1927-09-20 — Page 11

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A SERIAL STORY

A TALE OF ⚫ MYSTERY.

MY LADY:

By EDGAR WALLACE,

Author of "The Four Just Mon," "The Soorot Houso", &o.

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH,

JOHN MORLAY, who owns an telling me that term ended and that she was coming back to-day" enquiry agency, will not aid

Her manner towards him had JULIAN LESTER to find out

changed lusensibly. about the pretty

MARIE COUNTESS

FIOLI, whom John admires. John is subsequently employed by

the

MRS. CARAWOOD, guardian of the Countess, and her former nurse, to go about town with the girl as her protector. Meanwhile Julian has enlisted the

services of

JOE SALTER, a burglar whom he caught at his flat, and

MARTIN, a private enquiry agent, to spy on the Countess and Mrs. Carawood. Julian calls nt. Mrs. Carawond's shop, and meets FENNER, an eccentric earpen- ter who admires Mra. Carawood,

And

"Won't you sit down? Yes, sir, she's coming here. A friend of Hours, Mr. Morlay, is meeting her

Paddington."

Her keen eyes watched him as she spoke.

"I didn't know they were so well acquainted" he said carelessly "John is a friend of mine; he never mentioned her. And now that she's left school, Mrs. Carnwood, what are you going to do with her?".

SHANTUNG FAMINE

FEARED.

DRY SEASON AFFECTS PRODUCE.

THE BRIGAND PEST.

Choutsun, Shantung, Sept. 8. The missionaries of the English Baptist Mission in Shantung have all returned to their stations. The Shantung Christian University is in full swing. The foreign monibers of the staff have returned to work, from Tsingtao to Tsinan the coun- try is very quiet. South of Tainan military movements make travel difficult, but men of the Anglican and Presbyterian Missions are mak- ing prolonged visits to the stations, if war is kept out of Shantung there is a prospect that mission work may proceed normally.

TUESDAY,

MISSIONARIES BACK

AT POSTS.

THE WAR'S RAVAGES IN SHANTUNG.

DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.

Taining, Shantung, Aug. 28. After about five months absence from the city the members of the Presbyterian Mission are return- Dr. ing to their work here.. Semour, the physician in charge

Mr. Eames of the of the hospitale is back from Pei- taihe and evangelistic department is back from Tsingtao. Others' may" fol- low later.

Both

The foreign residences here had been sealed by the Tao Tai and were found in good shape and no- thing missing. No mission pro- perty was occupied by soldiers ex- cept the Boys' Primary School and the Women's Bible School. have now been vacated by soldiers. The pinces occupied were left in a althy condition, with equipment broken and scattered about in all directions. Some furniture as beds, tables, desks, etc. have been, car ried off. The Boys' High School was used as a Red Cross station and suffered no harm.

Unfortunately the area around Tsinan, extending for about one hundred miles in all directions, is facing famine conditions. Millet and corn are very poor indeed, and the bean crop is an absolute failure. Almost every farmer planted beans twice, some planted them three Again the steady glance.

times, following slight rains. But "Me do with her, sir? I can the season has been so dry that they The She is a have not come to fruition. only advise my lady.

We see evidence all about us great person and can do as the Shantung farmer depends so much likes, you know. It will be dif- on his bean crop, and with its fail- ferent now; she's a woman. Andure following several poor years, of the recent battle when 1,000 of Feng Yu-hsiang's cavalry at- HERMAN, a young man employ-

Our mission ed at the shop. and an abjeeyoung ladies aren't very anxious he is faced with starvation.

Further the taxes on the land tacked the city. even to take the advice of their admirer of the Countess Julian

oki nurses."

have been greater than the yield. compound was in the direct line learns to his atonishment that John Morlay has become a close advice, what would it be?"

"Bu suppose she did take your We hear of still another tax lumand of attack as they had evidently coming and the farmers say that located the Northern soldiers oc- The win- friend of the ladies

She eyed him steadily for the only happy person is he without cupying the property.

land: Then again the locust pest dows on the South side of our re- moment, and then:

has been prevalent and whilst thissidences have niany bullet holes. pest is partial in its favours, a tre- mendous number of farmers have suffered. Altogether the outlook

In some cases the bullets' have for the winter in this region is bad

Inside room for fantine conditions must prevail. passed through' an

www wall also. Bandits Abound.

Many windows in other build- Bandils are still numerous. Thereings have been smashed by burst- We which fell on our premises. hear that the Red Cross Society is reporting over 1.000 killed and wounded in the attack on the city. The figure is probably far too high. A nearer estimate would

CHAPTER VIII.

#

" should advise her to marry The news was indeed overpower-somebody she loved, sir, and no: ing. John Morlay had given an somebody who was after her for impression of pure disinterested-her money." ness, had spoken of Marie as a babe, and had been in a sense, slighting in his reference to her. Fioli, and there was a little pang Julian Lester was wise enough not in her heart, and a natural inclina- to pursue his enquiries, for Hotion towards tears, as that vital

Cheltenham lay behind Marie

Effects of Shell-fire,

man's diplomacy was patout. phase of her life receded with are thousands in the hill diging shells, quite a number of

Are

TID. called Seven Low. They are

to have

"Not exactly a friend," laughed Julian "but I may claim to be aner of a first-class carriage, a bandits is the delta of the Yellow

friend of the Countess Fioli."

Good lord! She "M' lady? does know some high ones, don't she?" said Herman, with uncon scious flattery.

the

"Mrs. Carawood is a very nice every revolution of the carriage trict led by a woman," he said, and the boy'a wheels. Marie had taken an early Black face glowed.

train, and she was travelling always a menace to the Kiac-chi "Nice? I should say she was alone: the mass of the girls who Railway. 80 forces They don't make any better.

were journeying to London having be kept to protect the line. Their you a friend of hers?"

arranged to leave by the college depredations among the hill villages special" She dat alone in a cor- are alarming. Another centre for River. They have their hiding dangerous places among marshes and there they keep their captives. These captives dare not attempt to escape, lest missing the path they are swallowed up in the treacherous muddy silt of the river. The bandits come up stream drag- ging their boats to the place they desire, whit till nightfall, then sally forth to some unsuspecting village. Captives and loot are then carried down stream on the fast flowing current to the marshes.

filled the

Lundle of newspapers by her side, and with no inelination to read the events of the previous day, or to ponder upon the beautiful ladies whose portraits and poses "You know her rather well, I

Illustrated pages of suppose?" asked Julian, and Her the fashionable weeklies. man did not detect the sarcasm.

As the train was ruaning into "Know my lady? I should say Gloucester she took a letter from I did! Why, Mrs. Carawood her bag and rend it, half smiling, brought her up in this shop when half frowning, at its unusual con- she was a little baby and I was tents. John Merlay she remem- a kid running errands. That was before Mrs. Carawood had allered well enough. He was a type these atores. Everybody round of man not likely to fade from the mind of susceptible girlhood. this neighbourhood knows m'lady,'

She She had remembered him after surprisingly. he added always comes here when she's in that brief introduction in a crowd- ed teashop. She remembered him more distinctly by reason of his "She doesn't live here?".

fugitive appearance in hall. She Herman nodded vigorously. "M'lady's goin' to have an apart-had wondered what had brought ment of her own, and a maid of him there, and the letter partly ex- her own too. But she always Flained. comes here when she's in London."

London."

p

T

be about 400.

Feng's troops appeared without The railway station' warning, yielded rich booty in the nature of $200,000 intended for payment of the Northern troops, and 300,000 rounds of ammunition. It is re ported that many local bandita joined with the soldiers in attack and of course got their share of the spoil. Feng's troops have a good reputation in this part of the country. They do not oppress the people and pay for what they take.

A TRIVIAL" CASE.

the

The country about here is still Taxation, bandits, locusts and much disturbed by bandits. The drought are having their effect on city, however, seems quit, and Students are fewer the train service is about normal. Their parents are our schools. than usual. more concerned with keeping them- selves alive than with the education of their offspring. Further with every land tax a certain percent- nge goes to schools, and the numer "Dear Countess Marie," the Jet-ous taxes this year have so filled "She is very rich, isn't she?ter ran, "I have to break to you a the coffers that many government asked Julian carelessly, and Her-piece of news (if Mrs. Carawood schools not only remit fees but also

has not already broker" it more provide books and food. man frowned.

1 gently than 1ean) which will "That I can't tell you, sir. don't see how you can be a coun- either annoy or amuse you. I have tess without being rich," he added. received with great satisfaction,

Last night about 8 o'clock Euro- It was at that moment that Mrs, and no little trepidation the ap- pean and Chinese detectives con- Carawood came in, looking pretty pointment of guardian angel, es- ducted

ENDED BY PAYING FIVE" CENTS.

Ruhr Singh, an Indian watch- man, was charged before Mr. R. E. Lindsell this morning, with refus ing to pay his tramfare.

In answer to the charge defen- three raids. visiting

second floors dant made a statement to the effect In her rather youthful hat and the cort, and official friend of the the ground and 54 Square

the that he was asleep and, therefore. Street, bright green coat which she almost family, to your ladyship. I don't of

Evidence was given by the con- immediately took off. In her less, think it is right to say your lady-ground floor of 233, Hollywood could not tender his fure. worried moments she had an acrid ship' because in England we very Road, and the first floor of 3, Sun humour of her own. That she was boorishly deny that courtesy to Sai Street, reports the vernacular ductor of a car running between and I papers. While the Police were Whitty (Street and Happy Valley. a woman of the people it did not the foreign aristocracy; need any great, amount of acumen only employ the term to advertise entering the last place a Chinese, It was stated that the defendant There was the my humility and sense of un probably trying to escape, jumped entered the second class at Post to discover.

into the street from the first floor Office and paid his fare which en- slightest Cockney twang in her worthiness. I am to meet you at tone, and her manner had some-Paddington on your arrival, and I of the house, and was severely in- titled him to a ride up to the Monu- shall be hovering about you like jured. Late last night the police ment. When he was approached thing of the sparrow's pertness.

"Good morning, sir." She look-an unquiet spirit during your stay were still seen busily conducting at the Monument he was found to "Are in town. Whither thou goest i their search in the three houses be asleep. The conductor pushed the vernacular him slightly but the Indian did ed enquiringly at Julian.

shall go within reasonable limits. mentioned, adds you being attended to?"

not wake up. When eventually The prospect may Scom a little press.

the Indian did open his, eyes, the Julian smiled ingratiatingly. "Don't tell me you've forgotten distressing to you, but I am one of

conductor tried to explain where I'm Julian those guardian angels who knows me Mrs. Carawood.

This place. Seriously speaking, I

the car was and why the Indian Lester."

should pay his fare again. He saw her face change and hope I am not going to be an jawful nuisance, and I am depend

the Indian could not be made to suspicion come to her eyes.

Oh, yes, sir, I had forgotten ing upon you to tell me if I am

understand and when the car You're a friend of my lady's aren't ever in the way. I will chaper

reached the No. 2 Police Station a policeman was summoned to help remove the defendant from the car.

The following ships were expect ed to be in wireless communication with Hongkong to-day: Van Over- straten. Tango, Maru, Shinyo Maru, Hakone Maru, Katori Maru, Hakata

He saw the quick little rue you to parties-being a staid Maru, Rhexenor, President Cleve- You?"

"I, and middle-aged man- will, ifland, Adolf Von Baeyer, Talma, smile that faded instantly.

necessary, and partners being de Coblenz, Nyanza, Hosang, Soochow, thought you were a buyar."

ficient, which is extremely unlike Sinkiang, Itonghwa and Hirundo, Smilingly he shook his head. "I haven't a great deal of use, ly, dance with you, and to this end for the articles you sell, Mrs. Cara Lam practising inyself a new and. perfectly ridiculous step in the wood."

A

But

Mr. Lindsell remarked at the end of this witness' evidence that the man should not have been charged at all. It seemed to him

trivial case which might have ordered the defun- been settled at the No. 2 Police dant to pay 5 cents to the Hurg- Station. He kong Tramway Company.

4

Defendant promptly handed over

a coin to the conductor who was in court.

"I don't suppose you have, sir," secrecy of my office. You may Morlay', as though I were your she said, "and I hope your wife imagine me, behind locked doors, butler. Of one thing you may be But of pirouetting with a chair, to the certain-that I shall not pry into will never have either. course, if you want to sell, my seandal of such of my faithful your guilty past, nor examine your with the unsolved terms are all clothing must be servants an observe my gyrations finger-prints, nor connect you in guaranteed free from moth, infec- through the keyhole. Let me also any way

Goods must break it to you that I am a detec-mysteries of years gone by.

Sincerely yours, tlon, and mildew.

John Marlay." remain in my store for examination tive; and lest you, be thrilled as

She had read the letter many three days before purchase is con- well as startled, I will add with

A Chinese has been sentenced to cluded, and the acceptance of haste that I do not arrest people," wardrobes for inspection and am not interested in murders, times. It amused her, as he in- examination does not necessarily robberies (except of a peculiar tended it should, but It had not eight months' hard labour for re- imply an undertaking on the part type) or deeds of violence. I am alarmed her. She knew something turning from banishment. He was of Mrs. Carawood's peculiar ner-banished from Hongkong in 1923 of Carawood's emporium to com- a commercial detective with

passion for mathematical for-vousness where she was concerned, for ten years but was arrested plete the purchase,

She rolled this off rapidly and mulae, and my chief assistants, and indeed, once she had laugh- yesterday by Sub-Inspector Shaf- with a certain enjoyment. It was alas! no Baker Street doctor, but ingly suggested the hiring of an tain who noticed him in a street

than almost an effort of elocution, and the multiplication table and the escort. And John Morlay was squabble, in which the defendant was being accused of having pick- very nice ed a man's pocket. Police records for the moment Mr. Lester was rules of simple addition. Mrs. rather nice. He was more

Carawood thinks you ought to have rather nice, he was dazed.

"And I assure you I don't want a man to look after you, and has He was very good-looking too showed that the man had been in The defendant to Bell," he said good-humouredly engaged me for the pleasant task. Marie wondered whether, in the prison on three occasions before he "In fact, Mrs. Carnwood, you have I am in a sense a hired servant, manner of other girls whose ro- was banished.

You may therefore call me 'John.mances had been confided to her, pleaded that he was passing surprised my secret. I am a

negotiate some, business for his friend of your young lady's. I had as you would call your footman, she would fall in love with her through the Colony on his way to

Mr. guardian."

(To be Continued)

mother who lives at Safkung. a letter from her a week ago, but you need not call mo

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