1937-12-31 — Page 25

HONGKONG TELEGRAPH WEEK-END SECTION

BY WHOSE HAND?

EPISODE

FROM

INSPECTOR PLAYFAIR'S

SERGEANT DUMBELL, enter- ing his superior's room, found Joshua Playfair busy with his lens. He was examin- ing photographs of a tumbler, which had been so treated as to display the finger-prints on the glass.

me."

we

NOTE

BOOK

HUMOUR

SECTION

FRIDAY,

WHY WINTER COMES AND HOW!

By

L. W. LOWER

Cruel, unkind Winter sneaks upon us. Alrendy I have com. menced the task of shovelling the moth-balls off my woollies,

My woollen jacket which Mrs. Lower knitted with such loving lady knocked at her lodger's door in such a state of disrepair that care Inst year is now, happily. locked, and found, as you know, I am at last furnished with an She opened the door, which was un- dead body. There was every appear-excuse for not wearing it. ance of sulekie. Maggilees lay crum pled on the floor, a pistol-his own pistol, with his own fingerprints on it-having apparently fallen his hand. The fingerprints are con- from slatent with his having held the pistol, So is the wound in his right temple. "In short, Dumbell, we could accept the hypothesis of suicide-were not for this tell-tale gloss,"

"Maggilees," he said briefly. Dumbell looked surprised, "Case of suicide, sir, surely?" was his com- ment. "Everybody says so."

"Ah!" said Dumbell. "So they're "Dear

answered Playfair, someone else's fingerprints!" motioning the other to chalt.

#1 "Here, ladles and gentlemen,

Playfair frowned. "No, I'm sorry! We're have one of the Yard's brightest but once again you're wrong. detectives-a candidate, I'm told, up against a very clever man. for the Inspectorate and he wanders glass which contained, not poison. around Headquarters elling every- but whisky and water-It was left body' as a witness. Let me remind about a quarter full-this glass, Dum- you, my dear Durabell, of the motto, bears the fingerprints of the late 1of, I think, Haig of Bemerside.......

No."

" he added, "not Haig: but one of those Scottish chieftains,"

MURDER

quoted

"And what is that, sir?" asked Dumbell, looking a trifle crestfallen,

"They cap."

Playfair. "They say. What do they say? Let them say. Let them say, Dumbell," The repeated, with suppressed excite. ment in his voice. "Mr. Maggitees did not commit suicide. He was

¡murdered."

ishment.

Magglees.

This

"But--here's my point-there's something fishy about them. Look at the photographis. What you'll see“ be handed over his lens is the ger and thumb-prints of Maggies impressed once only, on # right hand, cleverly impressed, but

newly

polished surface.

"Does that make sense, Dumbell? I suppose it's theoretically possible that Maggiees, having clasped the glass firmly in his hand, never shifted the position of his fingers and never

touched it with the other hand. But,

it's most unlikely. The sug

Hitherto, I have had to sneak furtively down back lanes with my overcoat tightly buttoned over it. Even then, such is the instinct granted to the lower forms of animal life, dogs have growled and whimpered as I passed and people on the Star Ferry have moved away from

mc.

Moths, it seems, have · no scruples. They'll come at any thing.

My mother-in-law is knitting me a pair of bed socks. Red ones with tassels on them. Last year the cat slept in one and the wife used the other one for polishing the silver-ware. I shall probably be made to wear a muffler. This also will be home-knitted.

However, I am used to a muffler, and know exactly how far away from the house I have to be before I take it off and put it in my pocket. When re- just before entering the front door.

"Dumbell's face registered aston surely, ut came to my mind, as turning home I put it on again

"Poison, sir?" he asked,

staring hard at the tell-tale photo- soon as I saw these photographs, graphs,

that someone polished the glass and For the second time Playfair's reply then impressed Maggilees" finger- was sarenstle. "Evidently," he said. prints, after he was dead, "One can fell at once, can't one, from

"And if that's so, Dumbell, it's the these photographs that the contents work of someone who is undoubtedly of the glass were poisonous? Pulla criminal and, almost certainly, a yourself together, man. Sit there and

Inurderer." listen to me, and I'll explain what I have in mind."

no comment,

attention.

Dumbell had followed with close "You're right, sir," he Dumbell hnd the sense to make said. "The sulelde's a fake. What I'm going to do," he said, “Is to set various routine inquiries in motion." Take this to Superintendent Pat- A constable appeared at the door:

ferson."

"The death of Simon Maggieès," said Playfair, speaking now in dead earnest, "had, as you

say. every Appearance of suleide. Let me"-

The constable withdrew, The glanced at the reports at his elbow "What you're going to do, Dum- let me recapitulate the facts, bell," resumed Playfair, "is to see Maggilees was a man of doubtful Inspector James, who's in charge of character, and of doubtful financial the inquiries in Bloomsbury, I want standing. Some say he was a share much more detailed report that I've pusher. At any rate, his activities got on Maggilees' room and its cun have been reported to the Public tents." Prosecutor's department.

"Anythlag." said Dumbell. "that "Two days ago he arrived in town pay throw light on the mystery." and took a single room in Blooms-

"No," corrected Playfair, "eat bury. A cheap, sparsely furnished room for which lie wus to pay a

thing. Everythirig, Dumbell. pound a week. Last night he was from you a complete and exhaustive seen-to-come-In-about-ten-o'clock statement_of_what_there_was_in_that

He was then alone, and there is as yet no positive proof that anyone pald him a visit.

THE TUMBLER

"But someone did pay hùn a visit, Dumbell; I'll stake my reputation on

that.'

"The tumbler!" exclaimed Duinbell, who was following with close atten- tion.

Playfair smiled fainly. I'm coming to the tumbler presently.

"This morning," he continued, "at Inbout 8 o'clock, Mr. Maygilee's Innd-

Bridge Problem

No. 40.

By

arc

** FINESSE "

Nil

5 3

K

+ Q J 1 7

N

★ Nil

W

E

VQ D

⚫ 1 0 8

10

6

Q 5 4

Nil

tends

Clubs

trumps. South and North-South must win six of thei seven tricks,

Solutions by Wednesday to "Bridge Problem", Hongkong "Telegraph", Wyndham,

SOLUTION OF NO 39

South lends diamond six which North wins North wins with king of clubs and leads queen of clubs which South ruff South lends diamond, woven which North ruffs with queen of spades and leads small which West must win and then must lead up from queen-nine of diamonds to South's nee-ten.

spade

100m."

I want

DUMBELL'S NOTEBOOK

Three hours later Dumbell, armed; with his notebook, presented his re- port,

"The room," he began, was aj small bed-sitting room, about ten feet by nine.

I wish I knew how to knit. I'd get my own back on some of these generous souls. Not that I don't know how to knit, mind you; but I'm no good at this fancy stuff.

Last year

knited a tent. I thought it would be cosy for the week-end. Unfortunately, It rained my young nephew is now wearing it one night and it shrank so much that

As a

beret.

winter hasn't got Ils compensations. Mind you, I'm not saying that

Hot rum with lemon and sugar in it, for instance.

LUCK IN WINTERS

You folk are mighty lucky in your winters. In Alaska gets so cold at times that you can snap the fame This saves a lot of candle. On the off a condle and carry it around. other hand, you have to get out of bed and pound the flame with a sledge hammer before you can get it to crack up and go out. Frozen, of course.

In the particular part of Alaska where I was located they gave you a hammer and a pair of tongs to eat your soup with: You first cracked the soup up with the hamuner and

There's a gas-fire in order to avoid trostbite. a ring for boiling a kettle, and a sink, with hot and cold taps. It's lit by a single electric bulb. The bed is a single bed; one of those new-fangled contraptions that let down from the wall.

then fed yourself with the tongs in

By the way, I've searched the

bed-clothes; nothing is hidden there." "Good," said Playfair. "Continue."

"Apart from the bed." sald Dun-| bell, "the only furniture is a table- on which that tumbler was standing a wicker armchair, and a chest of drawers. The chest of drawers was

empty. Mr. Magilees _possessions were all in his trunk. cheap ata

of imitation hide. They were"-he consulted his

notes clean shirt. two collars 4 sut of

of pyjamas, a pair of socks, a safety razor and a cake of soap rolled in a towel.

Also, wrapped in newspaper, a shaving | brush, toothbrush and tube of tooth- paste. And his hat and coat, sir, were hanging behind the door.""

That all?"

"That's all."

"And what WILE on Maggilees' person?"

Dumbell again turned to his note- book. "A handkerchief. A wallet containing two pounds and a return ticket to Northampton. A bunch of кеу. A fountain pen. Eight and sevenpence in change; and a railway timetable.

"And that's absolutely all?" "Yes, sir."

"You've been through the room

a tooth-comb?"

with

"Yes, sir," "Looked under the sink?" "Yes, sir."

FINGER PRINTS

Playfair stroked ́his chin, "Good enough. I suppose, by the way, no new fingerprints have come to light?"

"None, sir." "I didn't suppose

any would. This problem was found not too difficult and the great volume of Well, Dumbell, we have to search solutions proves that this type of for a criminal as to whom, so far, tricky problem has a great fascina that someone, other than Maggieca, | there's no clue. But it's quile certain tion for many people. There were was in that room last night, The far too many correct to give names. M

To the few who were wrong I may firmed."

evidence of those fingerprints

any that on opening lead of trumps. falls.

+

Correct solutions from Mrs. A. K., “Emjay", R. U. M., A.-E. G., "S'cory""

la What reason has Playfair for say

(Solution on Page Two)

ing 207

My experience in Alaska put ten unto my life. I was there Years only nine and a half years, but I

had to wait six months for a boat. It was in Nome that I first learned home now that I am forced to hold skeins of wool while the wife rolls it into a ball.

to knit. It is at

"How much longer have I got to sit here like #big mug? Holding my arms out like a big mug! I wont to read my book!"

"Noi much more to go now, Mind, it's caught in your thumb!”

RAY OF HOPE

stuff rolled up in balls? Anyhow, "Why don't they sell the flaming

what are you going to make with

The mild winter they're having in Hongkong has almost

Spoiled this trip for the witc.

Girls' and Boys' Corner

Name

Address

Dear Kiddies,

This is all my own work

Did you have a jolly Christmas! suppose all your parties are over now and soon you will be settling

duwn to school-work again.

DECEMBER 31, 1987.

Current Affairs Test

HOW TO DO IT

Fivo possible answers are given for each question. Example: Primo Minister of Great Britain is (1) Anthony Edon, (2) Hailsham, (3) Baldwin,' (4) Chamberlain, (5) Lloyd George. The number 4 moaning Chamberlain has been placed at the right of O on the score shoot. (Solutions on Pago Twol. Home Affairs

1.-Parliament meets on January 12. Historically, Parliament gocs back to the reign of (1) George 1. (2) King Alfred, (3) Henry IL (4) Charles 11., (0) William

I.

2The First Lord of the Admiralty has visited Malta. He is (1) Mr. Oliver Stanley, (2) Mr. Ormsby- Gore, (3) Lord Swinton, (4) Sir Thonias

Inskip, (5) Mr. Duff Cooper.

3-His Majesty the King has 03- sented to the marriage of Princess Frederika of Brunswick to Prince Paul of Greece. Consent of the British monarch

was necessary

because Princess Frederika is the (1) great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria; (2) daughter of King Edward VII; (3) niece of Queen Victoria

C

daughter of King

George V; grand-daughter of Queen Victori 1.-New military observation posts have been erected on the long- kong - Kwangtung border. The frontier is delineated by (1) the Pearl River; (2) a large line of mountains; (3) the Shum Chun Iliver; (4) a barbed-wire fence; (5) the Kowloon-Canton-Rallway.

World Affairs

on

5-The Tatarescu Government has resigned in (1) Roumenia; (2) (Czecho-Slovakla; (3) Albaniu; (4) Poland; (5) Hungary. U-Japanese have landed

Wangcum Island, near Hongkong. Wangeum Island is (1) British; (2) Portugese; (3) Chinese: (4) French; (5) Russian, 7-The Japanese have captured the capital of Shantung. The chief town of this province Is (1) Tientsin, (2) Nanchong, (3) Hankow, (4) Tsinan, (5) Chang-

Sine Matsui has issued fur-

ther warnings to China to cease resistance to Japan. Matsui is (1)

Premier of Japan; (2) Japan- ese Foreign Minister: (3) Cuin- mander-in-Chief of the Japanese naval forces in China; (4) Am- bassador to China; (5) Comman- der-in-Chief of Japanese forces in Central China.

General

9. Sheklung was heavily bombed by Japanese planes this week. Sheklung is on (1) the Yangtze River; (2) the Shanghai-Nonking Railway; (3) the Canton-Hankow Railway: (4) the Kowloon- Canton-Railway; (5) the East

River.

10 Lord Rutherford was buried in Westminster Abbey. He has left an enduring reputation is (1) biologist, (2) pliyalcist, (3) (4) chemist, (5)

Steve Donoghue.js reliring-and- will become a trainer. Ile rode. the Derby winner six times, the last time being in 1025 on (1) Cuttle. (2) Ilumorist, Cupina, (4) Papyrus, (5) Gay (3) Crusader,

was seen recently in Hongkon in the film (1) Souls at Sca; (2 A Star is Born: (3) Broadway Melody of 1938; (4) Coptai Courageous; (5) Wings of thi Morning.

Arts and Books

15-Another successful Pantomin

was produced by the YM.C.A this year. It was (1) Dick Whittington; (3) Robinson Cru soe; (3) Jack and the Beanstalk (4) Cinderella; (5) Rip Var Winkle. -In "Punch and Judy" Mr. Val Gellgud brings "Ruritania" up to date. Ruritania was created by (1) Daniel Detoo, (2) George Borrow (3) Anthony Hope (4) Rudyard Kipling, (6) W... Thackeray,

16.-

17.The Life of Emile Zola" la a full-length historical flim. The tiile role is played by (1) Suchá Guitry (2) Fredric March, (3) Paul Muni, (4) William Powell, (5) Harry Bour. 18The

The Complete Memoirs George

Sherston" ia a trilogy "Sherston"

(1) Siegfried Sassoon, (2) R. C, Sheriff, (3) Walter de la Mare, (4) Compton Mackenzie, (5) Eric Linklater. 10.-John Buchon has produced a

now historical study. His Ject is (1) John Knox, (2) Augustus, (3) Gustavus Adol- phus, (4) Pericles, (5) Montrose.

19

Sport

sube

20.--The load in the First Division of the English Football League is still maintained by (1) Leeds, (2) Arsenal; (3) Wolves; (4) Brentford; (5) Preston NE. 21.-The Hongkong Mixed Doubles Championship was won this week by (1) Fincher and Miss Perry; (2) Rumjalin and Mrs. Chlu Chun-chlu (3) Mr. and Mra. Burnett; (4)

(4) Guest and Mion Grimths: (6) Capt. Murray and Mrs. Holmes. 22.--Joc

Louls will defend hla heavyweight title at Madison Square Garden on February 23 against (1) Schmelling: (2) Farr (3) Braddock (4) Carnera; (5) Nathan.

23-Australia has already chasen its captain for the next Test series in England. The team will be led by (1) McCabe: (2) | Oldfield: (3) O'Rielly; (4) Brad- man (5) Richardson.

SCORE SHEET

(0).

(12)

(1)

(13)

(2)

(14)

(8)

(15)

(4)

(16)

(0)

(17)

(G)

(18)

12.-Jupanese planes have frequent-

(7)

(19)

ly

been sighted over Lantau Island, which is (1) Chinese; (2) Portugese; (3) Philippines; (4) French; (5) British.

(8)

(20)

13.-A new De Havilland plane was used by Imperial Airways on the Hongkong route this week. The machine was named the (1) Daedalus; (2) Delphinius; (3) Danne: (4) Darie; (5) Diano. 14.-Annabelle's husband

passed through Hongkong this week. Annabelle, a famous French star,

(9)

(21)

(10)

(11)

(22)

(23)

SCORE:

Age

pleased to receive those cards, thank you so much.

competition, the name of the second Yong Chiu-yung: in last week's

bird was Bluetit, so you guessed 1 received a large number ot correctly. Christmas cards this year and I want

out of that

"I'm going to knit you a jumper." "What Out of this stuff! Can to thank Betty and Laurance, Becker, This week's competition is a clue- you see me in a pale pink jumper! Margie Xavier, Yeung Kit-wa, Suen less crossword puzzle. It is a simple

Mo-iak, Amalia and Maria Sates, puzzle with words Do you think I'm a sis! The dog Wong Chiu-yung, 110 Shuk-chun, Ho favourite rhyme. "Old Mother Hub- can sleep on it!"

Man-chan, Auren Marques for their bard." "There you go, you've got it all very kind wishes. I Was ever so tangled up."

A clueless crossword means that the words below are not clues, but

"I woudn't be found drunk in a home frightfully upset about losing the actual words to be fitted in neros.

and down to the spaces. nulla-nulla in a thing like that" them.

"If you're thinking of any experi ments in nulla-nullas, you can take the sweater off before you get in."

"I won't wear it!"

"Oh, yes you will." Spoken quite calmly, just like that,

writer

ог

好

If someone would only knit me

The best way is to fill in the something sensible, like type longest words first. Then you will

COSY

a knitted sort of

see how the shorter words fit. Ink arrangement to go ever cold door- or pencil may be used. Do not for- knobs or some flesh-coloured thing get to fil in your name, address and to go over the tip of my nose, there age in the coupon below the puzzle. might be some sense in it. As things

And the awful part of it is that are. I'm just here to be practised I know I'll have to wear it just on. the sake at peace and quiet-

for

ness.

The words to be used in the puzzle

ore:

ACROSS

I can see only one way of getting through the knitting season with- USE, KUBOARD, 19, NOD, PAT, poor, out serious domestic trouble. I will ¦ TREN, DY There is one ray of hope, how suggest that my two small nephews

DOWN

ever. Judging by jast Perform- be knitted a conhey're too young PET, FUP, BAY,

outfit from CUPBOARD, AT, DONE, BOON, DOGS,

times

ances, it won't be finistied until next bereis to booteen. summer, and by the time alie has to put any real fight, and by the undone the niceves four or Ave Ume

the outfits are finished, the Send your entries to Uncle Eddie, and dropped a few dozen nephews will be too big to wear e/o "Hongkong Telegraph," before, 4 sülches here and there, It will them, so no harm is done and every-p.m. on Wednesday, probably finish up as a tea cosy or body's satisfied. a child's overcoat at the church bazaar.

Anyhow, judging by the present rate of progress in the knitting Many years ago, before I was department at home, I will have married, she knitted me a scarf. I nothing to worry about until 1940— used to carry it in my pocket until and, in the meantime, anything it was time to meet her, and then might happen.

I would put it on. Such is love. Next week I propose to give full} Now that I have more sense I just details of a knitted thimble for sall- leave the things in trams and come makers,

The prizes will be given in order of merit for work which is correct and the best completed according to nge,

A Happy New Year to you all,

Uncle Eddie

MADE IN

ENGLAND

The World's Acknowledged

Best Cigarette STATE EXPRESS

555

$1.20 for 50

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