New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1923-08-22
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY

Chard Bromley was in his element.
His tall figure moved everywhere
He was undeniably handsome and the
dark hair going gray at the sides lent
an air of distinction. His ordinarily
PALE cheeks were slightly flushed and,
as the meal wore on, his flood OF con-
sersation increased in volume until
every eve Of the room was fixed upon
him. 1t seemed to Monica, who lost
nothing, that he had caught some
thing of the sparkle of the vintage
he had unearthed; but his glass re-
manned as she had first seen stand
when he joined in toast his lips
touched the surface of the fluid and
that was all,
1t Is possible that Mrs Whey was
prejudiced. She had started with a
vaguely conceived dislike for Enid
and it was not altogether unnatural
for her to extend this luminosity to-
ward her father. But, quite apart
from this, there was something about
Chard Bromley that repealed her. He
seemed to be acting a part, to be as
Stunning cultured accent rather than
talking naturally. and-eyeing him
furtiyely-she noticed that he glanced
at frequent intervals at his watch
Enid-pale, glittering and amaz-
ingly turned out. greeted Hewitt with
affected warmth.
The meal was finished. During
the simultaneous pushing back of
chairs Monica found Dawson at her
side
Its all wrong, Mrs Whey" he was
saying. He can't possibly expect
us to dance after this. Two-t thirds
of the men are bottled already, or
well on the way toward it, The rest
of 'em have laid such solid founda-
ton that they won't care about in
dulging in serious exercise. Hullo!
Here's young Gwynne! What an I'M
holy hour to roll up!"
Hes brought friend, too" added
Monica, turning slightly to scrutinize
dapper man in immaculate whites
who had not troubled to remove his
topee.
& Suddenly woman screamed. 1t
was at that moment Mrs. Whey saw
that Gwynne held Chard Bromley
covered with a busnesslike looking
automatic
Don't move, Mr.. Soames!" he said
coldly Captain Hewitt, do you
mind seeing Miss Mayne doesn't
clear?"
The Commissioner started to his
feet, his forehead wrinkled.
Il mean the woman who calls her
self Enid Bromley. Soames, now
we're all here, perhaps you'll be good
enough to tell us why Chat Hung
paid your passage to Borneo!-why
you kidnapped the real Chard Brom-
ley and dumped him in a cellar in
the Chinese quarter at Singapore
and what you and your confederate
hope to gain by all this!" He con-
cluded with an eloquent sweep of his
tree hand.
Women looked from one to the
other with startled eyes, men sprang
from their seats and CROPPED for their
Whats all this mean, Gwynne?'
demanded Hewitt. ..
The younger man beckoned to his
companion.
This is the real Chard Bromley"
But" gasped Dawson. The
sentence was never concluded, for,
with surprising suddenness, every
light went out. At the same time a
distant, muffled explosion rent the ,
outer air.
There followed a scene of indescrib-
lble confusion, of pandemonium
above which Gwynne's voice could be
heard shouting for somebody to stop
Soames.
Hewitt gathered his scattered wits.
Keep quite still everybody" he
ordered. Dawson, find that switch"
After an appreciable interval the
light came on, revealing a chaotic
ningling of overturned tables and
scattered or broken crockery. There
was no sign of Enid or Soames or
he native walters in the white coats.
The man who had been nearest the
actor had. vanished, too. He re-
turned almost Immediately, wild-eyed
and breathless.
Its the Yellow Seven" he painted
excitedly They've fired the forest
That swine must have known all
about it; he's been telling trees for
weeks. The whole estates surround
I'd by circle of flame. It'll be upon
us before we know where we are."