1928-05-31 — Page 11

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Romance and Mystery.

Zora, the Invisible

By J. R. WILMOT..

(Author of "The Moorcroft Manor, Mystery.")

CHAPTER 1.

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH,

At ten o'clock be returned sult ably refreshed and wonderfully By Whose Hand?

revivifled with the company of his Mr. Montgomery Gaynor, dia- fellow men and something more mond marchant, sat in his luxuri- than a nodding acquaintance with ously appointed office in Hatton his class. Mounting the stairs he tried the door of the outer Garden, a cameo of opulence office. It yielded to his touch and The Persian rug that covered the

That opened upon the darkness. floor was an exquisitely cunning was the first shock. Switching on piece of work. He had brought it the light, he crossed to the door back with him from his last tour of Montgomery Gaynor's private into the Orient.

office, and tapped lightly on the opaque glass panel. Receiving no reply, he turned the handle.

His desk was of highly polished mahogany. It was get just a little to one side of the curtained win- dow. Neatness and order were fetish with him and the contents of his desk responded to the lawe of method.

was no

THURSDAY, MAY 31. 1928.

"There, he is!" he announced. SENTENCE INCREASED. "What do you make of him?”

FATHER WHO SET HIS HOUSE ON FIRE.

Peter Blayne--to one over called him Dr. Blayne, though he was a specialist in forensic medicine and some of the higher branches of medical science-surveyed the rigid figure in the chair with a critical The Court of Criminal Appeal eye. Ho

ran his delicate, yet increased the sentence of three capablo fingers over the body years' penal servitude passed at the on Albert Montgomery Gaynor as though Nottingham Assizes searching for something concealed Francis. Martin for arson to one in the clothing. Next he examin- of five years' penal servitude. ed the eyes and they ared to excite hle interest,

"Do you mind, Webater," he said, some glancing up, "If I do thing not quite in keeping with the usual practice? I happen to have a little set of useful instruments with me, and I'm rather curious."

"Go ahead and do just whatever you like," Webster agreed.

Peter Blayne produced a small, compact box from his pocket. It contained a spirit lamp of Lillipa- tian dimensions, a number of small glass sliden scarcely more than two inches long and half-inch wide, and a needle.

Giving the decision of the Court, the Lord Chief Justice said that Martin, because of differences with his wife, twice threatened to set fire to the house where he lived with her and their six childron. smelt smoke in the bedrooms, and One night two of the older sons on rushing downstairs found the premises aflare and their father' about" but doing "prancing nothing to put the fire out.

Had not somebody intervened to put out the fire there was no doubt that Martin would have burnt his wife and family to death. He was now 58 years of age, and although, apart from occasional drinking For the next few minutes he was bouts, he had a good character, the engaged in making a blood test gravity of the crime merited re- of the dead man. Having com-consideration of the sentence, which pleted the operation he placed the would be increased to five years" blood-covered slides in an air-penal servitude. ·

light case, and transferred the outfit to his pocket.

"I don't know very much about

Detroit, May 30.

The room was in darkness, and his hand went to the switch. In the subdued flood of yellow light from under a green shade, William Bannister gasped. At first he He was a heavily built man with thought that Montgomery Gayner Just a suggestion of obesity. His had fallen asleep. He coughed, rubleund face was mildly red and discreetly, but there relieved by a close-cropped, iron-response, Cautiously advancing

The National Automobile Cham- grey moustache, is age? Fifty-towards the deak the caretaker five to sixty would be a generous experienced a peculiar sensation. Gaynor yet," and Webster, who estimate, though his eyes had not. It was as if something felly chill had watched the operation with ber of Commerce has announced lost the flash and the sparkle of was gripping his throat-an over-interest, "bat.I hope to have quite that the prices of all cars will be youth.

powering sensation of something a number of details by to-morrow.reduced by the amount of the war I do know, however," he went on, tax remitted under the Tax Reduc- tion Bill. The reductions will A soft-footed clerk entered evil. noiselessly, and placing a sheaf of Gaynor was staring fixedly at "that he has been enormously suc range from £2 for the cheaper His cessful in busincas. He has been cars to £4 for the dearer ones.—— documents on the desk beside him, the wall in front of him. just as silently withdrew. Mr. aleel-grey eyes were wide open, and in London for well over twenty Reuter's American Service. Gaynor made no movement when the colour had mat left his face. years, and I suppose it is only na There was something about the man tural that, like most successful that had no resemblance to death,men of his ealfbre, he has made and yet, when he touched the body enemies as well as friends." ho found it rigid; like iron.

the clerk entered. He often sat aflent when he was planning the details of a complicated business transaction.

SHARE PRICES.

TO-DAY'S QUOTATIONS.

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

- Banks,

Hongkong Bank, $1287) n. Chartered Bank, £211 b. Moroantile A. & B., £331 n. P. and O. 2o n. East Anim. $75 n.

Insurances.

Canton Ins., $620 a. Union Ins., 8324 80. North China, Ins., Tls. 140 b. Yangtze Ins., $50 n. China Underwriters, $21. China Fires, $230 b. H., K. Fire Ins., $740 8.

Shipping.

b.

Douglases, $36)

H. K. Steamboats, $231 s. H. K. Tuge, $2 B

Indo-Chinas, (Dof.) $65 n. Shell Trans., 94/- -Union Waterboats, $20 s.

Mining.

Bongnate, $14.

Kailans, 60/- b. Langkato, Tls. $12.20 s.

S'hai Exploration, Tie. 2.80 b. Raubs, $4 n.

Tronohe, 17/6 n.

Docks, etc

D.

Kowloon Wharves, $130 n. Whampoa Dooks, $40) China Providents $5 b. Hongkowe, Tis. 160 b. New Engineerings, Tls, 5 n.- 'Shanghal Docks, Tls, 108 n. Cottona.

Ewo Cottons, Tis. 8.75 n. Orientale, Tia. 2,20 n. S'hai Cottons, Tis. 51 (old) D.

Lands, Hotels, elc.

H. and B. Hotels, $0. H. K. Lands, $632 S'hai Iands Tis. 144 Humphreys, $14) Realties, $8.50 8.

BD

A,

b.

n.

Public Utilities.

Tramways, $241 Poak Trams, (old) $132 b.' Star Ferries, $64 : China Lights, (Old) $10 a. H'kong Electrics, $70 s. Macao Electrics, 1261 b. Telephonos $6 a.

China Buses, Tis.. 9 b. Singapore Tractions, 9/9 b.

Industrials.

11.

Mr. Christopher Bradshaw, son of the founder of "Bradshaw's Rail- way Guide," whose death at the age While the Scotland Yard Tn of 87 oczurred at his home near No one in that office would have It was then that Bannister's fear had been discoursing por Mr. Manchester recently, was a link dared address his employer when got the better of him and he fled Montgomery Gaynor, Peter Blayne with the Victorians. His great atillness resigned in that de- from the room, down the flight of had been roving around the room friend was Sir Henry Irving. He lectable apartment. Mr. Gaynor stairs into the street, and halled noting its contents and getting had a fine collection of journals mental picture of the prosperous and memoirs, and many volumes did all the talking necessary.a constable nt the corner.

In less than five minutes a doc-diamond merchant sented at his on the history of the stage were Others were paid to listen-and to obey. That was the secret of his tor and Scotland Yard had been desk in the full-blooded vigour of sent to the John Rylands Library when Irving died. Mr. Bradshaw successful munhood. success. That was one of the communicated with,

The medical man arrived first.

He paused for a moment by the was engaged in the printing busi- reasons why he was reputed to be

set on an nesa till within a few years of his one of the wealthiest diamondle examined the dead man care-

angle in one corner of the office to death. merchants in Europe. His name fully and looked up from his ding-fire-grate which was «was known from Amsterdam to the nosis with a puzzled frown.

should say he has been dead the extreme left of the desk. He Azores. When Montgomery Gay- nor made a leal, the world market for five or six hours, though how he noted, further, that it had pro- one of Mr. Gaynor's many agents "I suppose you don't mind if I In precious stones quivered, stood came by his death don't know, bably not been used for heating in some remote part of the world. There is something here that needs purposes for, some time. A large still for a moment and then read-closer investigation. It is the most electric radiator cumfortably ad- collect this ash?" he asked. "It justed itself in conformity with singular case of death I have ever jacent to the dead man's desk pro- may prove something or nothing at vided that measure of warmth a all. In any case I'm rather curious his gigantic planning and schem-seen." ing.

Inspector Charles Webster, of man of Mr. Gayner's dimensions to know what it is makes thin ngh He had spent most of his life the Special Branch of Scotland demanded. Yet there was some different from any other ash I've acheming. He had realised, quite Yard, heard the caretaker's story thing in that scrupulously clean ever niet."

"Seeing that I'm satisfied to early in life, that he had to put his and listened quietly. He had also grate that attracted his attention intelligence against the best and met Dr. Briscoe on several occasions and aroused his interest. It was a leave that aspect of the inquiry. incidentally, the most crooked brains in the two hemispheres, and and knew him to be a thoroughly small quantity of bluish-grey ash entirely in your hands, I don't see reliable medical, man. In view of which might easily have been the that there's any objection at all." that life was a perpetual fight this he decided to believe what the remains of a particularly good Se Peter Blayne emptied a match- against an unknown adversary a doctor had told him, and to awalt cigar, so curiously congealed was box of its contents and transfer- ways on watch for a joint in his developments, for Webster was not it. In fact, if Peter Blayne had red the almost solid piece of ash

one of those men who see any sense been an ordinary man, and got into it. in setting out on a wild goose chase someone who had taught himself over London In search of as yet a never to accept the obvious inter- don't think I can do anything more hypothetical murderer.

pretation of ensual observation, he just now."

"I'll give you a ring first thing Investigation proved that nothing would, no doubt, have permitted was how he figured things out in the office had been tampered the common-place phenomenon to in the morning," Webster intimat- and even when he became a power with."

a name to be conjured with-he

"Don't move the body or disturb evade his critical analysis. As it ed. "By then I hope to have a had not relaxed his code of busi-anything at all," he commanded the was he stooped down and touched few more detalls concerning Gay- Blayne took up his hat from quently with his fingers. ness morale one iota, though he constable, as he reached for the the little heap of ash inconse-nor's activities." admitted that the fight always be- desk telephone and asked for a

To his amazement he discovered the desk. "I'll cut along, came easier when he had behind number.

that the ash was very acarly' solid There's nothing I can tell you ex- him a vast accumulation of wealth

as he touched it, it fell cept that-well, I'm much more: and, through the gaping bars of the interested in this case than you to be used as powder and shot as

can't tell you why necessity demanded.

grate into the cavity beneath with may think. aut showing any signs of even at present because I don't quite partial disintegration. This puz-know myself. By the way," he zled him considerably, Never be added, "I suppose you can arrange fore had he encountered ash no for me to be present at the post

mortem?" He replaced the receiver, slowly thoroughly homogenous as this.

"Certainly," said the Inspector. Glasgow Corporation hava post- "Found something of interest?" ed to sit in his office chair before and turned to the doctor.

“I don't see any reason why you inquired Webster, noting the "There'll be no diffenity about led notices to their conductors to and the effect that Alsatian wolf- his desk gazing transfixedly at the should be kept from your bed any younger man's concentrated atten- that. Good-night. Peter

hounds are not to be allowed on buff-coloured paper on the wall to longer, doctor," he intimated, gention on the fire gitte.

many thanks."

tramcars. the immediate right of the long ially. "You're quite satisfied he's

"What brand of cigars would window.

heen dead for at least five hours, you say Gaynor smoked?" asked He did not move.

aren't you?"

"Certainly the medical man Blayne, in a casual tone. agreed. "You'll let me know first thing in the morning, about the autopsy, won't you?"

business armour,

Every successful business man must have enemies. He couldn't help it. The nature of the scheme of things ordained so. That

"Hello! 1 Mr. Blayne int he "Ask him to come to the inquired.

phone for a moment, will you?. On this delightful April afternoon Hello! is that you, Peter? Webster with the sun showering darts of speaking. Can you come round to virgin gold against the drah brick Zenith Buildings, Hatton Garden? and stone of city offices, and flook I've got something I'd like you to ing the rooms with amber light,ce.... Good!" Mr. Montgomery Gaynor continu-

6.

"Something a little more expen- sive than Marcellas, I shotild imagine. But I can easily satisfy

If anyone had entered just then -as the silent-footed clerk had done a few minutes before they would would have tip-toed softly from the room and whispered: "Sure," said Webster, as he you on that point," added the de- "The Old Man's got another big grasped the doctor's hand. "Good-tective, opening one drawer and then another of Gaynor's expan- Iden. He's for all the world-like a night!"

sive desk. graven image."

As an adjacent clock was booming And they would not have been out the hour of midnight with pon. so very far astray in their assump-derous voice, a young man clad in a tions. True, he was seated there neat suit of tweeds, turned in at like an image carved from flesh the main entrance to the block of and bone, but he had been relieved offices known as Zenith Buildings. from the necessity of thinking,

For Mr. Montgomery Gaynor was dend.

CHAPTER II. First Steps to Mystery. It was the caretaker of the building that housed Mr. Mont gomery Gaynor's offices who made been the discovery. Ale had warned that the diamond merchant was still in his oflee when the elerks had locked their desks and reached for their hats on the stroke of half-past-five.

He could not have been much over

"Ile didn't smoke diamond-chip- pings by any chance?" smiled Blayne, glancing up.

"Ah, here we are," announced Webster, withdrawing a cigar box from one of the drawers. "El Dromeneos, according to the scal, Never heard of the brand before, have you?"

thirty-bronzed, clean-cut and won derfully healthy. He was one of those men who appear as if they have been gifted with perpetual "Never," replied Blayne, with no vitality. There was an unconscious rhythm in every movement of his great display of interest In his He looked just what volee, for just then cigars had lithe, body. he was an athlete, cyery inch of reased to be of much consequence in his investigation of the peculiar him.

lle found a constable posted ontush. He had discovered some- side the door of Montgomery Gay-thing that completely exonerated ur, Limited. The young man nud-the rolls of tobnece leaf from any he had found with the aid of his ded to the officer and was admitted connexion with the crime. This without challenge.

"Hello, Peter!" greeted the In- pocket electric torch lying at the spector. "Sorry to drag you from lack of the grate beneath the bot It was no uncommon thing for the comfortable depths of your club tom bars. It was a small scrap of Air. Gaynor to remain in his room armchair at this hour, but I've got paper that had, no doubt, escaped long after the others had gone something, here that I think will the conflagration by which the home, and none knew this better interest you."

bluish-grey dah had been produe- than William' Bannister. He had Peter Blayne smiled. He knewed. But that was not all. Ix- never found the diamond mer-that when Divisional Dectective-scribed upon it in a peculiar shade: chant lacking in generosity. Inspector Webster sent for him of green ink was one word, ZORA. Webster, the while, was specu- On this particular night the there was always something un- caretaker had seen the cleaners usual,

premises

Together the pair passed into thelating upon the country of origin 'clock, and noting that the door private office where the body of its of the cigars as though the topic of "Montgomery Gaynor Limited" former occupier still reposed statu- interested him, and Blayne slip- was still unlocked, went on to esquely magnificent in the swivel ped the little piece of paper inte partake of a little stimulant to office chair,

off

the

ninc at

Webster explained to the young a small tavern tucked unostenta- tiously away scarcely a stone's man what he had gleaned from the

earetaker and the doctor. throw from the building.

He felt that

his pocket book. either he had stumbled upon an important clue to the mystery, ar nothing more consequential than a legitimately destroyed letter from

"Thanks," he murmured.

(To be Continued).

"I

now.

China Sugars, $3) n. Malabons, $241 Canton.Icos, $4 n. Coments (Comb.19 Ropos (Old) #7.10 n. United Asbastos $10 11.

Stores &c. Dairy Farms, $211 a, Watsons, $14.25 b. Der A. Wing, 50 n. Lane Crawfords, $3.75 n. Mackintosh, $20 u. Bincores, $91 Wm. Powells, $3 m.

Miscellaneous. Amusements, $29 Constructions, $li n.

11.

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OBITUARY.

1.

DUKE OF NEWCASTLE.

London, May 30. The death is reported of the! Duke Newcastle-under-Lymé.- Reuler.

[Henry Pelham Archibald Dou- glas Pelham-Clinton, D.L., `J.P., the 7th Duke of Newcastle-under- Lyme; Earl of Lincoln; Lord High Steward of Retford Masteri Forester of Dartmoor; Keeper of St. Briavel's Castle, was born September 28, 1854, and succeed- ed his father in 1879. He was cducated at Eton, His lineage

LETTER GOLE SOLUTION.

Here is the solution to the puzzle on another page.

R

T

RO FOOT FORT

FORE

commences with Geoffrey de Clin FRE

ton, Lord Chamberlain to Henry I

and afterwards Justice of Eng-

land. The earldom of Lincoln

Mr. Anthony Prinsep, the Lon- was created by Queen Elizabeth in don theatre manager, and Miss favour of one of his ancestors in Margaret Bannerman, the actress,. 1872:1

have been married at Melbourne: