The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-07-23

forever afterP'
At that moment, Pennington, who
had been looking through the door
way raised a warning finger. Monica
turned to see the face Of Chai-Hung
regarding her from the foot Of the
steps which led to the veranda. Over
| his head was the inevitable red um-
brella, and an understood coone-ill.
| favored and ump-backed-lurked in
the background. The Oriental bent
himself nearly double before the Eng.
lish girl
Good afternoon, Mrs. Virtey. How
| d'you do. Mr.. Pennington? Is His
ExceIlency the Commissioner at
homer"
I'm afraid he's out. Mr.. Chai-Hung
she said.
II came in by the train this after
noon." he said. in a rasping voice.
Il came to suggest that a little more
police vigilance might be exerted in
the district in which my estate lies.
An unpleasant incident occurred there
! last night. Mr.. AlHson-an assistant
on a local plantation-was the victim
Of what I believe you call a gang
murder.
! Pennington's brain reeled.
] Allison he gasped.
! The Oriental nodded calmly.
1T appears he was tae bearer OF
q considerable sum Of money with
which TO pay the coolies. and stayed
a trife too long at a friends bunga-
low"
Thanks" sald Pennington drily.
] I'm much obliged. It's a queer
thing, Mr.. Chd-Hung. but I'd al
from this sort Of thing. I rather fan
cied 1t was because you were there?
For a fraction of a second the eyes
Of Chai-Hung flashed fire.
The Chinaman produced an envel
ope from his tuntc pocket.
Perhaps you would be kind enough
to hand this to Captain Hewitt. II
was found near the scene Of the trag
edy."
Pennington took the envelope.
Il take it that the crime was en-
acted within reasonable distance OF
your house, Mr.. Chai-Hung?"
"Unpleasantly So"
And this-clew was discovered by
one Of your menu"
1T was foundry me-"
Pennington screwed up his eyes.
That's interesting" he said softly
Il wonder if you could manage tc
pass this way again, say tomorrow
morning-aobut temp"
Chai-Hung shook his head slowly.
I'm afraid that would be utterly
impossible"
Going away?" inquired Penning
ton casually.
The corners of the 7Chinaman's
mouth twitched
Il may possibly be absent from my
residence-for an indefinite period,
he announced loftily. Il shall be
obliged If you will inform His Excel
lency the Commissioner that one OF
my secretaries will attend to any
correspondence he may think neces
sary."
He turned abruptly and made his
way toward the dusty road-a hun
dred yards below.
"Well?" demanded Monica eagerly
as soon as the celestial and his bunch
backed satellite were out Of ear-shot
/ Pennington leaned back against the
wooden rail.
Its perfectly amazing" he ad
mitted. I'm dashed sorry for poor
Allison, of course, but it's the main
issue that interests me ct this mo
ment. Look at the staff-work! He
deliberately organizes a tragedy al
| NoIy
ly arranges things so that he will be
the first to bring the news TO the
commissioner. Then he presents us
with one Of these delightful little
| symbols, for all the world as If he'd
never seen one in all his life be-
fore! Ye Gods%
He slid a finger under the flap OF
/ the envelope and tore it open. Monica
saw him draw out a card. He held
the thing with its black back before
her, then twisted his fingers so that
she could observe the bright yellow
surface Of it's other side, and the seven
black dots with which it was orna-
mented.
THE Yellow SevenF' she whis-
pered.
Pennington left the rail and began
pacing the veranda.
His agents are everywhere, he
ventured presently. Even his visit
this afternoon was carefully calcula-
ted so that he should run no risk of
encountering your brother on his way.
He knew that Hewitt was lunching
with the Governor at Sandakan. He
is undoubtedly equally aware that
the commissioner is returning with
the warrant for the arrest Of our
friend. Chai-Chungr
Then that is why"
THAT is why he is going away for
an indefinite period"
Monica's forehead wrinkled.
"Oughtn't you to do something's"
Pennington smiled grinlly.
"Chai-Chung is being watched
night and day."
Monica uttered a deep sigh of con
tentment.
"I don't see that there's much to
bother about. then. You're bound to
get hin"
! You'd think so. wouldn't you?