1938-01-22 — Page 11

HONGKONG TELEGRAPH WEEK-END SECTION

The Lorraby Murder Case

EPISODE 58 FROM INSPECTOR

PLAYFAIR'S NOTEBOOK

HONEYMOON

Things now Was

Malone in his fint. It was Mr. Honeymoon produced a whisky

struck him on the base of the skull. and led without uttering a sound. The moneylender lurched forward

vind suda; as his guest reached Just after five o'clock, forward to take it Honeymoon, pro and darkness had already ducing a spanner from his pocket, fallen. Mr. Honeymoon, having mide his preparations, was put ting on his hat and coat in the hall. He was about to switch off the light when there came & violent ring at the bell. Honey- moon started gulltily: could it be that the police had wind of his intentions?

But no: Kuch a thing was in

Damn it, mullered Mr. possible. Honeymoon tetely; I mustn't begin the evening by getting the fters,

THE MAN FOR THE METER

was

Good riddance to bad rubbish," Honeymoon's only cominent. to had killed his man all right, but real anxletles of the evening the were now about to begin.

Putting on

pair of gloves, Honeymoon went carefully through his guest's pockets. He soon found what he wanted; certain promissory notes of his own which he had re- quested the along.

moneylender to laringt Tearing these ecoss, he thrust them into his pocket.

It was now about eight o'clock, The next hour and a half were i severe fest of Honeymoon's nerves. "Having laken care to obliterate

door.

Opening the door, he was con- from his flat all possible trace of fronted by a young man in uniform. the dead man's fingerprints, be at "From the Electric, sir," he said. length-about 9.10-turned out the

To take the meter.""

Hight and cautiously opened the Honeymoon peered at him sus- piciously. No, this couldn't be a There was no one, about. At the policeman in disguise and, in any end of the passage was a kind of case, he hadn't yet done anything alcove. Taking the corpse of Lor criminal. The future would take raby in his arms, and listening Curc of itself. "Right," he said, with strained attention for footsteps "Come in. But be as quick as you or other sounds. Honey incon stole can: I've Rot

a date,”

along the passage and dumped the "Shon't be two minutes, sir," the dead money-lender in the alcove. young man answered briskly. He Then he made his way downstairs was almost as good as his word. by the back route. Once again luck When Honeymoon showed him out, a was with him; as he went out he few minutes later,

eleven saw, and was seen by, no one. It was minutes past dve by his watch.

"Mustn't forget this chap's visit," MR. HONEYMOON'S

said Buneymoon to himself, "He may prove a useful witness to my

movements,"

11is

movements

sane block

ALIBI

the

How he spent the rest uf the certainly evening were

can readily be odd. Descending the lift, he got out At a quarter past ten he was back imagined. his ear, which was garaged in the at the Megatherium, making his way as his flat. Then he through the restuurant, and showing drove off, making as much noise as bult of his original ticket, as though possible, heading for the West End,

he had just come out for coffee.

At five to eleven

he left einerna and got his car out of the Korage. Hte

commented in detail on the Megatherium show for the Here be parked his car. Then eleven forty-one he drove into his benefit of the Garage-man, Ai affer a quick meal, at Danezzi's—a small restaurant where Honeymoon own garage, and made his way up was already well known-he walked the main staircase to his fat as to the Megatherlum Cinema.

VISIT TO THE MEGATHERIUM

3

ostentatiously as he could,

pocket.

PLAYFAIR STEPS IN

body

The money-lender's

Jund

This gigantic place of entertain fragments, and distributed from the On the way back he had turn into ment. four-hour

recently opened, offered

programme for half-a- window of his car, the documents crown. I was deservedly popular; which he had stolen from Lorrnby's crowded, in fact, every night. 'Mr. Honeymoon, the night before, had sat through the entire programm

In spite of this fact, he once again paid his half-crown. "Any phone message for me?" he asked as he already been discovered, and Inspec- WOR handed the

ticket. "Honey- tor Joshua Playfair was in charge. moon's the name." He was noi sur-

Questioned as to whether he knew prised to learn. that there was a the dead man-dead, message for him. He had phoned at evidence went, for about three hours so medical through himself, from a call-box. Mr. Honeymoon at once-admitted- half-an-hour bef

that he did. "I should not be sur It was nine minutes to seven when prised," he said, "if he'd come here Mr. Honeymoon entered the Mega- to see me. No, I didn't owe him therlum. It was four minutes to anything. I settled up with ilm seven when having drunk a cup of earlier this week. coffee in the restaurant-he left by motive-though

I had no possible there's plenty, I was twenty dare say, that had-for, bumping the three minutes past seven when hit poor fellow off." arrived at his own fat, having

before.

a different door. It

taken

no fewer than three different taxis

his

three

"Can you account for your move- Playfair looked at him shrewdly. ments Mr, Honeymoon?"

and walked the last hundred yards.

Now came the most dificult part Certainly, Inspector. I left the of his

adventure. He had to reach house let me see, soon after five. wn flat own

without being seen. Young chap had just been here to Fortunately for his plan, there were read the meter. Went to Danezzi's to the block; at one Restaurant-had a chop and a Welsh entrances of these, after seven, there was no rabbit--then to the Megatherium porter on duty.

Mr. Honeymoon went in at this entrance, and duly

arrived at his own flat without meeting anyone on the way,

At half-past seven there was ring at his bell. He opened the door to admit Mr. Lawien Lorraby, money-lender.

DEATH OF A MONEYLENDER

Cinema. Left Just before the show ended-have only just returned."

"That see

seems explicit said Pinyfair. "I'll have

chouli," to check up on it, though, of course., Shouldn't take me long. In the meantime, you say

you haven't been near flat?""

your "How could I have been near it?"

"Has anyone else a key to 11" "Not that I know of."

טת

J10

plore the dat if you minu," said Playfair. For the "Find your way up all right" don' asked Mr. Honeymoon Bably, next hour it became the base from switching off the light in the hall. which he conducted his inquiries. "Come in here" he opened the Honeymoon had done his "cleaning- door of the living-room. "Come in up"

carefully;

trnce of Lor- comfortable." baby's presence, and make yourself

Incriminating He switched on the light and an Anger-prints, confronted the Inspec- electric fre. "Sit down and I'll get for at the nut. Yet at the end of you a drink."

Its inquiries he had no hesitation "Thanks,"

"Nice in arresting Honeymoon gald Lorruby. little place this. Yes, I found my plcian. way up all right; couldn't very well Why? go wrong."

on SUS-

(Solution in Column Tree)

TEST YOUR VOCABULARY

Professor Johnson O'Connor, of the Stevens Institute of Technology, New Jersey, arranged this vocabulary test. One of the words following the bold-type word in each line comes closest to its meaning. Which one is it?

1 An enervating exercise-sooth~|| slon, policy.

ing, exciting,

distressting, in-8

vigorating, weakening.

2 A refulgent smile-mischievous,

flattering, sour, repellent, bright.

very

3 is tilted, manner-irresolute, improper, cordial, stifly formal, vicious.

4 Scurrilous rogue-hurrying, des-

A burly farmer-brutal, quarrel- some, trall, sturdy.

9 Rumour was rife-common, grow-

ing, unfounded, rare, early. 10 Benign

net--spiteful.

vigorous,

legal, carefree, kindly.

11 Without cocreion-malice,

fict, force, fraud, wilfulness:

con-

perate, abusive, frantic, diseased, 12 His plighted word-unfortunate,

Peremptory order persuasive,; uncertain, angry, decisive, plun

xant.

6 People of that vicinity--wicked-

pledged, broken, cutsed.

13 Frurimi remarks - childish,

fumily-j

ly-pure, Indecent, sarcastic,

Boothing.

hose, town, neighbourhood, sort,, 14 His calensible reason--apparent,

tendency.

7 He opposed the severance-stern- ness, gathering, contracl, divi-

fundamental, actua), debatable, undoubled,

Anawera in Column Threo)

GRAMOPHONE

THE

"Nutcracker" suite, which Tchaikovsky form- ed out of the music of his ballet of the same name, con- tains some of the finest light music ever written. One is never tired of hearing it again, and because it is so likeable and so easy to ruin through careless performance, one welcomes the more warm- ly such a rendering as that of the latest H.M.V. record.

The players are the L.P.O. and the 'conductor Goossens. There is, as far as I can hear, nothing on any of the three records to criticise adversely. The whole thing is turned out to perfection, graceful phras- ing matched by precise at- tack, orchestral tone of

a charming quality set off by clean-cut rhythm.

OTHER

ballets, notably Falla's splendid "Three Cornered Hat" and Stravin- sky's "Petroushka” make A flect appearance on an effec. tive single orchestral record.

que lent" (issued by Colam- bia) has the same quality of technical accomplishment, while Hilda Bor combines an equally effective dexterity with an almost 'miraculous feat of organisation.

JOAN CROSS has made an

outstandingly beautiful record (H.M.V.) of the "Ave Maria" and tho "Willow Song". from Verdi's Otello. Her performance is dramati- cally and vocally admirable, and it is

relief to hear such

clear English.

*

MAYER L'S BILLY

"Aquarium Suite" is no- thing if not ambitious. It follows Gershwin's lead in treating light music sym- phonically, and it, too, is in the style of a piano concerto with many pretty, decorative effects which the composer at the piano does to a nicety (Col).

The tunes scem more numerous and are rather more diverting than those in Gersh-

FOR those who collect bril- win's "Rhapsody in Blue."

liant performances there are a number of records that should be tried out. Heifetz heads the list with Saint- Sacn's "Havanaise" for violin and orchestra (the L.S.O under 'Barbirolli), which he plays with such masterly ease and so attractively that the music itself sounds almost as interesting as his performance of it.

ANIA

re-

DORFMANN'S cord of a Chopin Taran- telle and of Debussy's "Plus

PROBLEM ANSWERS

Are You Sure?

(Questions on Page 2). 1.-A fodder plant. 2. Tin

3. -A spoar used by bull.

fighters.

4. Ramsay MacDonald, 5.-Henry VIII.

6.-4 years.

7 Montague, 8.-"no new thing-" 9.A form of torturo. 10.-Africa.

11 -A Burmese bandit. 12.-Protecting the carpet from heavy wear. 13. On the right looking down from the source, etc.

14. Right arm and right

cyo.

15. Kwangtung. 16.-1,825 feet.

17.

18.

-A heart cater. -Mt. Victoria. 19. Dirij-iblc.

20-Coined money. 21.-2.

22.--Africa. 23-Matthew and John. 24-88 miles,

25. Fourteen nights.

The Lorraby Murder Caso

Playfair was struck at once by the opportune fact that the con- sumption of electricity had been checked just as Honeymoon left the flat. The meter readings were recorded on card. Almost the first thing Playfair did was to check them-when he discovered nt once that, since the meter wis rend, there had been an appreci- able amount of electricity sumed. Honeymoon was detained

can-

while more elaborate inquiries were set on fool, and in due course from the evidence of various taxi-drivers-his careful- ly-built-up albi was shattered.

Your Vocabulary

(See Above)

ANSWERS: 1, Weakening. 2. Very bright. 3. SUMy formal. 4. Abusive, 5. Decisive, 8. Neigh- bourhood, 7. Division, A. Sturdy. D. Common. 10. Kindly. 11. Force. 12. Pledged. 13. Indecent. 14. Apparent.

Minute Mystory

*mopuja in din avoj -aq kŋoaip pun ja aut istaga Bunny orym przy o

Anal 104% damu kazn

-so you proɔ Jalapinus at on

am *01qj8ja" DIJM spray du juo plus. Loŭto

i

Ja

...There is a good Larry Adler record of Ellington's "Cara- Van,"

The latest Maxwell Stewart records should be encouraged because they are announced as being played "in strict rhythm." And it's true!

SWING has been given the

distinction of an H.M.V. album all to itself. This at once gives it something like permanent significance. It be- comes all historic exhibit in the same showcase "that con- tains examples of the various periods that eventually pro- duced Palestrina, Beethoven and Verdi. I don't think Swing has so far produced its own particular Beethoven.

'The musical interest of the seven items in this album (one imagines they were chosen as being the highlights of Swing) is negative, and there is no sign of any but the most rudimentary construc- tive ability. But as organised noise they are instructive and perhaus valuable.

“Sing,—sing, aing," which,- according to the descriptive notes from America, is "just Gene on tom-tom and Benny freely improvising on clari- net," is the longest stretch of Swing I have over heard. The tom-tom is a good effect, but surely it need not sound so uniform in tone."

Of the two records featur- ing "Fats" Waller, "ex-organist of a Harlem church," the better is "Honeysuckle Rosc.” Both provide slick piano play- ing which draws unkind at- tention to the trite harmonies and tunes. In all these re- cords thero are solo per formances that the technical- ly remarkable. "A healthy trend," says the anonymous writer of the descriptive leaf- let, "that has developed the last two years has been the recognition given individuaÏ members of popular hot- bands."

·' זי:

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 1938

Fill-up about

INDISCREET WIVES

WE

to

HILE taking afternoon tea recently in the Hongkong Hotel, I was as- tounded, during a lull in the tinkle of cups and spoons, recognise a woman's voice behind me criticising her husband. The tone was familiar, and discreet glance confirmed that she was a near neighbour of mine.

A

The detalls of A family squabble which she was retail- ing for the benefit of her friend and others nearby-set me thinking how indiscreet some women are in their speech in public.

It is an old joke, of course, that women cannot hold their tongues, but it is a great pity that so much idle chatter on intimate matters takes place within earshot of others. Don't Broadcast Your Troubles

Home disagreements, especially between husband and wife, should not in any circumstances be brand- cast, and for a woman to do so shows great disloyalty to her hus- band, and is a first-class matrimonial blunder.

Husbands as a class have prob

++

Another Minute Mystery. HOW GOOD A DETECTIVE ARE YOU ?

THE

THE professor wheezingly mounted 0 hastly procured stepladder, peered out through tho room's single frotted window, four feet square.

"The murderer fired from the garden through here?" he inquired.

"Tell me about it." The criminologist stepped down with a slight groan...he had a touch of lum- bago. He looked curiously around the modernistic- ally furnished basement of Olney's home. It had been converted into a bar and lounge.

"Well, Betty Clark, a friend of mine, was sitting against the wall there directly beneath the window,' Olney explained. "I was standing behind the bar mixing a martini. We were alone. Suddenly the window opened and a rifle barrel was shoved through. I yelled, but Betty didn't move; too startled, I guess. "Then I ducked behind the bar just as the killer fired. A few seconds after he fled I went to Betty's aid, but she was dead... a bullet through her head."

"Can you

describe the assassin?" Fordney asked.

"No-the only visible part of the man was two pudgy hands grasping the rifle-but I did notice what appeared to be an emerald ring on the hand that held the barrel."

"Have you a phone down here?"

"Yes," responded Olney-"behind that screen." The professor stared at the Instrument before lifting the receiver. "Hello . Fordney speaking

send two men out to Olney's house."

He replaced the receiver, turned and said, "Want to change your story before the police get here, Olney? It's pretty weak!"

The professor knew Olney was lying. How? Solution is upside down at foot of Colum Three.

Let wives remember this when ably as many faults as wives, but intinite as well as the trivial details; certainly few can be accused of dis- of married life and the home. The they are tempted to tell their friends cussing their wives before strangers, very disloyalty of auch die gossip of the last little squabble in the while even in front of friends theying would heartily shock the aver-honie; if perchance the fact that it will only do so with on air of pride. age husband, who would be un- has been revealed reaches their They would therefore be quite nerved at the thought that such husbands' cars, the tiny rift may amazed it they realised the way in matters were discussed with women well develop into a serious breach. which wives will reveal the most acquaintances.

J. W.

Tragedy

VEXT MORNING%

of a tired-

It's going

to be GLORIOUS

looking bridesmaid

I don't want to

see the wedding Betty darling!! picture. I know what is the I look dreadful!

matter. You even wake tired these days. You ought to see a

doctor!

Where's my

bouquet?

I'm so thrilled

THINKS:

How I dread this. I look awful,

beside the others- my face so dull- and this

*THAT ZENE

What a lovely couple! NIGHT

-and the bridesmaids,

aren't they sweet. Pity Betty looks so dull-spoils

it rather

From a wedding comes a wedding, but not for Betty if you ask me!

AT THE DOCTORS"

this waking

tired tells on your whole appearance. Puring sleep you burn up energy by breathing and other automatic actions, if this energy is not replaced- of course you wake

tired. It's Night

Starvation!

tiredness!

and so every night :

TWO MONTHS LATER

Oh, mummy, I'm so thankful to you for helping me!

Does your daughter wake tired?

WAKING TIRED affects a girl In

het appearance and personality, She never look), and never feels her best. She's unfairly handicapped. Give her Horlicks a cuplul regularly at night. She'll wake refreshed — full of energy and sparkle. Get Horlicks today.

HORLICKS

GUARDS AGAINST NIGHT STARVATION