sat composed and occupied, but his come to a break or a corner; but place; but ladies like you don'than of his cost-of-arma-nobody under me like the pit the enor- this gave a pink-and-white wax slip of paper. Brown accepted Deing the most mobile pat

ordinary character came out loing: above all, the unbearable know why rather increased the on it.

of had foe, as if it had ja t "Cab to Wagge, 379 tarned from left to right, like au elephant's proboscis. 1. bad He buil two thought, which was like touching horror. The only oddity one Mafeking Avenue, Putney," The Except an unfortunate few ons and one daughter: Feud iron, of what Arthur would could fix was that his nose, which girl was going on with herstory: thought him poisonous enough

quarrelled with one s who don't gin to drink milk.”

y think of it. A Carstairs a thief; was otherwise of a good shape,

while he was paraning and watch "I went up the steep street to "You are a most singular Australia on a anali allowance, treasure!

brother Giles, and sent him to and a thief of the Caretdice was just slightly turned aidsways my own house with my head to sing me; but I think his uncon- son," said the young lady. He then made a will leaving the could see me barned like a witch it had been tapped one side with when I came to the door-stop, on more frightful sill.

I believe my brother at the tip; ae if, when it was soft, whirl. It had not began to clear oneness of my presenca w us allowed by the rich to their "What is your object in as this?" stable servants, to stand in the "Not to trouble you about it," staire Collection, actually with for such a thing. But then, the a toy hammer. The thing was which I found a milk-cap-and "I think I esreamed loud and angle. There is something be replied, very gently. Only to brother Arthur. He meant it as crasity heigatened my old hatred not tell you what a living night-Thamilk-can told me the servants What I did next does matter: 1. yet smaller allowance, to my very thought of such fanatical hardly a deformity; yet I can. the man with the twisted nose. long; but that doesn't matter. cheery in its very dinginess, and arm myself with knowledge the highest honour he could offer. of his dingy old antiquarian mars it was to me. something free and elfu in its enough to help you, if ever you He left me practically all his fussiness and my longing for the there in the sunset-stained water, one to help me in the house, including a good deal in paper As he stood were all out. Then there was no gave him all the money I had, very insignificance..

freely ask my help."

But why should I need pretty large fortune; and I am youth and liberty that called to me he affected me as some hellish except my brother, whose help which, though it was mine, I

sure he meant it in contempt. a certain autumu evening, itsolf | help? "

from the sea. Nature and the Car-sea-munster just risen roaring must be my rain. In desperadaresay I had no right to touch. almost fairylike, might have scon He continued his monologue: well complain of this; bu: Arthur grips at last.

Arthur, you may say, might stairs Collection had come to out of a sea like blood. I don't tion, I thrust two shillings into He went off at last with hateful, a hand pall aside the red half- "You couldn't have come in is my father over again. Though

know why a touch on the noso the horrid thing's hand, and told tactful regrets, all in long words: blind which (along with some cause you were ill, or you'd have he had some differences with my staira Collection. As I ran down much. I think it seemed as if when l had thought it out. He every sense. And yet, I was saved Nature is older than the Car- should affect my imagination so him to call again in a few days, and I sat down, feeling rained in large white lettering) half hid spoken to the woman of the place, father in early youth, no sooner the streets to the sea, the coin he could move his nose like a went off sulking, bat more that very night by a pure accid the interior from the street, and who's obviously respectable. Be had he taken over the Collection clenched tight in my fist, I felt finger. And as if he had just sheepishly than I had expected: eat. Arthur had gone off sad- a face peer out not unlike a sides, you don't look ill, only un-than he became like a pagan all the Roman Empire on my that moment moved it. rather innocent goblin's. It was, happy. This street is the only priest dedicated to a temple, Ee back as well as the Carstairs

perhaps he had been shaken by denly to London, as he so often in fact, the face of one with the original long lane that has no acted as if Roman money must pedigree. And yet, my

"Aay little assistance, be his fall.

did, for bargains; and roturaed, harmless human name of Brown, turning; and the houses on both be guarded by all the Roman rose higher and higher, like a priggish accent, that may obviate myself some tes, and tried to secured a treasure that was an heart continued, with the same queer, "Then I let myself in, made Inte but radiant, having nearly formerly priest of Cobhole in sides are shut up. I could only virtues. Essex and now working in Lon- suppose that you seen somebody he spent nothing on himself; he loose, dry sand-bills and to the Then it rushed over me that the garden. But I was too dis bargain might still miss fire any He took no pleasures; child's kite, until I came over the the necessity of my communicat-think it out. Isat at the draw- added spendour ever to the don. His friend Flambero, a coining whom you didn't want to lived for the Collection. Often he fat wet sands; where Philip

with the family.'

ing-room window looking on to family Collection. Because the semi-olicial investigator, was eit meet, and found that the public would not trouble to dress for his stood, already up to his ankles in I was being blackmailed for the tracted and dreamy to look at moment, he insisted on my pack ting" opposite him, making his house was the only shelter in this simple meals, but potterad about the shallow shining water some theit of the bronze piece; and the lawns with any concentration, ing at once and going up with last notes on a case he had wilderness of stone. I don't cleared up in the neighbouraood. think I went beyond the licence among the corded brownpaper hundred yards out to ass. There all my merely superstitions fears so 1 took the shook the more him to lodgings he had already They were sitting at sinall of a stranger in glancing at the parcela (which no one else was was a great red sunset, and the and doubts were swallowed up in sharply because I'd seen it so taken in Falham, to be near the table, close up to the window, only man who passed immediate dressing-gown. With his pale, like a lake of ruby flame. It was question: How could he have

allowed to touch) in an old brown long stretch of low water was 008 overpowering practical slowly.

curio shop la question. Thus, when the priest pulled back ly after; and as I thought he thin, refined face, he looked like not till I had torn off my shoes found out?

"The man or monster I'd sent in spite of myself, I fled from my the curtain and looked out. He looked like the wrong sort, and an old ascetic monk. Every now and stockings and waded to thing auddenly and on impulso. the middle of the garden. He but from Philip alao.

I had stolen the sway was standing quite still in for almost in the dead of night- waited till a stranger in the street you looked like the right sort, I had passed the window before he hold myself ready to help if he

and then, though, he would where he stood, which was well I was certainly alone. I had not, stood with his face towards me: "My brother was often at the lot the curtain fall into its place aunoyed you. That is all.

appear dressed" like a decidedly axay from the dry land, that I to all appearance, been followed and I can't tell you how horrid he South Kensington Museum, and, again. Then his round eyes for my friend, he'll be back soon was only when he went up to the were quite alone in a circle of sea, could not X-ray the coin in my those tall, gaady flowers. It secondary life for myself, I paid fashionable gentleman: but that turned and looked round. We in the street; and, if I had, they looked among the tulips and all in order to make some sort of strayed to the next table, at which and he certainly can't find out London sales or shops to make an water and wet sand; I gave him closed hand. The man standing looked as if we'd stuck up a wax for a few lessons at the art schools. sat only a navy, with beer and anything by ssumping down addition to the Carstairs Collec- the head of Qaesar. cheese, and a young girl with red road like this-I didn't think he tion.

on the sand-bills could not pos-work instead of a statue in the I was coming back from one this bair and a glass of milk. Then could.".

"At the very instant I had a sibly have seen what I give centre of our garden,

evening, when I saw the abɔmina- (ecoing his friend put away the "Then why did you esnd him

"Now, if you've known any shook of fancy; that a man far Philip.

Yes, almost the instant he tion of desolation walking alive pocket-book) he said softly:

young people, you won't be away on the sand-hills was look- out?" she cried. She had the shocked if I pay that I got into ing at me intently. I must have Ask this man what he wants. turned and ran out of the garden and the rest is as this gentleman Philip!oried helplessly. saw me move in the window, he down the long, straight street; proud, impetuous face that g38 rather a low frame of mind with felt immediately after that it was with reddish colouring and a Ro-all this-I'm not like my brothers more leap of aureasonable at last from mending hie not, he stood open and by which he had

"When Philip lifted his head by the back garden gate, which has said. mau nose, as it did in Marie An Arthar; I can't help enjoying nerves: for the man was only a looked rather red, as if Bulky or undoubtedly entered. This re

"I've got only one thing to say. Flambeau looked up in surprise. toinette. ile looked at her steadily enjoyment. I got a lot of romance dark dot in the distance, and I ashamed; but it may have been newed timidity on his part was so it is just it ought to have hap I don't question my punishment; But the girl with the red hair for the first time, and exid: also looked up, and with some- "Because I hoped you would hair from the other side of the was standing quite still and the red evening light; He which he had walked into the sea bursting brains, how it can and rubbish where I got my red could only just see that be only the exertion of stooping and different from the impudence with peas. But I still question, with thing that was stronger than speak to me." astonishment.

She looked back at him for

family.

gazing, with his head a little merely said gruffly to the man, that I felt vaguely comforted. I bave happened. Am I pan- "The man with the false some time with a heated face, in of the story. I think a man as earthly logical evidence that be motioning me to follow, set off confronting Arthar more than I anyone but Philip and myself "I come now to the ally part on one side. There was no You clear out of this; and, fancied, perhaps, that he feared ished by miracle? Or how can 11088!"

repeated Flambeau. which hung a red shadow of "Who's be?

anger; thes, despite her anxieties, of thing that would relieve the have been looking at a ship, or ing farther attention to him at last, and had a quiet dinner the middle of the sea

clever as you can guess the sort was looking at me; he might wading shoreward without pay- knew. Anyhow, I settled down know I gave him a tiny coin in "I haven't a'notion," answered humour broke out of her eyes Father Brown; "I want you to and the corners of her mouth, and monotony for a girl of seventeen the sunset, or the sea-galls, or at He stepped on to a stone bresk alone (for it was against the rules is an extraordinary pro- find out. 1 set it as a favour. she answered almost grimly lived then at a little seaside strayed here and there on the the roots of the sandhilla and so rearranging the museum), and Not so extraordinary as the

placed in such a position, We any of the people who still water that ran out from among to disturb Arthur when he was blem," admitted Flambeau, He went down there," and he "Well, if you're so keen on my watering-place in South Wales, shore between us. Nevertheless, struck homeward; perhaps think was looking blankly, but rather answer," remarked Father Brown, jerked his

thumb over his conversation, perhaps you'll on and a retired sea-captain living as I gazed, he started walking ing our inoubus would find it pleasantly than otherwise, at rather gloomily. "Miss Carstairs, shoulder in one of his undistin.swer my question. After a few doors off had a 501 about briskly in a bee-line towards a less easy to walk on such rough another window, andurtained, will you be at home if we call at guished gestures," and can't pause she added: "I had the five years older than myself, who across the wide wet sands. As stones, green and slippery with but by this time black as a slate your Fulham place in an hour have passed three lamp-poe te yet. honour to ask you why you had tsen a friend of Giles before he drew nearer and nearer, I saw seaweed, than we, who were with the final nightfall. It seam- and a half hence? I only want to know the thought the mun's nose was false." direction."

The wax always spots like he went to the Colonies. Philip that he was dark and bearded and young and used to it. But my pered to me that something like The girl looked at him, and Flambeau gazed at his friend that, just a little in this weather," Hawker and I used to goshrimp that his eyes were marked with secutor walked as daintily as he a snail was or the outside then rose and put on her glovea. with an expression between per answered Father Brown, withing together, and said and dark spectacles. He was dressed talked and he still followed me, of the window-pane. But, Yes," she said, "I'll be thers"; plexity and amusement; and entire simplicity.

thought we were in love with poorly but respzotably in black, picking his way and picking his when I stared harder, it was and almost instantly left the place, then, rising from the table,

"But it's such a crooked nose," said he was, and I certainly head to the solid black boote detestable voice opposling to me on the pane: It had that curled were still talking of the master an each other: at least, he certainly from the old black top-hat on his phrases I heard his delicate, more like a man'a thumb pressed the detective and the priest squeezed bie huge form out of remonstrated the red-haired girl. thought I was. If I tell you be on his feet. In spite of these, over my shoulder, until at last, look that a thumb has. With my they drew near to the Fulham the little door of the tavern. The priest smiled in his tara hac bronze, curly hair and a be walked straight into the sea when we had created the sand fear and courage reawakened house that night.

Father Brown took a small " I don't say it's the

falconish sort of face, bronzed by without a flash of hesitation, and hills, Philip's patience (which together, I rushed at the window (To to Continued next Saturday) book out of his pocket and began sort of nose one

the sea, it's not for his sake, I came on at me with the steadi- was by no means so conspicuous and then recoiled with a strang!

"If you've got ten minutes, I wish you'd follow that man with the falsa nose.'

As

would wear

to read steadily; he betrayed no out of mere foppery," he admit

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