1927-10-18 — Page 11

1

NEW SERIAL STORY

THE MERAFIELD MYSTERY.

By R. A. J. WALLING.

(Author of "The Third Degree," "Fatal

Glove," oto.).

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH,

Sir Charles Merafield, of an old But he was only thirty-five, and Devonshire family, is overheard in not even a professional soldier. an honorary "heated argument with his wife by The "Major" was

a local solicitor, Mr. Franks, while title with which the War Office when he he is on his way home, and was had presented him

to throw stones in glass houses.

Newland said he was "not nice." That was what my wife said. It was all a little queor.

It came out afterwards that Overbury had already arrived at Merafield Tower when I read his Iotter. Ho had travelled in a sleeper on the midnight train from Paddington. One of the Mera del cars met him at Westport, and he reached the house about half-past eight in the morning.

They day was glorious one at those pretty, bright blue days that cccasionally relieve the heat and mist of August. A twenty-mile breeze blew from the south-wes bringing up little flotillas of white clouds sailing very high, and thert was a blue lop on the water. I

ferry, and thought it was just the day to go out after pollack.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1927,

CHANNEL SWIM HÖÁX SEQUEL.

MISS GLEITZE TO DO IT AGAIN.

London, Oct. 17. As a sequel to Dr. (Miss) Logan's Channel swim hoax and subsequent confession, Miss Mer- ceres Gleitze, who awam the Channel on October 8, announces her intention of again attempting the Channel swim, from Cape Grisnez, on Wednesday night, accompanied by Swimming Asso- ciation officials and pressmen, as "a personal vindication of women swimmers."

passing the Merafield residence. vanished from their ægis at the had noted this as I crossed the that the season is too cold now,

The incident recurs to his mind The later, when a murder ceurs. story is narrated in the solicitor's words.

CHAPTER 1.

In his soldier's end of the war. life he had passed from the rank

The same thought occurred at Merafield. Sir Charles had of a Kitchener private to that of Brigadier-General. But War

Puncheon packed up and took Over was not his real affair. That was Law. He had begun readingbury out for a day's fishing. He I had known Sir Charles Mer-law when he came down from said they might not get another As Clerk Oxford, and had put together the such day in August, which was true. Old Peter Thompson, the field from his 'boyhood. to the Justices I had initiated him beginnings of a practice before longshoreman who was usually number two in the lugger's crew into the tiny mysteries and rituals Kilchener hauled him out of the of the bench. But I had neve: Temple and put him on Hounslow with Merafield, happened to be ill been on terms of real familiarity Heath...

In the seven years since his and, as Overbury knew something with him. Physically we were near neighbours, but our worlds country needed him no longer he of bout-sailing, they went alone lay far apart. His legal business had been trying to persuade soli- They returned at seven o'clock, Overbury consequently did not was not even in the hands of my citors that their clients needed reporting an upset and a wetting ace Lady Merafield that day till firm Franks, Wilson and Franks, him,

Overbury had been brought to they met at dinner. of Westport, and so I rarely mot

my notice hy Curtice, 'K.C., whom him except in court.

Curtice, ir Nevertheless, we were amicable; we briefed largely

chambers he had read, and when he brought Lady Mera-whose field down to Devon my wife, as thought a good deal of Overbury, her nearest neighbour, paid a call and asked me to do what I could at Meraileld Tower to welcome for him. I gave him a small brief when I had the chance, and he her to the West Country.

had taken rather a liking to m

Said he found me "fatherly."

Mrs. Franks is the woman.

of

#

Miss Gleitze has been advised but declares that she will not fall. Asked how she knew that she swam the Channel on October 8, seeing that she was semi-conscious in the last hour, Miss Gleitzo sald or instinctive knowledge in that "it was a case of sub-conscious last hour."-Reuter.

A London message of October 8.stated: The success in swim- ming the Channel achieved by Miss Mercedes Gleitze, a London girl typist, was very remarkable son and it being carried out in a The water was calm, owing to the lateness of the sea- dense fog.

was GO but the temperature degrees,

Miss Gleitze staggered ashore, semi-conscioua.

I knew nothing of this at the time. When I returned to Rose-

Interviewed, she said after two bank in the evening I mentioned to my wife the letter from Over-hours swimming she felt bitterly of what I had heard in the wood the accompanying boat for fear bury, but, of course, said nothing cold. She did not tell those in the day befors during my Sunday they would advise her to give up. rat.ble. She merely remarked She endured great pain for the that Mr. Newland, whoever he last three hours.

The fog rendered the land in-. was, must be a good judge of character, since his opinion of Sir visible. Just before her feet Charles Merafield tallied exactly touched the shore she asked the pilet if by swimming another with hers.

"You have never heard of New-three hours she could do it, after and ?" said I. “Oh, but you must which she was most surprised to Newland, the famous chemist. have. It is Professor Stanky feel the heach beneath her.

all in the world, for whose juure would have made a highly ment I have the greatest respect, exiguous living out of the law but. especially judgment oth fortunately for him, he had an in-

sh Women. Therefore, when came back and said. "I like that came big enough to maintain

bachelor. woman," she induced in me a bias

Overbury's letter, then, brought towards liking for Lady Merafield: back in a flash of curiosity the When she said, "But, Arthur scene between Lady Merafeld and that woman is profoundly her husband. He wrote, not from happy," I was half-way towards his chambers, but from the Fifty-Overbury has spoken to me about pity for Lady Merafield. When two Club, where he lived. she said, "But then. the 1. oman "Dear Papa Franks," he wrote, who was married to Sir Charles "I want to warn you that I may

On that, she remembered seeing Merahield might reasonably expect be blowing in on you"any day- to be unhappy." I said I could notant on business, but just for the his name. She thought a ciever tell how a woman would feel about sake of seeing your cheery old man might be better employed I believe you have some than in inventing such diabolical it, but she was probably right. face.

things. I did ask her why she disliked Sir where in your neighbourhood stuff. So we passed on to other

It was the seventeenth now. "I don't quite know why 1 have accepted, unless it is that I am at

him as a friend-the man who knows more of warlike gases than anybody else in the world."

FOOTBALL.

D.B.S. v. 56TH. COY R.E. Yesterday, the R. E.'s defeated goals to one, on the R. E. ground the Diocesan Roy's School by two at Argyle Street, Mongkok.

On the R.E.'s side the backe School, for the were too good

(goalkeeper) and Shu Sung Pok whose outstanding players were Reed (full back).

HAVE A GOOD TIME.

14

Hanoi, Oct. 7.

The party, which comprises 17 officers and 30 non-commissioned oficers and men, under the com- mand of Commander Apkins, the commander of the squadron, was welcomed at the railway station by the local authorities.

tour

Charles. She replied that he was fellow called Merafield. He's

Overbury did not call next day asked me down to stay with him that was the eighteenth. As a "not a nice' man."

Unquestionably there was some for a bit of golf and a bit of sen

Imatter of fact, he played golf with aura about Sir Charles Merifield, fishing, and I've accepted.

day after. On that day, the nine- Invisible to a man, which repelled expect to be there on the seven-Merafield at Longstone. Nor the women of a certain type. I knew teenth

teenth, Overbury went to flog the my wife was of that type. But if

water from Merafield's western Lady Merafield belonged to it

limit up to the bridge, and Mera- Also, why had, she married him?

Tofield himself stayed home. He U. S. NAVY MEN VISIT

TONKIN. 1 put this question to myself a loose end for a week or two.

Personally, I heard nothing tell you the candid truth, I am was not well. when I met her.

I judged the mistress of Mera unable to imagine why Merafield feld to be about thirty. She was wants mo. I hardly know the ful-whatever about either of them till He is only a club acquaint- the morning of the twentieth, a Thursday." I put moderately tall, well-built in a low. elight wiry fashion, a brunette of ance. He comes to this tavern which was

Somebody down the skeleton of their move- in Landon.

to connect up the good complexion, with very dark when

A delegation of officers and men and serious eyes, level brows, introduced us, and we talked ofments so as

On the Thursday morning at of the American Destroyer Squa- wide, low forehead, and a crown golf and fishing. I thought him facts. of dark brown hair whose rich rather unintelligent. At any rate, ness even the shingler had not I am not very sympathetic to his four o'clock, though the summer dron, which is now at Haiphong, succeeded in hiding. She talked type. He struck me as being ter-time regulations postponed day-arrived here by train at 10 o'clock vivaciously. She was extremely ribly country-squireish, a bit over-light by an hour, dawn was in the this morning.

I generally wake at dawn intelligent and perceptive. Look bearing and dictatorial-net much sky,

and turn over for three hours' ing for the unhappiness my wie reticence, not delicate.

"Not indelicale in speech, mint more good sleep. On that morn- had divined, I found nothing that I could conscientiously regard as you; but just not delicate. Probing I did not go to sleep again.

I had gone to my window to look evidence. What the serious eyes ably you know him quite well, and

at the weather, which was dull and said was not evidence--to my I'm all wronge

"However, I said to myself "Who quiet, and had thrown the window Loo

The naval visiters will mind, what they said was

is Overbury to be sitting in judg-wide open to admit more air. vague.

She seemed interested in the ment on his fellow men? A bal Then I heard a motor-car on the lanei and its environs during the day, and a number of receptions law. She asked me many ques-habit--due, no doubt, to the prac-road.

As I have explained, the road are being organized in their hon tions about the status of solicitors ice of getting up briefs. I believe

the fellow did very well in the past my solitary house carries our--Indo-pacifi. and barristers.

little traffic. A car at night was

Banoi, Oct. 10. I could not quite understand war.

most unusual phenomenon. The American Destroyer Squ why a woman of such ample "I know only two men who are a goneral information was unaware at all well acquainted with him. Whatever car this was, its head-dron which has been visiting Indo- of these elementary things. Then One is old Newland. He doesn't lights had been kept on-I saw China departed from Haiphong I discovered myself speculating like him. Says he's not nice. The the glare on the trees at the bot- yesterday morning at 11 o'clock. return to When, Four destroyers will whether she really was unaware. other is Greine, who can't speak tom of my little drive.

towards Shanghai, and the fifth will go to I came to the conclusion that shef him without going off the deep instead of passing on

If I'd spoken about it to Westport Passage, the car drew up Manila.. was not. Some ulterior purpose, end.

The officers and men have ex- if I may employ this stiffness of Newland before I might have re- at my gate, I began to get some It is one of my expression, lay behind her ques fused, but my acceptance was clothes on.

middle-aged habits to lock the pressed their pleasure at the wel- tions. If so, we talked at cross already in the post. purposes. I was far too dense to "You see that I can't quite say gate every night before closing up come given to them during their detect her motive, whatever it was how long I am likely to be there the house. Nobody could get invisit to Torkin-Indo-pacifi.

If I could have foreseen the before some imperative engage without climbing it. events of the 19th August. 1 shoulament calls me away. But I'll be

I thought it might have pushed the subject much sure to make a chance of turning surprised, but not alarmed, by this JAPAN ENTERS AIR

you up.-Ever, John Wilson Over-apparition. further,

mean some police business that morning As li was, however, I came away bury."

It was a strange letter; or so it could not await my

I did not from my first meeting with Lady

Perhaps it would have arrival at the office.

I listenerl Merafield bearing the impirsalon remed.

Apparently in my mind of a lovely and highly had no sinister look if I had not want the house roused. cultured woman, with nerves overheard what Lady Merafield at my wife's door.

Overbury she had not been disturbed. Our steel and a will of iron. These said. Lo her husband. hackneyed figures come running did not mention her name, did not two maids slept at the back of the

A 100,000 yen prize is offered by off my imitative pen, but I cannot even show that he was aware of house, and if I knew anything of But I could not them they would certainly not be better them. Iron and steel in her, existence.

the province of Huogo, and by the ΟΙ a bombardment. Intellect and character she seemcshake off the impression that, he disturbed by anything short of anr. Kumejiro Taki, a deputy for

was the guest whose presence at earthquake 1 hurry back to the conversa-Merafield Tower she resented. I: In my drossing-gown, then, I went most influential basiness men of tion I overheard at the four-cross might be a coincidence, of course. down the drive to discover a man Kobe, to the first Japanese avia- Then 1 suddenly remembered in the act of getting over the lar who succeeds in making the

It was, indeed, a solidly Trans-Pacific flight.--Indo-pucifi. way. When I reached home other

Japan to Europe. things put it out of my mind. But the conversation I had with Lady gate.

Tokyo, Oct. 8, sat precariously next morning, In my office at Merafield some months before, built double door, six feet high,

The proprietors of curio storés Westport, I opened the letter from and the questions she had asked and the man

"I beg your pardon, sir," said at Osaka have decided to set aside Overbury. That brought it back me about barristers. That seem astride of it as I approached.

to leave no doubt. Overbury was in a flash.

be attempted by the Japanese avin- John Wilson Overbury's title of going to visit a man for whom he he, "but I did not know how else 100,000 yen to finance the flight to "Yes?" said I.. "Something im- tor Selze Owkura next year, to "Major" and his alphabetical had no particular liking, whose to get at you.", appendices occupy two whole lines wife was moved to extreme, dis in "Who's Who," chiefly on account taste of the visit. I went about portant to bring you round at this Europe via Mongolia.-Indo-pacifi.

There can hardly be lay with Sir Charles Mera- time of night?"

He landed on his feet in the

"Yes, I know, ar. But it's very of the war. an initial in the armoury of the field's words ringing in my cars: British War Office, the French"If you're a good woman it will drive. I did not know the man. important. Sir Charles, Bir

If He looked like an upper servant,

"Well-Sir Charles-?" "I must say it, sir, for there's Ministry of War, and, the War make no difference to you.

no time to lose-Lady Merafield Departments of several Ballkan you're not, well, I'd better know." and was, in fact, the butler at

When one came to think about Merafield Tower.

"Yes, sir," said he, "very im-impressed that orme. Sir Charles States that was not flung at Over- bury in the four years of his mili-it, this was a curious thing for a

In man to say to the wife he had portant, Lady Mernfield asked me has been killed-murder, we think! tary wanderings in Europe.

to see you at any cost, and to be Lady Merafield found him in his study an hour ago, ahol through the military directories he looked married less than a year aKO. like a veteran whose career must And, if all accounts were trus. you to come back in the car.. Merafield had no prescriptive right

the head!"

(To be Continued.) have begun in the Crimea.

to me.

You must imagine that I was.

"At four in the morning?" I exclaimed.

LISTS.

PRIZE FOR TRANS-PACIFIC

FLIGHT.

Tokyo, Oct. 7.

Of course

they're good

They're

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