The Washington herald., 1921-06-19
Wherein Michael Queen,
Inquiry Agent, Confronts
a Sinister Mystery of the
West Indian Cane Fields.

w the West Indies on special mis-
sion, rejoiced exceedingly, for the time was
late January, London suffered from abom-
Unable weather. and the prospect Of even
few weeks in the tropics presented very real
charm
They offer me ten thousand pounds to
co. explained Duveen, and II it meant any
thing less than ten days at sea, should be
pleased to do SO.
Il have told them, however that I shah
send one in whom 1 place absolute conf
dence; that shall devote personal attention
to the subject from this side; and that, If
we solve the mystery for them. fee Of five
thousand will content me; while, II we fail
to do 50, shall ask nothing but my repre-
sentative's expenses. 1 hear today by cable
that they are satisfied with these conditions.
and I invite you, therefore. to sail in the
Royal Mail steam packet Don from South
ampton on Wednesday next"
Delighted, SIR"
1T will be a considerable feather In your
cap II you can make anything Of the crime.
The data are involved. and one cannot build
the most shadowy theory Of what occurred
upon them. Indeed I shall not trouble you
with these voluminous but vague documents
You can go with an open and an empty mind.
for II hand you this screed, you'll be puz-
zling at It all the way to Barbados and. pos
sfbiy. arrive with some cut and dried idea
that will stand IN your way and even cloud
your Judgment before you begin
involves three dead men. but apparently,
nobody who Is alive. Quite interesting and.
should say. quite dificult; but that's only
an impression. You may clear It up yourself
without much trouble; or you may put me in
a position to do SO from England; or It may
beat rs both See me again before you go:
and book your passage today, otherwise you
won't get a comfortable berth. There's q
great rush among holiday people on the West
Indies this year.
-One question Where am to go?-
only with the home ship to Barbados
The case hes IN that island alone, 50 far as
I know. Should you have to go farther
aneld, Of course you VIII do 50. Good luck.
my friend I hope It's something that may
PAN'o ~ yS1s e4o ke14 ea1i6 uAns VI
your success
/ thanked the great man and withdrew
well pleased, for Duveen's compliment, were
few and far between. He never praised, but
his satisfaction took shape of work. and
knew very wen that he had not chosen me
for what sounded to be fairly important In
vestigation without assurance that should
IL fllsffca To inf
A fortnight later there came a morning
when lounged on the deserted deck Of the
Don and watched glorious blending Of
moonlight and dawn.
Barbados had been for some time visible,
lying like huge sea monster between the
flashing white light on Ragged Point and q
crimson beacon above a further promontory;
but now the sun climbed I'D heaven. as only
he climbs in the tropics, and the island was
limned in every detail under his tremendous
blaze. I saw low. undulating, cultivated
lands, wherein the miles Of sugar-cane
looked at first like fields Of grass green wheat
or barley; I noted the windmills and dotted
dwellings and brown, titled earth; while be-
meath them, crowned with palms that clus-
its cleaning masses OF white architecture be-
side the blue waters and sun bleached
beaches.
A fleet Of lighters manned with men of
every hue. from mahogany to brown, from
yellow to putty colour. was soon about US
while dozens Of smaller vessels crowded in
as soon as the shore authorities were salts
xal. ~
groaned and Chartered; people rushed hither
and thithe- shaking hands and saying fare.
well, gathering luggage and tipping stewards
e ley departed.
Then came a message for me, and pres
'ntly my trunk an. kit-bass were lowered
into white boat with crimson cushions.
good-looking, sun-tanned individual sat
In It and greeted me pleasantly, while two
Negroes pulled the boa. ashore. He was
Drowned by the tropic sun, but his gray eyes
and fair ha.r and clean-cut cast Of features
proclaimed him an EngIishman He was tall.
wsl quilt, and dressed In black clothes,
which Somewhat concealed his size and mus.
cular development. He might have been
rorty-fve. but life in Barbados had tended
to age him. and learned presently that he
was but five and thirty years Of age
Amos Slanning. owner Of the famous Peli.
can plantations and sugar factories, chatteL
as We rowed ashore; but he spoke with an
object. and gave me various items OF infor.
nation that served as preliminary to tn.
story he was to tell
srbados." he said. unlike most Of the
"esl Indies. has had a fairly peaceful his.
tory. An English ship took possession Of it
ia 1908. and It has never changed hands
Stree, There's no more loyal corner of the
Empire than Birmhire. as we call this island