1928-03-21 — Page 11

K

THE METAL BOX

By THOMAS COBB.

-(Author of "False Prilences," Mrs. Pomeroy's Reputation, dcf

CHAPTER XXI.

Lady Parkinson is Startled, Mr. Lupton, with all his experi- ance, found it difficult to "place" Detective-Inspector Pow. It was nearly four when he rang the bell at the important looking house in Park Lane, a time when any of her ladyship's many friends might be arriving. The butler looked at Inspector Pow and Inspector Pow looked at the butler, giving as good as he received in that regard. "Sir Joseph at home?" asked the detective.

"That's neither here nor thero," sald Pow, "The point is that Mr. Parkinson was after the box, though he knew the contents were the pro- I perty of the insurance company. suppose this is Mr. Parkinson," he added, stretching forth his hand and taking a framed cabinet por- trait from the table on which Lady Parkinson'a elbow was resting.

"What can you want it for?" ahe demanded.

"Purposes of identification, my lady. If you'll excuse me.".

As he took it deftly from the frame, he thought he had never Iseen a woman more violently agitat. "Sir Joseph le not at home," ed, though his experience was con- "Then, I'll see Lady Parkinson."siderable. She was incapable of "Hot will you?" thought Mr. the slightest effort to disguise her Lupton, but as he stood frowning grief, while Inspector Pow stood at the perplexing visitor, he was looking at the photograph, which enlightened,

had been taken just before Everard "Detective-Inspector Pow. Just sailed for New York, but unfortun- take my name in, will you?" ately from the detective's point of Mr. Lupton at once perceived view did not show the hands. He that this was not the time for was putting it in his breast pocket, trifling. He had, together with when the door opened and Sir avery other member of the house-Joseph entered, whereupon Lady. hold, heard of the return of the Parkinson ran Impetuously for- stolen jewels, and no doubt the ward, clinging to his arm.. detective had come in connexion "Joel Joe!" she cried, "this is with, that extraordinary occur- is Inspector "Pow. He has come

about Everard-"

rence.

"If you walk in, I will tell her Good Heavens!" Sir Joseph in- ladyship," Baid the butler.terrupted, what on earth has the "Kindly take a sent, Inspecter.". boy been doing now?"

The Inspector, however, pre- Lady Parkinson, tried to speak, ferred to stand, and alone in the but failed, and while she still clung spacious, tesselated, elaborately to his arm, Pow went through the decorated hall, with its numerous story once more, Sir Joseph tower- marble statues, he moralised Ing above him, broad-shouldered, about the general "rumminess" of frowning, scarcely waiting till he life. Here was Sir Joseph Parkin- ceased speaking. son, with a title and a seat in the The most damnably ridiculous House of Commons, and a son who tale I've ever listened to," he ex- was only a source of anxiety, who claimed. "Not a word of senso in stood in danger---very grave it. You can't have a scrap of evid danger of arrest. for Wilfulence."

Murder. And thero was Redpath, "All In good time, Sir Joseph," I professional begging-letter said Pow.

your mind. I know my son through and through. I know what he's capable of and what he isn't."

Sir Joseph felt more sympathetic towards Everard than he had done

writer, living in squalor, whose "Good time! You must be out of daughter was the apple of his eye, Meanwhile Mr. Lupton went slowly upstairs to Lady Parkinson, who was overdressed and 'be- jewelled as usual, longing for the clock to strike four, when after- for some years. The boy might be noon tea would be brought in, her guilty of any meannons or dupli- eyes additionally red to-day, on elty to obtain money for his dis- account of the happy, sentimental sipations, but to accuse him of mur- ending of the novel by her side. der was sheer madness. For once Closing the door, Lupton noise- he stood by his wife's side in de lessly crossed the parquet floor fence of their son. Everard had with valuable eastern rugs like been almost their only cause of in- small islands of tropical colour, tagonism, but now they were as one nor spoke the reached Lady in resenting this egregious accuen- Parkinson's side.

tion.

"Detective-Inspector Pow, my At the same time, Sir Joseph lady." he sail deferentially. dreaded the disgrace and unplea- "Eh, what?" she cried, with a santness which must inevitably jump.

follow an arrest if Inspector Pow "Detective-Inspector Pow, my dared to go so far. There must, lady. He requests an interview."presumably, be some sort of evid- "Not-not with me, Lupton!" ence, though of course it could and "Yes, my lady, Sir Joseph being should be countered, but in spite of out. I left him in the hall, think-his innocence, the odium would ing you would wish to see him eling to him, and break his in the morning-room."

another.

mother's heart.

"There's one question I should like to ank," said Pow.

"What the devil's that?" Did Mr. Parkinson lose the tip of his finger in the War-"

"No no cried Sir Joseph, Impat- lently. "Tears before. When he was a boy at school."

"The second finger of his right! hand," suggested the Inspector, striving to show no sign of satis faction.

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH,

SHARE PRICES.

TO-DAY'S QUOTATIONS.

The following is tho list of local share quotations issued to-day:

Banks,

Hongkong Bank, $1250 b Chartered Bank, £211 b. Mercantile A & B., £334 P. and 0.04, n." East Asia, $73} b

Insurances.

Canton Ins., $675 b. Union Ins., 6331 n. North China, Ina., Tis: 143 n. Yangtazo Ins., $461 b.. China Undorwriters, $2.45 China Firos, $215 n.

b. H. K. Fire Ins., $750 Shipping,

Douglases, 1401 s.

H. K. Steamboats, $297 s. H. K. Tugs, $2.50 8. Indo-Chinas, (Dof.) $45 b. Shell Trans., 90/- n Union Waterboats, $20 n.

Mining. Benguets, $2.35 n Kallans, 66/-

Д.

Langkats, Tis, $16 n.

B.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1928.

THE LATE MR. J. M. BRITTO.

FUNERAL AT HAPPY VALLEY.

It is with much regret that wo have to record the death of Mr. J. H. Britto, chief of the parcels post department of the Hongkong Gen- eral Post Office, which took place at his residence, 12, Granville Road, Kowloon, yesterday morning. The decensed had been in the postal service for 28 yours, and he was ex- tremely popular with his colleagues and all who enjoyed his friendship. He was a keen member of the Club de Recrelo, taking much interest in lawn bowls. He leaves an aged mother, widow and son, with whom the utmost sympathy is felt.

The funeral took place yesterday afternoon at the Catholic Cemetery, Happy Valley. The Rev. Father Cranvelli officiated, and a large. number of friends attended. The chief mourners were deceased's only son, Mr. Henry Britto, and his three brothers-in-law, Messrs, J, S. Alves, G. A. Osmund and E. J. Figueiredo. Among others pre- sent were Mr. T. Hynes, of the Post Office, and many of his fellow work- ers employed at the Post Office.

Among the many floral tributes were the following:-"From your dear wife," "Henry," Messrs. 13. J. Figueiredo, G. A. Osmund, J. S. Alves, Your Loving Mother."

S'hai Exploration, Tls. -2.75 b. Lydia and Jeo, Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Raubs, $41 b.

Tronabs, 17/6 b.

Docks, etc.

Kowloon Wharves, $141 b. Whampoa Docks, $48 n. China Providents 6 s. Hongkowa, Tls. 164 6. Now Engineerings, Tls. 4.80 s. Shanghai Docks, Tls. 101 b.

Cottons,

Ewo Cottons, Tls. 8.70's. Orientals, Tls. . b. S'hai Cottons, Tls. 60 (old) b.

Lands, Hotels, etc.

85

H. and S. Hotels, $91 s. H. K. Lands, $681 b. S'hai Lands Tie, $131 b.

b. Humphreys, $15 Realties, $8 Torritorials, $1,

Public Utilities. Tramways, $25.85 b. Peak Trams, (old) $121 5 Star Forrios, $644 n

China Lights, (Comb.) $18 b H'kong Electrica, $71 b. Macao Electrics, $21 b. Telophones $4.85 b. China Buses, Tis, 61 Singapore Tractions, 11/9 b,

Industrials.

China- Sugars, $12 s. Malabons, $26 Canton Icos, $4 b Coments (Comb.) $114 Ropes (Old) $9.40 6. United Asbestos $10 6,

Stores &c.

Dairy Farms, $21 b. Watsons, $14 b.

8.

Der A. Wing, #1 5. Lane Crawforde, $3.05 b. Mackintosh, $22 5. Sinceros, $10 b. Wm, Powells, 65, n.

Miscellaneous. Amusements, $291 b. Constructions, $1. n. B'quo Ind, G. Bonds, 60% b. H. K. G. Loan, 0%. Prem.

BEBE DANIELS.

CAPITAL NEW COMEDY FOR QUEEN'S.

She had no wish to see him any- where. Not that she suspected his visit had anything to do with Everard, for though the dear boy "had certainly done all manner of things he ought not to have done, he had never come into contact with the police, excepting boat race nights. Like the butler, she associated Pow's presence with the jewels, already handed over to the Lion Insurance Company, Limited,

"The Campus Flirt" with Bebe but Lady Parkinson had only What in the world can that have Daniels as the leading player, as spoken to a detective once, in her to do with the murder of Miss advertised in this issue, is coming life, after the robbery at Waterloo, Croom?" demanded Sir Joseph.

to the Queen's Theatre on Sunday and she never wanted to speak to There could no longer be room and Monday next. The story con- for doubt. Everard Parkinson Going downstairs, however, she had been present at the scene of the cerna itself with the activities of a. glanced at the Inspector in the crime. Inspector Paw had gain- college girl who "high hats" every- The f girl's hall, and a minute later he wased the most valuable information, one failing to come up to her own

ridiculous standard. ushered into the morning room. as well as the photograph, but even

"I suppose," she suggested, "you so, he was not quite certain how subsequent treatment at the bands go. It of her fellow students provides have something to say about my far, it would be safe to jewellery-".

would be worse than useless to make auglis galore. How she defeats "Well, I have and I haven't" was an arrest without the reasonable the champion racer of the college: the answer. "What I want is prospect of a conviction. It was how she refoses to "walk home" of from a boat ride, and any of a Mr. Everard Parkinson's photo, if One thing to feel confident

the mane guilt, quite another to score of other amusing situations you can oblige me."

Lady Parkinson promptly sat bring it home to him before a jury. will keep the audience in a state

Sir Joseph would take care that bin of constant merriment. "But my son had nothing to do son had the most skilful counsel to "The Campus Flirt," directed by defend him. He would give Clarence Badger, sparkles with with it," she insisted.

"I'm afraid you're wrong there evidence on his own behalf, and to genuine college atmosphere, its Lady Parkinson," said Pow. judge by the photograph, appear-track meet scenes having been you ask me, he had a good deal to ances were in his favour. The photographed in the grounds of jury would be cloquently urged to the University of California. El do with it."

Then, altting there, breathing give him the benefit of any doubt Brendel, James Hall, and other tumultuously, with tears in her that might exist in their minia, well-known players do their share eyes, Lady Parkinson received the and there was always a reluctance in making Miss Daniels' latest pic-

In his to return a verdict of guilty on tare a great success. heaviest blow of her life. quiet, easy going way, the Inspec- circumstantial evidence alone. In tor told the whole story, how, in short, Inspector Pow was scarcely the first place, Everard had inter-prepared to arrest Everard Parkin- cepted Redpath on the doorstep, son without consulting his superior heard where the stolen jewels were officers.

down.

Astonishing what a few words of explanation may do. When I've seen him, we shall know better where we stand.

With that Inspector Pow took his hat from the table, Sir Joseph ringing for Lupton to let him out of the house. The instant the door

to be found, and a few hours later, Granting that the suspect return gone to Baynton Crescent, to try to ed to Cliff Street, and there was no Induce Miss Croom to surrender reason to assume he would not, them. Inspector Fow reminded precautions had already been taken Lady Parkinson that Miss Croom to prevent his escape. It was true had been murdered the following that Sir Joseph might know where Thursday, and then he gave a gra to find him, might warn him with closed, Lady Parkinson clasped her phie account of her son's attempt the conceivable result that Everard, arms round her husband's neck, to obtain possession of the metal if guilty, might take his own life. sobbing violently, while he for his box from Dr, Markwell,

Inspector-Pow thought it judicious, own part was scarcely dry-ayed,

(To be continued.) "It was Dr. Markwell who to temporist.

(The characters in this story aro brought. it here," cried Lady Par-"Well, Sir Joseph," he said. kinson, "but he never mentioned my soothingly, "all I want at present is entirely imaginary and no reference. son's name.".

a word or two with Mr. Parkinson, to living persons is intended.)

Hodman, Mr. and Mrs. T. Hynes and family, Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Castro, Mr. and Mrs. J. Ribeiro and family, Mr. A. A. R. Botelho, Mr. and Mrs. E. L. R. Rozario, Mr. and Mra. F. F. Barreto, C, H. Graca and Mr. J. A. Graca, A. C. Botelho, F. X. Soarea, Mr. J. Pes- tonji, Mr. A. E. Xavier, Mr. E. J. Brown, Mr. Noronha.

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