New Britain herald., 1923-08-23

nington. detective sent by his gov
eminent to British North Borneo to
run to earth The Yellow Seven, a
gang OF Chinese bandits.)
Chinese Pennington stumbled up
the steps of the Commissioners bun
galow and threw himself at full
length in long chair.
Captain Hewitt-immersed in the
fourth attempt to bring to a success
full conclusion game of patience
swept the cards into jumbled heap.
THAT you, PENN"
The man with the Chinese eyes
moved restlessly.
Its me all right.--I'm dead beat"
The Commissioner crossed to where
a lacquered tray rested on a table and
measured out what he knew to be
Pennington's habitual tot.
Pennington reached out foG the
tumbler. Hewitt. old sony I've
reconnoitered the complete coastlinc
of British North Bornco since | saw
you last. The Chai-Hung affairs
nearing its final stages. The bandit
knows it and will probably make a
desperate attempt to quit the island
altogether.
The Commissioner yawned. Hc
had had neayy day and it was ten
minutes short of midnight
Hes been away before" he re-
minded the younger man; but he's
rolled up again with unfailing fegu-
larity."
Pennington's fingers CROPPED in a
pocket, searching for his pouch and
cigarette papers
Things have never been so hot
for our enemy as they are at this mo-
ment. The secret society of which
Chat Hung is the head has to lie
pretty low in these days, you can take
it from me; the yellow Seven's be-
coming back number; it's weeks
since the yellow card with the seven
black dots went abroad with its mes
sage of death. It's Chai-Hung5
amazing personality alone that has
kept the fire smouldering that we've
exerted every effort to eXtinguish,'
He blew out a long wreath of smoke.
TITS been a wonderful experience,
Hewitt, in spite of all our set-backs.
There's something exhilarating in
tackling a worthy enemy"
Hewitt smiled
I'm glad you think so. For my
Fart I'm utterly fed-up with our yell
low friend"
"Of course you are. You want to
place Chat Hung in convenient
cover and pigeon-hole him for ever
more. You sent for me to lay him
by the heels, lord knows how many
weary months ago-and I'm still at
1t. For sixteen solid days I've been
acting as a sort of railway porter
sIamming doors on Mr.. Chai-Hung.
Every planter owning an inch of
coast is on the qui vive-or says he
Is. After so many assurances OF
loyalty and devotion to duty, ] had
to sit down in quiet corner and con-
slider who was the unclean hound
that was letting us down. Fortu-
nately it appears there's only one.
His place is under observation. It's
sheer assumption. OF course, but I'm
prepared to swear I'm right"
The Commissioner leaned forward
In his chair
'a.Who is it," he demanded in low
voice.
..Domberr." .
THE utch manager at Kasih-
ayer?''
i The other nodded.
Il arrived at my conclusion by
process OF elimination. My first
scrutipy left me with three possibcs
eifputad Wide I gnpnt
the best part of fortnight in the i'm
mediate vicinity of each of 'em--and
the kasih-syer estate romped home,
an easy first
.Domberg!" murmurcd Hewitt
shaking his head from side to side
and frowning deeply. I'D never
have thought it,"
Stranger things have happened
than that. Chat Hung himself was
our most respected Chinese resident
at one time, If you remember. My
esteemed chief of staff--one Rabat-
me that at certain sea-
sons there's more cargo surreptitiously
discharged at lSasih-ayer than the
Customs authorities ever dreamed of. :"
{ .I'll put them wise in the morn
ing said the Commissioner between
his teeth.
I Penningtons head fell on the
CHEERS arm
Don't do that--or you'll spoil
everything. 1t won't do to let either
Tomberg or Chat Hung suspect we've
the place under observation. Pay
en- out sufficient rope and you'll find
they'll both hang themselves at
What are you going to do"
I'm going to bed" returned Chi
nese Pennington, grinning inately.
Damn you"' retorted Hewitt po-
lItely.
Thanks! How's Monica, by the
bye ?"