1927-10-24 — Page 11

NEW SERIAL STORY

THE MERAFIELD MYSTERY.

SYNOPSIS.

By R. A. J. WALLING. (Author of The Third Dogroe," "Fatal Glove," etc.)

to me.

tragic puzzle. Now, however, he was a father "up against it," as he might have said himself.

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH,

MONDAY,' OCTOBER

24, 1927.

BULLDOG DRUMMOND. AVIATION DISASTER.

HONGKONG TRADE.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REPORT.'

helplessness appealed strangely

Sir Charles Mornfield, a mem-j I had not talked with him for ber of an old Devonshire family, ten minutes before I understood a good sportsmann, but not a man the clash of temperament be for whom anyone had much re- tween him and his daughter, apect; is overheard in a heated which had perhaps done as much argument with his wife, formerly as anything to construct this Miss Mary Sheen, a well-known traveller, by Mr. Franks, a local solicitor and Clerk to the Justices, Mr. Franks receives a letter from his friend, Major Overbury, distinguished solleitor and barris- ter, saying he has been invited to stay at Meraheld Tower. Early one morning Franks is summoned by Lady Merafield, who tells him her husband has been murdered,

Franks finds Lady Mernfield might have been very calm and collected. She scoundrel too for all he knew, but tells him that during the war sheanyhow, he was, the obstinate had been a nurse in France, con-woman's husband. The whole cealing her entity under the thing was against reason, and name of Mary Brand. As her came of the silly modern idea that father disapproved of her action, women must be allowed to have She had been engaged to Over-their head; and a great deal more bury, and later quarrelled with to the same effect.

a

A.D.C'S FORTHCOMING

PRODUCTION.

Rohearsals of the great London success "Bulldog Drummond" have been in full swing for some time and are now beginning to enter the final polishing stages under the the guiding hand of the Hongkong A.D.C's energetic producer, Major Macready,

1.

JAPANESE AIRSHIP DROPS INTO SEA..

She burst

Tokyo, Oct. 23. Airship N3, participating in the naval manoeuvres, was forced to descend at sca off Izu Peninsula from engine trouble. into flames, on touching the water. The crew was rescued but one was seriously injured. The N3 Was The play, which is from the porecently purchased from Italy, pular pen of "Sapper," enjoyed a Reuter. tremendous run in London a few years ago at Wyndham's Threatre- with Sir Gerald du Maurier in the title role and is one which should appeal to Hongkong audiences. To recount the story would be to spoil the plear re which awaits the public bat mystery, thrills, excite- ment and laughter are all nently woven together by the clever au- thor in such a way that there is not a dull moment from the rise of the curtain until the end.

There will be seven evening performances at the Theatre Royal from the 19th, to the 26th November and it is particularly happy that this coincides with the visit of the Interport cricket

"PETER PAN.”

AT THE QUEEN'S THEATRE.

"Peter Pan," "which is the cur- rent attraction at the Queen's Theatre was given a very hearty and well-deserved reception yester- day when it was shown here for the

first time, and it ought to continue to draw large houses to-day and to morrow, for it is a really outstand- ing film, with attractions for both old and young.

He could get nothing out of her. The lawyers he had engaged for her defence could get nothing

The cast includes many old nut of her. She simply stuck to local favourites and also a new- the preposterous story she had comer in the person of Mrs. E. W. told at the inquest. Evidently Morris who has, however, already she was shielding that damned won fame for herself elsewhere. scoundrel Overbury. Meri Gel1The title role has cen entrustd to

The celebrated story of Sir J. M. damned Major J. Macready who needs no Barrie is known throughout the introduction but it is unfortunate world, and the enchantment of the to learn that he is shortly due to Never, Never Land, where Peter, be transferred from the Station the boy who refuses to grow up, and and this is therefore the last op-his companions meet with strange portunity Hongkong audiences will adventures is fully captivated in probably have of seeing this the film. The technique of the film popular actor: -

art has enabled a very realistic showing, and the scenery and set- him. He did not know of her "I do not think you need worry

ting of the play is of a very high marriage to Sir Charles, who, in great deal, General," said L.

standard. Miss Betty Bronson takes against her wishes, had insisted | "Lady Merafield has certainly had

the part of Peter (for which she was specially chosen by Sir James on asking him to the house. On nothing to do with this crime, and the night of the murder she and if she has not told all she knows,

Barrie) in wonderful manner, and Overbury had been talking until what she has said is the truth.

the supporting cast is also excellent. Mr. Grovini, the director of the a very late hour. Overbury had You will find. It all werking out

Booking will open at the Ander- Queen's Orchestra, has specially since disappeared.

fright in the end."

son Masle Co. on the 1st. Novem-arranged the music played during Lady Merafield gives Franks When I had said this and cbber and it is advisable to book the showing, and this adds greatly the impression that she knows served the effect of my words early in order to ensure getting to the enjoyment. where Overbury is. At the in-up him. I regretted that had the best seats, especially as there quest a verdict of wilful murder allowed myself in speak to him on against Overbury is given. Pub the subject at all. If the General lle opinion is strongly against was a martinel, he was no fool! Lady Merafield, who is arrested į He looked at me steadily for afterwards as being an moment or two, then he sati necessory to the murders Before i this happens ahe hand to Mr. Franks an amazing note from Overbury to Sir Charles, found by her.

soon

CHAPTER VII.

Thus it came about that I took the depositions in the remarkable

#

teams.

is no truth in the rumour that live rounds will be fired into the audience during the thrilling

shosting scene!,

"lo, bo! Mr. Clerk to the Jus-f. tiees, you know a good deal more about this than you are saying. What does it mean? What are kyou hiding up?"

Certainly it was foolish to have said anything at all to him. I decided to say no more.

"General!" I exclaimed, bridling

man from drowning. he doesn't and shoot him two days after." "Not as a rule," said I, smiling at Mason'a emphatic style.

"That's what I say. It isn't in keeping."

"Then let's have Atkins and

Charles and the last time he saw him. That was the very Monday afternoon. He was down drawing his pots and he saw the lugger, which he knew very well, about a mile of the Cormorant Rock. She had been fishing up and down there for some hours. He was looking at her and a motor-boat that had come up from Westport and was shooting cormorants- shags, he called them. All nt

case against Lady Merafield, who up. "You have not the slightest hear what he has to say." I once he saw two splashes in thei

the

ac-

right to talk to me in that tone.suggested. was charged with complicity in a We had better have done with the murder while the murderer him-

subject. I

clerk to am self was at large.

โรล .ฉม justices. but I am Nothing whatever new came out in the hearing of the case byquaintance of Lady Merafeld, and tall anybody I have a right to the magistrates. They first ac who is interested in her that I cepted evidence of arrest and think the case a weak one and gave a remand. At the end of

is no danger. Good that she the remand period they accepted day!" the statement that the police were

"Oh,, no," said the General.

Mason went off to find him. What happened on Monday afternoon? That was what Over

tell Lady bury had wanted to Merafield. That was what he mentioned in the note to Meraficle that rested in my pocket-book. And that was what set me off upon the serious investigation of the mystery-or that combined with something Mason said short- ly after.

It was a line of investigation utterly neglected by the police. They were him to

so thoroughly con- vinced that there was only one

apologise to me. The humorous aspect of the incident came upper-

moat at once.

is

not ready with their сане, and "Not so fast. If I have said any

erianded Lady Merafield again thing wrong I apologist. D'you It was quite possible to go on for

hear? Apologise." long time doing this. The He clearly thought it was a very police would take as many handsome thing for mands as the court would give them in the hope of being able to trace Overbury. But I gathered from Grainger and others 'amagal

"Very well," said I, "no need to in the search that at the end of a apologise. Only don't let us have fornight they were as far as ever any more of that tone. You want from a discovery.

to know whether, as a friend of However, I am not at all con- your daughter, I can give you any cerned with what happened in personal advice. My advice public. My own position Was to leave the case alone until it is curious. After the first numbed much more dangerous than now aensation of astonishment at the If any real danger occurs, I feel circumstances of Lady Merafield's sure the solution will occur at arrest had worn off. I began to the same time' consider what I should do.

I told him that if he wanted to I must make it clear that from see me again on the case I should the first I never believed in the heat my office at certain times. guilt of LadyMerafield or of We parted good friends. Overbury. I had no real fear for But this interview set me think either of them. I knew that if Quite possibly Mason, as Lady Merafeld got into any, real servants will, had been talking a danger Overbury would at once little more than] Was necessary take her out of it. And I knew about my visits to Merafield that if Overbury found himself in Tower. I resolved to see him and any real danger he was capable of say something to him about the extricating himself from it.

unwisdom of talkativeness. This was implicit in the whole This was what started me on a case. If I did not believe it, private investigation of the affair. must believe them jointly guilty When I saw Mason at Merafleld

of the murder of Marafield. And Tower that evening I found that I did not.

Lady Merafield's solicitors had,

I therefore waited for some on her instructions, told him to to make no sign from. Overbury, thinking it carry on as usuni, rertain that sooner or later he changes in the staff, and simply would communicate with me.. But to dwall her retarn. He supposed no communication came.

I thought she would be released

case.

theory of the murder that they did practically nothing except search for Overbury in every corner of the kingdom.

What Atkins said when Mason brought him in was precisely what Mason said that the idea of Major Overbury as the criminal in the case was absurd.

Atkins himself interested me almost as much as the story he had le tell. He told it in a law, well-modulated voice.

"I drove Sir Charles and Major Overbury down to Westport Passage in the morning," he said, and they went off to the lugger telling me to be there at five to bring them back."

me.

The Hongkong General Chamber- of Commerce fortnightly trade report states:-

Cotton Pleec Goods-Market, quiet, no sales to report. Clear- ances have improved somewhat but are still below normal. Cot-

ton has Auctuated within very small margins during the past two weeks, but is slighty lower than when our last report was issued. The quotations on the 18th inst. being Eg. Sakel, 18.908. and Mid. Amer... "Spot" 11.43d.

Cotton Yarn-Market is quiet and there is nothing, of interest to report, practically no business having been done during the fort- night. Nominal quotations un- changed, as follows:-No. 10s. $170/190. No. 12s. 175/185. No. 163, $195/200, No. 20. $210/215.

Arrivals Nil. Shipments 600 bales. Sales Nil.

Unsold stocks 3.000 bales. Bar- gains 10,700 bales.

Woollens-Market dall. Some enquiry for Union Coatings for quick shipment, but poor bookings. Raw Cottons-No sales to re- pont.

Metals-Metal "Market dull; up country buyers fear to place orders. No business.

per

very

Flour Market Report.-Stock: American 300,000 bags, Canadian 90,000 bags, Austrlian 10,000 bags. Market: Dull, small sales only. American Patent Quotations: $4.30-4.40 per sack, American Straight $3.10-3.40

sack, American Cut off $3.15-3.70 per sack, Australian No. 1 $3.50-3.70 per sack, Canadian Cut off $3.12- 3.18 per sack, Canadian Straight" $3.10-3.15 per sack, Canadian Mix- lure $3.00 per sack, Canadian 2nd Clear $2.90 per sack...

Window Glass.-Market quiet. Saltpetre. Stocks 14,000 bags. Quiet market and nothing report.

A SIKH'S BRUTAL ASSAULT.

FRAGMENTS OF BRAIN REMOVED.

•

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DIPHENSO

complainant, WOOD PRESERVATIVE & WHITE ANT DESTROYER

In H.M. Police Court at Shang- water, and both men were over-hai last week, before the Magis- board. There didn't seem to be trate, Mr. I. T. Morris. Sucha anything particular to account Singh, an Indian watchman, was for it, because though the sea charged on remand with grievous- was a bit choppy it was nothing ly assaulting Indar Singh, and his to affect a big boat like that. Of wife Ram Kor. course, the lugger paid off and Mr. E. T. Maitland prosecuted left them, but Mafor Overbury on behalf of the police and Mr. swam after it, and Bill Newberry Tycho Wing appeared for the

know accused. sir, be- says that he must have

Dr. A. D. Wall said that he something about saling, cause he struck out for the exact

the point the boat would reach, operated on

the night of caught hold of her gunwale, and Indar Singh, on climbed aboard and sailed her up October 4. The patient was suf to Sir Charles and hauled him fering from a compound depress-

ed fracture of the skull. Frag in."

"How did Newberry know it ments of bone had been driven through the membrane covering was Sir Charles?" I asked.

"Quite well, by the red cap he the brain and into the brain sub- The brain was injured in the boat, sir. stance. always "wore Newberry hadn't any doubt about and it was necessary to remove some of the brain substance. "The injury suffered was a permanent) it."

"Didn't the people in the motor-one and very dangerous to life. boat see all this and do anything? There was also an injury to the How far off were they?"

patient's left leg. The patient was under the doctor's care for two weeks.

"That's the strange part of it, sir. Newberry says they weren't a cable length away, but they either didn't see or took no notice, and, when he looked at them after the two were on the lugger again, they were off towards Westport. They must have put about while the two of them were in the water, Newberry says."

·

The female complainant, Ram Kor, had sustained an injury to her right hand which was not dan- gerous to life but would result in disability. Cross- permanent examined by Mr. Wing, witness A sudden thought occurred to

said that the male patient would probably be mentally slower, suf- This narrative made me very fer from severe headaches and his "Had you met Major Overbury's

thoughtful. But it was what memory might be affected. train in the morning?" I asked.

The female complainant, Ram "Yes, I brought him back here." Mason said immediately after that "And did you have any talk with caused me to throw everything Kor, who appeared with her right else aside for the exploration of hand in splints, said that the him?"

accused beat her after her hus- Atkins looked at me for an in- the Merafield case.

"Well, sir, don't you think that band had been rendered uncon stant before replying.

"Only a word or two about the if Major Overbury had wanted to scious.

have weather, which was very fine. I kill Sir Charles he would

in get- went down at five, when they were taken a little bit longer just tying up to moorings. They ting the lugger round?"."

in the, punt. They Indeed It seemed likely. came ashore

both leaking wet. Sir "My opinion, sir," sul Mason, said, 'Hullo, Atkins, "is that Major Overbury dis Charles

had an upset. Narrow appeared as he did only to would go to prison for three we've chance you ever saw me again. after the murderers, whoever You wouldn't have if it hadn't they were. And if we don't hear

were

I might have remained inactive very soon and everything would much longer, but that after the be cleared up. second remand of Lady Marafield; -admitted that I thought so.

I did, because been for Major Overbury. He something about Major Overbury I had a visit from the most dread- Mason was gladl

'Nonsense. At soon, I shall be quite certain that fully pathetic figure in the whole that opinion was held by all the pulled me out."

I draw a long breath, and then That was Lady Merafield's staff at Merafield Tower. Theykins,' said Major Overbury. It they've got him too." father, Major-General Sheen, who were all devoted to Lady Mera- was just as happened. Sir

Here was a new idea altogether. was pitied so deeply by every field. Moreover, not one of them Charles would have got out all gasped.

Sir Charles It seemed far fetched. And yet body who saw him during those believed that Major Overbury was right by himself if I hadn't been

'un. That was how so officious.' But days. It seemed that he had ask-a

looked as if he'd had a fright, all such a theory would account for ed Mason, at Merafield Tower. Mason put it.

Overbury's silence. Lady Mera- whether Lady Merafield had any "I know a gentleman when I the same."

"Yes, sir," Mason put in. "And field might have been too con- special friend in the district who see him, sir. Major Overbury what Major Overbury said about fdent. In fact, anything might could help him, and Mason had was a gentleman from head told him that between the time foot. What's more, he had no it wasn't the whole affair, as I be. Muson's idea had introduced

wrong

to

of the murder and her arrest she edge on Sir Charles. Ask At-have heard since." had seen something of me-in-kins."

deed, that I had been with her "What's that about Atkins?" I remembered when the police officers came to asked, startled. I

the note I had made to find out

I turned to Mison. "What have you heard 7" "You don't know old Newbery, down at Highcliff Creek, sir!"

But I did know William New-

the house.

Major-General Sheen knew that about Atkins, the chauffeur, I was the clerk of the court, and "Atkins can tell you all about berry very well, He was a crab did not put much on the circum-what happened on the Monday wt fisherman who lived at West- itances, but he came to see me at afternoon when they went out in port Passage, but kept his pots my office.

the boat, air, and if that doesn't among the rocks off the mouth of

Highcliff Creek. He was just the Major-General, prove that Major Overbury was a short in speech with a barrack-gentleman and not a murderer, I then I don't know what would. square manner, But, though had an instinctive hostility to the Let me send for Atkins to tell you, and air. But if a man saves another type, his fearful

distress

"Bill Newberry, camé up here one day last week with a lobster, knowing that the housekeeper often wanted one, and seeing, me started talking about Sir he

a very disturbing speculation.

I looked round to Atkins, the chauffeur. He stood silent.

"What do you think of this theory?" I asked him.

"I think it improbable," said he. "But of course, in a case like this you have to take account of every possibility,"

The Magistrate found the accus- ed guilty and characterized the assault as an extremely brutal one. Accused was very fortunate that a more serious charge had not been preferred against him.

He

months, with hard labour, for the assault on the male complainant, and one month, with hard labour, for the assault on the female com- plainant.

INTERPORT CRICKET.

SHANGHAI TEAM SELECTED.

The following have been selected to proceed to Hongkong to repre- sent Shanghai in the Interport matches against Hongkong and Singapore:-Captain E. I. M. Bar- rett (Captain), H. W. Allison, E. G. Barnes. J. T. Hegarty, J. A. Quayle, J. A. Isaacs, D. W. Leach, F. Madar, C. E. Ollerdessen, T. L

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The team will leave Shanghal on quality was.

November 15, per a,a. Suwa Maru. (To be Continued.)

It was a rather strange fashion Wilson. and E. C. Baker (acorer MASSAGE HALL

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