The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-08-23
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| lnN letC me with three pOSSlDleS-al
situated wide apart. I spent the best
part of fortnight in the immediate
vicinity of each of 'emxand the Kasih
aver estate romped home, an easy
first"
"Dombergr' murmered Hewitt
shaking his head from side to side
and frowning deeply. IT'D never have
| thought itr'
Stranger things have happened
than that. Chai-hung himself was
our most respected Chinese resident
at one time. if you remember. My
esteemed chief f-staff-one Rabat
Pilai-tells me that at certain sea
sons there's more cargo surreptitious-
ly discharged at Kasih-ayer than the
customs authorities ever dreamed of. -
III put them wise in the morning. -
said the Commissioner between his
teeth.
Pennington's head fell on the others
arm.
Don't do that-or you'll spoil ev.
erything. 1t won't do to let either
Domberg or Chai-Hung suspect we've
the place under observation. Pay EN-
out sufficient rope and you'll find
they'll both hang themselves at Kasih-
aver"
'What you going to do?"
I'm going to bed" returned Chi
nese Pennington, grinning namely.
Damn you? retorted Hewitt po-
ntely.
Thanks; How's Monica. by the
bye?"
A voice from the other side of the
partition cut into the commission
er's reply. 1t was a feminine voice
Of an exceedingly pleasing timbre.
Il was wondering when you We're
going to ask that! Forty-nine min
utes under our hospitable roof--and
never a syllable Of inquiry for poor
Monicai For a matter of second your
fate hung in the balance"
Il know" said Pennington. Il felt
it wobbling!"
The fairest widow east Of Suez-as
Dawson had once termed her in an
effort to be poetic-sailed on to the
veranda attired in a gorgeous XII
mono of blue and silver. She set
tied herself comfortably on the arm
Of Penningtons chair.
Roll me a cigarette please-a nice
fat one. You are rather a devil,
aren't you? You spend half your days
wandering in the jungle wearing all
sorts Of unclean DISCUSSES, chasing a
fat, oily Oriental. Whenever you
feel you require a rest from this
absorbing occupation, you wander in
here at any old hour. drink our
whisky and talk shop into the ever
receptive ears of my brother Having
exhausted every possible subject of
interest, it dawns upon you that
you've a ffancee knocking around
somewhere. How's Monica. by the
bye"' She glanced down at the Gig
arctic. now nearing completion. las
a very special honor you may moisten
the paper and stick 1t down"
Duty before pleasure, you know"
said Pennington. striking a match
Besides. I thought you had gone to
bed"
Il had, but there was a mosquito
in my curtains-a particularly hun
CRY specimen--and 1 couldn't sleep. /
say, is Domberg really in with Chat
Hung?"
The two men exchanged giances.
Monica" demonstrated R&yitt.
you've been Iistening"'
MY poor benighted imbecile, the
wooden walls of this luxurious man
sion act like so many sounding boards:
besides, have you ever encountered
the brand of woman that's going to
stuff cottonwood in her ears and dive
UriL- the bedclothes when secret serv-
ice agents ->re broadcasting their ex-
pIoits?"
- Pennington screwed up his peculiar
eyes.
"Brutally disillusioned, Or all the
women in the world 1 believed ycu
were the one who would
who's Domberg, Jack? Isn't he
that nice old Dutchman with the gray
hair we met once in Sandakan?"
Hewitt stretched his long legs.
That's the Teller. I must confess
liked Domberg. Still, If Peter
says"
Il don't say anything. For all
know Dombers may have no active
hand in the affair at all. but the trou.
b;e's been traced to the Kasinayer
area and. theoretically, he's respon-
sible for anything that goes on there. -
The commissioner began counting
on his fingers.
who's up there with him? Let's
see: Vance, Van Daulen and Whit
taker. Fairy decent crowd, taking
them all round"
Hewitt rose slowly and began pac
ing the veranda. his hands clasped
behind him.
There came a laundering of
hooves from the white road at the
foot of the slope and, before Monica
could reach the rail, a man had nego-
tiated the path and clambered up the
steps. He halted on the threshold
as if the light dazzled him, then
hurled an accusing finger at Hewitt.
Look here, Captain Hewitt, I'm
in no mood to pick my words. l want
to know when you're going to put
an end to this Yellow Seven bust
ness"
The Commissioner poised himself
on the table.
TT would simplify matters a great
DEAL" he said coly, IF I knew who
you were
I'm Van Daulen-of Kasih-ayer.
I've riden every inch of the way
from there tonight"
Did Domberg tell you to Gomez"
demanded Pennington.
The newcomer shot a glance at the
speaker.
IT came here to see the Commits