1928-03-08 — Page 11

•

THE METAL BOX

By THOMAS COBB.

(Author of "Falor Pretencer,” Mie. Pomeroy's feputation, she,)

SYNOPSIS.

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH.

WAR ON SWABUE SOVIET.

(Continued from Page 1) :

that more than 1,000 rifles had been captured.

!

,י'

THURSDAY, MARCH 81929.

NEW BUNGALOWS AT $2,000.

(Continued from Päge ̧7.)

an ordinary bungalow of the same size would cost allowing $2,000 for contractor's proft at least $13,000. It would be possible to build a vory attractive all-concrete bungalow, with all the ornamenta- tion that has been omitted from my experimental building, for $8,000.

Swabue Also Taken. Swabur, which is milway be tween Hongkong and Switow, is reported to have been taken by the 31st regiment of the same Army. In his report to the Can- ten authorities, Cheung Ying- "I have shown this house to the leung, lender of the Second Municipal Architect, and he is of the Brigade of Chan Chai-tong's Army, opinion that unquestionably como- who directed the victorious troops thing might be done along these in an attack on the "Reds' at lines to relieve the housing short- Swabue on the 2nd instant, de-age in Singapore. A company is clared that is army captured the already building "city after some skirmishes, killing houses at Kuala Lumpur. for $9,000 each, and there is undoubtedly & few hundred "Reds" and cap scope for a company to carry out aring two hundred rifles.

such construction In Singapore, Yesterday, the Headquarters of where the large amount of build the Government forces on the Easting, going at present is proof, en- River despatched messages to Can-ough that it would be a financial "My grandfather," he said, "had to requesting that more troops success. My object in putting up. an appointment in one of the native be sent to assist the armies at this house is to show how, baild- is found murdered. The detectives Indian courts. His health gave Hoifung to exterminate the Con-ing cost can be reduced if you get find a yellow glove with a piece of way, he returned to England, munists now occupying other dis- away from expensive skilled In- cotton wool in a finger, from which, married and had two daughters.tricts in the vicinity of Heifung

Then on the spur of the moment, The exclaimed: FOSTER MARKWELL, who I should rather like to tell you travela periodically as ship's doctor, a story." meets and admires THERESA "Please do," she murmured. "It FEVERSHAM-niece of ELIAS in about your own adventures?" FEVERSHAM, an American

"Suppose we turn down here," millionaire newspaper proprietor he suggested, and they walked slow who has taken a fiat in London for ly along Bruton Street, though the three months. Foster's aunt, MISS afternoon was bitterly cold, towards CROOM, asks him to take care of Berkeley Square. a small metal deed box with in- atructions to surrender it to no one! but herself. A few days, Inter she

thay deduce that the owner has lost a finger tip. They also learn that Miss Croom had'a smart, red-haired visitor, who gained admission by Bonding in a crap of paper hear ing the name Hillyard, Foster, being his aant's sole heir, open the box to find it filled with won- derful gems. Suddenly a change overcomes Theresa which he is utterly at a loss to understand.

NOW READ ON, CHAPTER VI. (Continued). "FISHING."

"What a long huliday you seem to be taking," Theresa remarked. during the meal.

"You must be held responsible," he returned.

Her eyes were raleed expectantly,

The cider became my mother, the and in Lukfung. younger was Miss Croom -"

■

The poor woman who was murdered," cried Theresa..

"Her father," Foster continued, "brought from Indin, a valuable collection of jewellery,"

"How how very exciting!" she said, aut he felt perplexed to perceive a note of something like contempt in her voice.

In response to this call for assis- tanec, a large column of soldiers of the 5th Army left for the East River yesterday, according to Canton intelligence.

all-concrete

bour and the ordinary method of brick construction, and I shall be very glad if anyone interested in the subject will come and see me."

Municipal Housing Policy. Asked for his opinion of the Municipal housing policy, Mr. Flight to Mountains.

Dunman said he thought it was on Hundreds of the defeated "Reds" the extravagant side. "There is of Hoifung have, fled to the hills no doubt that the new houses are

of parts the in a rather sumptuous style." he "There were all kinds of gems," nenr. Lukfung.

around which are remarked. "Véry few people he went on. "Rings, brooches, a country' magnificant diamond tiara, a pearl said to be very mountainous. It could afford to live in houses necklace, a gorgeous necklet of is known that the "Reds" have costing $40,000, and I think the rubies."

built more than 100 wooden huts Municipal standard of housing is on the mountain-tops and that, above that adopted by private firms these structures are big enough to employing Europeans in Singapore. accommodate a few thousand men. The "Reds" chim that they have stored up enough foodstuffs and ammunition to last them for three

"How enviou you make one feel, cried Theresa. "What did your-your grandfather did you say he was?""

years.

very much question whether the employees of such concerns as the A.R.C., the Banks, and the Cable Company are living in houses such as the Municipality are pro- In view of the fact that manyviding. If I were on the Municipal of these mountain areas near Luk. Commission to-day I would cer fung are dangerous and that tainly consider whether the hous- soldiers ignorant of the conditions in needs of the staff could not be would encounter much personal met on a less lavish scale. After all, if terrace houses in Grove

perhaps, Mins. Croon's death might Goodness only knows how they risk. General Tang Yin-wah, It is toud are considered good enough |

reported, Jas employed men who are acquainted with the geography. of the district to accompany his troops.

for certain grades of Government officials, and people in business and professional life are living in the Crescent Flats, there is no reason why people of a similar class in Municipal employment should have houses costing $40,000."

"Yes, my grandfather" "What did he do with them all?" "I was wondering," she said, with

she asked. her eyes on his face, "whether you

"Simply nothing. He didn't even would ever go to sea again

"That's on the knees of the gods,"talk about them. He kept his own counsel and hoarded them. He he returned, trying to throw some may have had his own reasons for significance into his volee.

thought," she persisted, "that, not attempting to dispose of them "live they passed into yours?" -might make a difference. Your came into his possession." aunt may have left you a fortune."

That was, perhaps, the moment exclaimed Theresa.

"He probably banded them on to of the conception of his suspicion. It was true that she had, indeed, my aunt before his death," answer-

The Chinese gunboats, Chung- left him a fortune, at present re-ed Foster. "That was fifteen years posing in the strong room at the age, and there they have lain in an shan, Kongkan, Mansang, and Hol old metal box at Baynton Crescent sui, are said to have left Canton bank in Whitehall. Its contents were constantly in his mind at this till a few days before her murder." for Swabue yesterday, to supply "Surely," cried Theresa hastily, the troops with ammunition and time, and suddenly, quite against his own volition, the idea occurred the jewels had no connexion with milltary equipment."

that t

The order for a general attack that his treasure was in Theresa'a

"The detectives," Foster, explain- on the "Reds" now lodged in the mind also. As he sat facing her, ited, didn't seem to have a shadow mountains at Lakfung and in parts became impossible to thrust the absurd, fantastic, unworthy notion of doubt that she was killed by of Haifung will be given soon, costing $8,000 each, aside. But she was not playing bugir, who had already been busy when more troops from Canton her part in the least skilfully in the neighbourhood. She had a have arrived. The spring was being set in sightsort of premunition that her house would be the next. Anyhow, she of the bird. He felt confident she asked me to inke care of the box was waiting eagerly for his answer, "All my aunt's money," he said, "WILN Bunk in n Government annuity."

Another Canton report says that during their retreat from Hoifung "Without giving you the slightest to the mountains at Lakfung, the iden of what it contained," cried "Red" troops burnt much property Theresa, with what sounded like a and massacred many people in villages through which they pars- sceptical laugh.

As rain was still falling heavily, they chartered another taxi to Chelsea.

"Money isn't the only thing in

"I hadn't the remotest suspicion," ed. the world," she answered.

"What else are you thinking of ?" Foster protested, "till 1 opened it forward on the Friday afternoon. Imagine he demuruled, leaning aeross the table towards her. Her my surprise →→→

"And your delight," said Theresa, only answer was a shrug. "Won't) you tell me what you have in your "And now you consider these

wonderful gems your own pro- What a melancholy day!" she' mind?" he urged. "Of course," hei

said, as they turned the corner of added, watching her slightly flash-perty?

"Naturally, I'm the heir-at-law, her street. "If you care to come ed-face intently, "there might have been some hidden treasure, buried the only relative she had left. in, we might try to cheer each other Everything she left is mine." up, though I have an appointment in the garden, for instance."

"Fortunate person!" returned at half-past five." She leaned back in her chur Therasi. After a short silence as In the sitting-room, she threw laughing, und began to talk about her uncle, Elias Feversham, and they reached Berkeley Square, she off her fur coat, and standing be after they had parted that night, added, "If I were in your place, I fore the oblong looking glass over should never have & moment's the mantel-shelf raised her hands Foster lay awake for hours, tor-

I shouldn't sleep o' nights." to remove her hat. mented half out of his mind. She Peace.

Ile seemed to know what was "What a state my hair is in!" had deliberately been fishing. She had done her utmost to lead him coming. He felt certain her next she said, and taking a comb from move would be an attempt to dis- her vanity bag, began to re-arrange cover where the treasure was kept. it.

"Why not?" he asked.

to talk of his treasure, then drawn back, fearing, probably lest she should give herself away, had turned the conversation to Elius Feversham in order to restore con- fidence!

There was a pleasant intimacy "I should feel terribly afraid lest about the proceeding, if only he thieves should break in and steal." could feel certain it was not "Ah, well," he answered, with calculated for his undoing. Stand- watchful eyes on her face, "there's ing by her side, he fell inclined to crush her in his arms whether she no fear of that,"

were innocent or guilty, and one thing appeared certain. She had not the slightest suspicion that his eyes were open; she flattered her- self he was entirely beguiled.

How in the world had she known of the existence of the gems

"You you mean you have taken Again and again Foster asked him the precaution to put your now pos- self the same question, turning restlessly from side to side und feel- session in a safe place?" she sug- ing more miserable than he had gested.

"In the strong room at my ever done before. Before he fell asleep, he tried to convince himself banker's," said Foster.

that after all he had found a mare's!

nest. How was it possible to be-

"Dr. Markwell," she said, CHAPTER VIII.

abruptly, "I actually dreamed of those wonderful jewels you were DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND,

telling me about. I thought of, lieve that the woman whom he

Astounding as it still appeared, it them the moment I opened my eyes' wanted to marry had merely been tolerating him for her own dis- was impossible to doubt that this this morning. I shan't have any honest purposes? Theresa Fever-woman whom he admired more than peace till I have seen them for my-

any other he had ever seen, was aclf." sham dishonest!

"I'm afraid that's out of the To that note Foster eventually going to make either alone or in

on Sunday night, conspiracy with someone who, for question," he answered. fell nieop laté

the present, was keeping in, the "Why should it be?" she demand- and directly after breakfast on background, a strenuous effort to cd, meeting his eyes. Monday morning he telephoned to obtuli possession of the treasure. "You remember I told, you they Treadwell Mansion, proposing lun- cheon, with the determination to Now, however, if she believed his were in the strong room at

assurance that he had taken the bank-"

out of the question.

ין

attempt?

|

Mr. Dunman also suggested that amall concrete houses of the typo he had demonstrated would be much more suitable for the sub- ordinate staff than terrace houses

HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW?

to-day's questions

The following are the replies to

1. Antiquarian research in music. 2. 54in. by 11-16in. & Creaux was a ancient King in Asia Minor, possesedint fabulous wealth. 4. The banyan, Thunderbolts: arrows, G. Knul. 7. "La Belle Dame SANA Merci, by John Kenta, R. Soul. . Key. nute; the seventh note of the scale. 10. northern and southern, bottroleries of The the tropics, or the torrld zone. 11, Toffer : oysters: ranges: ham: barulta, 12. The Punic Warn.

This morning's Harbour Office

11 under reports gave 19 arrivals and 20 departures, of which each heading were British, leaving 72 vessels in harbour, British 26. Tonnage was high, with British entering the highest inward cargo and German vessels the best two through freights of the day.

LETTER GOLF SOLUTION.

Here Is the solution to the puzzle on another page.

BOSS BAS S BASE BARE FARE FIRE

fectly safe: You could take a taxi the at the bank, let me have a peep

OF

FIAT

FIAT 509 a.

9 Motorists out of 10

who are investing in light

cars will choose the

9:

P

h.p. FIAT

The tenth will wish he had.

The Car of International Reputation.

Sale Agents for Hongkong; Canion and Macao SOG. ITALIANA, IMP. ESF, ESTREMO ORIENTE, LTD.

—A, GOEKE & COMPANY.

2

Managers:

SHOWROOMS AND OFFICES 67, Des Voeux Road 0. Tel. 0.4821

SHIPBUILDERS. SHIP REPAIRERS." BOILER MAKERS. FORGE MASTERS.

FIAT 509

FOR 1928 NOW ON SHOW

OXY-ACETYLENE AND ELECTRIC WELDERS.

MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL

WORKSHOP

67, Des Voeux Road C.

Tel. 0. 4821

OF HONGKONG, LIMITED,......

THE TAIKOO DOCKYARD & ENGINEERING COMPANY

ENGINEERS.

--DRY DOCK-

·LENGTH 787. FEET,

LENGTH ON BLOCKS 750 FEET

DEPTH ON CENTRE OF S

SILL: (H_W.O.Š.T.) 34 FT. 6 INS..

-THREE SLIPWAYS—

CAPABLE OF HANDLING SHIPS UP

TO 3000 TONS DISPLACEMENT. ELECTRIC CRANE AT SEA WALL CAPABLE OF LIFTING 100 TONS AT 70 FEET RADIUS.

BUTTERFIELD & SWIRE, Agents -

HONGKONG, CHINA & JAPAN.

TEL, ADDRESS.--" TAIKOODOCK" HONGKONG,

JELEPHONE NO. 212.

CALL FLAO!" 0" OVER "ANS, PENNANT.”

HELIUM GAS FIND.

springs at Wiesbaden. À little Graeve, a tall, bearded man of further on they bored into a sixty years of age, arrived at cavity of a depth of nearly two Russelsheim early in the morning LOCATED BY DIVINING ROD.thousand feet, which, was con- with his Wunschelrute, which is jectured, contained natural helium forked and made of motal. He gas. This unusual fissure is stated that should the metal, dur- thought to be, a part of the ex-ing the test, "tremble upwards," tensive volcanic formation of the there would be good water in the Rhine basin.

earth below; should the metal downwards," there The motor firm concerned im- "tremble mediately sent for Herr Graeve-would be a possibility of a And of Gernrode, who is one of the best coal or minerals. known water diviners of the pre-

Together with three engineers,

GERMAN EXPERIMENT.

Franfurt-am-Main, Feb. 2. Immediately following the and then we could take it back to-statement made here that huge antisfy himself of her good faith, precaution to put it in a totally in- "Oh yes, but you won't keep gether on our way to luncheon. or to learn the worst. To go along accessible place, would she not ad-them there for ever. What in the You see," Thereau added, "I speak volumes of national helium gas sont day. Graeve is supposed to Graeve walked alowly over the in this way and remain sane had been discovered in

if no one's to see it? Sheer waste, Foster stood with his hands in his sheim, an industrial town situated able, through the medium of his Wunschelrute out in front of him, Wunschelrute to divino streams the forked end against his chest. tester could not feel certain and and I assure you nobody would be jacket pockets, looking down into between Frankfurt and Mainz, of water, however deeply. In the Suddenly, the metal began to CHAPTER VII,

he was exceeding curious to see more appreciative, You could her upturned face. FOSTER TELLS HIS STORY,

"If you're really tremendously the boring was suddenly stopped oarth they are hidden. As an tremble violently and, to beat what she would do next. He ar- easily gratify me if you were really

could fetch the box keen he began, when she im-and the blast-holes covered up. officer in the German Army, wildly against his chest, so that it At a quarter to three on Monday ranged to call for her the following nice. You

Graeve was employed during the took the combined efforts of his afternoon, Foster

The whole affair has been hushed war in finding out springe of three companions to assist him in was walking morning, though in the circum- away."

petuously Interrupted him. along Old Bond Street by Theresa's stances, he would not have been So that was the game! It cer- "I am, indeed."

"Then you mustn't be disappoint with a denial of the discovery. sound water in Turkey. Also in holding the Wunschelrute. This side, and of his own accord stop- astonished if she rang up to put tainly seemed beautifully simple,

At the same time geologists om-Alaska he has proved his capa trembling and beating recurred ped to look in at the jewellers' shop him off. Nothing happening, ho set if scarcely complimentary to his in ed."

bility as a water diviner.

several times during the morning. windows, impelled by his impetubus forth on Tuesday in heavy rala telligence. Sho counted serenely "How lovely of you," she ex-

Trembling and Beating,

After about Ave hours the desire to reach the denouement. keeping his taxi at Treadwell Man- on his ingenuousness, and no doubt claimed, "You will bring the box ployed in the search admit a pos- sibility of a natural helium gad

Wunschelrute lcdpt downwards They were looking at an enticing sion, and taking her to the Hotel on his infatuation.

Both before and after the war with such forco that Graeve was shop close to Bruton Street, when Cecil. For once the subject of "Oh well," he returned, "of course } "What time?" he asked.

find. Sho seemed to be considering.

Graeve has been employed in compelled to leave the spot. He he called her attention to some good-jewellery was not referred to, and it wouldn't be impossible.".

Excavations were being made Germany In discovering not only declared. Immediately that the eized rubies,

"Would half-past eleven suit she became so much like the Theresa "How few things are," she cried.

by a well-known motor firm when water, but also coal, potach, and cause was a great fissure. In the "Oh yes, they're magnificent," he had known on the "Egerla," "What I meant was that you should you?" she said.

"I will be here as the clock the workmen came across an un-mineral ores. It is very seldom, earth in which natural helium sho said. "But I love diamonds that he began almost to wonder bring the box here--just for 'án

derground current of hot water so report runa, that he has been gas would in all probability be better, and more than either, whether he had, after all, not been hour, though it's true I should hate strikes."

connected with the (To be continued.)

thermal known to have made a mistake, found. pearls

tormenting himself unnecessarily. to let it go again. It would be per-

to-morrow?".