1928-03-19 — Page 11

THE METAL BOX

:

By THOMAS COBB.

(Author of "Falte Pratinoca," Mrs. Pomeroy's Reputation, dc.).

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH,

MONDAY, MARCH 19, 1928.

AMERICA.

he had begun to hope that Mark HARD THINKING IN well might prove her alder and abettor. But what on earth had she been doing to bring Detective- Inspector Pow to the hotel?

They were taken to the same small room on the first floor, adjoin! Ing the large drawing-room, where Theresa had wept on hearing Foster's news of Everard and the insurance of the jewels, and Mr. Feversham drow one of the row of cigars from his waistcoat pocket, putting it between his lips, with out striking & match..

"Now, perhaps, you will explain what you want, Inspector!" he ex- claimed.

"To ask Miss Feversham one or two questions."

about,

"Questions-what Heaven's namo!”,

in

The murder of Miss Croom, Mr. Feveratam."

Mr. Foversham know all about the case. He know all about most cases of the kind.

"What do you imagine she can tell you about it?" he demanded.

"MI

Croom," murmured "was Dr. Markwell's Theresa, aunt."

i

1:

VESSELS THAT ARE Á LUXURY.

GROWING DOUBTS.

Under the terms of the Washing- ton Treaty Great Britain and the United States are each to have a limited total of 135,000 tons of air- traft carriers; no vessel de to ex- ceed 27,000 tons, except in á case whore both nations may convert two vessels originally designed as cruisers or battleships into air- craft carriers, provided they are not in excess of $8,000 tons.

CHAPTER XVIII

Ibefore Miss Croom's death?

There was Hillyard, said to have INSPECTOR POW AT WORK.died at Mountport Prison-that re- confirmation. Pow had Detective Inspector Pow was an-quired noyed. As a rule he was a good-known the man: a clever thief, who, tempered man, and in fact there however, had never been suspected were those who considered that he of the jewel robbery at Waterloo.

Availing themselves of this por- Then there was Redpath, of

mission the United States has con- took things too easily. His round

the Inspector had never face wore a benevolent expression, whom

verted the Lexington and the and his movements were occasional-heard. A begging-lotter writer, ly too slow to suit Sergeant Gallo- who had succeeded in keeping out

Saratoga, both of which have re- of gaol, though he probably de

cently been comunisaloned, into air- way, for instance.

craft carriers. Each vessel is Galloway's opinion did not count, served to be put away. Redpath

33,000 tons, and each representa but the Chief had been trying to had known about the box for the

"Did you know her?" Mr. an investment of £9,400,000. The stir the Inspector up, in con-inst two years, he had in fact taken

Saratoga can carry 74 machines in sequence of the correspondence in, it to Baynton Crescent in the first Feveraham snapped out.

"N-no," she said.

commission-that is, ready to take one of the morning papers. It was place, and no doubt he had been in

"But I belleve It's a fact," In-the air whenever required-and begun by a resident at Haverstock London on the night of the murder.

Miss Railton had been present spector Pow insisted, "that you met 37 out of commisalon-that is to II, whose house had recently been broken into. As he pointed out, when Redpath handed the jewels Dr. Markwell on the Egeria' and say, with wings or other parts into a con-removed to economise space in this was one of a series of bur- to the, no doubt, unauspecting Mies afterwards entered

nor had she started to spiracy with a man named Parkin- stowing. The Lexington has pro- glaries. In one case a murder had Croom,

vieton for 80 machines in commis- been committed, yet nothing lund Brighton till Friday morning. In son --

"That wasteri" cried Mr. Fever:sion, and 40 In reserve. been done. The police seemed en-spector Pow determined to leave no

would trust aham, who had seen something of tirely at a loss, and surely the timertone unturned. He had come to give taxpayers suitable nothing to chance. Miss Railton Everard in New York.

had known the box was at Baynton "To obtain possession of certain protection.

Crescent, and she had been in Lon-jewellery." don, also, un the fatal evening.

"Which had been stolen from his mother from Lady Parkinson," urged Theresa.

The Navy Department has been proud of these huge craft, and the public have been told they are the most formidable vessels of their type afloat. In the Navy Bill now under consideration by the House "And become the property of the five afrcraft carriers are naked for. said but no tonnage la specified. Lion Insurance Company,

Obviously if new carriers are at Inspector Pow, significantly.

the maximum treaty allowance of 27,000 tons each this would be a violation of the treaty, as with the Lexington and Saratoga now afloat and the Langley, an older ship of about 13,000 tons, the United States has only 56,000 tons of its aircraft carrier allowance remain- ing.

Mr. Feversham took out a large white handkerchief and wiped his forehead.

"I don't know what you're driv- ing, at," he complained. "You fog me, between you."

Inspector Pow did his best to ex

next half-hour plain, and the proved the most embarrasing of Theresa's experience. Put, as the detective put it, the affair had no redeeming feature. She sat down, feeling that her legs would give way beneath her, if she tried to remain standing. She had to give

Treaty Limitations.

The Navy Department has no in- tention of violating the treaty, it has not made a mistake and if but it is in a mood to wonder if carriers of the size and cost of the Saratoga are as valuable as the public believes, and type of the Hermer of the British smaller carriers of the size and Mr.Navy, of about 18,000 tons, are not

ideal vessels.

a detailed account of her connexion with Everard Parkinson, just as she had done to Foster Markwell on the embankment, only on that occasion she had a far more sympathetic listener.

"Good gracious!" cried Feversham, when she was silent mean that Mark- again, "do you well is going to prosecute?"

whether

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Inspector Pow, accordingly, be- gan to consider where he stood.

And so had Martha Keene. Pow With the exception of Baynton Crescent, no fingerprints had been remembered her perfectly. She discovered. No doubt a practised had lived with Miss Croom for hand had been at work, and taken eighteen months-had she known the precaution to wear gloves, about the box? Perhaps, she had, At Miss Croom's, however, several perhaps not. According to Miss excellent impressions had been Rallton it had been kept in Miss found by Sergeant Galloway, Croom's wardrobe, but the maid though they had not tallfed with must often have been left alone in any of those in the official records, the house, koys are left lying about,

This signified that there had and women are inquisitive.

Last of all there were Everard been no previous conviction, through Identification would be nusisted in Parkinson and Miss Feversham. Dr. Markwell insisted that she had the event of an arrest.

The usual circulation of a denot heard of the jewels till after cription of such articles as had Miss

Croom was murdered, but been stolen from Number B, then he was obviously an admirer Baynton Crescent: The old of Miss Feversham's, notwithstand fashioned gold watch, the ear-ing her admitted attempt to rob ringa, the gold topped scentbottle, him.. Dr. Markell was a prejudiced

witness. and other things, had brought no result. All that Inspector Pow had Everard Parkinson had, at least, to guide him was a right hand, been told where the jewels were to yellow glove, size seven and three-bo found three days before the quarters, and unlikely to have been crime. There was no question in the possession of an ordinary about that. Giving Miss Fever- burglar. And at the tip of the sham, for the present, the benefit second finger of this glove had been of the doubt, and assuming Hill found a wad of cotton wool. Ser-yard's death, there were five per- geant Galloway's suggestion that sons, who might have known the the owner had lost the tip of his metal box was in Miss Croom's finger, appeared plausible, and posscasion, with the possible excep there was nothing,cise by way of a tion of Martha Keene, though on in- clue, till Monica Railton came to the wholo the Inspector was Scotland Yard, and, on stating her clined to include her.

Redpath, Miss Railton, Martha, taken to the In- business, was

Dr. Markwell, and Everard Parkin- spector.

can be out in the afr the other Monica created a favourable fra- conceivable owner of the

half might as well be left on land. pression. Her statement was clear, love!

Another reason is that there are matter-of-fact, and precise, and

400 many eggs in one basket. If left the Inspector indignant with

the Saratoga were crippled, sunk, Foster, whose sitting-room in Upper Baker Street be entered atf

or captured the fighting strength "Well, now, are you certain about of the fleet would be enormously statement in which the present An authoritative and frank ten o'clock the following morning.

On reaching the Capital Hotel, that?" said Pow coaxingly. "Good morning, Dr., Markwell"

"Perfectly certain," said Theresa. ho said, placing his bowler hat on Inspector Pow went straight to the

"And that Parkinson didn't tell great cost. The Navy Department attitude of the Free Churches to- the table. "You'd have seen me bureau, asking for Miss Feversham

Miss Croom more

is keeping its plans very secret, wards reunion was described as before if I'd been put wise about and being told she was sitting with you he'd seen

while seriously considering what one of disappointment and dis that box of jewellery, but it seems the short, high-shouldered, clean than once?"

its future direraft policy shall be, illusion, was made by Dr. W. B. "He told me he hadn't

of Mansfield shaven American gentleman just;

Solbie, Principal you didn't consider it necessary."

"So, you asked him?" cried In-

College, in an address at Pusey "No doubt," Foster admitted, "I within the doorway.

Although Theresa had been spector Pow sharply. "You sus-

House Oxford to the Society for jumped too hastily to the conclusion |

in fear and tremb-pected hira?"

Reunion... tlut it had been brought from waiting

breakfast, she had "I was afraid someone else ling since India-

very might," Theresa admitted. the "Wherever It curce from," Pow not imagined. that

looking. fatherly, "Now," said Pow, "I want you to insisted, "you ought to have de ordinary

middle-aged man who had just let me see his photo. clared it for probate →→→"

"I haven't one," she answered." "Anyhow," said Foster, not by passed her chair, could be the

never had one. Why any means without embarrassment, dreaded visitor. He was not by "I have "I have restored it to Lady Parkin-any means her ideal of a detective, should 17"

Now, however, that she saw him

son."

"On

Eighth."

"Did anybody see it afterwards?" "No." "You didn't mention it till you spoke to Miss Faversham?" Pow insisted.

CHAPTER XIX.

A SURPRISE FOR MR. FEVERSHAM,

"His fault's the other way," answered Pow. "Dr. Markwell's too backward in prosecuting."

"Then what are you after?"

Thore are several reasons to make the naval authorities ponder. In the first place there aro mechanical dimculties in getting

the machines in and out of the ship, and, while it sounds impres-

"The man who murdered Massive to say that a carrier has a FREE CHURCHES AND Croom, Mr. Feversham."

You don't surely imagine that Miss Feversham can help you!"

"Everything turns on the jewels," Inspector Pow insisted."

"My niece had not heard of their existence till after Miss Croom's death."

theoretical strength of a hundred planes or more, if less than half

impaired.

Finally there in the

AMERICA'S CITIZENS FROM ABROAD.

PROPOSED INCREASE OF BRITISH QUOTA,

ANGLICANS.

DR. SELBIE ON LAYMEN'S "ONSOLETE PROTESTANTISM,”

were

The present discussions in the Anglican Church, he said, being watched with the greatest anxiety, as it was realised that the outcome would be of the! greatest importance to the whole She seemed so near to a state off the Immigration Bill introduc-qucation of reunion.

The Free Churches felt that the "Yes, I understand," exclaimed return and raise his hat as he stop-collapse, that Inspector Pow took ad by Senator Watson, of Indiana,

the the inspector, "that you droppeded before her chair, she served his lunt from the table, though he with the approval of Mr. Davis, real obstacle to unity was

spirit It as soon as it was too hot to hold herself for the worst, only wishing had intended to ask one or two fur-Secretary of Labour, becomes law which had too often been mani- of sectarian dissension Now, when did you receive the box she had taken the precaution to ther questions. He could get the the quota from Great Britain and fest in the past. There was far from Miss Croom, Dr. Markwell?" prepare Elias Feversham's mind. information elsewhere. Mr. Fever- Northern Ireland would be almost mare doctrinal difference in the the She had lacked the necessary cour- share opened the door but made no doubled, as would the Russian and Anglican Church than in any of Tuesday evening

age. She had tried to hope that attempt to ale, the Inspector out Italian quotas.

the Free Churches at the pre- something might happen, and now He wished to take advantage of the

Great Britain, and Northern Ire-sent moment. ane thought it probably would.

present privacy to express his re

land would be raised from 34,097/ The discussion on the Prayer "Miss Feversham, I think?"

sentment.

Taking short, jerky paces from to 73,039. Russia from 2,243 to Book had led to a good deal of said Pow.

Theresa

tried to control her door to window, he did this with 4.781, and Italy from 3,845 to 6,091, hardening of opinion among Free

extraordinary force during the The German quota will be reduced Church people. In the voice:

"I am Miss' Feversham."

from 61,227 to 23,428 and the of recent conversations he had next ten minutes.

"You've not only disgraced your-Irish Free State from 28,567 to been surprised at the extreme and Reductions would be rather obsolete Protestantism me,". he concluded. 18,860, self, but

In immigration "There's only one saving clause. made

from held by many prominent laymen! "Great Scott" exclaimed Mr. There will be no more nonsense, Scandinavia, France, and other of the Anglican Church.

Immigration from If there was to be any hope of about Nina. I always told her countries, Elias Feversham's niece, Monica" should like a few minutes' con- Parkinson was a thoroughly bad Canada would also be increased, reunion with the Anglican Church, lot. Now she'll be able to judge, while from Mexico and other Latin- the first step must be that the Railton having omitted this deversation"

"What in the world can you for herself."

American countries" it would be Church must be set free from the tail.

control of the State. he said, abruptly, want to converse with my niece

"You're not going to write," heavily reduced.

There are so many conflicting "there's Redpath. What about about?" demanded Mr. Feversham, urged Theresa.

Inspector Pow glanced at the oc-

"I'shall catch the mall," cried opinions as to what should be done He listened attentively to the accupants of the other chairs by the Mr. Feversham. "What beats me in the revision of the existing Im count of Foster's visit to Little doorway.

is Markwell's behaviour. If he migration law that it is impossible Oakham Street, and made a note of "Perhaps, we might go some had prosecuted you, I could under- at the present time to say what the number, then asked for the ad-where more private," he suggested. stand it, but how he can have any will be the eventual decision of

With a grunt of dissatisfaction,truck with you after the scandalous Congress. dresses of one or two others, whom

That was the cue for an elaborate explanation of Theresa's share in! the transaction, the Inspector hay-

"I am Detective-Inspector Pow Ing already heard about it from a of the Criminal Investigation De different point of view the previous partment, Scotland Yard evening. Tow was obviously im-

pressed by the fact that she was Feversham.

"Then,"

him?"

way you treated him

"bo

Thercan almost smiled. "Still," she murmured, doesn't seem to mind, does he?""

(To be continued.) -

he intended to see during the day. Mr. Fevershum rose and led the "Well, Dr. Markwell," he said, way to the burcay. During the putting away his notebook, "is laat four or five years, Theresa had there anything else you can tell done one or two things of which me? Sure you're keeping nothing he warmly disapproved. She was

in a position to assert her indepen (The characters in this story are back this time, eh?"

Leaving Foster feeling rather dence, and had done so with admir-entirely imaginary and no reference

thoroughness. Mr. Fever to living persons is intended) #df-conscious, Inspector Pow stood able on the doorstep, hesitating which shum had objected to her solling way to turn next, whether to go for England alone, instead of wait north to Martha Keene, or south to ing for his escort as had been ar

The

famous tragi-comedy

LETTER GOLF SOLUTION.

course

Here is the solution to the puzzle on another page.

SMART

While a number of Grimsby schoolboys were at play Robert Howden (12) tumbled down a sub- way steps, whereupon the other boys procured two pieces of wood, and, utilising their top-coate, im-START

provised a stretcher on which they: carried him to an ambulance station.

the Capital Hotel, and Cliff Street, ranged. She had a roving dispaal-"Celestina," by the Fifteenth Cen- When three Chinamen were re- Berkeley Square, finally making up tion, and the fact was alle ought to tary Spanish dramatist Rojas, manded at Scarborough charged ala mind to seo Miss Feversham have been a boy, although she look next. He would walk a part of theed so delightfully feminine. Even has been adapted for the modern with failing to comply with the way, taking the quieter streets and Ellus Faversham admitted that stage by the German dramatist Allens Order, the Chief Constable Wolfenstein, and was played for stated that Chinese were being squares, and smoking a pipe, while But he could never feel quite cor the first time at Frankfort-on-the- dumped in this country at Cardiff, he thought things over.

tain what she would do next, Shel

Main.

Liverpool, and other porta. Who had known of the metal box lought to marry, and tell the truth,

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